Nintendo’s “My Mario” Debuts With Three Playful Stop-Motion Shorts In Japan

4 September 2025
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9 min.
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Nintendo’s “My Mario” Debuts With Three Playful Stop-Motion Shorts In Japan

Summary:

Nintendo has kicked off “My Mario,” a stop-motion video series designed especially for young children, with three short episodes that lean into tactile props, gentle humor, and instantly recognizable Mario moments. The trio—“Mario’s Mustache,” “Top Hat,” and “Shell Games”—launched on official Nintendo channels, including Play Nintendo and regional YouTube accounts, giving families an easy, safe way to watch. Each short runs about a minute, using simple scenarios that kids grasp while still slipping in clever nods older fans can enjoy. We walk through where to watch, what each episode highlights, why the physical, handcrafted style lands so well, and how it fits into Nintendo’s larger “My Mario” initiative aimed at preschoolers and parents. We also touch on the creative team’s craft, share viewing tips for families, and set expectations for what might come next as Nintendo expands the brand beyond these first releases.

What “My Mario” is and why it matters now

“My Mario” is Nintendo’s new family-first initiative that brings Mario to younger audiences through short, stop-motion videos and kid-friendly experiences. Rather than aiming for fast gags or high-stakes action, these shorts celebrate small, everyday moments—combing a mustache, reaching a hat, kicking a Koopa shell—so even toddlers can follow along. The tone is warm, the rhythm is steady, and the humor comes from visual surprises that land without dialogue. That approach matters because it lowers the barrier to entry for first-time fans while keeping the charm that longtime Mario players adore. By using a handcrafted look—felt textures, tiny props, and visible “make-believe” physics—Nintendo taps into nostalgia for parents and a sense of discovery for kids. It’s a bridge between generations, wrapped in one-minute slices that fit modern viewing habits without feeling rushed.

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When and where the first three shorts launched

The first wave includes three episodes: “Mario’s Mustache,” “Top Hat,” and “Shell Games,” all released on official Nintendo channels. The shorts went live across regional outlets so families in different markets can find them quickly—Japan’s official channel, Nintendo UK’s channel, and the Play Nintendo channel that focuses on younger players. That multi-channel rollout also makes it easy to watch on different devices—from TVs to tablets—so kids can enjoy the videos safely and conveniently at home or on the go. Each episode lands at roughly one minute, making them perfect for short viewing windows, structured screen-time routines, or quick breaks between activities. It’s a smart release strategy: clear, discoverable entry points, and run times that fit a child’s attention span while still feeling like a complete little adventure.

Episode breakdowns

Each episode uses a simple setup, a playful twist, and a gentle payoff. The shorts aren’t about complicated plots; they’re about a feeling—surprise, delight, and a dash of “I could try that with my toys.” The camera work keeps everything readable for tiny viewers: wide, centered actions, clear silhouettes, and satisfying cause-and-effect. Meanwhile, the prop and set design sneak in visual jokes for older fans: a mustache flirting with Wario-like shapes, a cap perched just out of reach on a classic Question Block, and a Green Shell with a mind of its own. The result is a format that invites giggles without needing words, and that makes repeat viewings feel fresh as kids notice new details.

Episode 1 — “Mario’s Mustache”

Mario stands before a mirror with a comb and a mission: tame that iconic mustache. As he brushes, the mustache morphs—curly, zigzaggy, even nodding toward mischievous shapes seasoned fans will recognize. There’s no speech, just expressive animation and a cheeky rhythm that young viewers track easily. The gag escalates in miniature: Mario solves a shape, turns away, and—achoo!—the mustache surprises him again. Kids laugh because they can predict the sneeze-triggered mishap; adults smile at the playful character nods and the tactile hair shapes that look stitched and sculpted by hand. It’s a perfect opener: personal, silly, and unmistakably Mario, framed in a way that teaches anticipation and pattern recognition without feeling like a lesson.

