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{{character-infobox
{{about|the boss in Super Paper Mario|other uses|[[Francis (disambiguation)]]}}
|title=Francis
{{character infobox
|image=[[File:Normal lizardguy.jpg|200px]]
|image=[[File:Francis SPM trans.png|200px]]<br>Artwork from ''Super Paper Mario''
|species=Chameleon
|first_appearance=''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' ([[List of games by date#2007|2007]])
|first_appearance=''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' ([[List of games by date#2007|2007]])
|species=Chameleon
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario-kun]]'' [[Super Mario-kun Volume 37|Volume 37]] (2008)
}}
}}
{{quote|Wha-What do I... Oh man... A REAL [[Princess Peach|girl]] in my room! This is so hi-technicaaaal!|Francis|Super Paper Mario}}
{{quote|Wha-What do I... Oh man... A REAL [[Princess Peach|girl]] in my room! This is so hi-technicaaaal!|Francis|Super Paper Mario}}
'''Francis''' is a video game-obsessed chameleon in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', who serves as the main boss of Chapter 3, [[The Bitlands]].
==History==
===''Super Paper Mario''===
[[File:SPM Francis Battle.png|thumb|left|Francis picked up by Mario]]


'''Francis''' is a video-game obsessed chameleon in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', who serves as the main boss of Chapter 3, [[The Bitlands]]. Francis is a large, anthropomorphic geeky chameleon, an archetypal asocial nerd who kidnaps [[Tippi]] after declaring her a rare collectible by order of [[Dimentio]]. He is also known to have captured another pixl named [[Carrie]]. He then vows to take pictures of her and place them on the website, [[Digibutter.nerr]], a forum for butterfly obsessives. He names Tippi 'Francine' and calls her that throughout the game. However, by the time Tippi and Count Bleck left, Francis calls her Tippi. Amongst his many interests, Francis is an otaku (an anime obsessive) and enjoys watching anime, as well as collecting and playing video games, owning cats and cat-like things, and making a pass at any "hot babes" he encounters. He lives in [[Fort Francis]], where his large collection of [[Meowmaid]]s guard his belongings, tidy his anime collections, record his favorite television shows and so on. Francis has a catchphrase, "hi-technicaaaaal!", which he employs to describe anything he finds cool, awesome, or "schweet."
When [[Mario]] and company first enter The Bitlands, Francis is invisible. While [[Tippi]] is talking, Francis uses his tongue to grab her, and escapes. He names Tippi "Francine" and calls her that throughout the game.


Francis is socially inept and composes himself poorly around others, and as a result has no offline friends. When he is confronted by [[Princess Peach]], he is too shy to talk to her directly, and instead engages her with a dating sim named [[Swoon.exe]], where he talks to her briefly about his interests.
The next time Francis is met is during the fourth level of The Bitlands, [[Fort Francis]], where he is also shown to have captured another [[Pixl]] named [[Carrie]]. Francis is taking photographs of Tippi (who is locked within a cage) behind a locked door, which can only be opened after answering his questions correctly. Only Francis and "hot babes" are allowed in this room even after correctly answering his questions, forcing [[Princess Peach]] to confront Francis. Too shy to talk to her directly, Francis instead engages her with a dating sim named [[Swoon.exe]], where he talks to her briefly about his interests. After the simulation, Peach demands Francis gives up Tippi, but Francis refuses, which leads into a battle.  


Peach wants Tippi back, but Francis refuses to give her up, and the heroes must battle him. Francis has an array of attacks against the player: as a chameleon, he can change his colouration to disappear into his surroundings, thereby avoiding attacks. This ability leaves the player with few intervals to attack him; that is, unless Mario flips into 3-D, where Francis's moving shadow is visible. Francis's most devastating weapon is his prehensile tongue, with which he can swallow any of the heroes whole and slowly damage them by chewing. Lastly, Francis can employ his technology in battle; his laptop can summon an army of [[Meowbomb]]s, and his camera temporarily blinds Mario and his friends when the flash goes off. Upon defeat he runs away, yelling "Mercy!", and Tippi is released.  
Francis has an array of attacks against the player: as a chameleon, he can change his coloration to disappear into his surroundings, thereby avoiding attacks. Francis is completely invisible when in 2D, but if Mario [[flip]]s into 3D, Francis's moving shadow is visible, making it easier to counterattack. Additionally, slamming the ground with [[Thudley]] will force Francis to appear for a brief moment. Francis' most devastating weapon is his long tongue, with which he can swallow any of the heroes whole and slowly damage them by chewing, though the player can escape by shaking the [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]]. Francis has a different expression depending on who he eats; if he eats [[Mario]] or [[Bowser]], he stutters for a moment, while if he eats Peach, then he will smile and blush. His expression does not change when he eats Mario and [[Luigi]]. Francis can also employ his technology in battle; his laptop can summon an army of [[Meowbomb]]s, and his camera temporarily blinds Mario and his friends when the flash goes off, though he stops to smile before using it against Peach. Upon defeat he runs away, yelling "Mercy!", and Tippi is released. After his defeat, Francis cannot be found in Fort Francis. One of the [[Meowmaid]]s says Francis is in the hospital after having hurt himself while playing video games.


