Pikmin Species

Lore & Background

The Pikmin species are plant-animal hybrids that follow the orders of their leader. They are native to the planet PNF-404. Pikmin are stored in their respective motherships, called "Onions," for safety after sunset, as they are vulnerable to nocturnal predators. The Onions play a vital role in Pikmin reproduction: when any food, such as prey or pellets, is delivered to an Onion, it propagates seeds, which grow and are plucked from the ground as fully developed Pikmin. An Onion serves as an incubator for all Pikmin of its respective color, housing the Pikmin. In Pikmin 1, Onions remain at the landing site and cannot be moved at all; in later games, they can be moved by the player, though they do not automatically travel alongside Captain Olimar in all titles—for example, in Pikmin 4, Onions automatically follow the player to new areas when summoned via the ship. Outside of coloration, all types of Pikmin share the same method of indicating their strength and swiftness: the stalk atop their heads will sport either a leaf, bud, or flower, which develops when Pikmin are fed nectar or left planted in the ground for a certain amount of time.

In Their Own Story

After becoming stranded on the unknown planet in Pikmin, Captain Olimar becomes acquainted with the species of plant-like beings that he names "Pikmin" because they resemble the "Pikpik" brand of carrots on his home planet of Hocotate. They are small, brightly colored creatures who are each as tall as a US dime. They follow any command: from attacking enemies and defending Olimar to retrieving large artifacts. Pikmin are generally very weak unless they are used in hordes, as they are excellent at working together and speak with strange, squeaking sounds.

Reader's Guide

The Pikmin species functions as a workforce that follows the orders of their leader. Their primary tasks include retrieving items, overcoming obstacles, and fighting fauna that are hazardous to both the player character and the Pikmin. Game time is divided into individual days, each of which consists of approximately 13 minutes, in which the player is encouraged to accomplish as much as possible before sunset. At sunset, monsters come out. Pikmin are stored in their respective Onions for safety after sunset. The number of Pikmin and their abilities have shifted throughout the franchise. The first Pikmin game features three colors: Red, Yellow, and Blue. Red Pikmin are immune to fire, Blue Pikmin can move through the water thanks to their gills, and Yellow Pikmin can be thrown higher than other Pikmin, and can carry bomb rocks. In Pikmin 2, Yellow Pikmin have lost their ability to carry bomb rocks in exchange for being immune to electrical hazards, and White and Purple Pikmin are introduced. White Pikmin are the fastest, resistant to poisonous gases, capable of poisoning enemies, and capable of spotting objects buried underground. Purple Pikmin are significantly stronger and heavier than the other types, which makes them excellent at inflicting damage and carrying heavy items, due to their stunning shockwave. Pikmin 3 introduced Rock Pikmin and Winged Pikmin. Rock Pikmin can break crystalline materials and cannot be crushed or impaled. Winged Pikmin can fly freely and can fly high which enables them to recover elevated items and attack airborne enemies with ease. Pikmin 4 introduced Ice Pikmin, which can freeze enemies and bodies of water, and are invulnerable to being frozen, and Glow Pikmin, which are immune to all the elements of fire, water, electricity, and poison, and can stun enemies when a group is charged together.

Did You Know?

• Pikmin are named after the Pikpik carrot on Captain Olimar's home planet of Hocotate.
• Pikmin are roughly 1–2 inches tall, about the size of a small animal.
• Pikmin speak with strange, squeaking sounds.
• The stalk atop a Pikmin's head can sport a leaf, bud, or flower, which develops when fed nectar or left planted in the ground.
• Pikmin are stored in Onions for safety after sunset, as they are vulnerable to nocturnal predators.