Japan PM Shinzo Abe came dressed as Mario at Rio closing ceremony, and tweeple loved it!

It wasn’t a drill. Japan PM Shinzo Abe actually came dressed as Mario at the 2016 Olympics closing ceremony. (Source: Reuters)

The spectacular closing ceremony of the 2016 edition of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was a riot of colours and excitement at the iconic Maracana. No one let the rain dampen their spirits, as players could finally let their hair down and have some fun. Plus, it’s Brazil… of course, there was a colourful Carnival parade. But the one thing that dominated the whole ceremony was the absolutely cool and fantastic entrance of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Towards the end of the ceremony, as is the custom, the governor of Tokyo – the destination for the next 2020 Olympic Games – was handed over the Olympic flag, marking the end of the 2016 games. This was followed by a cultural showcase from Japan – a kind of a teaser of what to expect in the next edition of the Olympics.

The fast-paced showcase included athletes in action against a backdrop of Tokyo and several scenes from popular Manga cartoons such as Doraemon and the popular video game Pac-Man. But it was Abe’s show-stopping entrance that led to the loudest cheers. A video showed Abe on the streets of Tokyo in a car, fretting that he’ll be late to Rio. Guess who appears to the rescue? Mario from the ever-popular Nintendo game. Abe transforms into Mario, and drops into a massive green pipe right in the middle of a Tokyo street, only to appear bang in the centre of the stadium in Rio. A doff of the characteristic red cap, and lo and behold, you have Shinzo Abe, the Japanese PM who has certainly earned himself a cool badge for pulling this off.

Ima let you finish but Shinzo Abe had the best entrance of all time pic.twitter.com/uQsQt5SmLI

— Olympic Bun (@Rxbun) August 22, 2016

This entrance, of course, won over the Internet, and Twitterverse was abuzz with praise and shock. While many initially didn’t believe what happened, a series of video clips soon set the record straight. Sample these.

Ima let you finish but Shinzo Abe had the best entrance of all time pic.twitter.com/uQsQt5SmLI

— Olympic Bun (@Rxbun) August 22, 2016

THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE JUST SHOWED UP AT THE OLYMPICS DRESSED AS MARIO, POPPING UP THROUGH A PIPE. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

— Mark:Di-Stefano (@MarkDiStef) August 22, 2016

@MarkDiStef Mario’s a plumber. Why would he have a drill?

— Stephen Murray (@smurray38) August 22, 2016

Oh my god. The #Japan2020 HYPE #ClosingCeremony feat. Pac-man, Mario, Doraemon, Hello Kitty, was super cool. Shinzo Abe is the man.

— Neha Tiwari (@Nehalia) August 22, 2016

Which Shinzo Abe Are You Take The Quiz pic.twitter.com/8vVABGzCcq

— Gore Vidal Sassoon (@JimmyJazz1968) August 22, 2016

What a character ! I’m impressed #Japanese PM #ShinzoAbe dressed as #SuperMario during #ClosingCeremony #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/AybrC2o3e6

— RUBY RAZA (@rubyraza) August 22, 2016

I can’t believe Mario was Actual Fascist Shinzo Abe all this time.

— tirkaroKujo (@tirkaro) August 22, 2016

What with Shinzo Abe appearing out of a pipe in a Mario outfit, I reckon Tokyo 2020 is going to be epic!

— Joshua Mahony (@JMahony_IG) August 22, 2016

Someone had a suggestion for Donald Trump too!

Not to be outdone by Shinzo Abe, Donald Trump dresses up like Saints Row and runs around smacking people with purple dildos.

— This guy IRL (@kliksf) August 22, 2016

Some, though, had suggestions for another kind of costume.

shinzo abe should have dressed up as solid snake and rode in on a metal gear. missed opportunity

— emerald Geralt (@shouter_heaven) August 22, 2016

Well, going by this fantastically futuristic display by Tokyo, we can’t wait to see what’s in store in 2020.