{{spmenemybox
The next time Francis appears is in the [[Castle Bleck]] chapter, [[Castle Bleck Foyer]], though as an optional boss. This is the only time he can engage in battle against Luigi and for Tippi to use the [[Tattle]] ability on him, since Luigi and Tippi were not available in chapter 3. Partway through the chapter, a disguised [[Mimi]] asks the player what they hate most. One of the answers for the final question is "Francis", which will cause Francis to appear in the third room and another battle with him will begin. Francis had apparently been watching one of his favorite television programs before being warped into the castle, and, despite his confusion, he yearned to have Tippi back so much that he talked himself into thinking that his [[List of implied items#Reclinatron 4500|Reclinatron 4500]] chair had manipulated his very dreams and warped him to Tippi. After his defeat, Francis runs again, claiming he would simulate the battle on his computer to see what had kept him from winning.
|image=[[File:Lizard Geek SPM.png|200px]]
 
|hp=40
After the player beats the game, Francis can be found in his fort again, in the same room his boss battle took place. Francis will present his greatest creation: [[Tiptron]]. However, because he is saving to buy ''[[Starship X-Naut|Starship X-Naut Issue One]]'', Francis asks for 999 [[coin]]s from the player to acquire it. After the player buys Tiptron, he reveals plans to build [[List of implied characters#Tiptron Mk. II|Tiptron Mk. II]], a supposed improvement on the original, though the player never sees its completion. Francis then orders a Meowmaid to fetch [[List of implied items#Nibble-Ums|Nibble-Ums]] to fulfill his hunger before he begins his work. He also drops Tippi's "Francine" name at this point.
|atk=1
 
|def=0
[[File:GrodusChronicles.PNG|thumb|left|Francis mentions ''The Grodus Chronicles'']]
|score=Fort Francis: 3000, Castle Bleck: 3000
In addition to ''Starship X-Naut Issue One'', Francis is a source of many other references to other [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' titles]]. As well as a ''Starship X-Naut'' TV show, there is a ''Starship X-Naut: Space Bloops'' videogame; another game is titled ''[[Larry Koopa: Zombie Heartbreaker]]'', presumably starring [[Larry|Larry Koopa]], which Francis was hoping to purchase. ''[[The Grodus Chronicles]]'', another [[X-Naut]]-related television show, is also mentioned, as is an anime featuring [[Tubba Blubba]] (of the first ''[[Paper Mario]]''): ''[[The Blubbening]]''. Francis owns several dolls of [[Princess Peach]], [[Whacka]], [[Petuni]], [[Punio]], [[Vivian]], [[Yoshi Kid]] in all colors, a [[Bub-ulb]] and [[Pennington]] from ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', and he has posters of Petuni, [[Lady Bow]] and [[Bootler]]. On his shelf, are multi-colored [[Yoshi Egg]]s next to the aforementioned dolls. Francis also wants an [[Excess Express]] train set, a [[Ms. Mowz]] doll with "real smooching action", a product called ''Cyborg [[Wart]]'', a [[Magnus von Grapple|Magnus Von Grapple]] action figure, and a [[Tanooki Suit]] made with real Tanooki fur. Francis' game console collection on his shelf includes a [[Family Computer|Famicom]], an indigo [[Nintendo GameCube]] with the [[Game Boy Player]] attachment, a [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]], a [[Nintendo 64]], and a [[Virtual Boy]]; lastly, if the player flips into 3D, a large television screen with a [[Wii]] and a [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]] becomes visible.
|location=[[Fort Francis]], [[Castle Bleck]]
{{br|left}}
|card type=Uncommon
 
