Maw-Ray: Difference between revisions

From the Super Mario Wiki, the Mario encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
m (Text replacement - "Fra([AE]?M? *)=" to "Fre$1=")
No edit summary
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Distinguish|Maw-Maw}}
{{Distinguish|Maw-Maw}}
{{species infobox
{{species infobox
|image=[[File:Maw-Ray Prima SMO.jpg|250px]]
|image=[[File:Maw-Ray Prima SMO.jpg|250px]]<br>Artwork from ''Super Mario Odyssey''
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|latest_appearance=''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (2023)
|latest_appearance=''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (2023)
Line 8: Line 8:
}}
}}
{{quote|So this is the end: being slowly digested by an eel next to an... [[Mario|idiot in overalls]].|Donkey Kong|The Super Mario Bros. Movie}}
{{quote|So this is the end: being slowly digested by an eel next to an... [[Mario|idiot in overalls]].|Donkey Kong|The Super Mario Bros. Movie}}
'''Maw-Rays''', previously known as '''Unagi'''<ref>M. Arakawa. ''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide. Page 12.</ref><ref>Loe, Casey. ''New Super Mario Bros.'' Player's Guide. Page 12.</ref> or simply '''Eels'''<ref>(February 24, 1998). [https://web.archive.org/web/19980224211709/http://www.nintendo.com:80/n64/super_mario64/boss11.html Eel - (Course 3)]. ''Nintendo: Super Mario 64 Strategy'' (Internet Archive: Wayback Machine). Retrieved February 23, 2018.</ref> (also formatted as '''eels'''),<ref>NintendoAmerica (September 17, 2020). [https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1306669318193721344 Take a nice swim in Jolly Roger Bay from Super Mario 64. There’s all sorts interesting things to find, like a pirate ship at the bottom of the bay, or a giant eel. Hmm, maybe there’s something special about that eel? #SuperMario3DAllStars]. ''Twitter''. Retrieved September 17, 2020. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20200917190138/https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1306669318193721344 Archived] September 17, 2020, 19:01:38 UTC via Wayback Machine.)</ref> are moray eels that first appear in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. They are maroon-ish red-violet, with yellow stripes on their back fins. The [[Mega Unagi|mega versions]] are shown in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' to be strong enough to destroy entire clusters of [[Brick Block]]s and cannot be defeated by any means, not even with the [[Super Star]] power-up.
'''Maw-Rays''', previously known as '''Unagi'''<ref>{{cite|author=Pelland, Scott, and Dan Owsen|title=''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide|page=12|date=1996|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Loe, Casey|title=''New Super Mario Bros.'' Player's Guide|page=12|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|date=May 15, 2006|isbn=1-59812-009-3}}</ref> or simply '''Eels'''<ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/19980224211709/http://www.nintendo.com:80/n64/super_mario64/boss11.html|title=Eel - (Course 3)|publisher=Nintendo: Super Mario 64 Strategy|accessdate=May 22, 2024}}</ref> (also formatted as '''eels'''),<ref>{{cite|author=NintendoAmerica|date=September 17, 2020|url=x.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1306669318193721344|title=Take a nice swim in Jolly Roger Bay from Super Mario 64. There’s all sorts interesting things to find, like a pirate ship at the bottom of the bay, or a giant eel. Hmm, maybe there’s something special about that eel? #SuperMario3DAllStars|publisher=X|accessdate=September 17, 2020|archive=web.archive.org/web/20200917190138/https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1306669318193721344}}</ref> are moray eels that first appear in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. They are maroon-ish red-violet, with yellow stripes on their back fins. The [[Mega Unagi|mega versions]] are shown in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' to be strong enough to destroy entire clusters of [[Brick Block]]s and cannot be defeated.
 
''{{wp|Unagi}}'' (うなぎ) is the Japanese word for "freshwater eel", especially the Japanese eel, ''Anguilla japonica''. "Maw-Ray" is a pun on "{{wp|moray eel}}" and "maw".


