SMG4’s Problem with Moving Towards Originality

SMG4 has come a long way since its early days as a Mario parody series. The show has evolved into something much more ambitious, with its own original characters (OCs) and complex storylines. However, this shift towards originality has created a significant problem: it’s incredibly hard for new viewers to get into the series.

At first glance, the thumbnails still make it seem like a Mario-focused show. For someone unfamiliar with SMG4, this creates the expectation of a fun, goofy Mario parody. But once they click, they’re thrown into a story that’s almost entirely about original characters, with Mario playing a minor, often irrelevant role. This disconnect between the series’ branding and its current content can confuse and alienate potential new fans.

While Luke and Kevin clearly enjoy focusing on their OCs and storytelling, the reliance on Mario as the hook works against them. It makes the series harder to market effectively because viewers drawn in by Mario are unlikely to stick around when the focus is on characters they don’t know or understand.

The issue isn’t with the creativity or quality of the content, it’s with accessibility. The deep lore and established character relationships make it almost impossible for newcomers to just “jump in” and enjoy the show. And without new fans coming in, SMG4’s audience is likely to stagnate, consisting mainly of the loyal viewers who’ve been there from the earlier years.

The SMG4 team is clearly passionate about the series and has poured a lot of effort into its evolution. It’s obvious they can’t go back to how the show used to be, nor can they completely ditch Mario without alienating long-time fans. However, they do need to address this issue if they want the series to keep growing. Without a solution, as I said the show risks stagnating, with its fanbase remaining largely the same and new viewers struggling to engage. Finding a way to bridge the gap between their original storytelling ambitions and the accessibility of the series could make all the difference.