Vivian
- This article is about the character from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. For the character playlist on the Nintendo Music app, see List of character playlists on Nintendo Music § Vivian.
| Vivian | |
|---|---|
 Artwork from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) | |
| First appearance | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004) |
| Latest appearance | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) (2024) |
| Member of | Three Shadows (formerly) |
- “I'm with Mario all the way! Today, Sis...I'm going to punish YOU, you hear me?”
- —Vivian, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Vivian is a major character in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and its Nintendo Switch remake. She initially serves as a member of the villainous Three Shadows alongside her sisters, Beldam and Marilyn. Later, Vivian defects from the Three Shadows and joins Mario as his fifth party member. She is frequently put down by her oldest sister, Beldam, and has had a poor relationship with both her sisters for quite some time when Mario meets her. Although she suffers from an inferiority complex throughout the events of the game, she learns to respect herself as she travels with Mario.
In the Japanese version of the original game, as well as some of its foreign localizations, Vivian is depicted as a transgender woman; however, due to the age rating the localizers were aiming at when translating Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door,[1] the original English version removed this aspect from her character.[2] In the remake, Vivian is consistently portrayed as a transgender woman in both the Japanese script and the revised English localization.[3]
General information
Personality
Vivian is best characterized by her shyness. Throughout the game, she is unable to stand up to Beldam and her cruel nature, constantly taking the blame for things that are really Beldam's own fault. She develops herself in Chapter 4 when she decides to join Mario and leave her family after he shows her an act of kindness. In the Palace of Shadow, Vivian gains the confidence to battle Beldam as payback for all the abuse she suffered. She is still loyal to Beldam, though it is mostly out of fear or dislike of getting "punished" by her.
Unlike her sisters, Vivian is caring and kind. She wonders if it is bad to do away with Mario and his partners in Chapter 2, and she is a forgiving person, going back with her sisters in the epilogue (despite all the trouble Beldam caused). She seems to have a fondness for jewelry, because when she finds Flurrie's Necklace, she quickly took it, and was upset when Beldam took it from her. In the original game, due to how much Beldam calls her sisters "lovelies", Vivian refers to the group as the "Shadow Beauties" when introduced, much to Beldam's anger. In the remake, she instead introduces the group as "Shadow Sisters", because it makes her happy when Beldam calls her "sister".
Powers and abilities
Outside of battle, Vivian possesses a similar ability to Lady Bow's ability in Paper Mario. While it functions essentially the same, Vivian pulls Mario into her shadow, allowing the two to hide, unlike Lady Bow, who rendered herself and Mario invisible. This allows Mario and Vivian to get past objects that move over them and avoid sight from enemies and their attacks. In battle, Vivian can also attack with fire-based magic, most notably with her Fiery Jinx, which can burn and pierce the defense of every enemy in the battle. In the Japanese version, while in the ground with Vivian, the player is able to open the pause menu at any time, even when in a cutscene. If the player does this during Vivian's tutorial, the game will soft-lock afterwards.
Gender
In the Japanese version of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for the Nintendo GameCube, Vivian is implied to be a transgender woman, but is often treated as male. While various other characters and narrative text describe Vivian using masculine terms such as otoko ("man"), and otōto ("little brother"),[4][5][6][7] Vivian initially describes The Three Shadows as san shimai ("three sisters"),[4] and routinely uses the feminine[8] first-person pronoun atai. Furthermore, she becomes upset when Beldam insults her by referring to her with masculine terms.
In both her party profile in The Thousand-Year Door and her Catch Card in Super Paper Mario, Vivian is referred to using the term 「オトコのコ」, otokonoko; being written in katakana, this should be read as 男の子 ("boy") but could be read as 男の娘 (otokonoko, literally "male daughter", a Japanese-language term that refers to a feminine-presenting or cross-dressing man).[9] However, the latter term was not in any documented use until 2006,[10] two years after the original GameCube release, and the former term is also used in Koops's party description, making it extremely unlikely that the latter interpretation was intended.