|card location=Card Shop; Map 24
===''Super Mario-kun''===
|card description=Francis totally nerds out for rare collectibles. He takes geek chic to a totally new level.
[[File:Super Mario Kun Volume 37 Francis.png|thumb|Francis's appearance in the ''Super Mario-kun'', volume 37]]
|tattle=Tippi: That geeky chameleon is Francis. He's a little obsessive about his hobbies... Max [[HP]] is 40. Attack is 1. He can also make himself invisible... You can't hit what you can't see, so wait for him to reappear... But he is still there. Look at the floor and find his shadow... Yech... Just looking at him brings back bad memories...<br>
Francis appears in ''[[Super Mario-kun]]'' during volume 37. As soon as Mario passes through the Bitlands door, he loses sight of Tippi. The Pixl Barry explains to him that she was just nabbed by Francis, the "nerdiest butterfly collector". Since he is a nerd, Mario creates a plan in which he disguises himself as Princess Peach so that Francis would approach the most famous princess in video game history, but Francis takes "Peach" by force and runs to his castle. Meanwhile, Bowser and his troops have created a little base in Bitlands and see Francis with Princess Peach, causing Bowser to go alone to rescue her. When Mario arrives at Fort Francis, the caged Tippi recognizes him, blowing his cover. Mario snatches her and tries to escape, but Francis starts fighting for his rare butterfly, ending up swallowing Mario. Barry arrives and suggest Tippi to shake the Wii Remote in order to free Mario from Francis' belly, but the two Pixls cannot shake it enough. Right on time, Bowser arrives and, still thinking that Francis swallowed Peach, shakes the Wii Remote so vigorously that he manages to free Mario, even though he gets out from Francis' wrong end. Bowser and Mario start arguing and, when Francis tries to ask what is going on, the two direct their punches against Francis, defeating him and freeing the fourth Pure Heart.
Tiptron: That's Francis, a chameleon who lives for anime, games, and comics... He may not know a lot about a variety of subjects, but he is a master of geek lore... He constructed me... Constructed...me... N-no, no! I'm Tippi... I wasn't constructed by anyone...
|before=[[Big Blooper|184]]
|#=185
|after=[[King Croacus IV|186]]
}}
[[File:Francis-Screenshot.JPG|thumb|left|108px|Francis picked up by Mario]]
After Francis' first defeat, Francis can not be found in Fort Francis. One of the Meowmaids says Francis is in hospital after having hurt himself while playing a video games.


Francis can optionally be fought once more later on in [[Castle Bleck]], after [[Mimi]] transports him to the castle to finish off the player. More specifically, the three remaining heroes (as Bowser was lost arguing with [[O'Chunks]]) could choose to fight him again after Mimi, disguised as the friendly [[Merlee]], asked [[Mario]] which things he found most challenging, which always included an easy enemy, a hard enemy, or a helpful item. The hard enemy for Mimi's third and last question was Francis, and, if Francis was chosen for that question, Mimi (having Mario's input on what obstacles challenged him most) managed to place him in a room in Castle Bleck. Francis had apparently been watching one of his favorite television programs before being warped into the castle, and, despite his confusion, he yearned to have Tippi back so much that he talked himself into thinking that his [[List of Implied Items#Reclinatron_4500|Reclinatron 4500]] chair had, manipulating his very dreams, warped him to Tippi. He then engaged battle once more with Mario and the party, and, despite this rematch occuring much later in the game, his statistics and attacks are identical to those in the first battle. Francis was, of course, defeated, and after his defeat he warped away, claiming he would simulate the battle on his computer to see what had kept him from winning.
==General information==
===Physical description===
Francis is a large, anthropomorphic, green chameleon. He wears a yellow shirt with [[Super Mushroom]] and [[Super Star]] emblems on it and a black hip pouch. His glasses have square rims with spirals on the lenses, which do not have a nose bridge between them, and are tied in the back. He also wears a fanny pack around his waist, which he refers to as a "Frannypack."


