Tanooki Mario
Tanooki Mario is a form of Mario or Luigi in Super Mario Bros. 3 when he obtains a Tanooki Suit. When they have this form, they will look like Tanookis and turn into a statue when pressing B and Down at the same time, in addition to temporarily flying. It is an improved version of Raccoon Mario. When Tanooki Mario is a statue, he cannot be hurt and if he uses this ability in the air, he can slam down like a Thwomp. This can destroy certain enemies and trigger switches. One setback is that while he is a statue he cannot move. He can also temporarily fly when the Speed Gauge is full and jump.
Tanooki Mario is not to be confused with actual Tanookis, who are a species found only on Isle Delfino.
The Tanooki Suit is a rare item found in Super Mario Bros. 3 and its subsequent remake. It transforms Mario and Luigi into Tanooki Mario and Tanooki Luigi. The suit grants the same abilities as the Super Leaf, with the added ability of turning into a statue when the player presses down and B at the same time. Also, if Mario or Luigi run fast enough to fill the Speed Gauge and jump, they can temporary fly.
Tanooki suits are named after tanukis, Japanese creatures who, according to mythology, can use leaves to shapeshift and cause chaos.
The Tanooki Suit was prominently featured in a Nintendo Comics System story titled "Tanooki Suits Me"; according to this story, the suit was one of many magical suits made by a tailor named Tanooki whose trademark was to sew a tail on the back of each one. It is revealed in this comic that Mario turns into a statue by pressing a button on the front of the suit, and changes back by wishing to return to human form.
The Statue Mario Trick
When Mario or Luigi has the Tanooki Suit, they can defeat almost any enemy in the game. To do this, they have to get above an enemy and use Statue Mario. This will take down almost any enemy, including Thwomps, Roto-Discs and even Chain-Chomps. He will also instantly defeat some enemies, such as Koopas and Paragoombas, which normally take two stomps.
Trivia
- Tanookis are also a species found on the Isle Delfino.
- If Mario or Luigi defeat a Koopaling in the Tanooki Suit, the Mushroom King will say "Thank you, kind racoon. Please tell me your name."
- In the Nintendo Monopoly, in one of the cards, Mario appears wearing the Tanooki Suit.
Gallery
The suit as it appears in-game. 
Mario's statue transformation.
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Trivia
- If Mario beats an Airship in this form, the Mushroom King will say, "Thank you, kind Raccoon. Please tell me your name."
- The Tanooki Mario form's name comes from the tanuki, an animal found in Japan who is also very notable for his several appearances in Japanese mythology.
- Miles "Tails" Prower of the Sonic the Hedgehog series (who is playable in Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games) was initially going to be a tanuki, although Sega decided to can this idea after considering the possible plagiarization-based controversy that could arise over such a character and the earlier Tanooki Mario.
- Although it never appeared on the actual show, concept artwork of Tanooki Mario can be seen on the bonus disc of Shout! Factory's The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 DVD set.
- According to the comic book story "Tanooki Suits Me", Tanooki Mario's statue transformation is triggered by pressing a button on the front of the suit, and to change back, he has to simply wish he were human again.
- In Super Paper Mario there is a Sammer Guy called Cloak of Tanooki.
- The form that Statue Mario takes while wearing the Tanooki Suit is Kshitigarbha, who is the protector of travellers and the guardian of souls. In Japan he is known as Jizo-Bosatsu.