''{{wp|Unagi}}'' (うなぎ) is the Japanese word for "freshwater eel," especially the Japanese eel, ''Anguilla japonica''. "Maw-Ray" is a pun on "{{wp|moray eel}}" and the word "maw."
==History==
==History==
===''Super Mario'' series===
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario 64'' / ''Super Mario 64 DS''====
====''Super Mario 64'' / ''Super Mario 64 DS''====
[[File:JollyRoger.png|thumb|left|Unagi from ''Super Mario 64'']]
[[File:JollyRoger.png|thumb|left|Screenshot from ''Super Mario 64'']]
One Unagi, sometimes referred to as '''Unagi the eel''',<ref>M. Arakawa. ''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide. Page 33.</ref> appears in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and its remake, ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. The player character can lure it out of its sunken ship home in [[Jolly Roger Bay]] by swimming near and provoking it to attack. The player must then swim a short distance away and then swim back to the ship. Unagi will have left the ship, allowing the player to enter it via the ship's window. Once inside, if Mario opens the chests in the correct order, the ship will surface, causing the water inside the ship to drain, thus allowing the player to get the [[Power Star]].
One Unagi, sometimes referred to as '''Unagi the eel''',<ref>{{cite|author=Pelland, Scott, and Dan Owsen|title=''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide|page=33|date=1996|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref> appears in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and its [[Super Mario 64 DS|Nintendo DS remake]]. In the [[Jolly Roger Bay]] [[mission]], [[Plunder in the Sunken Ship]], [[Mario]] can lure Unagi out of its sunken ship home by swimming near and provoking it to attack. The player must then swim a short distance away and then swim back to the ship. Unagi will have left the ship, allowing the player to enter it via the ship's window. Unagi is the focus of the next mission, [[Can the Eel Come Out to Play?]], where it now appears in a water cove. Unagi can be lured out in the same manner as before, and it now has a [[Power Star]] attached to its tail that can be obtained by touching it. However, if too much time passes, Unagi will return to the alcove and will have to be lured out again. In later missions, Unagi circles where the sunken ship formerly was.
 
Unagi is seen again later, this time making a water cove its home. Once again, Mario and friends can lure it out in the same fashion as before. The water cove is not accessible, but there is a Power Star attached to the eel's tail. To gain it, Mario and friends must simply touch it. If too much time passes, Unagi will return to the alcove and will have to be lured out again.
 
In later missions, Unagi circles the previous location of the sunken ship. Its ''Super Mario 64'' design resembles a {{wp|gulper eel}}, while its ''Super Mario 64 DS'' design depicts it with a [[Chain Chomp|Chomp]]-like face. This later design would be used until ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''.
{{br}}
{{br}}


====''New Super Mario Bros.''====
====''New Super Mario Bros.''====
[[File:UnagiNSMB.png|thumb|Unagi as seen in ''New Super Mario Bros.'']]
[[File:Unagi.png|thumb]]
[[File:NSMB World 8-3.png|thumb|left|[[Mega Unagi]]]]
Unagi and their [[Mega Unagi|big counterparts]] appear as underwater enemies in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' Unagi keep their ''Super Mario 64 DS'' design. They are encountered only in [[World 4-3 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 4-3]] and [[World 8-3 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 8-3]]. Some Unagi swim around while others live in small underwater coves, attacking anything in its vicinity. Unagi can be defeated with a [[Mega Mushroom]] and a [[Super Star]].
Unagi reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' as an enemy in underwater levels, retaining their ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'' design. They only appear in [[World 4-3 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 4-3]] and [[World 8-3 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 8-3]]. In World 8-3, Unagi swim around in a predictable pattern trying to hit [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]]. Some Unagi also live in small underwater coves, attacking anything in its vicinity. Unagi can be defeated with a [[Mega Mushroom]] and a [[Super Star]]. There is also a big version called the [[Mega Unagi]].