[[File:SuperMarioKun v. 37 Francis.png|thumb|left|Francis's appearance in the ''Super Mario-Kun'', volume 37.]]
===Personality===
If the player returns to Fort Francis after beating the game, Francis will show his greatest creation to them: [[Tiptron]]. However, because he is saving to buy ''[[Starship X-Naut|Starship X-Naut Issue One]]'', Francis asks for 999 coins from the player to acquire her. After the player buys Tiptron, he reveals plans to build [[List of Implied Characters#Tiptron Mk. II|Tiptron Mk. II]], an improvement on the original. Francis then orders a Meowmaid to fetch [[Nibble-Ums]] to fulfill his hunger before he begins his work. Francis is never shown to have finished Tiptron Mk. II, but it is implied that he did eventually. It is notable that Francis calls her Tippi instead of Francine as the player is given the offer of buying Tiptron.
Francis is an archetypal asocial geek. Francis is socially inept and composes himself poorly around others; as a result, he has no offline friends. He is also fond of butterflies, taking pictures of them and placing them on the website [[List of implied entertainment#digibutter.nerr|Digibutter.nerr]], a forum for butterfly obsessives. Amongst his many interests, Francis is an {{wp|otaku}} and enjoys watching anime, as well as collecting and playing video games, owning cats and cat-like things, and making a pass at any "hot babes" he encounters. He lives in [[Fort Francis]], where his extensive collection of [[Meowmaid]]s guard his belongings, tidy his anime collections, records his favorite television shows, and so on. Francis has a catchphrase, "''hi-technicaaaaal!''", which he employs to describe anything he finds cool, awesome, or "schweet." After starting up his Swoon.exe program and explaining its function, Francis asks Princess Peach, "What is your name?" Peach can choose from three answers, the second of which is "Tell me your name first!". If this option is selected, Francis will obey her order, noting to himself that Peach is "a stickler for etiquette" and recalling his similar mother.


In addition to ''Starship X-Naut Issue One'', Francis is a source of many other references to other [[Mario (series)|''Mario'' titles]]. As well as a ''Starship X-Naut'' TV show, there is a ''Starship X-Naut: Space Bloops'' videogame; another game is titled ''[[Larry Koopa: Zombie Heartbreaker]]'', presumably starring [[Larry Koopa]], which Francis was hoping to purchase. ''[[The Grodus Chronicles]]'', another [[X-Naut]]-related television show was also mentioned, as was an anime featuring [[Tubba Blubba]] (of the first ''[[Paper Mario]]''): ''[[The Blubbening]]''. Francis owns several dolls of  [[Princess Peach]], [[Whacka]], [[Petuni]], [[Punio]], [[Vivian]], the [[Yoshi Kid]] in all colors, a [[Bub-ulb]] and [[Pennington]] from ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', and he has posters of Petuni, [[Lady Bow]] and [[Bootler]]. On his shelf, players will also find multi-coloured [[Yoshi Egg]]s next to the aforementioned dolls. Francis also wants an [[Excess Express]] train set, a [[Ms. Mowz]] doll with "real smooching action", a product called ''Cyborg [[Wart]]'', a [[Magnus Von Grapple|Magnus von Grapple]] action figure, and a [[Tanooki Suit]] made with real Tanooki fur. Francis's game console collection includes a [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], an indigo [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]], an [[Super Nintendo|SNES]], a [[Nintendo 64]], a [[Game Boy]] and a [[Virtual Boy|Virtual Boy]] on his shelf; lastly, if the player flips Mario into 3D, a large television screen with a [[Wii]] and a [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]] becomes visible.
==Quiz questions==
{{br|left}}
A lot of Francis' personality is revealed in the questions asked by his robots. For all questions the answer is "True". In the Japanese version of the game, many of the questions are different, though with very much the same theme.
{|class="wikitable"
!English
!Japanese
|-
!colspan="2"|SecuriMeow of the left door
|-
|Video game soundtracks are totally hi-technicaaaaaaal!
|I like anime songs! (アニメソングが スキだ!)
|-
|Episode 127 of 'The Grodus Chronicles' is pretty much the schweetest thing ever.
|Buying manga and promotional items makes me happier than eating delicious things. (おいしいものを 食べるよりも マンガや グッズを 買う方が シアワセ)
|-
|One day, I will own all of the 'Starship X-Naut' Series 3 collectible action figures.
|Once I start collecting action figures, I can't stop until I complete the collection. (フィギュアを あつめはじめると コンプリートせずには いられない)
|-
!colspan="2"|SecuriMeow of the right door
|-
|'Starship X-Naut' comics are never to be removed from their plastic sleeves!
|I cover my comics neatly. (コミックには きちんと カバーを かける)
|-
|Role-playing games should be no less than 180 hours long, not counting side quests!
|The TV programs I watch most are of course anime. (一番 よく観ている テレビ番組は もちろん アニメ)
|-
|Fanny packs are both practical and stylish!
|I don't need good-looking clothes if I have T-shirts and jeans. (Tシャツと ジーンズが あれば ほかに かっこいい ふくは いらない)
|-
!colspan="2"|Door of Francis' room
|-
|Video games and hot babes are totally hi-technicaaaaal!
|When in doubt, buy it! (まよったら とりあえず 買う)
|-
|If it's limited edition, buy it!
|If it's limited edition, buy it! (げんてい品は まよわず 買う)
|-
|I have bought games that I have never played.
|I've bought over three games that I haven't played. (買ったまま あそんでいない ゲームが 3本いじょう ある)
|-
|If it's got fierce giant robot on giant robot combat, it's an insta-buy!
|I'd rather buy something and regret it than not buying something and regret it. (買わなかったことを こうかいするなら 買って こうかいする方を 選ぶ)
|-
|They're NOT DOLLS. They're ACTION FIGURES. WITH REAL FIRE-PUNCHING ACTION.
|I'm an adult, so I can buy things like an adult (as I imagined in my childhood). (オトナだから {{hover|オトナ買い|"otonagai" is a slang meaning "buying large amounts of things targeted at children (like candies and manga)" or "buying lots of things as an act one couldn't in one's childhood"}}だ)
|-
|I have dumped a friend over an argument about 'Starship X-Naut' propulsion technology.
|Completing a collection is a meaningful activity. (コンプリートすることに いぎがある)
|-
|A schweet cover illustration is way more important than the story line.
|The cover and illustration of a novel are more important than the content. (小説は ないようよりも カバーや イラストの方が 大事だ)
|-
|Never pull the top copy from a pile of comics! Find the mint-condition one!
|When buying books, I take not the top copy of a pile but the one two books below to the register. (本を 買うときは 一番上でなく 2さつ下のものを レジに もって行く)
|-
|My first love was an anime character!
|My first love was an anime character. (はつ恋の 相手は アニメキャラだ)
|-
|I love going on message boards and complaining about games I've never played!
|Meals fill one's stomach. Action figures fill one's heart. (ゴハンは おなかが みたされる フィギュアは 心が みたされる)
|}