Animation touches and playful learning cues

The stop-motion shines in the small moves: the comb’s tiny resistance, the mustache’s springy resets, Mario’s little weight shifts as he leans into the mirror. Those tactile beats are more than stylistic flair; they’re learning cues. Children notice that actions have consistent reactions—comb strokes lead to shape changes; sneezes undo the progress—and they start predicting what comes next. That’s cause-and-effect in action, packaged as a gag. The mirror staging helps too: it centers attention and makes the space legible, with the prop focus squarely on the mustache. Parents can riff on the routine at home—“Shall we brush our hair like Mario?”—turning a sight gag into a fun, real-world habit that feels like play instead of a chore.

Episode 2 — “Top Hat”

The second short raises the stakes—barely—and that’s the charm. Mario’s cap isn’t missing; it’s teasing him from a high Question Block. Jump, miss. Jump again, closer. Then a plan: a few neat Wall Jumps up nearby Brick Blocks and—got it! The rhythm is athletic but still gentle, with movements exaggerated so kids can read the goal: try, try again, adjust the approach, succeed. The gag button is classic Mario: celebrate just a little too hard and watch the cap pop right back up where it started. It’s comedy built from familiar platforming language, translated into toy-scale stop-motion that celebrates effort over perfection. Kids clap for the win; parents nod at the lesson tucked inside the stunt work.

Movement, rhythm, and problem-solving

“Top Hat” turns platforming verbs into teachable patterns. The Wall Jump routine breaks complex motion into simple beats—push off, twist, land—that kids can follow visually. The set design keeps landmarks big and readable: the Question Block’s bright face, the stacked Bricks, the cap’s red pop at the top of frame. As the sequence repeats, children intuit timing and sequencing—first one action, then the next—while older fans get a rush of nostalgia from moves they’ve made a thousand times on a controller. The loop-back ending (cap stuck again) models resilience with a wink: sometimes wins are temporary, and that’s part of the fun. The message is gentle and practical—keep trying, adjust your plan, smile when life boops your hat.

Episode 3 — “Shell Games”

The final short in this trio taps Mario’s most famous slapstick partner: the Green Shell. One kick is satisfying; the second kick flips momentum, and suddenly the shell is zipping back at him like a rubber band. Cue the chase, a squeaky near-miss, and a surprise bonk that ends with a stylish backflip recovery. Then, of course, round two: the shell returns for a second tag, spinning Mario just enough to land the joke without any sting. The pacing here is especially good for very young viewers—clear setup, readable motion, and a predictable return that rewards anticipation. For older fans, it’s a love letter to that nerve-tingly moment every time a shell bounces back in a tight corridor.

Cause-and-effect comedy and safe play

“Shell Games” is a masterclass in readable physics for kids. Objects move in straight lines, change direction on impact, and maintain a consistent speed—rules young brains can track and predict. That predictability makes the gags feel safe, not scary: the shell’s “bonk” is soft, Mario’s recovery is confident, and the final spin is more dizzy giggle than danger. It also offers easy conversation starters about safe play: watching where toys roll, giving moving objects space, and checking what might be in a shell’s path. Parents can echo the beats at home with soft balls or cushions, showing how a bounce changes direction. It’s learning dressed as laughter, paced so even toddlers can follow every beat.

Who’s behind the stop-motion craft

These shorts lean on seasoned stop-motion specialists known for tactile, character-driven work. The animation favors readable silhouettes, controlled camera moves, and props that look like you could pluck them from the set—felt caps, chunky Bricks, and shells with a toy-box sheen. That craft matters: the physicality teaches rhythm and patience, and the “imperfect” hand-made feel is exactly what makes each gag land with heart. You can see the animator’s fingerprints—not literally, but in the timing of a hop, the micro-vibrations of a held pose, the way a comb catches. It’s animation that invites you to believe while still letting you peek at the strings. For kids, that transparency helps demystify how things move; for adults, it’s pure charm.

How “My Mario” connects to the broader My Mario initiative

The shorts aren’t a one-off—they sit inside a larger “My Mario” ecosystem aimed at early childhood, including official web pages, regional channels, and companion experiences like an interactive app that lets kids play with Mario’s face in a friendly, sandboxy way. The idea is simple: meet families where they are with safe, simple, delightful mini-experiences that spark repeat engagement. The branding is consistent across touchpoints so parents know they’re in an age-appropriate space, and the release cadence encourages habit-forming viewing without overwhelming anyone. Think of the shorts as the on-ramp: tiny, tactile stories that welcome kids in, while giving parents a trusted, official place to hit play.