====''Super Mario Odyssey''====
====''Super Mario Odyssey''====
In ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', Maw-Rays (referred to by this name for the first time) make an appearance as enemies, primarily in the [[Underwater Tunnel to the Lighthouse]] in the [[Seaside Kingdom]]. They are redesigned to have a more detailed appearance with realistic anatomy as well as menacing, glowing eyes. Similar to their appearance in ''New Super Mario Bros.'', they attack by lunging out of their nesting spots at a high speed before snapping their enormous jaws and receding, and can be positioned either horizontally or vertically. Before they emerge, a plume of sand can be seen coming from their caves. Entering these caves is impossible, as they appear to be blocked with sand. A few Maw-Rays also appear in one area of the [[Mushroom Kingdom (Super Mario Odyssey)|Mushroom Kingdom]]; here, their caves are not seen, as they instead lunge upwards out of the clouds.
In ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', Maw-Rays (referred to by this name for the first time) make an appearance as enemies, primarily in the [[Underwater Tunnel to the Lighthouse]] in the [[Seaside Kingdom]]. They are redesigned to have a more detailed appearance with realistic anatomy as well as menacing, glowing eyes. Similar to their appearance in ''New Super Mario Bros.'', they attack by lunging out of their nesting spots at a high speed before snapping their enormous jaws and receding, and can be positioned either horizontally or vertically. Before they emerge, a plume of sand can be seen coming from their caves. Entering these caves is impossible, as they appear to be blocked with sand. A few Maw-Rays also appear in one area of the [[Mushroom Kingdom (Super Mario Odyssey)|Mushroom Kingdom]]; here, their caves are not seen, as they instead lunge upwards out of the clouds.
At least one [[Spike Eel]] [[List of Super Mario Odyssey pre-release and unused content|was originally going to appear]] in the Underwater Tunnel to the Lighthouse in the Seaside Kingdom, with their appearance from ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'', as shown in the area's concept artwork, but they were eventually replaced by Maw-Rays.<ref>{{cite|author=Sakai, Kazuya, et al.|date=November 5, 2019|format=First English Edition|title=''[[The Art of Super Mario Odyssey]]''|isbn=978-1-50671-375-5|language=en-us|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]|page=228}}</ref>


===''Mario no Bōken Land''===
===''Mario no Bōken Land''===
Line 38: Line 36:


===''Mario Party'' series===
===''Mario Party'' series===
====''Mario Party 3''====
Maw-Rays appear only a few times in the [[Mario Party (series)|''Mario Party'' series]]. In ''[[Mario Party 3]]'', a brown Unagi appears in the foreground of [[Deep Bloober Sea]], attempting to take a bite from a pink [[Sushi]]'s tail. A similar giant turquoise eel also appears nearby. In the minigame [[Manta Rings]] from ''[[Mario Party 4]]'', a reddish-brown eel resembling an Unagi darts in front of the characters with a high-pitched noise as they pass a sunken ship. If bumped into, three points are deducted.
In ''[[Mario Party 3]]'', a brown Unagi appears in the foreground of [[Deep Bloober Sea]], attempting to take a bite from a pink [[Sushi]]'s tail. A similar giant turquoise eel also appears nearby.
 
====''Mario Party 4''====
In the minigame [[Manta Rings]] from ''[[Mario Party 4]]'', a reddish-brown eel resembling an Unagi darts in front of the characters with a high-pitched noise as they pass a sunken ship, resembling the one from Jolly Roger Bay. If bumped into, three points are deducted.


===''Mario Kart'' series===
===''Mario Kart'' series===
====''Mario Kart Wii''====
====''Mario Kart Wii''====
[[File:Unagi-MKW.png|thumb|Several Unagi in ''Mario Kart Wii'']]
Several Unagi in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' appear in the background of the underwater tunnel segment [[Koopa Cape]], poking their heads out of various [[Warp Pipe|Pipe]]s, and a closer Unagi can be seen swimming outside of [[Chain Chomp Wheel]].
Several Unagi make cameos in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', where they can be seen while traveling through the underwater tunnel in [[Koopa Cape]], poking their heads out of various [[Warp Pipe|Pipe]]s. A closer one can be seen swimming outside of [[Chain Chomp Wheel]].