==Family==
==Profiles and statistics==
Francis's mother is mentioned in an optional part of his encounter with [[Princess Peach]]. After starting up his Swoon.exe program and explaining its function, the first question Francis asks her is "What is your name?". Peach can choose from three answers, the second (and most passive) of which is "Tell me your name first!". Francis will thus obey her order, noting to himself that Peach is "a stickler for etiquette" and recalling his similar [[List of Implied Characters#Francis' mother|mother]]. Remembering his mom also levels up Francis's "passion" metric in the simulator, for unknown reasons.
===''Super Paper Mario''===
{{:Super Paper Mario bestiary|transcludesection=Francis|align=horizontal}}


Francis's desire for a girlfriend, coupled with his social inaction, leads to the aforementioned Swoon.exe exchange. Francis will only allow "hot babes" to enter his room, and his door is programmed to reject any males, such as Mario and Bowser. Peach is admitted to the chamber, and Francis immediately seeks to romance her with the program.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
SPM Francis Catch Card.png|[[Catch Card]]
</gallery>


==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
{{Foreignname
{{foreign names
|Jap=カメレゴン
|Jap=カメレゴン
|JapR=Kameregon
|JapR=Kameregon
|JapM="Chamelegon", pun on "chameleon" and "polygon"
|JapM=Pun on "chameleon" and possibly "polygon"
|Ger=Konrad
|Ger=Konrad
|GerM=Refers to Conrad, a popular German PC-store, also a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konrad_Zuse Konrad Zuse], the father of the computer)
|GerM=Likely a reference to "{{wp|Konrad Zuse}}"
|Ita=Ginoleonte
|Ita=Ginoleonte
|ItaM=From the word ''camaleonte'' (chameleon) and a given name "Gino"
|ItaM=From "camaleonte" (chameleon) and a given name "Gino"
|Spa=Francisco
|SpaE=Francis
|SpaM=Francis
|Fre=Francis
|Fra=Francis
|FraM=-
|Kor=카멜레니아
|Kor=카멜레니아
|KorR=Kamellenia
|KorR=Kamellenia
|KorM=Chamelenia
|KorM=Possibly a pun on "chameleon" and "mania"
}}
}}
{{BoxTop}}
 
