#biokinton

Lakitus are a species of Koopa that are often seen riding around in clouds with faces, throwing items like Spiny Eggs, Piranha Pods, Hammers or Coins at the people below them and using fishing rods to hold or catch all sorts of things. Many Lakitus work as Bowser's Minions, though we've also seen Lakitu reporters, such as the Lakitu Bros. in Super Mario 64, and the referee Lakitu who runs the Mario Kart tournaments and various other Mario sports events.

While most Koopas are ruled directly by Bowser, the Lakitus have their own ruler, King Lakitu, implying they may be more distant culturally from the others. While King Lakitu and his people clearly serve Bowser in modern day, this may have been an alliance that formed in more recent history.

Throughout various Mario games, the Lakitus are connected to the Chinese-like culture in Mario’s World. In Dragon Driftway from Mario Kart 8, a course with Chinese-style architecture, murals of Lakitus practicing Kung Fu can be seen on the interior.

Lakitu’s name written in Chinese characters ("朱盖木") can be seen on lanterns, signs and murals in Dragon Driftway as well as Dragon Palace, where Koopa Troopas can be seen practicing Kung Fu. Lakitu emblems (depicting a Lakitu's Cloud) and statues of Lakitus practicing Kung Fu are both featured prominently in both Dragon Driftway and Dragon Palace.

A poster for a movie called “Kung Fu Lakitu” with the subtitle “Dragon Driftway The Movie” can also be seen in GBA Ribbon Road.

Dragon Driftway appears to have been built in the image of an ancestor of Gobblegut, from Super Mario Galaxy 2, which had four limbs. Gold and silver statues resembling a version of this this Gobblegut ancestor, with a shorter body and "whiskers" resembling those on Draggadon, can be found in the courtyard of Dragon Palace.

This civilisation may also have built Pagoda Peak, which features Chinese-like architecture and a large green dragon structure with orange horns, very similar to Gobblegut. Pagoda Peak is said to be 4000 years old and is inhabited by Kung Fu Koopas and the Koopa Master. Perhaps the Koopa Troopas seen training in Dragon Palace will go on to become Kung Fu Koopas.

Glitzville from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an “exotic” floating city with Chinese-style architecture, presumably modelled after a different region.

The city is named “Oolong Town” (ウーロン街) in Japanese after Chinese oolong tea. Glitzville is inhabited by many Lakitus, with both guests and local reporters being members of the Lakitu species.

At least a quarter of the Glitz Pit audience is comprised of Lakitus. Perhaps the sky-high location and cultural theming make it a popular draw for Lakitus in the region.

In Super Mario Land, the bosses faced in the Birabuto Kingdom, Muda Kingdom and Easton Kingdom are depicted as the leaders of a specific faction of enemies faced earlier in their respective kingdoms.

The boss of the Chai Kingdom, Biokinton, initially appears to be an exception to this, not bearing a resemblance to any enemies faced in the Chai Kingdom. Biokinton is described as shy and said to be hiding in a cloud which resembles a Lakitu’s Cloud. Rocketons are airplanes piloted by "soldier guards" faced by Mario immediately before Biokinton.

These guards strongly resemble Lakitus with their yellow skin, goggles and short, round noses. They may have a connection to Biokinton given their close proximity and matching name endings in both English and Japanese. “Biokinton” (パオキントン), “Rocketon” (ロケトン).

Perhaps Dragon Driftway, Dragon Palace and Pagoda Peak are actually in the Chai Kingdom, and with the alliance between King Lakitu's and Bowser's families centuries ago, Koopa Troopas began training in Kung Fu and Lakitus began serving in the Koopa Kingdom army.

Thank you to Sophie of @cartographers-office for pointing out the resemblance between Lakitus and the Rocketon pilots, this has been a fun one!

Flower Princess anniversary

Prince Mallow, Representative of Nimbus Land, in Sarasaland

Prince Mallow continues his ever expansive journey to explore the rest of the world and its variety of cultures, coming to a rest at a long-standing ally of the Mushroom Kingdom, Sarasaland. A surprisingly little-known fact is that Sarasaland technically isn't a kingdom in of itself but a small federation made up of four adjacent kingdoms--Birabuto Kingdom, Muda Kingdom, Easton Kingdom, and Chai Kingdom.

Princess Daisy took the visiting prince on a fairly quick tour of the four kingdoms, each of which apparently have at least one resource they're known for and trade on a federal and, to a lesser extent, international level. Birabuto Kingdom has its intricate pottery, Muda Kingdom is known for its seafood and music, Easton Kingdom has its detailed sculptures, and Chai Kingdom boasts some of the best kinds of tea.

Mallow took particular interest in one sculpture in Sarsaland located in the capital city of the Muda Kingdom. It was gold like most made by his own land's sculptor Garro, but this one was far bigger and dynamic than anything Garro had made to Mallow's knowledge. It depicted a lively dance between Daisy and the brother of Mario, Luigi. After having already heard about Luigi's more active role in Mario's adventures in both the Beanbean and Flower Kingdoms, Mallow had to wonder why he never saw Luigi on his own until the victory parade that followed.

And Daisy was quick to reveal the reason why--she had invited Luigi for a stay in Sarasaland some time before Smithy's Gang invaded. Among other things, the pair had posed for the very statue Mallow had stopped to admire in present day. Luigi hadn't even known a major invasion happened back home in the Mushroom Kingdom until a pair of Mushroom Retainers had arrived with the formal request from Peach that he lead the parade celebrating Mario and party's subsequent victory.

Name: Biokinton (again)

Debut: Super Mario Land

Dooba de do. That is what I think when I see Biokinton. It does not make that sound, but I think it should, like a happy little cloud going about its day. That is not what Biokinton is truly like, though!

Biokinton is EVIL, a BAD GUY! It is adorable, a harmless-looking little darlking, but do not be fooled, because it is a real NASTY NELLY, an absolute ROTTEN RANDY. When Biokinton is around, you will fear for your safety!

Biokinton WILL release Chickens. This cloud is full of Chickens. And you may think, a cloud full of chickens? What a fun and whimsical concept! But it’s DANGEROUS. You think you know chickens? You don’t know Chickens with a capital C. These are war chickens owned by an alien invader, and I guess he keeps them in a cloud, who I assume is his best friend. I like to believe Biokinton has feelings too.

I started this post by saying that Biokinton does not say “dooba de do”, but it DOES make a sound! Like other bosses, it will make an obnoxious MWEH-EAH sound every time it is shot with a missile. Listen for yourself! Make it your text alert sound if you want! Biokinton in pain wherever you go!

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about Biokinton, however, is its true form. Would you like to see its true form?

So would I! I don’t know what it looks like. I think it would be just fine if it was just the cloud, since that is extremely cute, but there is a whole extra layer of mystery knowing there is something else underneath! This is never shown, not even when Biokinton is defeated, but maybe it, like the other main bosses, is based on one of the normal enemies in its world? Maybe it is even a Chikako under all that!

Maybe there is even some connection with Roketon...? I always thought these just looked like Minions, but I am realizing they may actually be Sarasaland’s version of Lakitu, and Biokinton is a cloud... probably not though, since Roketon has nothing to do with chickens. And I also don’t want Biokinton to look like a Minion under there. I’m sorry Roketon, it’s not your fault, but it’s just the way it is.