====''Mario Kart 7''====
====''Mario Kart 7''====
They appear again in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', making a cameo in the [[Underwater driving|underwater]] sections of {{classic-link|GCN|Daisy Cruiser}} and {{classic-link|Wii|Koopa Cape}}.
Unagi in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' similarly appear in the [[Underwater driving|underwater]] sections of {{classic-link|GCN|Daisy Cruiser}} and {{classic-link|Wii|Koopa Cape}}.


====''Mario Kart Arcade GP DX''====
====''Mario Kart Arcade GP DX''====
In ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]'', they make a small appearance in the underwater parts of the race track [[Tropical Coast]].
In ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]'', Unagi make a small appearance in the underwater parts of the race track [[Tropical Coast]].


====''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''====
====''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''====
[[File:Mega Unagi MK8.jpg|thumb|left|Unagi in Dolphin Shoals]]
[[File:Mega Unagi MK8.jpg|thumb|left|Unagi in Dolphin Shoals]]
A single Maw-Ray appears in an underwater section of the ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' course [[Dolphin Shoals]], where players race along its body for a short section and can perform [[Jump Boost]]s from its undulating body. They also make a return in the [[Classic_course#Booster_Course_Pass_courses|booster courses]] {{classic|GCN|Daisy Cruiser}}, {{classic|Wii|Koopa Cape}}, and [[Piranha Plant Cove]], once again making cameos in the underwater sections of each course and retaining their design and model from ''Mario Kart Tour''.
A single Unagi appears in an underwater section of the ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' course [[Dolphin Shoals]], where players race along its body for a short section and can perform [[Jump Boost]]s from its undulating body. They also make a return in the [[Classic_course#Booster_Course_Pass_courses|booster courses]] {{classic|GCN|Daisy Cruiser}}, {{classic|Wii|Koopa Cape}}, and [[Piranha Plant Cove]], once again making cameos in the underwater sections of each course and retaining their design and model from ''Mario Kart Tour''.
{{br}}
{{br}}


Line 73: Line 66:
*GCN Daisy Cruiser T
*GCN Daisy Cruiser T


Most Maw-Rays simply roam around an area above the track, usually after emerging from a [[Warp Pipe|pipe]] in a wall. In Piranha Plant Cove 2, Piranha Plant 2R, and GCN Daisy Cruiser T, Maw-Rays can be interacted with, as there are [[current]]s that can send drivers high enough to reach them; they act as minor, wall-like obstacles that simply cause drivers to lose some speed when run into. The Maw-Ray in Piranha Plant Cove 2 can be bounced off of for Jump Boosts.
Most Maw-Rays simply roam around an area above the track, usually after emerging from a [[Warp Pipe|pipe]] in a wall. In Piranha Plant Cove 2, Piranha Plant Cove 2R, and GCN Daisy Cruiser T, Maw-Rays can be interacted with, as there are [[current]]s that can send drivers high enough to reach them; they act as minor, wall-like obstacles that simply cause drivers to lose some speed when run into. The Maw-Ray in Piranha Plant Cove 2 can be bounced off of for Jump Boosts.


In Piranha Plant Cove 3 and its T variant, one Maw-Ray lurks inside a hole, lunging at drivers to bite them. Drivers who run into this Maw-Ray spin out.
In Piranha Plant Cove 3 and its T variant, one Maw-Ray lurks inside a hole, lunging at drivers to bite them. Drivers who run into this Maw-Ray spin out.
Line 83: Line 76:


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
<gallery>
Unagi SM64.png|Model from ''[[Super Mario 64]]''
Playingeel.png|Screenshot from ''Super Mario 64''
SM64 Unagi Proto.png|Unused early model from ''Super Mario 64''
Playingeel.png|Screenshot of ''Super Mario 64''
Unagi64Face.jpg|Screenshot of ''Super Mario 64''
SM64 Thumbnail Unagi.jpg|Picture of Unagi from the ''Super Mario 64'' entry on the Japanese Mario Portal
Super Mario 64 Puzzle.jpg|Artwork used for a ''Super Mario 64'' puzzle
SMAGPB6 Unagi.png|Artwork from ''Super Mario Bōken Game Ehon 6 3 Tsu no Takara''
SMAGPB6 Unagi.png|Artwork from ''Super Mario Bōken Game Ehon 6 3 Tsu no Takara''
SMAGPB6 Underwater.png|Artwork from ''Super Mario Bōken Game Ehon 6 3 Tsu no Takara''
Unagi-MKW.png|Several Unagi in ''Mario Kart Wii''
4koma Unagi.jpg|Artwork from ''[[4-koma Gag Battle]]''
Maw-Ray Icon SMO.png|Artwork from ''Super Mario Odyssey''
MP3 Deep Bloober Sea Board.png|''[[Mario Party 3]]''
MKT Maw-Ray.jpg|Screenshot from ''Mario Kart Tour''
SM64DS Unagi the eel.png|Screenshot of ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''
Unagi.png|Model from ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]''
Koopa Zapper.png|Screenshot of ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''
MKAGPDX Unagi.png|Screenshot of ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]''
MK8MawRayModel.png|Model from ''[[Mario Kart 8]]''
Maw-Ray Icon SMO.png|Artwork from ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
SMO Maw-Ray 2.png|Model from ''Super Mario Odyssey''
SMO Maw-Ray.png|Model from ''Super Mario Odyssey''
SMO Maw-Ray 1.png|Model from ''Super Mario Odyssey''
SMO Mario swimming from Maw-Ray.jpg|Screenshot of ''Super Mario Odyssey''
SMO Two Maw Rays Screenshot.png|Screenshot of ''Super Mario Odyssey''
MKT Maw-Ray.jpg|Screenshot of ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''
MK8-Course-Tour PiranhaPlantCove.jpg|Screenshot of ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>


Line 123: Line 99:
|JapR=Utsubo
|JapR=Utsubo
|JapM=Moray
|JapM=Moray
|Jap2={{ruby|大|おお}}ウツボ<ref>Kazuki, Motoyama. [[Super Mario (Kodansha manga)|KC Deluxe]] vol. 36 - ''Super Mario 64'' part 1. {{media link|SM64 Character Info Book.jpg|Page 6}}.</ref>
|Jap2={{ruby|大|おお}}ウツボ<ref>{{cite|author=Kazuki, Motoyama|title=[[Super Mario (Kodansha manga)|KC Deluxe]] vol. 36 - ''Super Mario 64'' part 1|page={{file link|SM64 Character Info Book.jpg|6}}}}</ref>
|Jap2R=Ō Utsubo
|Jap2R=Ō Utsubo
|Jap2M=Big Moray
|Jap2M=Big Moray
Line 132: Line 108:
|ChiTR=Hǎimán
|ChiTR=Hǎimán
|ChiTM=Moray
|ChiTM=Moray
|Dut=Maw-Ray <small>(''Super Mario Odyssey'')</small><br>Moeraal <small>(''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'')</small>
|Dut=Maw-Ray
|DutM=-<br>Moray
|DutN=''Super Mario Odyssey''
|Fre=Anguy<br>Mordrène <small>(''Super Mario Odyssey'')</small><br>Murène<ref>[https://www.nintendo64ever.com/Scans-Magazine,2,Le-Magazine-Officiel-Nintendo-01.html Nintendo official French magazine N1], page 86</ref>
|Dut2=Moeraal
|FreM=From "anguille" (eel) and possibly the male name "Guy"<br>From "mordre" (to bite) and "murène" (moray). The name is written in lowercase in the Canadian version (''mordrène'') while it is capitalized in the European version (''Mordrène'')<br>Moray
|Dut2N=''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''
|Ger=Kano<br>Murani <small>(''Super Mario Odyssey'')</small>
|Dut2M=Moray
|GerM=-<br>From "Muränen" (moray)
|Fre=Anguy
|Fre2=Mordrène
|Fre2N=''Super Mario Odyssey''
|Fre3=Murène<ref>{{cite|url=archive.org/details/NM6401/mode/2up?view=theater|title=Nintendo official French magazine N1|page=86}}</ref>
|FreM=From ''anguille'' ("eel") and possibly the male name "Guy"
|Fre2M=From ''mordre'' ("to bite") and ''murène'' ("moray"). The name is written in lowercase in the Canadian version (''mordrène'') while it is capitalized in the European version (''Mordrène'')
|Fre3M=Moray
|Ger=Kano<ref>{{cite|author=Kraft, John D., Thomas Görg, and Marko Hein, editors|title=''Der offizielle Nintendo 64 Spieleberater "Super Mario 64"''|language=de|location=Großostheim|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe GmbH]]|date=1997|page=7}}</ref>
|Ger2=Murani
|Ger2N=''Super Mario Odyssey''
|Ger2M=From "Muränen" ("moray")
|Ita=Mordorena
|Ita=Mordorena
|ItaM=Portmanteau of "mordere" (to bite) and "murena" (moray)
|ItaM=Portmanteau of ''mordere'' ("to bite") and ''murena'' ("moray")
|Kor=곰치
|Kor=곰치
|KorR=Gomchi
|KorR=Gomchi
|KorM=Moray
|KorM=Moray
|Rus=
|Rus=Мурена
|RusR=
|RusR=Murena
|RusM=
|RusM=Moray
|Spa=Morena<br>Mordimore <small>(''Super Mario Odyssey'')</small>
|Spa=Morena
|SpaM=Moray<br>From "morder" (to bite) and "morena" (moray). The name is written in lowercase in the Latin American version (''mordimore'') while it is capitalized in the European version (''Mordimore'')
|Spa2=Mordimore
|Spa2N=''Super Mario Odyssey''
|SpaM=Moray
|Spa2M=From ''morder'' ("to bite") and ''morena'' ("moray"). The name is written in lowercase in the Latin American version (''mordimore'') while it is capitalized in the European version (''Mordimore'')
}}
}}