In the original English and German localizations of the game, explicit reference to Vivian being transgender is removed, as are instances where peers and flavor text refer to her with masculine terms. Consequently, Beldam's insults are changed to be gender-neutral. However, all other localized versions of the game treat Vivian's gender in a manner closer to the original.[1][11][12][13] The original Italian version more explicitly identifies Vivian as a transgender woman; her description as a party member states that "she used to be a man, but now she's a woman and proud of it," a sentiment that she reiterates during her initial appearance.[13][1]
In the Nintendo Switch remake, Vivian is treated more overtly as a transgender woman. The Japanese script adds in a line where Vivian says, "I have a boy's body, but my heart is a cute girl's!"[14] Additionally, Vivian's party description is changed from "She looks like a girl, but she's really a boy," to "She has a boy's body, but the heart of a girl."[15] The Japanese script also removes lines that refer to Vivian as a man; for example, Beldam's line 「どこが 三姉妹だよ！あんた オトコじゃないかい！」 ("Where do you see three sisters?! Aren't you a man?!") is replaced with 「三姉妹じゃなく 三人組だって いつも いってるじゃないかい！」 ("I always tell you we're a trio, not three sisters!")[16] Goombella's tattle also no longer refers to her as a man, or mentions her gender at all.[17] The English localization likewise makes it clear that Vivian is transgender, a change from the English release of the GameCube version. Her dialogue now includes a line where she says, "Truth is, it took me a while to realize I was their sister...not their brother."[3][18][19][20] Much like in the Japanese script, Vivian refers to the Three Shadows as the "Three Shadow Sisters", and Beldam corrects her without insulting her appearance,[21] instead making a point of refusing to call her "sister".[22]
History
Paper Mario series
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Vivian's first appearance in the game is during the interlude following Chapter 1, during which she and her two sisters are sent by Grodus to ambush Mario in the Boggly Woods. When Mario arrives there, however, he learns that the picture they were to use to identify him was misplaced by Beldam, who is quick to blame Vivian for the loss. Mario is forced to battle the sisters when he comes to claim Flurrie's Necklace, which Vivian had found in the woods. Upon her defeat, she departs with Marilyn and Beldam, leaving the necklace behind. During the battle with Vivian, she can use Fiery Jinx when her HP is low, but when Vivian joins Mario's party, she has to be Super Ranked to learn that ability. Additionally, her Fiery Jinx cannot be Superguarded.
After Mario's name and appearance are stolen by Doopliss, Vivian appears in Twilight Town alongside her sisters, who plan to defeat Mario using a Superbombomb. When the weapon turns up missing, however, Vivian is once again blamed and sent to find it. When Mario finds the bomb and returns it to her, it turns out to be broken, but she gives him a kiss to thank him for his help and, after learning of the theft of his identity, resolves to return the favor by helping him, unaware that he is truly Mario. Using her powers, Mario eventually learns Doopliss's real name, and the duo corners him at the top of Creepy Steeple.
As she has to be fought before joining Mario's party members in Chapter 4, Vivian is the only party member with an entry in Mario's Tattle Log. In the original game, if the player looks through Professor Frankly's trash can after fighting the Three Shadows without tattling them, Vivian's Tattle is found, while Marilyn's and Beldam's are absent. This may foreshadow that Vivian joins the party while Marilyn and Beldam are fought later since only Tattles of one-time enemies are found in the trash. This was changed in the remake, where the tattles for Marilyn and Beldam in Boggly Woods and The Palace of Shadow are different. Meaning that the player will find all Three Shadows tattles in the trash can rather then just Vivian's. Goombella's field tattle on Vivian is viewable only when Mario first comes across the Three Shadows in Boggly Woods.
Upon learning Mario's identity, Vivian is reluctant to assist in the ensuing battle, though she returns to his side after two turns, having decided that he treats her better than her sisters and is more deserving of her help. Following Doopliss's defeat, Mario stands up for Vivian when she is questioned by his other partners; she ultimately thanks him by handing him the Ruby Star and thus joins Mario's team.
When Mario prepares to leave Rogueport with Princess Peach after having defeated the Shadow Queen, Vivian is about to tell Mario that she has a crush on him, but decides otherwise, saying that she thinks he and Peach will make a good couple. Later, Goombella's email to Mario reveals that Vivian has returned to Beldam and Marilyn, who both have ended their villainous activities and promise to never mistreat Vivian again.
Super Paper Mario
In Super Paper Mario, Vivian appears as a Catch Card won by winning the Duel of 100 in the Sammer's Kingdom. Francis also has a Vivian plush doll, and there is a painting of her along with Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, Yoshi, Admiral Bobbery, and Ms. Mowz in Mario's house. Like Mario's other past partners, there is unused sprite data for Vivian, suggesting that she was originally going to appear in Super Paper Mario, but was removed during development.
Super Mario-kun
In Super Mario-kun, while many partners accompany Mario during their respective introduction chapters, Vivian appears only after the Twilight Town act is over, in the first chapter of volume 34. She is the sidekick of an X-Naut with the aim of destroying Mario with their arsenal of traps. However, as Vivian is a fan of Mario (she owns gadgets and merchandise of him, collects his trash, and has even read all volumes of the manga itself), she deliberately ruins all of their traps. They first use a simple banana hanging over a hole in the ground, but Vivian jumps in it, and Mario, not noticing her and stepping on her (much to her delight), grabs the banana and walks away.
