Magic brush
| Magic brush | |
|---|---|
 Super Nintendo World artwork ofBowser Jr. holding the magic brush | |
| First appearance | Super Mario Sunshine (2002) |
| Latest appearance | Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (2021) |
- “This...is my magic brush. When I draw with this, all my wishes come true!A strange old man in a white coat gave it to me...”
- —Bowser Jr.,Super Mario Sunshine
Themagic brush, also known as theMagic Paintbrush[1] (ormagic paintbrush),[2] theGadd Industries Paintbrush,[3] or simply thePaintbrush,[4] isBowser Jr.'s main weapon. It was created byProfessor E. Gadd and is usually emblazoned with his logo, although he and the brush have never physically appeared in the same game. The magic brush can creategoop that has many functions, from generatingProto Piranhas to acting asportals between locations to creating items.A skill quiz on thePlay Nintendo website conjectures that Bowser Jr. drew the toothy grin on his bib by using the magic brush.[1]
History[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario Sunshine[edit]
After obtaining the magic brush from E. Gadd, Bowser Jr. uses it to paint graffiti all overIsle Delfino, fill it up with hostile creatures,[5] and disguise himself asShadow Mario. Because of his disguise,Mario is believed to be the perpetrator and is forced to clean up the goop. Bowser Jr. claims the magic brush was given to him by E. Gadd as opposed to stealing it. Most of the game's enemies, puzzles, and hazards revolve around the goop and graffiti created by the brush, which can take on caustic and elemental properties to damage Mario on contact. The brush's goop is washed up usingFLUDD, and by the timeBowser and Bowser Jr. are confronted for the final time, Mario has washed up nearly all of it.
If the player clears thefinal battle without collecting all 120Shine Sprites, a post-credits image shows the magic brush on an island nearGelato Beach, where it is discovered byIl Piantissimo.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[edit]
The magic brush reappears in theBowser's Fury mode ofSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. Bowser Jr. first uses it in the intro to summon Mario toLake Lapcat, where he paints visual aids in order to explain his predicament to Mario. In gameplay, he can use it to hit enemies and paint over question marks on walls, revealing hidden power-ups. In this game, E. Gadd's logo is replaced with Bowser Jr.'semblem, matching its appearance in artwork forSuper Nintendo World. From the pictures in the ending credits, it is implied that the paintbrush transformed Bowser intoFury Bowser after Bowser Jr. drew on his sleeping father's face as a prank.
Mario Power Tennis /New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis[edit]
Bowser Jr. uses the brush inMario Power Tennis for both of hisPower Shots; when his offensive shot (Magic Paint) is used, Bowser Jr. takes out his brush to color the tennis ball and create two duplicate balls of the same color before sending all of them back, and when his defensive shot (Rolling Brush Return) is used, he slides towards the ball and twirls the brush, hitting it back.
Mario Kart Arcade GP subseries[edit]
The magic brush appears as an item inMario Kart Arcade GP,Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, andMario Kart Arcade GP DX, though it is known as theMustache Pen. It is a lock-on item, much like theTub. Upon being hit by a Mustache Pen, a racer loses speed, and their portrait is obscured by silly graffiti such as a mustache or lips. A variant of the Mustache Pen known as the Triple Pen exists—this item allows the player to shoot three Mustache Pens in succession, though these do not lock on and can be fired only in a straight line, much like theGreen Shell.
Mario Hoops 3-on-3[edit]
InMario Hoops 3-on-3, the magic brush is used in Bowser Jr.'sSpecial Shot, theGraffiti Shot. By dribbling in a "B" shape, Bowser Jr. throws the ball in the air and paints it with the brush. On the third brushstroke, he launches the ball to the net, leaving a trail of goop behind it.
Mario Super Sluggers[edit]
InMario Super Sluggers, the brush is Bowser Jr.'s bat. When he uses hisStar Swing,Graffiti Swing, Bowser Jr. twirls his brush around and creates a duplicate paintball. Both balls are then hit into the air, with the duplicate landing first and exploding; whoever is around the duplicate when it lands gets briefly stunned. When he uses hisStar Pitch,Graffiti Ball, Bowser Jr. coats the baseball in goop before pitching it, blocking the batter's vision with goop. Bowser Jr.'s minigame,Graffiti Runner, also features the magic brush, with four people competing for the brush to coat the floor in their respective color. The brush has a limited amount of paint, and when it is depleted, the brush is forced to be dropped, though it can also be knocked away.
Mario Sports Mix[edit]
The magic brush appears in Bowser Jr.'s Special Shot inMario Sports Mix. When his Special Shot is activated, Bowser Jr. uses the brush to scatter paint around the whole court, causing characters who walk on it to slide around and trip.
Mario & Luigi series[edit]
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team[edit]
The magic brush appears inMario & Luigi: Dream Team as one of Bowser Jr.'s attacks during his boss battle with Mario andLuigi. He uses the brush to tickle Mario or Luigi, stealing one of theirBros. Attacks in the process, though this does not create any goop.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[edit]
The magic brush makes an appearance in theBowser Jr.'s Journey sub-mode ofMario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey. Bowser Jr. wields it when changed to ranged-type and uses it to sling paint at enemies.Morton Koopa Jr. had it under his possession for a while without Bowser Jr. knowing, causing the latter to scold him upon discovering this.
