Well, it's time to do this. I will be going over a cosmology upgrade for Mario, who scales to it, and the common misconceptions that have been spread around. (This can be posted without my permission)
Who Scales[]
Probably the biggest misconception is the characters who scale to this. People think that Mario with the Cutout ability scales to this, even though he's shown no feats within that world. The real characters who scale would be those who scale to the Void. The Void was going to destroy everything in the Marioverse. All worlds, all dimensions, all of existence. All of existence would include everything that exists within the Marioverse, and it also says it will destroy all dimensions. And it's certainly talking about spatial dimensions too, as "world" already refers to the universes in Mario. So saying "dimensions" refers to "universes" makes the statement nonsensical. "All universes, all universes" doesn't actually make much sense. And in the Japanese version of the game, the Void is referred to as "次元の穴" for "Dimensional Hole". 次元 which refers to mathematical dimensions. With this in mind, it's clear that everything that exists within Mario, including higher dimensions, would also be destroyed, especially since it would destroy everything that exists as well.
What is Cutout?[]
Cutout is an ability from Paper Mario: Color Splash that allows Mario to transcend his world and cut pieces of it out. After cutting the pieces and reaching the flag, he can restore the ripped pieces and reach areas that are normally unreachable in game.
https://youtu.be/1j9Hbu0F9mg?t=119
The place Mario goes to does not have a name in game, but it was compared to the game world, so I will refer to it as the Cutout World.
I think the Cutout World is easily a Low 1-C construct, and it also would have been destroyed by the Void.
Deep Cuts[]
It's stated by Huey that Mario can use the Cutout ability to transcend dimensions and go into a higher world where they can cut out part of the background.
It's also stated by the Deep Cuts Toad (who is knowledgeable about the Cutout ability) tells us that the dotted lines transcend the very boundaries of time and space, and that Mario uses transdimensional scissors to explore.
In the Japanese version of the game, they use the kanji "超える (koeru)" instead of "越える" as the translation of "transcend". 越える means "to cross over, to pass through" while 超える means "to exceed, to be more than". With the kanji "超" specifically meaning "transcend, super, & ultra". Unlike the English word transcend, this is not a fluid term and specifically implies that Mario is being superior to space, time, and all dimensions. When you consider the fact that they could have used 越 to imply that he is going outside/crossing dimensions, this means that Mario exceeding dimensions is undeniable at this point.
They also use the term 次元 (Jigen), which is the Japanese term for mathematical dimensions and not other universes.
Also. This term is completely consistent, mind you. Jigen has never once referred to anything else in the series besides mathematical dimensions. A great example of this is Super Paper Mario. In the English version, "dimension" is used interchangeably with "universe". But in the Japanese version, this is never the case.
A great example of this is Dimension D. Dimension D is the name of the universe Dimentio creates, but in the Japanese version, it's called "Dimen Kukan" for "Dimentio Space"
In terms of the word "Jigen", It is only used in reference to the void (As stated above), and Flip, which lets Mario "flip" from 2D to 3D.
Now you can use the super cool ancient magic trick "Dimensional Move". (Dimensional Move is the name of Flip in Japanese.)
It should also be noted that even the parallel universes in Color Splash aren't called "dimensions", even in the English version. They are called "sekai" for "world".
Why Cutout Qualifies[]
Cutout surpasses the very boundaries of time and space
Cutout transcends dimensions
The most important is the latter. The "transcend dimensions" statement alone is automatically Low 1-C according to the Tiering System FAQ. And Mario has shown to have a 2-B cosmology on this site. This is due to the fact that being above an axis requires you to be infinitely above it. If you're above a say, 4D object, you are above that object but not necessarily the 4th dimension itself, so you are higher into 4D. But if you're above the 4 dimensions themselves, then that by nature requires you to be 5D. And in Mario's case, "transcend" means "to exceed, surpass, be above, and be more" according to the Japanese text.
Even if you want to nitpick and say dimensions refers to only 3 (which goes against the FAQ), the Deep Cuts toad states it's above time and space, which is a 4D construct. So as a whole, it's certainly talking about 4 dimensions instead of 3.
B-But it's only cutting 3D objects, that's what I see in the link[]
You can interpret it that way, if there weren't many statements that imply it does something entirely different. As shown, Mario is undeniably becoming 5D with the statements above. The visuals used can be seen in multiple ways, but the best interpretation is the one that doesn't contradict the statements that supply it (which this does). You can't be above 4 dimensions entirely but still view a 4D place as 3D. As a whole, anything that isn't superior to the 4th dimension simply gets contradicted by statements and can't be used.
This includes:
- Type 0 Beyond Dimensional Existence
- Dimensional Travel
- Non Existent Physiology
- Interdimensional Range
- Spatial Manipulation
Speaking of which. I should explain what interpretation makes the most sense here. This should help clear up what the ability does.
How Cutout Works[]
There is a better answer to what the ability does that doesn't contradict anything stated.
Now, it's stated that Cutout transcends dimensions and can cut out parts of the background. But there's more connections to be made here. You see, the background/scenery is not separate from the world. The background IS the world. In the manual, it's stated that Mario is changing the "game world" when using Cutout. The "game world" in this context is clearly referring to the world in-game. If he was changing something separate, then it would have said so.
With this, I can say that the Cutout World lets Mario have a Reality-Fiction difference. The ability allows Mario to view his universe as scenery, and he can cut out pieces of it and then restore it, which lets him find new pathways. Since it's above space and time, it would make sense for Mario's view of space-time within the Cutout World look like insignificant paper to him.
