Carter’s Little Hideout

Some following background information on boos in general before I start:

⟡ Boos, in my vision, are not spirits of the undead and are instead their own species. Whether or not this is confirmed is beyond me, but this is how I’ve always seen it! Other ghosts could fit this same scenario (like the ghosts in Luigi’s Mansion with the exception of the boss ghosts who I totally see as being once alive).

⟡ They have a hierarchy very similar to bees where one of their species is the most powerful and important, acting as their King while the rest are essential workers. How a boo becomes King is determined by their magical ability to create other boos. Typically every 100 years or so, a new King will arise and take the crown. Their size also shows this off as a King Boo will be much bigger compared to the rest of the species.

⟡ Speaking of how boos are created! As I said, only the Kings can create new boos. It’s not exactly asexual reproduction.. it’s just magic that they have the ability to create unique life (so no.. none of them are related 😬). This can only be achieved every year where a King will birth a new batch of baby boos. It’s actually considered a major celebration for the species who gather around every year to watch the creation of life.

⟡ Just a small side note since I’m on the topic.. I wholeheartedly believe boos are completely genderless and sexless. The only reason they have a “king” is solely because it seems like Kings rule most of the other species (King Bob-omb, King Whomp, King Bowser, etc etc..) so the boos thought it was best to detonate their leader with the same title. Most boos use he/him to follow suit with this as well 🫶

Anyway!! Moving on to the actual Kings!! :DD

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⟡ King Boo - The King of the Living

- Due to there being multiple King Boos, they are given small nicknames to help differentiate..

- This King Boo is basically the iterations we see in every Mario game of King Boo besides Luigi’s Mansion or Super Mario Sunshine. The barebones big ghost with a crown.

⟡ They are the friendliest King out of the known three King Boos and the eldest. They rule over every boo species with a few exceptions.. He is overall considered a decent ruler who only wants what is best for his kind, even if it means working with Bowser to achieve a semblance of peace for his people + give them a place to reside in since the Mushroom Kingdom has specifically warded out boos long before they worked with Bowser.

⟡ The reason why is he known as the King of the Living is for what I stated earlier about boos not being undead creatures and are instead their own species. Therefore, the “living”-

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⟡ King Boo - The King of the Dead

- This King Boo is strictly from Luigi’s Mansion. I do consider King Boo from Luigi’s Mansion and the barebones one from like Mario Kart to not be the same individual, even though I believe it’s canon? They’re different people in my glorious little eyeballs 💅

⟡ This King Boo was unfortunate enough to be born an heir to the throne, given his size, but found out that he was completely unable to create life due to an unknown cause. Before it was discovered, he was essentially groomed and treated as a young Prince who was quickly thrown to the wolves once it was found out he wasn’t a “true King”. He was seen as a deformity and ridiculed for it. He was unable to find purpose for himself as his original one was ripped straight out of his hands.

⟡ Slowly over the years, he grew spiteful and bitter, dedicated to finding a way to fix this. Since he believed it was a magic problem, he sought after a crown that would be sure to make him powerful. This, of course, would be the red crystal crown seen in the first Luigi’s Mansion. However, it didn’t come with its costs of meddling with King Boo’s mind, making him more prone to impulsive decisions and rash thoughts.

⟡ The crown was a success though! He was able to create new life, new boos. These boos are slightly different from regular boos as instead of the four fanged mouths, they instead have simple vampire fangs! King Boo rules over these individuals, keeping them away from civilization to avoid his secret from breaking.

⟡ The main reason why he was known as the King of the Dead is that he also rules over and gives those like the Boss ghosts a place to reside! Those who were once alive :D

⟡ I don’t believe King Boo is inherently a bad person as he was the one provoked in the first place by both Professor E. Gadd and Mario, two people harming his subjects. The crown also has its fair share of worsening the already built up anger in his body. I think he just needs a smooch from Luigi to make things better 💪✨

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⟡ King Boo - King of the Unreal

- This King Boo is the one seen in Super Mario Sunshine. The high one. I love him 💅

⟡ The technical youngest of the Kings. Lore wise: He is not a real boo as he is made entirely from paint alongside his subjects. He can still create more boos out of his own magic without the help from Bowser Jr. He rules only after the sleepy boos found in the game and therefore is still considered a King.

⟡ The sleaziest and probably worst King out of the three, being particularly evil in letting others play his gambling games with no way to win. He enjoys tormenting others, letting his boos scare and be absolute nuisances to citizens, and being an overall douche.

⟡ Despises spicy food. It is his worst enemy. Big ol baby hisses at the sight of pepper

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Honorable Mention!!:

⟡ Bouldergeist

- This super cool boss is found in Super Mario Galaxy!! Eee I love him so much how could I not mention him

⟡ As in the game, he has the ability to create a new type of boo called the Bomb Boos. Black boos that explode when thrown around. I haven’t fully decided lore headcanons for this guy, but some ideas are popping up.

⟡ Bombs boos, I’d imagine, are the most mindless out of the entire boo species and probably aren’t real boos. They’re kind of built to die quickly and act as offensive guards for Bouldergeist.

⟡ Is Bouldergeist just a deformed Bomb Boo?? He looks the part and constantly creates them when his rocky exterior is destroyed… Maybe they’re like a hivemind. The bomb boos are Bouldergeist ya know ya know.. or another thought is that he’s like a really deformed King Boo 😭 Who knows- I love him though, he’s a cutie patootie

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There’s more I could delve into. Like what boo rules what or are some ghostly enemies just kinda without a ruler. Ex: Who rules over enemies like peepas, fishing boos (which are just dead lakitus I’m assuming..), octoboos, etc etc..