Manta
- Not to be confused with Phantamanta.
| Manta | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 The manta from Mario Kart 8 | |||
| First appearance | Super Mario 64 (1996) | ||
| Latest appearance | Super Mario 3D All-Stars (2020) | ||
| |||
| |||
| |||
The manta, also referred to as the ray, is an aquatic species found in various Super Mario games. Mantas are peaceful creatures, much like real manta rays. Some leave trails of regenerative rings behind them as they swim, and others can be used to surf above channels of water.
History
Super Mario series
Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS
A Manta Ray, also referred to as the Manta[1] or Ray,[2] first appears in Super Mario 64 and its remake, where it resides in the level Dire, Dire Docks from the second Power Star onwards, swimming in a circle around the whirlpool in the center of the entrance area. The Manta Ray will leave a trail of bubble rings as it swims around the whirlpool. If Mario, Yoshi, Luigi, or Wario can swim through five rings in a row, he will be rewarded with a Power Star; this is the focus of the mission The Manta Ray's Reward. Moreover, he can swim through a ring to regain lost oxygen. However, if the player character misses a ring, he has to start the five-ring sequence all over. If he swims through a ring correctly, a red number will appear. When the player character accomplishes the five-ring task, the Star will appear at the top of the whirlpool. The player character should also keep distance from the Manta Ray's tail, as it can deal damage.
Super Mario Sunshine
- Main article: Phantamanta
A spectral Manta appears as a boss in Super Mario Sunshine, appearing at Sirena Beach. It is flat and moves along the ground and other surfaces as though it is a light projected from the sky, constantly leaving a trail of electric goop behind it. Spraying it with FLUDD causes it to split into progressively smaller forms.
Super Mario Galaxy
- Main article: Ray
A small, friendly manta named Ray appears as a minor character in Super Mario Galaxy. Mario can surf on his back along tracks in the Loopdeeloop and Loopdeswoop galaxies.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
- Main article: Jumbo Ray
Types of mantas called Jumbo Rays appear in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. They are green and wear a pair of water goggles. They can fly, so Mario and company can stand on them as platforms for a short time. Their appearance and manner of aiding the characters to pass some obstacles are rather similar to those of Dolphins from Super Mario World.
Mario Party series
Mario Party 4
In Mario Party 4, there is a minigame called Manta Rings in which a Manta releases golden rings while swimming. These rings give the players three points unlike the usual blue ones, which give out one point.
Mario Party 5
In Mario Party 5, there is a ? Space next to the two logs on either side of the board Undersea Dream that allows the player to ride a manta to the other side of the board and collect coins along the way.
Mario Kart series
Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mantas appear on a single course in Mario Kart 8 and two courses in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In both games, one appears in the course Dolphin Shoals, and with the Booster Course Pass, one appears in Wii Koopa Cape near the U-turn in the underwater section. It has water goggles, light spots, and peach lips, resembling a Jumbo Ray, but retains its blue color, cephalic fins, and visible gills. It also has a small dorsal fin.
Mario Kart Tour
While no actual mantas appear in Mario Kart Tour, there are four gliders that resemble them. These gliders are known as the Manta Glider, Silver Manta Glider, Polka-Dot Manta Glider and Fire Manta Glider, which debuted in the Marine Tour, Peach vs. Daisy Tour, 2021 Summer Tour, and Ocean Tour, respectively. All four of these gliders were featured in the Ocean Tour's special pipe, the Ocean Manta Pipe.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
- Main article: Darkmess Manta
In Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, a giant flying manta made of Darkmess, known as Darkmess Manta, appears above Peach's Castle, covering the landscape in Darkmess. It abducts Rabbid Peach, and Mario and Beep-0, along with the Spark Starburst, rescue her. After this, it is not seen for the rest of the game.
Unused appearances
A manta using its Super Mario 64 DS model appeared in an early build of New Super Mario Bros. with an unknown role, but it did not appear in the final game.
Gallery
Model from Super Mario 64
Screenshot from Super Mario 64
Screenshot from Super Mario 64
Artwork from Super Mario Bōken Game Ehon 6 3 Tsu no Takara
Artwork from Super Mario Bōken Game Ehon 6 3 Tsu no Takara
Screenshot from New Super Mario Bros. (pre-release)
Artwork of Ray from Super Mario Galaxy
Artwork of Ray from Super Mario Galaxy
Model of the Jumbo Ray from New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | マンタ[?] Manta |
Manta | |
| エイ[?] Ei |
Ray | ||
| Chinese | 鳐鱼[?] yáo yú |
Manta | |
| Italian | Manta Pesce Razza[3] |
- Rajiformes Fish |
|
| Korean | 만타[?] Manta |
Manta |
References
- ^ M. Arakawa. Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Page 78.
- ^ (February 24, 1998). Course 9 - Star 5: The Manta Ray's Reward. Nintendo: Super Mario 64 Strategy (Internet Archive: Wayback Machine). Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia, pag. 85