Why these shorts work for all ages

Young kids love them because the goals are clear and the payoff is gentle. The props are big, the colors are bold, and the camera never gets lost. Older kids groove on the puzzle-solving beats—comb, jump, kick—and start anticipating the payoffs. Parents and longtime fans get the winks to Mario lore: mustache mischief, Wall Jump swagger, shells with bounce-back attitude. And everyone benefits from the stop-motion look that feels cozy and handmade. It’s a rare overlap: toy-box storytelling that respects a child’s processing speed while still giving adults something to appreciate on a second or third viewing. That balance is hard to nail, and it’s exactly what keeps these shorts rewatchable.

How parents can watch and interact with kids

Keep sessions short and intentional—one or two episodes fit perfectly between snacks and playtime. Sit together so you can point out moments kids can echo safely: brushing hair like Mario, reaching for a hat with a step stool and help, or rolling a soft ball to see how it bounces. Ask open questions: “What do you think will happen to the mustache?” “Where will the shell go after it hits the block?” That turns viewing into a tiny lab for prediction and storytelling. Afterward, make a mini activity: draw a mustache shape, stack soft blocks and pretend to wall-jump with fingers, or build a paper Question Block. When screen time becomes a springboard for play, everybody wins.

What to look for next

Given the strong launch, expect more shorts that remix everyday scenarios with Mario logic: hats, blocks, pipes, and playful physics. We’re likely to see the same one-minute rhythm, new prop gags, and maybe guest cameos that broaden the sandbox without complicating it. Watch official channels for new uploads—regional YouTube accounts and Play Nintendo tend to update promptly. Because the format is so modular, Nintendo can slot fresh episodes around other releases, keeping the brand present for families without asking for long attention spans. It’s a smart, sustainable way to grow young fans while staying true to Mario’s toy-box soul.

Cultural footprint and nostalgia

There’s a special joy when a character you grew up with meets your kid right where they are. These shorts bottle that feeling. The stop-motion aesthetic evokes craft tables and weekend projects; the gags echo the exact beats that made us fall in love with Mario in the first place. For parents, it’s a gentle invitation to re-enter the Mushroom Kingdom alongside their children, with no controllers required. For kids, it’s an introduction to rhythm, prediction, and cause-and-effect dressed up in bright primary colors. It’s not about spectacle; it’s about warmth. And that’s a powerful way to build the next generation of fans—one tiny, delightful moment at a time.

Conclusion

With “Mario’s Mustache,” “Top Hat,” and “Shell Games,” Nintendo proves that one minute is more than enough to charm new viewers and rekindle old affection. The shorts are clear, cozy, and mischievous in all the right ways, using tactile stop-motion to teach simple patterns while delivering classic Mario smiles. They’re easy to find, easy to share, and even easier to turn into real-world play. If this is the opening act for “My Mario,” it’s a promising start—one that welcomes families in and leaves everyone ready for the next quick laugh.

FAQs

  • Where can we watch the first three episodes?

    • On official Nintendo channels, including Play Nintendo and regional YouTube accounts for Japan and the UK. The “My Mario” page also links the set, making them simple to find in one place.

  • How long is each episode?

    • About one minute. That length keeps the action readable for young children and makes the shorts easy to slot into short viewing windows.

  • Are these suitable for toddlers?

    • Yes. The pacing is gentle, the humor is visual, and there’s no dialogue to decode. The scenarios use clear cause-and-effect, which is great for early learning and safe co-viewing.

  • Do we need to watch them in order?

    • No. Each short stands alone with its own setup and payoff. Watching in release order is fun, but not required for understanding or enjoyment.

  • Will there be more episodes?

    • Nintendo launched “My Mario” as an ongoing initiative for families, so more shorts are a reasonable expectation. Keep an eye on official channels for updates and new uploads.

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