The Nintendo Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door introduces a significant change by depicting Vivian as a transgender woman for the first time in English versions of the game.
(Photo : Intelligent Systems / Screenshot taken from Nintendo.)
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Embracing Vivian's Authentic Self
Initially portrayed as a villain alongside her sisters Marilyn and Beldam, Vivian undergoes a transformation in the narrative. Enduring relentless mistreatment from Beldam, she ultimately breaks away from her sisters' grasp and aligns herself with Mario's cause.
In the remake, Vivian's original backstory is restored. When traveling with Mario in Chapter 4's Twilight Town, Vivian reveals, "I took a while to realize I was their sister... not their brother. Now their usual bullying feels heavier."
Reducing Harmful Language
The new localization of the game reduces much of Beldam's bullying from the original script. In the 2004 Japanese version, Beldam, Goombella, and Vivian's character description misgendered her consistently. In contrast, the remake affirms Vivian's gender. Beldam's comments are less harsh, and other characters and text now refer to Vivian as a woman.
Goombella's new tattle says, "The youngest of the Three Shadows. She's so charming, she can enchant anyone," and Vivian's character bio now states, "Vivian was one of the Three Shadows but has now chosen to leave her two sisters behind."
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