Onion

Lore & Background

The Onion is the mothership for Pikmin, serving as both their home and their means of reproduction. When any food, such as prey or pellets, is delivered to an Onion, it propagates seeds. These seeds grow and are plucked from the ground as fully developed Pikmin. The Onion acts as an incubator for all Pikmin of its respective color, housing them. The Onions travel alongside Captain Olimar as he flies to different locations on the planet PNF-404. After sunset, all types of Pikmin are stored in their respective Onions for safety, as they are vulnerable to nocturnal predators.

In Their Own Story

The Onion is a constant companion to the player throughout the Pikmin series. In the original Pikmin (2001), Captain Olimar discovers these mysterious organisms and learns to use them to propagate his Pikmin army. The Onions travel with Olimar as he flies his rocket ship, the S.S. Dolphin, to different locations on PNF-404. At the end of each day, the Pikmin return to their Onions for protection from the nocturnal predators that emerge at sunset. The Onions are essential for the player's success, as they are the only way to create new Pikmin after losses are suffered during the day's explorations.

Reader's Guide

The Onion is the primary tool for Pikmin reproduction. To create new Pikmin, the player must deliver food items—such as prey or pellets—to the Onion. The Onion then propagates seeds, which grow into Pikmin that can be plucked from the ground. Each Onion corresponds to a specific color of Pikmin, and it serves as an incubator and housing for all Pikmin of that color. At the end of each day, the player must ensure all Pikmin are stored in their Onions before sunset, as they are vulnerable to nocturnal predators. The Onions travel with the player's leader as they fly to new areas on PNF-404.

Did You Know?

• The Onion is referred to as a 'mothership' in the source material.
• Pikmin are stored in their respective Onions for safety after sunset to protect them from nocturnal predators.
• When food like prey or pellets is delivered to an Onion, it propagates seeds that grow into fully developed Pikmin.
• The Onions travel alongside Captain Olimar as he flies to different locations on the planet PNF-404.
• An Onion serves as an incubator for all Pikmin of its respective color.