Kinoko Sennin

Kinoko Sennin (きのこ仙人), meaning Mushroom Hermit or Mushroom Mystic, is a character exclusively appearing in Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!, an animated adaptation of the events of Super Mario Bros. He is apparently the author of the book Luigi uses to identify Mario's keepsake, and appears once Kibidango leads them to the Mushroom Kingdom. He explains that the kingdom was attacked by the evil King Koopa, who is planning to marry Princess Peach. She believed in the prophecy of mustachioed twins in colorful clothing coming to save the day, but was kidnapped when she found Mario. He also tells Mario that the only way to save the Mushroom Kingdom and Princess Peach is to find the three legendary items: a mushroom, a flower, and a star. He then sends Mario off to save the kingdom and has him take Kibidango along with him. He also tells Luigi that if he helps Mario, he may keep any gold coins he finds during their journey, enticing him. When the gang is off in the distanct, Kinoko Sennin mysteriously vanishes, saying that he will pray for their success. Later, he reappears along with Peach after she has been rescued and united with her prince, offering some sage words about the heroes who saved the Mushroom Kingdom.