The two then try to leave a poisonous drink in front of him, but Vivian swaps it with an energy drink. The X-Naut then forces her to enact the next trap, which is tossing a bomb, but the bomb is actually a sphere-shaped bento box. The X-Naut try then to resort to using a tank, but Vivian asks for one last chance, using her Veil ability to follow Mario in his own shadow, but she then returns with an album full of pictures of him. Angered, the X-Naut jumps at Mario armed with a hammer, but Vivian stops him with Shade Fist. This time, Mario takes notice of his stalkers, and thanks Vivian for saving his life (making her flustered) and invites her to accompany his party to Rogueport. Even after she reveals she was plotting to take Mario down, Mario does not get angry and forgives her, fueling her admiration for him.
The X-Naut then returns and activates a bomb inside her hat. Not wanting her friends to get hurt, Vivian runs away and apparently perishes in the ensuing explosion, but she then returns unharmed: while running, she tripped and her hat tore, making the bomb inside of it roll at the feet of the X-Naut. Mario rejoices in seeing her alive, and Vivian kisses him. Afterwards, Mario points out that her cheeks are scratchy. She admits that she forgot to shave, which shocks Mario, who thinks she is a man.
Alongside the other friends of the adventures, Vivian is then seen in chapter 5 of volume 35 rooting for Mario and the team via the Crystal Stars during the final battle.
Super Smash Bros. series
In the Super Smash Bros. series, Vivian is featured in a few collectible items. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, there is a sticker of Vivian, and it can be equipped to any fighter in The Subspace Emissary to increase their attack power of energy-related attacks by 5 points. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Vivian is an Advanced-class Shield-type primary spirit. Fighters equipped with the spirit have reduced weight during battles. In the spirit battle, the player faces an invisible Mr. Game & Watch on the Battlefield form of the Luigi's Mansion stage.
Nintendo Music
- Main section: List of character playlists on Nintendo Music § Vivian
Since October 6th, 2025, the Nintendo Music app has featured a Vivian playlist. It contains 8 tracks from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and its remake and is 23 minutes long.
Profiles and statistics
Paper Mario series
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- In-game description: One of the Shadow Sirens, Vivian suffers from a bit of an inferiority complex. Press
to hide with Mario in the shadows. When hiding, nobody can find you. - Field Tattle: "This is the youngest sister of the three. The oldest one REALLY picks on her, huh? I don't know whose picture they're talking about, but you think she really lost it?"
- Player's Guide: Vivian is one of the Shadow Sirens that work for Sir Grodus, but she joins Mario when he shows her an act of kindness. Though she suffers from an inferiority complex, she's perhaps the best partner in the game. Press the X Button to pull Mario into the shadows, where nobody can find him.[23]
Nintendo GameCube
| Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door enemy | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivian | ||||||||
|
Max HP | 10 | Attack | 1 | Defense | 0 | ||
| Location(s) | Boggly Woods | Role | Boss | Level | 26 | |||
| Sleep? | 70% | Dizzy? | 70% | Confuse? | 70% | |||
| Tiny? | 80% | Stop? | 80% | Soft? | 95% | |||
| Burn? | 100% | Freeze? | 50% | Fright? | 0% | |||
| Gale Force? | 0% | KO? | 0% | Moves | Shade Fist (1), Fiery Jinx (1 to Mario and Partner, Piercing) | |||
| Exp. points | 0 | Coins | N/A | Items | None | |||
| Tattle Log #: 123 |
Log | One of the Shadow Sirens and Beldam's youngest sister. She's so cute, she's able to infatuate anyone. | ||||||
| Tattle | That's Vivian. She's the youngest of the three Shadow Sirens. Max HP is 10, Attack is 1, and Defense is 0. She doesn't seem all that noteworthy. Uh... She is kinda cute, I guess... She might even be cuter than I am... I guess... ...Uh... What am I thinking? | |||||||
Nintendo Switch
| Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door enemy | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivian | ||||||||
|
Max HP | 10 | Attack | 1 | Defense | 0 | ||
| Location(s) | Boggly Woods | Role | Boss | Level | 26 | |||
| Sleep? | 70% | Dizzy? | 70% | Confuse? | 70% | |||
| Tiny? | 80% | Stop? | 80% | Soft? | 95% | |||
| Burn? | 100% | Freeze? | 50% | Fright? | 0% | |||
| Gale Force? | 0% | KO? | 0% | Moves | Shade Fist (1), Fiery Jinx (1 HP to both characters, Piercing) | |||
| Exp. points | 0 | Coins | N/A | Items | None | |||
| Tattle Log #: 130 |
Log | The youngest of the Three Shadows. She's so cute, she's able to infatuate anyone. | ||||||
| Tattle | That's Vivian. She's the youngest of the Three Shadows. Max HP is 10, Attack is 1, and Defense is 0. She doesn't seem all that noteworthy. Uh... She is kinda cute, I guess... She might even be cuter than I am... I guess... Wow. I think I might be jealous. | |||||||
The following are Vivian's attacks and stats:
- HP
- Initial: 15 HP
- Super Rank: 20 HP
- Ultra Rank: 30 HP
- Attacks
| Name | FP Needed | Effect | Action Command | Attack Power | Move Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shade Fist | 0 | Sets enemies on fire with a burning punch. | After three lights flash, player presses the mystery button shown ( , , or  ).
