
Toad's mushroom head from the Super Mario franchise has sparked a decades-long debate among fans: is it a hat, or is it his head? The mystery has been addressed in various media adaptations of the video game, including the Super Mario TV show from the 1980s, the Paper Mario games, and the 2018 Super Mario Odyssey game. While some sources provide evidence to support the hat theory, Nintendo has confirmed that Toad's mushroom head is, in fact, a part of his body and not a hat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Toad's mushroom head is a hat | No |
| Toad's mushroom head is a part of his body | Yes |
| Evidence | In Super Mario Odyssey, Toad uses a hat-gliding move by pulling out a custom-made hat |
| Conflicting evidence | In the Super Mario TV show in the 1980s, Toad took off his mushroom cap to reveal a small head |
| Conflicting evidence | In the Paper Mario games, Toads had hair peeking out from under the mushroom |
| Conflicting evidence | In Super Mario Strikers Charged, Toad's skeleton has a normal-sized skull and a void around it |
| Conflicting evidence | In some games, Toad wears headphones over his head/hat |
| Official statement | In 2018, Super Mario Odyssey producer Yoshiaki Koizumi stated that it was Toad's head, but failed to provide a justification |
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What You'll Learn

Toad's mushroom head is part of his body, not a hat
Toad's mushroom head has been a topic of debate among fans of the Super Mario franchise for decades. Since Toad's first appearance in 1985's Super Mario Bros., fans have speculated whether the mushroom shape on his head is a hat or part of his body.
In 2018, Nintendo finally settled the debate, confirming that Toad's mushroom head is indeed part of his body and not a hat. This revelation was made by Super Mario Odyssey producer Yoshiaki Koizumi, who stated that the mushroom shape is Toad's actual head. However, Koizumi did not provide a detailed explanation for this, leaving it to fans to interpret how this anatomy works.
Evidence supporting the idea that Toad's mushroom head is part of his body can be found in various Super Mario games. For example, in Super Mario Odyssey, Toad is seen wearing hats and headphones on top of the mushroom shape, suggesting that it is not a removable hat. Additionally, in a stream of the game, Toad is seen using a power-up that allows him to glide with a hat, but instead of removing the mushroom shape, he pulls out a separate hat to glide with, further indicating that the mushroom is not a hat.
While the debate may seem like a lighthearted discussion among fans, some have pointed out the disturbing implications if the mushroom shape were indeed a hat. It would raise questions about Toad's anatomy and the contents of his head, such as whether he has a brain and what its texture might be. Additionally, the idea of a sentient mushroom character in a world where mushrooms are consumed for power-ups adds a dark layer to the Super Mario universe.
Despite Nintendo's confirmation, the debate about Toad's mushroom head continues to rage on, with fans analyzing various appearances of Toad in games, cartoons, and other media. The mystery of Toad's head remains one of the most intriguing aspects of the Super Mario franchise, with fans passionate about their interpretations and theories.
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Evidence from Super Mario Strikers Charged suggests it's a hat
The question of whether Toads in the Super Mario universe have mushroom-shaped heads or wear mushroom hats has been a topic of discussion among fans for decades. While Nintendo has confirmed that the mushroom is a part of Toad's head and not a hat, some fans have pointed to evidence that suggests otherwise, particularly from Super Mario Strikers Charged.
In Super Mario Strikers Charged, released in 2007, there was a character model of Toad that added fuel to the debate. The model depicted Toad's skeleton with a normal-sized skull and an empty space around it, indicating that the mushroom could be a hat that covers the skull. This discovery led to further speculation and analysis of Toad's appearance in other games.
Additionally, in some Paper Mario games, Toads have been depicted with hair peeking out from under the mushroom, suggesting that the mushroom is a hat that can be removed. This idea is further supported by an episode of the Super Mario TV show from the 1980s, where Toad took off his mushroom cap to reveal a small bald head underneath. These instances of Toad appearing without the mushroom suggest that it is a removable hat rather than an integral part of his head.
However, it is important to note that Nintendo has maintained its position that the mushroom is indeed a part of Toad's anatomy. In an interview, Super Mario Odyssey producer Yoshiaki Koizumi confirmed that the mushroom is not a hat but did not provide a detailed explanation, leaving fans to form their own interpretations.
While the evidence from Super Mario Strikers Charged and other media suggests that the mushroom is a hat, the official stance from Nintendo contradicts this theory. The lack of a conclusive answer has contributed to the ongoing debate among fans, with some accepting the mushroom as a part of Toad's head and others preferring the idea of it being a hat.
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In the Super Mario Bros. Super Show, Toad removes his mushroom cap
Toad is a recurring character in the Super Mario franchise, a longtime protector of the Mushroom Kingdom, and a loyal and cheerful friend to much of the cast. Toad first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2, though multiple sources have retroactively stated that he is one of the Mushroom Retainers in the original Super Mario Bros.