==Trivia==
*In the Japanese version of the game, Francis yells "Oppose violence!" <!-- ぼうりょくはんたい!--> before he runs away upon defeat.
*In Chapter 8, if Tippi is used to inspect the area before the optional battle takes place, Tippi will give the following tattle text: "There's something here... I have a really bad feeling about this..."
{{SPM}}
{{SPM}}
[[Category:Reptiles and Amphibians]]
[[Category:Lizards]]
[[Category:Super Paper Mario Bosses]]
[[Category:Bosses]]
[[Category:Super Paper Mario Characters]]
[[Category:Optional bosses]]
[[Category:Super Paper Mario bosses]]
[[Category:Super Mario-kun characters]]
[[de:Konrad]]
[[it:Ginoleonte]]

Latest revision as of 10:23, October 29, 2024

This article is about the boss in Super Paper Mario. For other uses, see Francis (disambiguation).
Francis
Francis
Artwork from Super Paper Mario
Species Chameleon
First appearance Super Paper Mario (2007)
Latest appearance Super Mario-kun Volume 37 (2008)
“Wha-What do I... Oh man... A REAL girl in my room! This is so hi-technicaaaal!”
Francis, Super Paper Mario

Francis is a video game-obsessed chameleon in Super Paper Mario, who serves as the main boss of Chapter 3, The Bitlands.

History[edit]

Super Paper Mario[edit]

Francis picked up by Mario using Thoreau.
Francis picked up by Mario

When Mario and company first enter The Bitlands, Francis is invisible. While Tippi is talking, Francis uses his tongue to grab her, and escapes. He names Tippi "Francine" and calls her that throughout the game.

The next time Francis is met is during the fourth level of The Bitlands, Fort Francis, where he is also shown to have captured another Pixl named Carrie. Francis is taking photographs of Tippi (who is locked within a cage) behind a locked door, which can only be opened after answering his questions correctly. Only Francis and "hot babes" are allowed in this room even after correctly answering his questions, forcing Princess Peach to confront Francis. Too shy to talk to her directly, Francis instead engages her with a dating sim named Swoon.exe, where he talks to her briefly about his interests. After the simulation, Peach demands Francis gives up Tippi, but Francis refuses, which leads into a battle.

Francis has an array of attacks against the player: as a chameleon, he can change his coloration to disappear into his surroundings, thereby avoiding attacks. Francis is completely invisible when in 2D, but if Mario flips into 3D, Francis's moving shadow is visible, making it easier to counterattack. Additionally, slamming the ground with Thudley will force Francis to appear for a brief moment. Francis' most devastating weapon is his long tongue, with which he can swallow any of the heroes whole and slowly damage them by chewing, though the player can escape by shaking the Wii Remote. Francis has a different expression depending on who he eats; if he eats Mario or Bowser, he stutters for a moment, while if he eats Peach, then he will smile and blush. His expression does not change when he eats Mario and Luigi. Francis can also employ his technology in battle; his laptop can summon an army of Meowbombs, and his camera temporarily blinds Mario and his friends when the flash goes off, though he stops to smile before using it against Peach. Upon defeat he runs away, yelling "Mercy!", and Tippi is released. After his defeat, Francis cannot be found in Fort Francis. One of the Meowmaids says Francis is in the hospital after having hurt himself while playing video games.

The next time Francis appears is in the Castle Bleck chapter, Castle Bleck Foyer, though as an optional boss. This is the only time he can engage in battle against Luigi and for Tippi to use the Tattle ability on him, since Luigi and Tippi were not available in chapter 3. Partway through the chapter, a disguised Mimi asks the player what they hate most. One of the answers for the final question is "Francis", which will cause Francis to appear in the third room and another battle with him will begin. Francis had apparently been watching one of his favorite television programs before being warped into the castle, and, despite his confusion, he yearned to have Tippi back so much that he talked himself into thinking that his Reclinatron 4500 chair had manipulated his very dreams and warped him to Tippi. After his defeat, Francis runs again, claiming he would simulate the battle on his computer to see what had kept him from winning.

