Pikmin (species)

Pikminicus
Pikmin
Origin	The Impact Site
Type	Pikmin
Size	11mm
Debut	Pikmin

Pikmin are the namesakes of the Pikmin series. They are tiny, bipedal creatures with stalks coming out of their heads and a single facial feature (besides eyes) that is dependant on their color. In both games, the Pikmin ally themselves with Captain Olimar, though an exact reason for this behavior is never given. Olimar and associates are able to command the Pikmin to assist them in various ways, whether it is to defeat monsters, break down walls, or carry objects back to their spaceship. There are currently six types of Pikmin accounted for.

In General

Pikmin start their lives as seeds that are ejected from Onions, the color of the seed corresponding with the color of the Onion. The Onions will, on occasion, eject a seed for no apparent reason (namely at the start of the game, or if all of your Pikmin have been killed), though the most practical way to grow more Pikmin is to bring a pellet or a dead creature to the Onion; the amount of seeds created from these depends on the size of the object.

Onions are not the only things that plant Pikmin. If a Pikmin is thrown into a Candypop Bud, it will be shot back out as a seed of the same color as the bud. Swooping Snitchbugs will grab Pikmin away from Olimar and toss them into the ground hard enough to replant them and Mamutas will intentionally replant Pikmin, though in the process the Pikmin will grow a flower on its stalk (see below). There is also the chance that a creature that ate a Pikmin and was then killed will leave a Pikmin seed behind in the ground.

Though they can be plucked at any time after being planted by the Onion, it is in a grower's best interest to wait a bit. Pikmin will start their lives with a plain green leaf attached to the ends of their stalks. After a few minutes (or hours in the game), the leaf will transform into a bud, and a few minutes after that it will open up into a flower. Pikmin with a flower on their stalks are somewhat faster and stronger (fighting-wise) than Pikmin with a simple leaf. If a Pikmin does have a leaf or a bud however, giving it a sip of nectar can cause a flower to bloom. However, Pikmin with flowers can also be reduced to leaves by certain enemies or traps.

Only 100 Pikmin can be led about an area at a time; remaining Pikmin (including seeds) will stay within their Onions. The most effective way to use a Pikmin is to throw it at an object that needs to be picked up or onto an enemy that you want to attack. Pikmin respond to Olimar's whistle, and can either be called back to him by a single toot or led around in formation (without going far from Olimar's side). Pikmin can also be dismissed into ranks based on color and leaf, bud, or flower.

Though Pikmin are usually loyal to Olimar, they can occasionally be distracted. Areas where nectar can be found in particular will cause a Pikmin to drop everything and search for the sweet stuff. Certain enemies like Flint Beetles will draw a Pikmin's attention as well, while Mitites will cause them to go into a frenzy. The Puffstool in Pikmin can actually turn Pikmin against Olimar by infecting them with its spores. While infected, the Pikmin take on a purple hue and have a mushroom attached to their stalks, as seen to the right.

Red Pikmin

Red Pikmin are the first types discovered by Olimar in both games. He finds a Red Onion not far from his ship in the Impact Site in the first game, which gives him a free seed, and then encounters five of them fighting a Dwarf Bulborb at the Valley of Repose in the second game. Louie later finds the Red Onion at the Valley of Repose, which leads to an awkward confrontation between him and the Red Pikmin he plucks. Crimson Candypop Buds will turn other Pikmin into Red Pikmin, as well as Queen Candypop Buds (if the spots are red when the Pikmin is thrown in).

Red Pikmin are distinguished from the others by their long, pointy noses. They are able to withstand fire, making them perfect choices for disabling the fire spouts scattered throughout the planet and fighting the Fiery Bulblaxes of Pikmin 2. They were also, until the introduction of Purple Pikmin, the strongest fighters--able to take down enemies faster than Yellow or Blue Pikmin.

Yellow Pikmin

The Yellow Onion is the second one found by Olimar in both games, though Yellow Pikmin themselves are the fourth type found in Pikmin 2. In the first game, they are discovered not far from the landing site in the Forest of Hope; in the second game, five of them have been chased up a tree near their Onion by a Swooping Snitchbug in the Perplexing Pool. Pikmin that are thrown into a Golden Candypop Bud will turn yellow, as well as Pikmin thrown into a Queen Candypop Bud while its spots are yellow.

