Everybody knows Mario. But do you know how he evolved from a simple avatar in 1985 into a pop culture totem and Japan’s ultimate soft power weapon? By deconstructing the artisanal creation of his whimsical universe, the documentary sheds light on the rise of a silent plumber who transformed from a pixelated hero into a universal language and a global diplomatic icon.

Director: Julie Peyrard

Production: Bonne Pioche
Commissioner: ARTE France