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
 
{{Navboxes|
{{SM64}}
{{SM64}}
{{MP4}}
{{MP4}}
Line 163: Line 152:
{{MKT}}
{{MKT}}
{{TSMBM}}
{{TSMBM}}
}}
[[Category:Eels]]
[[Category:Eels]]
[[Category:Underwater creatures]]
[[Category:Underwater creatures]]

Latest revision as of 20:24, October 21, 2024

Not to be confused with Maw-Maw.
Maw-Ray
A Maw-Ray in Super Mario Odyssey
Artwork from Super Mario Odyssey
First appearance Super Mario 64 (1996)
Latest appearance The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Variants
Comparable
“So this is the end: being slowly digested by an eel next to an... idiot in overalls.”
Donkey Kong, The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Maw-Rays, previously known as Unagi[1][2] or simply Eels[3] (also formatted as eels),[4] are moray eels that first appear in Super Mario 64. They are maroon-ish red-violet, with yellow stripes on their back fins. The mega versions are shown in New Super Mario Bros. to be strong enough to destroy entire clusters of Brick Blocks and cannot be defeated.

Unagi (うなぎ) is the Japanese word for "freshwater eel", especially the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. "Maw-Ray" is a pun on "moray eel" and "maw".

History[edit]

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[edit]

Jolly Roger Bay Star 1
Screenshot from Super Mario 64

One Unagi, sometimes referred to as Unagi the eel,[5] appears in Super Mario 64 and its Nintendo DS remake. In the Jolly Roger Bay mission, Plunder in the Sunken Ship, Mario can lure Unagi out of its sunken ship home by swimming near and provoking it to attack. The player must then swim a short distance away and then swim back to the ship. Unagi will have left the ship, allowing the player to enter it via the ship's window. Unagi is the focus of the next mission, Can the Eel Come Out to Play?, where it now appears in a water cove. Unagi can be lured out in the same manner as before, and it now has a Power Star attached to its tail that can be obtained by touching it. However, if too much time passes, Unagi will return to the alcove and will have to be lured out again. In later missions, Unagi circles where the sunken ship formerly was.

