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Fans Battle For (and Against) 'Bowsette' Legitimacy

A fan character named "Bowsette" began her global internet domination earlier this month. One Twitter user, inspired by Peachette from New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, imagined what would happen if Bowser used the Super Crown item. The new standard princess-ified version of Bowser has horns, a spiked shell, and a black dress. Since Bowsette's invention, many net users and manga creators alike have contributed their own versions of the character.

The unofficial character has gained so much popularity in such a short span that some fans want to make Bowsette official. A Bowsette fan named Gabriel Rodriguez started a "Bowsette is Real" Change.org petition to Nintendo and the meme's original creator @ayyk92. Rodriguez explained, "we hope Nintendo gives even a glimpse at this character, personally I would love to see her in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate even if it is only a thropy (sic) that way Nintendo may accept her existence slowly but surely." As of the posting of this article, the petition has received more than 9,000 signatures toward its goal of 10,000 signatures. At least two similar petitions have also been started.

On the other hand, not everyone is a fan of encouraging Nintendo to respond to Bowsette. A person or group known as "Stop the Fan-art Destruction" started a response petition titled "Keep Bowsette Unreal." The petition's supporters believe that the initiative seeking to make Bowsette official "may lead to destruction of our secondary creative activities." Supporters believe that Bowsette fan art may become prohibited if Nintendo makes her into an official character. The petition has received more than 300 signatures toward its 500-signature goal so far.

Although he also shared words of caution, Fairy Tail manga creator Hiro Mashima decided to jump on the Bowsette bandwagon in his own way. Mashima posted an image of a female version of the character Acnologia on Wednesday.

Mashima did not specifically name the Bowsette meme, and he posted a followup tweet advising his fellow creators to be cautious in their participation in the trend. He said that even if he wants to draw fan art, he needs the full approval of publishers and other related parties. In his case, Mashima believes that he could inadvertently cause trouble for the magazine he publishes in and his publisher Kodansha if problems arose from art he contributed.

Mashima added, "Fan art is wonderful culture. I'm also happy about fan art of my own works." However, he said he wants young creators to remember that that they need to be careful not to cause trouble for copyright holders and companies that they are contracted to.

Nevertheless, some fans are still hoping for an official response from Nintendo. It seems unlikely, though, that they will get one. The J-Cast News website recently contacted Nintendo about Bowsette and received the following response: "With regard to posts on the internet, we would like to refrain from commenting."

That may be for the best. The meme has created a buzz and a boost in publicity around Nintendo properties. Yet, if the company gave its stamp of approval, that could open up a can of worms. So for the time being, Twitter users can continue to post Bowsette images — as long as they stay aware of pitfalls they may encounter in creating derivative works.

Sources: Change.org (link 2), Hiro Mashima's Twitter account (link 2), J-Cast News via Nijimen (link 2), Otakomu