This is very evident with a previous ability in the series, Paperize, which lets Mario view his world as a sheet of paper on a surface.
And it's consistent with the series' dimensional abilities in general. This includes Flip. This same ability is also referenced in one of the areas in Color Splash via Cutout. The idea of going into a higher dimension to find secrets and hidden paths is entirely consistent with the series. So it's no surprise that the same applies to Cutout, but on a much higher scale as it is above all dimensions.
"But don't you have to see the temporal part of the universe and/or the entire universe to qualify"[]
Well, no. There are numerous tier 1 characters on the site that got it without having evidence of "seeing" the time in the universe. Like the Dark Dragon for example, who was going to erase the real world. This includes the humans who perceive the Earthbound universe as a fictional video game. The humans don't see every single time period within Earthbound at once, they just see it as a fictional game that's insignificant to them. And that fictional game just happens to include a bunch of space-time continua.
Another example is the Chaos Emeralds from the Archie Comics. The Chaos Emeralds are embodiments of the Chaos Force, a place that transcends the multiverse. But the people within it don't necessarily see the entire universe as a certain way, nor are they shown to see every time period at once. They are just shown to be incomprehensible to normal people.
In Mario's case, the "background" is how he views space-time. It's not that he sees everything happening in it at once, but rather that he views it as something fictional and can affect it as if it were a real life object instead of a realistic place. All of which qualifies for Low 1-C.
Debunking Counterarguments[]
"The Cutout World doesn't exist"[]
The natural assumption is that when we see something in fiction, we assume it's real. This simply just isn't how burden of proof works. With this line of logic, I can just say any game with a story could just be a dream and therefore not real. There's no evidence for that, of course. But it is possible. However, this doesn't inherently make it valid.
In Cutout's case. We can see the space in the background. We can see little particles close and far away. We can see the space move and curve. We can even see the space when Mario cuts out the background.
And this is also a series that has portrayed non-existence numerous times. And none of them look anything like the Cutout World.
"Jigen could just mean perspective. He could be exceeding/surpassing your perspective"[]
This is a GROSS misinterpretation of the context at hand. There are so many things wrong with this statement it's unreal. Just because the Jisho link says "perspective" as a definition doesn't mean that's one of the main definitions. The reason why perspective is even a definition is because it comes from the term dimension as a whole. The more "dimensions", the more "perspectives" you can achieve. A 3D object has more perspectives than a 2D one. It's not even a main definition, and it's barely ever used in fiction, let alone Mario.
And using the Game Room as evidence against it just because Huey says "perspective" isn't even remotely valid, as in the Japanese version, you won't see the term "jigen" used anywhere during this area, so the whole argument takes a gigantic dive from there.
The Deep Cuts toad straight up says Cutout transcends time and space, which makes no sense at all if he's only getting a different perspective within his world. He even says you use transdimensional scissors, transdimensional relating to anything beyond 3D space
You see nothing referring to perspective. In the slightest. Not to mention the phrase "exceeding perspectives" makes no sense. What perspectives? The sentence doesn't mention "you" anywhere so what perspectives would the game even be talking about? You'd have to flat out ignore all context and even lie about what happens in game to say it's just perspective at this point. And if you're gonna say Toad isn't reliable here, I got something for that.
"Why are you getting this from a Toad? He's not reliable"[]
To say that a Toad is unreliable here is false, when this same Toad also tells Mario hidden areas where he can cut out. To just say that what the Deep Cuts Toad says is invalid just because he's a Toad is an argument from incredulity. Just because you can't believe a Toad is aware of higher dimensions doesn't mean he isn't right about what he says, especially when everything he says lines up with what Huey says about the ability.
"The Lines appear flat in the world, how do they transcend time and space"[]
The lines only actually appear when Mario activates the ability, so they aren't even visible to normal characters. The whole reason why they appear that way is because Cutout is a set piece move and there needs to be some indication of it being activated. Those same lines appear the same way within the Cutout World and gives Mario a path to cut out his world, and therefore the Toad is still correct about the lines. They are still above time and space and they only appear when Mario activates the move. Even if this was somehow a valid argument, it contradicts the language used in both versions of Color Splash and thus isn't even usable.
"There needs to be objects within that space"[]
No. The Void destroys dimensions and space, so it wouldn't matter whether or not there were objects in it or not. The axis itself would be erased and thus would still be Low 1-C. But even then, there's clearly particles shown above as well as a platform, paint, and even squeezable objects. And as shown above, Paperize has the paper lie on a surface.
Summary[]
- Cutout has multiple statements of transcendence over time, space, and dimensions.
- Is explicitly stated to be superior to mathematical dimensions with the Japanese version, which makes it auto Low 1-C without context
- The ability works like a Reality-Fiction difference, Mario views his world as a background he can cut into.
- The language used mean it can't be anything else but 5D.
- The area definitely exists, and is shown to have objects lying around it.
- The Deep Cuts Toad is entirely reliable, and the game is referring to actual dimensions.
- It is consistent with dimensional abilities such as Paperize and Flip
New Abilities[]
Obviously, all who scale to the Void become Low 1-C.
And Mario should gain Higher Dimensional Existence as well as Higher Dimensional Manipulation via Cutout, as he can move within a 5D world and cut out space and time as if it were a piece of paper.
That is all.
(Also, I wanna give a big shoutout to ZeroTwo for Japanese scans)