Mallow

"Gee, your soaking wet, aren't you?"

- Mallow

Mallow is a cloud-like character from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. He is also the de jure prince of Nimbus Land, as well as Mario's first partner in the game. In battle, Mallow isn't especially strong physically; however, he has a strong command of magic, including the ability to heal. All of his special attacks are weather-based.

Background
Mallow was born to the royal family in Nimbus Land, King and Queen Nimbus. However, while still an infant, a storm hit Nimbus Land and Mallow, while in a basket, was swept away by the rain waters. The currents eventually brought the young Mallow to Tadpole Pond, where he was discovered by the sage Frogfucius. Frogfucius removed the basket from the waters, discovering a little ball of puff inside. On the cloud child's belt, the name "Mallow" was inscribed. Frogfucius rightly deduced that this was the young cloud person's name, and he decided to raise Mallow as his grandson. The old frog raised him as one of his own, and as such Mallow grew up believing he was a tadpole, despite his unusual appearance in relation to the tadpoles he grew up with. However, throughout his childhood, Mallow never felt like a normal tadpole - he didn't have a tail, he was a bad jumper and a terrible swimmer; additionally, he was also much larger than all the other tadpoles.

''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
One day, Mallow visited the Mushroom Kingdom to buy a Cricket Pie for Frogfucius. However, the Frog Coin he was given to buy it was stolen by Croco, a reptilian thief. Mallow attempted to chase him, but Croco was too fast. Mallow gave up and began to cry. A rainstorm started, revealing Mallow's unusual control over the weather.

Mario witnessed this and assisted Mallow. The two of them traveled to Bandit's Way to catch Croco. After chasing him, the two caught Croco and regained Mallow's coin after a battle.

Mallow thanked Mario and they returned to the Mushroom Kingdom. The two of them rescued the Mushroom Kingdom from the monsters it had been overrun with: Shysters and Mack, one of the members of the Smithy Gang, recovering a Star Piece in the process.

The Chancellor thanked Mario and Mallow, but revealed that he was worried about Smithy and his weapons. Mallow suggested that he and Mario go to Tadpole Pond to visit his grandfather, Frogfucius, who might know what to do.

When they arrived, Frogfucius told the two that they need to collect seven Star Pieces. Additionally, he revealed a secret he had been hiding: Mallow is not really a tadpole. Mallow was shocked by the news, but Frogfucius told him that his real parents were out there, somewhere, and that he would be joining Mario to help him and to find his real family. Mallow, who had been expecting to stay at Tadpole Pond, nevertheless agreed, and he accompanied Mario on his adventure.

After traveling with Mario for a while, the team went to Nimbus Land, a city on a cloud inhabited by people who looked remarkably like Mallow. When they arrived, they noticed a commotion at the castle. Valentina was telling a group of citizens that she had found "Prince Mallow" after all the time he had been missing. She brought out Dodo, a large bird. Everyone believed that Dodo was indeed their missing prince. Mallow himself mentioned that it was interesting that there was a prince with the same name as him, not suspecting anything. He also suggested to Mario to pass by the area, citing that it was unimportant to the star search.

While in Nimbus Land, they visited Garro, a sculptor. There was a golden sculpture at the side of his room. Mallow noticed it and remarked that it looked identical to him. Garro said that it was the king of Nimbus Land when he was very young; then he turned around. He realized that Mallow was indeed the missing prince and that Dodo was an impostor, and sent them to the castle to stop Valentina. Mallow then found out that he was one of the Nimbus People and indeed their prince; he also finally managed to meet his true parents, King Nimbus and Queen Nimbus. Despite his opportunity to return to the throne and take care of princely matters, Mallow decided to continue traveling with Mario until their quest was over.

Mallow was last seen in the first of the many cutscenes generated by the Star Pieces spangling the Star Road during the game's ending sequence. He was here shown presenting himself to his people; the facts that he was dressed in a crown and cape indicate that he had by then taken up the role of prince once and for all. Like several characters introduced in the game, Mallow has not appeared again.

Personality
It is evident that Mallow might have low self-esteem before joining Mario, who apparently earns courage when he and Mario defeat Croco to get Frogfucius' coin back. There are parts in the game where Mallow becomes emotional; namely, when Croco steals Frogfucius' coin and Mallow can't catch up with him, when he finds out he is not a Tadpole and Frogfucius is not his real grandfather, when he finds a star on Star Hill that reads a wish from his parents hoping he comes home safe and also when he finally meets his parents again after defeating Valentina. Mallow also looks up to Mario as a role-model and admires his jumping skills, much like the other tadpoles do, which was how Mallow was raised. Even Mallow's own father, King Nimbus, enjoys the sight of Mario's jumping abilities.

Battle
Mallow is the quintessential mage of the party: good with magic, but not with melee. Mallow's HP count is tied at the lowest with Princess Toadstool, but his magic stats are among the best in the game, once again being similar to the Princess'. Mallow's defense on both sides is above average, though, temporarily succeeding Mario's before Bowser joins the party. Mallow's spells all hit groups, except for HP Rain, making him useful for dispatching crowds. Mallow's healing abilities are useful for a good portion of the game, but when Toadstool joins, he quickly becomes a backup healer, as her healing spells outstrip his in both power and usefulness. Despite his melee shortcomings, Mallow ultimate weapon, the Sonic Cymbals, is the third strongest in the game.

Special Moves
Mallow, like all other party members in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, learns a new move every time he levels up. His special moves are:
 * Thunderbolt – Starting Attack
 * HP Rain – Level 3
 * Psychopath – Level 6
 * Shocker – Level 10
 * Snowy – Level 14
 * Star Rain – Level 18

Initial Stats

 * Level 2
 * HP: 20
 * Speed: 18
 * Attack: 22
 * Defense: 3
 * Magic Attack: 15
 * Magic Defense: 10
 * Special Attacks:
 * Thunderbolt:
 * FP Used: 2
 * Magic Power: 15
 * Description: Attacks all enemies with lightning magic. Hit "Y" just before the attack ends to do more damage.

Trivia

 * When Mallow uses a Special Move, a green club is superimposed over his body. This could symbolize something but neither Square Enix nor Nintendo ever presented any confirmation.
 * In many of Mallow's cut scenes, and every time he uses a special move, his body detaches from his pants.
 * Mallow's name is derived from "marshmallow", the consistency of which are associated with clouds.
 * Mallow bears a slight face resemblance to Perry, a character from Super Princess Peach.
 * When Mallow detatches from his own lower-body, it is unknown if he can still move his legs. Although, since nimbuses are clouds, it could be that his "cloud legs" also detatch and attatch to his hovering self.
 * Although he is sometimes a crybaby, Mallow also seems level-headed when Mario tries to 'but in' to Bowyer, Mallow restrains him, referencing Bruce Lee in the process.