|
Initial: 3 Super: 4 Ultra: 5 |
Initial |
| Veil | 1 | Hides Mario in the shadows to avoid enemy attacks. | Player presses the 5-button / combo that appears on the screen.
|
N/A | Initial |
| Fiery Jinx | 6 | Deals fire damage to all enemies, piercing defense. It also burns them. | Player presses the 5-button combo of ,,, and that appear on the screen.
|
Super: 5 Ultra: 5 |
Super Rank |
| Infatuate | 4 | Blows a kiss to all enemies to confuse them if effective | When a heart appears above an enemy, player presses .
|
N/A | Ultra Rank |
Super Paper Mario
| Catch Card | |
|---|---|
 |
|
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch)
- In-game description: Vivian was one of the Three Shadows but has now chosen to leave her two sisters behind. Press
to hide with Mario in the shadows. When hiding, nobody can find you.
- Website description:
- English (United Kingdom):
One of the mysterious Three Shadows, a group of sisters working with the X-Nauts to find the Crystal Stars. However, an act of kindness leads her to question where her allegiances lie...[24] - Other languages:
- Czech:
Jedna z členek Three Shadows, skupiny sester, které se společně s X-Nauty snaží najít Crystal Stars. Laskavý čin ji však přivede k otázce, kde je její věrnost...[25] - Dutch:
Eén van de mysterieuze Schaduwsirenes, zusjes die samen met de kruistronauten op zoek zijn naar de juweelsterren. Maar een vriendelijke daad brengt haar in twijfel over wie ze haar loyaliteit toevertrouwt...[26] - French (Europe):
Elle est l'une des trois sœurs qui forment l'Obscur Trio, un groupe qui coopère avec les Mégacruxis dans leur quête des Gemmes Étoile. Cependant, un acte de bonté inattendu va la pousser à remettre ses convictions en question...[27] - German:
Sie gehört zum geheimnisumwobenen Schattentrio, drei Schwestern, die mit den Crucionen zusammenarbeiten, um sich die Sternjuwelen zu schnappen. Allerdings lässt sie ein Akt der Barmherzigkeit daran zweifeln, ob sie für die richtige Seite kämpft...[28] - Hungarian:
A titokzatos Three Shadows - az X-Nautsszal a Crystal Starok megtalálásán együtt dolgozó nővérek csoportjának - egyik tagja. Egy jó cselekedet azonban arra készteti, hogy megkérdőjelezze, hová is tartozik...[29] - Italian:
Una delle misteriose Trisdombra, un gruppo di sorelle che lavora con le Forze Incrociate per trovare le Gemme Stella. Tuttavia, un atto di gentilezza la porta a riflettere sulle sue scelte...[30] - Polish:
Jedna z tajemniczych Three Shadows, grupy sióstr współpracujących z X-Nauts w celu odnalezienia Crystal Stars. Jednak pewien akt dobroci każe jej zadać sobie pytanie, gdzie leży jej lojalność...[31] - Portuguese (Europe):
Uma das misteriosas Three Shadows, um grupo de irmãs que colaboram com os X-Nauts para encontrar as Crystal Stars. Contudo, um ato de bondade leva-a a questionar a quem pertence a sua lealdade...[32] - Slovak:
Jedna z členek Three Shadows, skupiny sester, které se společně s X-Nauty snaží najít Crystal Stars. Laskavý čin ji však přivede k otázce, kde je její věrnost...[33] - Spanish (Europe):
Es miembro del Trío de las Sombras, unas hermanas que se han unido al ejército X para encontrar los cristales estelares. Sin embargo, un gesto bondadoso la llevará a replantearse su lealtad...[34]
- Czech:
- English (United Kingdom):
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
| Sticker Vivian | ||
| ||
| Artwork from: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | ||
| Effects in The Subspace Emissary: [Energy] - Attack +5 | ||
| Usable by: Anyone | ||
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