New Super Mario Bros.[edit]

Unagi.png

Unagi and their big counterparts appear as underwater enemies in New Super Mario Bros. Unagi keep their Super Mario 64 DS design. They are encountered only in World 4-3 and World 8-3. Some Unagi swim around while others live in small underwater coves, attacking anything in its vicinity. Unagi can be defeated with a Mega Mushroom and a Super Star.

Super Mario Odyssey[edit]

In Super Mario Odyssey, Maw-Rays (referred to by this name for the first time) make an appearance as enemies, primarily in the Underwater Tunnel to the Lighthouse in the Seaside Kingdom. They are redesigned to have a more detailed appearance with realistic anatomy as well as menacing, glowing eyes. Similar to their appearance in New Super Mario Bros., they attack by lunging out of their nesting spots at a high speed before snapping their enormous jaws and receding, and can be positioned either horizontally or vertically. Before they emerge, a plume of sand can be seen coming from their caves. Entering these caves is impossible, as they appear to be blocked with sand. A few Maw-Rays also appear in one area of the Mushroom Kingdom; here, their caves are not seen, as they instead lunge upwards out of the clouds.

At least one Spike Eel was originally going to appear in the Underwater Tunnel to the Lighthouse in the Seaside Kingdom, with their appearance from Super Mario 3D Land, as shown in the area's concept artwork, but they were eventually replaced by Maw-Rays.[6]

Mario no Bōken Land[edit]

Unagi
Scan of Mario, Luigi, and Donkey Kong encountering Unagi in Mario no Bōken Land

The manga Mario no Bōken Land features adaptations of various games, one of them including Super Mario 64. The Super Mario 64 section of the book features Mario, Luigi and Donkey Kong traversing through several of the worlds in Super Mario 64; one of them, being an encounter with Unagi in Jolly Roger Bay. Unagi eats them, but Mario's sword allows them to escape.

Mario Golf[edit]

In Mario Golf, Unagi's name is sometimes on the score card.

Mario Party series[edit]

Maw-Rays appear only a few times in the Mario Party series. In Mario Party 3, a brown Unagi appears in the foreground of Deep Bloober Sea, attempting to take a bite from a pink Sushi's tail. A similar giant turquoise eel also appears nearby. In the minigame Manta Rings from Mario Party 4, a reddish-brown eel resembling an Unagi darts in front of the characters with a high-pitched noise as they pass a sunken ship. If bumped into, three points are deducted.

Mario Kart series[edit]

Mario Kart Wii[edit]

Several Unagi in Mario Kart Wii appear in the background of the underwater tunnel segment Koopa Cape, poking their heads out of various Pipes, and a closer Unagi can be seen swimming outside of Chain Chomp Wheel.

Mario Kart 7[edit]

Unagi in Mario Kart 7 similarly appear in the underwater sections of GCN Daisy Cruiser and Wii Koopa Cape.

Mario Kart Arcade GP DX[edit]

In Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, Unagi make a small appearance in the underwater parts of the race track Tropical Coast.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[edit]

Unagi
Unagi in Dolphin Shoals

A single Unagi appears in an underwater section of the Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe course Dolphin Shoals, where players race along its body for a short section and can perform Jump Boosts from its undulating body. They also make a return in the booster courses GCN Daisy Cruiser, Wii Koopa Cape, and Piranha Plant Cove, once again making cameos in the underwater sections of each course and retaining their design and model from Mario Kart Tour.

Mario Kart Tour[edit]

View of the aquarium in GCN Daisy Cruiser
A Maw-Ray in Mario Kart Tour

In Mario Kart Tour, Maw-Rays appear in the underwater sections of several courses. They utilize their design from Super Mario 64 DS in this appearance, which was also used in previous Mario Kart games. Unlike other sentient obstacles in the game, they are not affected by items whatsoever. They are found in the following courses:

  • Piranha Plant Cove
  • Piranha Plant Cove R
  • Piranha Plant Cove R/T
  • Piranha Plant Cove 2
  • Piranha Plant Cove 2R
  • Piranha Plant Cove 3
  • Piranha Plant Cove 3R
  • GCN Daisy Cruiser
  • GCN Daisy Cruiser T

Most Maw-Rays simply roam around an area above the track, usually after emerging from a pipe in a wall. In Piranha Plant Cove 2, Piranha Plant Cove 2R, and GCN Daisy Cruiser T, Maw-Rays can be interacted with, as there are currents that can send drivers high enough to reach them; they act as minor, wall-like obstacles that simply cause drivers to lose some speed when run into. The Maw-Ray in Piranha Plant Cove 2 can be bounced off of for Jump Boosts.

