HellValleySkyTree

The figures sighted

Image of "HellValleySkyTree" asset, dubious fidelity

In Shiverburn Galaxy and part of the Grandmaster Galaxy in Super Mario Galaxy 2, several shadowy figures with hollow eyes can be seen standing on a cliff in the background. They belong to the galaxy's sky model, which simulates the sky by rendering at a fixed distance from the player. As a result, the figures cannot be reached in-game, and give the illusion of following the player character through the galaxy.

The texture, internally named HellValleySkyTree, depicts two unique figures. It is used twice in the sky model with filename BeyondHellValleySky, referring to the internal name for Shiverburn Galaxy, BeyondHellValley. This means that four figures are present; the cliff geometry obscures the fourth one.

According to a Know Your Meme article, a creepypasta based on the figures seems to have played a role in their online traction.

Name origin

The explicit allusion to Hell in the name "Hell Valley" has caught many people off-guard. According to Gaming Myths Wiki, the filename "immediately raises some questions". Reportedly, it spawned rumors that Shiverburn Galaxy was originally meant to take place in Hell.

In this case, the word "Hell" seems to describe a fiery setting, rather than the underworld itself. This is similar to the English term Coin Heaven, which merely describes bonus areas in the sky. Nintendo of Japan previously used "Hell" in Super Mario Galaxy, where Melty Molten Galaxy is named ヘルプロミネンスギャラクシー Hell Prominence Galaxy. Being an internal filename, BeyondHellValley is actually tamer than this case; the final name makes no reference to Hell in any localization. This suggests that the figures are not literally meant to be demonic, despite their disconcerting appearance.

The word "Valley" refers to the one in the galaxy's sky model, which encompasses Shiverburn Galaxy. Thus, the course can be described as "BeyondHellValley", and the figures are part of the "BeyondHellValleySky".

The most confounding piece is the word "Tree". Fans have speculated that this refers to the figures being placed like trees would be, being meant to look like trees from a distance, or actually being strange-looking trees. It may also be a technical term relating to the game's file structure.

To do: Search the game's filenames for other instances of Tree.

Size

Taking the size of the sky model literally, the figures appear to be modeled at dozens of times Mario's size. Note, however, that the size of background objects in games must often be fudged for visibility. (As another example, in the Mario Kart series, the spectators watching the race are scaled noticeably larger than the playable characters.) Presumably, if these figures were modeled at actual size, they would be too small and distant to be visible in-game.

Theories

As mentioned, many people have used the texture filename alone to guess that the figures are meant to be demons or trees in one way or another.

Based on the figures' appearance, fans have also guessed at relations to Shroobs from Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time; the unused model "elh" from Luigi's Mansion; or to the Four Giants from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

Though each of these appears to be a stretch, the Partners in Time reference is more possible than it outwardly seems, since the Ice Flower debuted in that game before returning in Super Mario Galaxy. However, neither figure closely resembles the Shroobs; this theory most likely arises from the fact that both seem to be creepy aliens with simple-looking eyes.

Kodama

YouTube channel Geek Remix posted a video titled "Theory: Hell Valley Sky Trees SOLVED!", which speculates that the name "Hell Valley" is a reference to Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑), a Japanese national park known for its geothermic hot springs that can be used in the winter. The name of this park literally translates to Hell's Valley. The video concludes that the figures are either meant to be Japanese macaques, or more likely, harmless tree spirits known as kodama (木魅). This would explain the word "Tree" in the filename.

The Super Mario Wiki article on Shiverburn Galaxy also supports these comparisons.

Alleged reappearances

Despite the lack of an official statement on the figures, easter eggs in later games are theorized to reference them.

Super Mario 3D Land

Main article: TrickTeresaGoalGhost

Super Mario 3D Land has a similar easter egg where a ghost appears in the background.

Super Mario 3D World

There are claims that the figures reappear in the reflection of a Clear Pipe Cannon in The Great Tower of Bowser Land in Super Mario 3D World.

On July 27, 2015, Imgur user UTGanon posted an album with various screenshots of the specific Clear Pipe Cannon in question. The album claims that its reflection map resembles Shiverburn Galaxy, and contrasts it with a different Clear Pipe Cannon reflection in Sprawling Savanna. However, the album also locates a volcano in the level that may have been used in the reflection map, which could be taken as an admission of possible apophenia.

To do: Rip and analyze the reflection map directly.

WarioWare: Get It Together!

In WarioWare: Get It Together!, the microgame Weird Windmill contains shadowy giants that grow when the player character spins the windmill. They bear a strong resemblance to the figures in Super Mario Galaxy 2, and in Level 2 of the microgame, two giants appear in a similar configuration. These giants are depicted with blank yellow eyes. If the microgame is cleared, they smile and raise their arms in congratulation.