Mario Golf: World Tour /Mario Sports Superstars[edit]
InMario Golf: World Tour andMario Sports Superstars, Bowser Jr. uses the magic brush in all his post-hole animations except for par. He spins the brush around, splattering paint everywhere, andspreads it on the screen when he gets an eagle, albatross, hole-in-one, or bogey.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
InSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS,Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, Bowser Jr., as well as theKoopalings, uses the magic brush in hisFinal Smash,Shadow Mario Paint. Using the brush, they transform intoShadow Mario and paint a giant graffitiX on the screen, hurting anyone who touches it. After a while, theX explodes, causing even more damage to anyone next to it.
In this series, E. Gadd's logo on the magic brush is replaced with an "evil" version.[6]
Minecraft[edit]
In the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack inMinecraft, Dyes are replaced by differently colored versions of the magic brush.
Super Nintendo World[edit]
The magic brush is featured in artwork forSuper Nintendo World.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie[edit]
This section isreferring to a subject in an upcoming or recently released film. When the film is released, or more information about this subject is found, this section may need major rewriting.
This notice should be removed after a month has passed since the film was first released.
InThe Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Bowser Jr. uses the magic brush to transform himself intoWonder Bowser Jr. in order to free hisfather from his imprisonment inPeach's Castle. Unlike in the games, the brush can also transform into a weapon such as a flail or an axe, which Bowser Jr. uses against Mario and Luigi in Peach's Castle.[7]
Gallery[edit]
Il Piantissimo discovering the magic brush in the ending ofSuper Mario Sunshine
Super Mario Sunshine
Bowser Jr. using the magic brush inMario Power Tennis
The magic brush as theJr. Pixies logo inMario Superstar Baseball
Bowser Jr. using the magic brush inMario Hoops 3-on-3
Bowser Jr. using the magic brush for his Special Shot inMario Sports Mix
Bowser Jr. posing with the magic brush in his birdie animation fromMario Golf: World Tour
Super Mario 3D All-Stars loading screen
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury loading animation
Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World
Stamp artwork from Super Nintendo World
Stamp artwork from Super Nintendo World
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | マジックブラシ[?] Majikku Burashi | Magic Brush | |
| ブラシ[8] Burashi | Brush | ||
| ひげペン[?] Hige Pen | Mustache Pen | Mario Kart Arcade GP DX | |
| Italian | Pennello magico[9] | Magic brush | Super Mario Sunshine |
| Magico Pennello della Strambic Corporation[10] | Gadd Industries' magic Paintbrush | Super Mario Sunshine (PRIMA guide) | |
| Matitone magico[11] | (Big) magic pencil | Bowser Jr.'s Journey | |
| Spanish | Pincel mágico[?] | Magic brush |
References[edit]
- ^abMushroom Kingdom pop quiz.Play Nintendo. Retrieved October 1, 2023. (Archived August 23, 2023, 21:32:08 UTC via Wayback Machine.) Message displayed after the fourth question is answered: "There is a big old smile—and a bunch of sharp teeth—drawn on Bowser Jr.’s bib. Maybe he drew those teeth himself with his Magic Paintbrush!"
- ^"Bowser Jr. is running amok with his magic paintbrush again!" – Foxe, Steve (January 2, 2018).Super Mario Official Sticker Book. ISBN978-1-5247-7006-8. Page 48.
- ^"As long as Bowser Jr. holds the magical Gadd Industries Paintbrush, he'll be an arch nuisance." – Hodgson, David S J et al. (September 3, 2002).Super Mario Sunshine Prima's Official Strategy Guide.Prima Games. ISBN0-7615-3961-2. Page 97.
- ^"SHADOW MARIO Whaaa! He looks exactly like you, but with an evil pair of red eyes, a massive tongue, and a Paintbrush that's the key to this island's messy problems! He's the guy to tackle." – Hodgson et al.Super Mario Sunshine Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 21.
- ^An excerpt of page 107 of theEncyclopedia Super Mario Bros. The title of the box is 「クッパＪｒ．の落書き!」 which means "The graffiti of Bowser Jr.!" and the text says 「本作の敵キャラクターたちは、クッパJr.が落書きで生み出したという設定。そのため、水に弱かったり、デザインが他のシリーズと少々異なっていたりする。ヨッシーも、同様の理由で水に落ちると消えてしまう。」 which means "This game's enemy characters are created by Bowser Jr.'s graffiti. That is why they are weak to water, and differ slightly in design from the rest of the series. Yoshi also vanishes if he falls in water for the same reason."
- ^Supper Mario Broth (May 1, 2017).Left: The Gadd Science, Incorporated logo from Super Mario Sunshine, featured on F.L.U.D.D., the Magic Paintbrush and the Nozzle Boxes. Right: “Evil” version of the Gadd Science, Incorporated logo introduced in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, seen on Shadow Mario’s Magic Paintbrush..Tumblr. Retrieved Retrieved May 1, 2017.
- ^Nintendo of America (November 12, 2025).The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Direct 11.12.2025.YouTube. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^Super Mario 3D World + Fury World Perfect Guide (Kadokawa).nintendo.co.jp. Page 440. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^«Questo è il mio pennello magico.» – Bowser Jr. onEpisode 1.Super Mario Sunshine (Italian).
- ^2002.Mario Sunshine. Guida strategica.Prima Games (Italian). ISBN8890092211. Page 97.
- ^«Ma questo è il mio matitone magico!» – Bowser Jr. onKoopaling Teamwork.Bowser Jr.'s Journey (Italian).