Yellow Pikmin are different from the other types because of their large ears. They are lighter than the other Pikmin (possibly because their ears catch the air), which lets Olimar throw them higher. In Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin were the only ones who could pick up bomb-rocks, making them the most versatile types; however, this ability was removed in Pikmin 2 and replaced by a resistance to electricity.

Blue Pikmin

Blue Pikmin are the last Pikmin encountered by Olimar in both games. In the first game, their Onion is discovered in a puddle in the Forest Navel, while in the second you must backtrack to the Awakening Wood after collecting Yellow Pikmin in the Perplexing Pool. Five of them are hanging around far to the north of the area, attempting to attack a group of Wogpoles near their Onion. Lapis Lazuli Candypop Buds generate Blue Pikmin seeds if a Pikmin is thrown inside, as will Queen Candypop Buds when their spots are blue.

The Blue Pikmin have a single red gill on their face, which resembles a mouth. This gill allows them to breathe in water, which makes them a vital addition to the team considering the amount of water found in any area. Blue Pikmin may also attempt to drag a drowning Pikmin out of the water.

Purple Pikmin

Purple Pikmin are one of the new Pikmin introduced in Pikmin 2. Unlike the previous kinds, they have no Onion and can only be found by throwing another kind of Pikmin into a Violet Candypop Bud (the first of these appears in the Emergence Cave, though the best place to build an army is the Subterranean Complex). At night, Purple Pikmin will stay within the ship along with White Pikmin.

Purple Pikmin have pink flowers instead of white, possibly because they reside underground, and a few strands of what could be hair on their heads. They are much larger than the other types (13mm tall), making them slower but stronger; they can lift 10 times more than the average Pikmin. When thrown, a Purple Pikmin will slam downwards onto Olimar's cursor, and can do this to enemies to deal significant damage and stun them temporarily.

White Pikmin

White Pikmin are first seen in Pikmin 2, along with Purple Pikmin. They don't have their own Onion, so the only way to find them is to throw a different Pikmin into an Ivory Candypop Bud (first found within the White Flower Garden, though the Cavern of Chaos is probably the best place to fill ranks). At night, the White Pikmin will stay inside the ship along with the Purple Pikmin.

White Pikmin have pink flowers instead of white, maybe due to their subterranean homes, and bright red eyes. These eyes allow them to see and dig up objects that are completely buried underground. The White Pikmin are also smaller than the other types (9mm tall), making them faster. White Pikmin are poisonous and will damage any enemy that eats them; they can also walk through clouds of poison without choking.

Bulbmin

The offspring of a Bulborb that has been infected by a parasitic form of Pikmin, up to ten of these can be seen following their parent in various caves throughout Pikmin 2 (the actual number depends on how many Pikmin are in the area). Though these Bulbmin will not attack, they will helplessly follow their parent until it has been killed, after which they will go into a dormant state. Olimar can summon them to help him at this point, though they will refuse to leave the cave they were found in.

Bulbmin will behave just like any other Pikmin, and can even be turned into other Pikmin if thrown into a Candypop Bud (the most effective use for them, since they disappear after Olimar leaves the cave). Bulbmin are particularly special because they are immune to fire, electricity, and poisonous gas, and they won't drown in water. Though Bulbmin will only ever appear with a leaf at the end of their stalks, they can grow flowers by drinking nectar like any other Pikmin. By doing so, it is shown that they have white flowers instead of pink like the other underground Pikmin.

Silver Pikmin

A silver Onion was seen at the end of Pikmin. These Pikmin are most likely to appear in Pikmin 3: The Curse of the Golden Bulborb. These Pikmin are actually Pikmin found in the Cosmic Waters. They have two gills, unlike Blue Pikmin. One resembles a mouth and is below the eyes, while the other looks like a birthmark on the forehead.

Trivia

• Pikmin were originally designed to be black, featureless creatures, with size as the difference between the various types instead of color.
• Olimar gives them the name "Pikmin" because of their resemblance to the pikpik carrots on Planet Hocotate.
• The average Pikmin can lift one gram's worth of weight.
• During the happy ending to Pikmin, a large group of Onions will accompany the S.S. Dolphin into the atmosphere. These Onions all bear colors that have yet to be seen in the games.