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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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How It Works • Games & Tech

Toad (Mario)

Toad is a recurring character in Nintendo's Mario franchise, known as a loyal attendant and supporter of Princess Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Toad is a loyal attendant of Princess Peach and a recurring character in the Mario franchise. The name also refers to the mushroom-like species in the Mushroom Kingdom.

What it is

Toad is a humanoid mushroom character who serves as one of Princess Peach's closest attendants and a frequent helper to Mario and Luigi. The term also describes the broader Toad species, which includes many mushroom-like residents of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Why it matters

Toad usually appears as a supporting character, delivering advice and assisting in adventures. He is occasionally playable and has taken a starring role in games like Wario's Woods. The character is a staple of the Mario franchise, familiar to Canadian players for decades.

Key details

Toad is depicted with a large mushroom cap and a cheerful personality. Official sources treat the species as genderless, but individual portrayals are generally male. Samantha Kelly voiced Toad in games for many years, Laila Berzins is the current game voice, and Keegan-Michael Key voiced him in the 2023 film.

In short

  • Toad is both a specific character and a species name.
  • He is Princess Peach's attendant and a supporting ally.
  • Toad has been playable and starred in select games.
  • The character is voiced by different actors across games and films.
Canadian angle

Toad has appeared in Mario games released and localized for Canadian audiences for decades, and the character is familiar to Canadian players through Nintendo’s long-running Mario franchise.

Quick questions

Who is Toad in Mario?
Toad is a recurring Mario character and Princess Peach's attendant, and the name also refers to the mushroom-like species he belongs to.
What is Toad's role in Mario?
Toad usually serves as a supporting ally, helping Peach, Mario, and Luigi, though he is occasionally playable or a main character.
Is Toad a boy or girl?
Most modern depictions present Toad as male, but official commentary and sources often treat Toads as a genderless species overall.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toad_(Mario)
    Supports: Character overview, Japanese name, franchise role, and film voice casting.
  2. MarioWiki — https://mariowiki.com/Toad
    Supports: Character role, series history, and voice actor information.
  3. Mario Wiki - Fandom — https://mario.fandom.com/wiki/Toad_(character)
    Supports: General character description, attendant role, and voice actor history.
  4. MarioWiki — https://mariowiki.com/History_of_Toad
    Supports: Early appearances and starring roles in specific games.
  5. Mario Wiki - Fandom — https://mario.fandom.com/wiki/Toad_(species)
    Supports: Species-level definition and Mushroom Kingdom role.