Astrax, the Dimensional Sovereign is the overarching antagonist of the Super Mario Bros. franchise and one of the most powerful and malevolent entities in the multiverse. He is a primordial cosmic being of pure darkness and destruction, known as the “Devourer of Light” and the “Cosmic Abyss.” Imprisoned by the Star Gods eons ago for his crimes against creation, Astrax seeks to consume all light, life, and reality itself, reshaping the multiverse into his twisted vision of eternal void and entropy.
Astrax’s actions are driven by his insatiable hunger for the energy of celestial bodies, particularly the Lumas—newborn stars, planets, and galaxies. This makes him one of the most heinous villains in the series, as he effectively murders entire universes in their infancy to fuel his power. Astrax serves as the Greater Scope Villain of the franchise, recontextualizing many events as part of his long-term plan to escape his ancient prison and plunge existence into eternal chaos.
Appearance
Astrax’s base form takes the shape of an enigmatic, cloaked figure with an unnervingly regal presence. His silhouette is draped in a long, flowing robe that resembles the night sky, complete with faint stars and nebulous patterns. The robe’s hemline tapers into sharp, jagged points, giving it a predatory, otherworldly aesthetic. His head is adorned with a pointed, shadowy crown-like hood that obscures most of his face, save for his piercing, glowing magenta eyes that seem to gaze into the very soul.
He carries an ornate staff, its head crowned by a spinning, black-hole-like ring that emits a faint, swirling aura of cosmic energy. This staff serves as both a weapon and a conduit for his dark powers, radiating his control over dimensions and the fabric of reality itself. The magenta spiral at his chest further symbolizes his connection to the void and dimensional entropy, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
As Neo Celestial Astrax, he radiates an aura of cosmic dread. His sleek, armor-like form is composed of a living, pulsating darkness, accented with glowing violet and magenta highlights that resemble fissures in a collapsing star. His body has a vaguely humanoid shape, but it is distorted and alien, with jagged spikes and flowing, void-like appendages extending downward like a cosmic mantle. His torso displays a swirling core of energy, resembling a singularity or a devouring black hole, symbolizing his endless hunger. His glowing violet eyes are filled with malice and omnipotence, and his twisted crown-like headpiece signifies his dominion over the void.
Backstory
Astrax is one of the oldest entities in existence, predating even the creation of the multiverse. Born from the primordial void, Astrax embodies entropy and seeks to return the multiverse to the formless darkness from which it came. Long before the events of the Super Mario Bros. series, Astrax waged war against the Star Gods, the creators and protectors of the cosmos. Though immensely powerful, Astrax was defeated and sealed away in an eternal prison—a dimensional void designed to hold his vast energy.
Despite his imprisonment, Astrax’s influence persisted. Through avatars and corrupted fragments of his power, he sowed chaos across the multiverse, manipulating events and lesser villains to weaken the barriers of his prison. His ultimate plan involves consuming the light of the Lumas, newborn celestial entities, to restore his strength and break free.
Personality
Astrax is the embodiment of malice, nihilism, and arrogance. He views all life and creation as flawed, believing that only through complete destruction can the multiverse be “perfected.” Astrax is highly intelligent and manipulative, often toying with his enemies and exploiting their emotions and weaknesses. Unlike more comical or eccentric villains in the series, Astrax is cold, calculating, and utterly devoid of empathy. He sees the suffering of others as irrelevant or, worse, as a source of amusement. His charisma and cunning make him a terrifying figure, as he can deceive even the most vigilant heroes into advancing his plans.
Powers and Abilities
Astrax’s power dwarfs that of nearly all other beings in the Super Mario franchise, making him a threat to the entire multiverse. His abilities include:
Cosmic Energy Absorption: Astrax consumes the light and energy of celestial bodies, particularly Lumas, to increase his power.
Reality Warping: He can alter the fabric of existence to create realms of chaos, darkness, and despair.
Immortality: As a primordial being, Astrax cannot be killed by conventional means, though he can be sealed or weakened.
Avatar Creation: Even while imprisoned, Astrax can create avatars to interact with the physical world and carry out his will.
Corruption: Astrax can corrupt other beings, twisting their minds and bodies into dark, monstrous versions of themselves.
Raw Power: His true form is said to dwarf entire galaxies in size and power, capable of obliterating entire dimensions.
Trivia
Astrax’s design and character are inspired by other cosmic villains such as The End (Sonic the Hedgehog), Void Termina (Kirby), Cursa (Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope) and Null (The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom). His helmet is based on The Machine Herald from the Netflix series Arcane.
Astrax’s hunger for Lumas draws parallels to Null from The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, emphasizing his nihilistic and parasitic nature.