In Piranha Plant Cove 3 and its T variant, one Maw-Ray lurks inside a hole, lunging at drivers to bite them. Drivers who run into this Maw-Ray spin out.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie[edit]

Maw-Ray in The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Maw-Ray leaping out of the water in The Super Mario Bros. Movie

A large Maw-Ray appears in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, where it consumes Mario and Donkey Kong after they plummet from Rainbow Road. Soon after, the two are able to escape the Maw-Ray by using a Rocket Barrel from the remains of DK's kart. The Maw-Ray's design is based off the enemy's appearance in Super Mario Odyssey.

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Maw-Ray.

Additional names[edit]

Internal names[edit]

Game File Name Meaning

Super Mario 64 DS
New Super Mario Bros.
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
Mario Kart Tour
data/enemy/moray
data/enemy/moray.nsbmd
Data/Model/Object/moray
assets/main/content/mapobj/moray/moray_prm.asset
moray English translation of the Japanese name

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ウツボ[?]
Utsubo
Moray
おおウツボ[7]
Ō Utsubo
Big Moray
Chinese (simplified) 海鳗[?]
Hǎimán
Moray
Chinese (traditional) 海鰻[?]
Hǎimán
Moray
Dutch Maw-Ray[?] - Super Mario Odyssey
Moeraal[?] Moray The Super Mario Bros. Movie
French Anguy[?] From anguille ("eel") and possibly the male name "Guy"
Mordrène[?] From mordre ("to bite") and murène ("moray"). The name is written in lowercase in the Canadian version (mordrène) while it is capitalized in the European version (Mordrène) Super Mario Odyssey
Murène[8] Moray
German Kano[9] -
Murani[?] From "Muränen" ("moray") Super Mario Odyssey
Italian Mordorena[?] Portmanteau of mordere ("to bite") and murena ("moray")
Korean 곰치[?]
Gomchi
Moray
Russian Мурена[?]
Murena
Moray
Spanish Morena[?] Moray
Mordimore[?] From morder ("to bite") and morena ("moray"). The name is written in lowercase in the Latin American version (mordimore) while it is capitalized in the European version (Mordimore) Super Mario Odyssey

References[edit]

  1. ^ Pelland, Scott, and Dan Owsen (1996). Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 12.
  2. ^ Loe, Casey (May 15, 2006). New Super Mario Bros. Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). ISBN 1-59812-009-3. Page 12.
  3. ^ Eel - (Course 3). Nintendo: Super Mario 64 Strategy. Archived February 24, 1998, 21:17:09 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  4. ^ NintendoAmerica (September 17, 2020). Take a nice swim in Jolly Roger Bay from Super Mario 64. There’s all sorts interesting things to find, like a pirate ship at the bottom of the bay, or a giant eel. Hmm, maybe there’s something special about that eel? #SuperMario3DAllStars. X. Retrieved September 17, 2020. (Archived September 17, 2020, 19:01:38 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  5. ^ Pelland, Scott, and Dan Owsen (1996). Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 33.
  6. ^ Sakai, Kazuya, et al. (November 5, 2019). The Art of Super Mario Odyssey (First English Edition). Dark Horse Comics (American English). ISBN 978-1-50671-375-5. Page 228.
  7. ^ Kazuki, Motoyama. KC Deluxe vol. 36 - Super Mario 64 part 1. Page 6Media:SM64 Character Info Book.jpg.
  8. ^ Nintendo official French magazine N1. Page 86.
  9. ^ Kraft, John D., Thomas Görg, and Marko Hein, editors (1997). Der offizielle Nintendo 64 Spieleberater "Super Mario 64". Großostheim: Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). Page 7.