After the player beats the game, Francis can be found in his fort again, in the same room his boss battle took place. Francis will present his greatest creation: Tiptron. However, because he is saving to buy Starship X-Naut Issue One, Francis asks for 999 coins from the player to acquire it. After the player buys Tiptron, he reveals plans to build Tiptron Mk. II, a supposed improvement on the original, though the player never sees its completion. Francis then orders a Meowmaid to fetch Nibble-Ums to fulfill his hunger before he begins his work. He also drops Tippi's "Francine" name at this point.

Francis mentioning The Grodus Chronicles.
Francis mentions The Grodus Chronicles

In addition to Starship X-Naut Issue One, Francis is a source of many other references to other Super Mario titles. As well as a Starship X-Naut TV show, there is a Starship X-Naut: Space Bloops videogame; another game is titled Larry Koopa: Zombie Heartbreaker, presumably starring Larry Koopa, which Francis was hoping to purchase. The Grodus Chronicles, another X-Naut-related television show, is also mentioned, as is an anime featuring Tubba Blubba (of the first Paper Mario): The Blubbening. Francis owns several dolls of Princess Peach, Whacka, Petuni, Punio, Vivian, Yoshi Kid in all colors, a Bub-ulb and Pennington from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and he has posters of Petuni, Lady Bow and Bootler. On his shelf, are multi-colored Yoshi Eggs next to the aforementioned dolls. Francis also wants an Excess Express train set, a Ms. Mowz doll with "real smooching action", a product called Cyborg Wart, a Magnus Von Grapple action figure, and a Tanooki Suit made with real Tanooki fur. Francis' game console collection on his shelf includes a Famicom, an indigo Nintendo GameCube with the Game Boy Player attachment, a Super Famicom, a Nintendo 64, and a Virtual Boy; lastly, if the player flips into 3D, a large television screen with a Wii and a Wii Remote becomes visible.

Super Mario-kun[edit]

Francis abducting a cross-dressing Mario in the Super Paper Mario arc from volume 37 of the Super Mario-kun
Francis's appearance in the Super Mario-kun, volume 37

Francis appears in Super Mario-kun during volume 37. As soon as Mario passes through the Bitlands door, he loses sight of Tippi. The Pixl Barry explains to him that she was just nabbed by Francis, the "nerdiest butterfly collector". Since he is a nerd, Mario creates a plan in which he disguises himself as Princess Peach so that Francis would approach the most famous princess in video game history, but Francis takes "Peach" by force and runs to his castle. Meanwhile, Bowser and his troops have created a little base in Bitlands and see Francis with Princess Peach, causing Bowser to go alone to rescue her. When Mario arrives at Fort Francis, the caged Tippi recognizes him, blowing his cover. Mario snatches her and tries to escape, but Francis starts fighting for his rare butterfly, ending up swallowing Mario. Barry arrives and suggest Tippi to shake the Wii Remote in order to free Mario from Francis' belly, but the two Pixls cannot shake it enough. Right on time, Bowser arrives and, still thinking that Francis swallowed Peach, shakes the Wii Remote so vigorously that he manages to free Mario, even though he gets out from Francis' wrong end. Bowser and Mario start arguing and, when Francis tries to ask what is going on, the two direct their punches against Francis, defeating him and freeing the fourth Pure Heart.

General information[edit]

Physical description[edit]

Francis is a large, anthropomorphic, green chameleon. He wears a yellow shirt with Super Mushroom and Super Star emblems on it and a black hip pouch. His glasses have square rims with spirals on the lenses, which do not have a nose bridge between them, and are tied in the back. He also wears a fanny pack around his waist, which he refers to as a "Frannypack."

Personality[edit]

Francis is an archetypal asocial geek. Francis is socially inept and composes himself poorly around others; as a result, he has no offline friends. He is also fond of butterflies, taking pictures of them and placing them on the website Digibutter.nerr, a forum for butterfly obsessives. Amongst his many interests, Francis is an otaku and enjoys watching anime, as well as collecting and playing video games, owning cats and cat-like things, and making a pass at any "hot babes" he encounters. He lives in Fort Francis, where his extensive collection of Meowmaids guard his belongings, tidy his anime collections, records his favorite television shows, and so on. Francis has a catchphrase, "hi-technicaaaaal!", which he employs to describe anything he finds cool, awesome, or "schweet." After starting up his Swoon.exe program and explaining its function, Francis asks Princess Peach, "What is your name?" Peach can choose from three answers, the second of which is "Tell me your name first!". If this option is selected, Francis will obey her order, noting to himself that Peach is "a stickler for etiquette" and recalling his similar mother.