However, Nintendo has confirmed that the mushroom head is indeed a part of Toad's anatomy and not a hat. In a 2018 interview, Super Mario Odyssey producer Yoshiaki Koizumi stated that the mushroom bulb is a part of Toad's head and not a hat that every Toad decides to wear. This was further supported by gameplay footage from Super Mario Bros. Wonder, where Toad is seen using a custom-made hat to glide around, indicating that the mushroom is not removable.
Despite this confirmation, the debate has continued due to inconsistencies in the games and other media adaptations. In Mario Party: The Top 100, Toad claims to have a hat, and in the Super Mario Bros. Super Show and The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, Toad is shown removing and twisting his mushroom cap. These instances have led to ongoing discussions about Toad's head, with some fans speculating about the anatomy and physiology of Toad and his species.
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Toads wear hats and headphones over their mushroom heads
The question of whether Toads wear hats and headphones over their mushroom heads or if their heads are actually mushrooms has been a topic of discussion and speculation among fans of the Super Mario franchise for decades. The debate was reignited with the release of Super Mario Odyssey, where Toad was seen wearing headphones over his mushroom head.
Some fans have pointed to instances in the Super Mario Bros. Super Show and The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 where Toad appeared to remove and twist his mushroom head like a cap, revealing hair underneath, suggesting that it is indeed a hat. Additionally, in the Paper Mario series, Toadettes are depicted with hair extending out from under the mushroom "hat." These pieces of evidence seem to support the idea that the mushroom is a hat that Toads can wear or remove as they please.
However, Nintendo has officially confirmed that Toad's mushroom head is, in fact, a part of his anatomy and not a hat. In 2018, Super Mario Odyssey producer Yoshiaki Koizumi stated that the mushroom is Toad's head, though he did not provide further details on the matter. This confirmation was met with mixed reactions from fans, with some relieved to know the truth about Toad's anatomy, while others preferred the idea of the mushroom being a hat.
Despite Nintendo's clarification, the debate continues to persist due to conflicting depictions in various Mario games and media. Some fans have even delved into the character models, discovering a character skeleton with a normal-sized skull and an empty space around it in Super Mario Strikers Charged. Additionally, the inclusion of Toad wearing hats and headphones in certain games further complicates the discussion, leading to ongoing speculation about the true nature of Toad's mushroom head.
While the debate rages on, it is clear that the topic of Toad's headgear has captured the imagination of fans, sparking discussions about the world-building and lore of the Super Mario universe. The mystery surrounding Toad's head continues to be a fascinating aspect of the franchise, with fans eagerly awaiting any new clues or revelations that may arise in future games or official statements.
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Toad uses a custom-made hat to glide in Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The question of whether Toad's mushroom head is a hat or part of his body has been a topic of debate among fans of the Super Mario franchise for decades. In the Super Mario Bros. Wonder game, this debate is addressed once again, as Toad is seen using a custom-made hat to glide, indicating that the mushroom is not a removable hat but an integral part of his anatomy.
In the game, players can equip a badge that allows their characters to use hats to glide through levels. Both Mario and Luigi are seen taking off their hats to glide, while Toad does not remove his mushroom head but instead pulls out a separate hat to glide with. This suggests that the mushroom is not a hat that he can simply take off but is instead a permanent feature of his body.
The debate about Toad's head has raged since the character first appeared in the 1985 Super Mario Bros. game for the NES. Over the years, there have been conflicting depictions that have added fuel to the fire. For example, in the Super Mario TV show from the 1980s, Toad removed his mushroom cap to reveal a small bald head, implying that it was indeed a hat. On the other hand, in the mainline Mario games, the mushroom has mostly been treated as part of Toad's body.
The producer of Super Mario Odyssey, Yoshiaki Koizumi, confirmed in 2018 that the mushroom is indeed Toad's head and not a hat. However, he did not provide a satisfying explanation for this, leaving it up to fans to interpret. Despite this confirmation, the debate continues to fascinate fans, with some speculating about the potential implications of Toad being a sentient fungus in a world where mushrooms are consumed for power-ups.
While the Super Mario Bros. Wonder game provides strong evidence that the mushroom is not a hat, some fans may still choose to interpret it as such, as seen in discussions on Reddit. Ultimately, the mystery of Toad's head continues to captivate players, adding to the rich lore of the Super Mario universe.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not. Toad's mushroom head is part of his body. This was confirmed by Nintendo in 2018.
In the Super Mario TV show from the 1980s, Toad took off his mushroom cap to reveal a small, bald head. In the Paper Mario games, Toads were shown with hair peeking out from under the mushroom, suggesting that it was a hat.
In Super Mario Odyssey, Toad uses a hat-gliding move where he pulls out a custom-made hat to float around with, proving that the mushroom on his head cannot be removed and is, therefore, part of his body.
Some fans have speculated that Toad is a sentient fungus, which adds a dark aspect to Mario's penchant for eating mushrooms. Others have suggested that the mushroom hat could be a class signifier in the Mushroom Kingdom's dystopian monarchy, signifying servitude to Princess Peach.
Some fans were glad to finally know the truth about Toad's anatomy, while others were disappointed or disturbed by the idea of Toad's mushroom head being part of his body.

