| Spirit #98 Vivian | ||
|
Series/game | Paper Mario Series |
| Type | Primary | |
| Slots | 1 | |
| Class | Advanced | |
| Strength / effect(s) | Shield Weight ↓ | |
| How to obtain | Spirit Board | |
| Spirit battle | Opponent(s) | Clear Mr. Game & Watch |
| Conditions |
| |
| Stage | Luigi's Mansion (Battlefield) | |
| Song | Paper Mario Medley |
Gallery
Main artwork
Alternate artwork
Vivian joining Mario's party in Chapter 4
Artwork for the Nintendo Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Artwork for the Nintendo Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Vivian with her sisters in the Boggly Woods in the Nintendo Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Vivian rejoining the party in the remake
Vivian's 8-bit sprite appearance in the X-Naut Fortress
Photo of the partners from the Nintendo Switch version of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Concept art with several iterations of Vivian, some with eyes showing (demonstrating the spots on her face are her cheeks)
Character profile card
Vivian on the Nintendo Magazine for summer 2024, showing a relationship chart featuring many characters from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Nintendo Music playlist cover
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Note(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ビビアン Bibian | Vivian | [2] | |
| Chinese | 薇薇安 Wēiwēi'ān | Vivian | [35][36] | |
| Dutch | Vivian | - | [37] | |
| French | Viviane | Vivian | [11] | |
| German | Barbara | A given name | [38] | |
| Italian | Ombretta | A common given name, meaning "little shadow"; shared with Twila and Bogmire | [13] | |
| Korean | 불비안 Bulbian | Combination of "불" (bul, "fire") and "비비안" (Bibian, "Vivian") | Her name since Super Paper Mario as it appears in her Catch Card.[39] | [40] |
| Russian | Вивиан Vivian | Vivian | Her name since Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. | [?] |
| Spanish | Bibiana | From her Japanese name and Bibiana Fernández, a Spanish trans actress[41] | [12] |
References
- ^ a b c Marco, Francesca Di. Revista Tradumàtica. www.fti.uab.es (European Spanish). Archived June 7, 2021, 11:15:28 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door From Japanese to English. The Mushroom Kingdom. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
- ^ a b "Truth is, it took me a while to realize I was their sister...not their brother. Now their usual bullying feels heavier." - Vivian, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch)
- ^ a b
nepsaty123 (February 28, 2011). ペーパーマリオＲＰＧを実況プレイ！ part１３. YouTube. Retrieved March 30, 2014. Beldam: 「ヒッヒッヒッヒィ・・・ 名 のるほどのものじゃあ ないけど
いちおう名 のって おこうかねぇ
われらは・・・」
"Hee hee hee heeee...
It's not even worth giving you our names,
but I guess we can.
We are..."
Marilyn: 「カゲ・・・」
"The Shadow..."
Vivian: 「 三 姉妹 っ！！」
"Sisters Three!!"
Goombella/Koops: 「カゲ 三 姉妹 っ！？」
"The Shadow Sisters Three!?"
Beldam: 「コラッ！ ビビアン！！
なに いってんだよ あんた！
カゲ三人組 だろ！三人組 ！！
どこが三 姉妹 だよ！
あんた オトコじゃないかい！！！！！！」
"Hey! Vivian!!
What do you think you're saying!?
We're the Shadow Trio! Trio!!
Where are there three sisters!?
Aren't you male!!!!!!?"
Vivian: 「ゴメンナサイ～ お 姉 さま
つい・・・」
"I'm sorry, dear sis'.
I just..."
Beldam: 「つい・・・ じゃないよ！
あとで きっちり
オシオキしてやるからね！！」
"You just... nothing!
Because after this,
I'm absolutely punishing you!!"
Vivian: 「うぅっ・・・」 "Sniff..." - ^
nepsaty123 (February 28, 2011). ペーパーマリオＲＰＧを実況プレイ！ part１３. YouTube. Retrieved March 30, 2014. Goombella: 「『ビビアン』よ
カゲ三人 組 の一人 で いちばん下 の妹
・・・じゃなくて弟 ね
さいだいＨＰは『１０』で
こうげき力 は『１』 ぼうぎょ力 は『０』よ
これとい