Quiz questions[edit]

A lot of Francis' personality is revealed in the questions asked by his robots. For all questions the answer is "True". In the Japanese version of the game, many of the questions are different, though with very much the same theme.

English Japanese
SecuriMeow of the left door
Video game soundtracks are totally hi-technicaaaaaaal! I like anime songs! (アニメソングが スキだ!)
Episode 127 of 'The Grodus Chronicles' is pretty much the schweetest thing ever. Buying manga and promotional items makes me happier than eating delicious things. (おいしいものを 食べるよりも マンガや グッズを 買う方が シアワセ)
One day, I will own all of the 'Starship X-Naut' Series 3 collectible action figures. Once I start collecting action figures, I can't stop until I complete the collection. (フィギュアを あつめはじめると コンプリートせずには いられない)
SecuriMeow of the right door
'Starship X-Naut' comics are never to be removed from their plastic sleeves! I cover my comics neatly. (コミックには きちんと カバーを かける)
Role-playing games should be no less than 180 hours long, not counting side quests! The TV programs I watch most are of course anime. (一番 よく観ている テレビ番組は もちろん アニメ)
Fanny packs are both practical and stylish! I don't need good-looking clothes if I have T-shirts and jeans. (Tシャツと ジーンズが あれば ほかに かっこいい ふくは いらない)
Door of Francis' room
Video games and hot babes are totally hi-technicaaaaal! When in doubt, buy it! (まよったら とりあえず 買う)
If it's limited edition, buy it! If it's limited edition, buy it! (げんてい品は まよわず 買う)
I have bought games that I have never played. I've bought over three games that I haven't played. (買ったまま あそんでいない ゲームが 3本いじょう ある)
If it's got fierce giant robot on giant robot combat, it's an insta-buy! I'd rather buy something and regret it than not buying something and regret it. (買わなかったことを こうかいするなら 買って こうかいする方を 選ぶ)
They're NOT DOLLS. They're ACTION FIGURES. WITH REAL FIRE-PUNCHING ACTION. I'm an adult, so I can buy things like an adult (as I imagined in my childhood). (オトナだから オトナ買いだ)
I have dumped a friend over an argument about 'Starship X-Naut' propulsion technology. Completing a collection is a meaningful activity. (コンプリートすることに いぎがある)
A schweet cover illustration is way more important than the story line. The cover and illustration of a novel are more important than the content. (小説は ないようよりも カバーや イラストの方が 大事だ)
Never pull the top copy from a pile of comics! Find the mint-condition one! When buying books, I take not the top copy of a pile but the one two books below to the register. (本を 買うときは 一番上でなく 2さつ下のものを レジに もって行く)
My first love was an anime character! My first love was an anime character. (はつ恋の 相手は アニメキャラだ)
I love going on message boards and complaining about games I've never played! Meals fill one's stomach. Action figures fill one's heart. (ゴハンは おなかが みたされる フィギュアは 心が みたされる)

Profiles and statistics[edit]

Super Paper Mario[edit]

Super Paper Mario enemy
Francis
In-game model of Francis Max HP 40 Role Boss Location(s) Fort Francis (3-4), Castle Bleck Foyer (8-2)
Attack 1 Card type Uncommon
Defense 0 Items Card location(s) Card Shop; Map 24
Score 3000
Card description Francis totally nerds out for rare collectibles. He takes geek chic to a totally new level.
  List of Catch Cards  
  184      185      186  
Tattle That geeky chameleon is Francis. He's a little obsessive about his hobbies... Max HP is 40. Attack is 1. He can also make himself invisible... You can't hit what you can't see, so wait for him to reappear... But he is still there. Look at the floor and find his shadow... Yech... Just looking at him brings back bad memories...

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese カメレゴン[?]
Kameregon
Pun on "chameleon" and possibly "polygon"
French Francis[?] -
German Konrad[?] Likely a reference to "Konrad Zuse"
Italian Ginoleonte[?] From "camaleonte" (chameleon) and a given name "Gino"
Korean 카멜레니아[?]
Kamellenia
Possibly a pun on "chameleon" and "mania"
Spanish (NOE) Francis[?] -

Trivia[edit]

  • In the Japanese version of the game, Francis yells "Oppose violence!" before he runs away upon defeat.
  • In Chapter 8, if Tippi is used to inspect the area before the optional battle takes place, Tippi will give the following tattle text: "There's something here... I have a really bad feeling about this..."