cartographers-office

[cartographers-office]

Who lays the nectar eggs found in the Pikmin games? It might seem like a silly question, but for a series with such extensive lore surrounding its creatures it is surprising that it remains a mystery. Nectar eggs are a mysterious item found in Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4. The eggs themselves are rarely acknowledged by the leaders and can contain a wide array of different things.

When broken, nectar eggs usually release a form of nectar or raw material. Curiously, there are also several creatures associated with these eggs, but it’s never been explicitly stated which actually produces them. Let’s look at the candidates:

Firstly, there are the Honeywisps. Honeywisps sometimes carry nectar eggs as they float through the air back to their nests. However, they don’t seem to be producing these eggs themselves, as in Pikmin 1 they can be seen carrying pure nectar collected from flowers.

Given they intend to feed the nectar from the nectar eggs they carry to their young, it seems more likely that they sometimes just steal nectar eggs from their nests of origin instead of collecting nectar from flowers.

“This timid creature flies around collecting nectar from flowers.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“This creature collects nectar for the larvae waiting in its nest.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“This cutie swims though the air with a heavy-looking nectar egg dangling below its translucent body on its way back to its nest where its offspring await lunch.”

[Source: Dalmo, Sozorian Animal Enthusiast and researcher, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

The next creatures are the Mitites. Mities are a type of insect that occasionally hatch from broken nectar eggs in great numbers and produce nectar when defeated, which initially makes them seem like good candidates for the producers of these eggs. However, the nectar eggs notably don’t resemble insect eggs - and for good reason! The Mitites are actually parasites that lay their eggs within the eggs of a “particular species”, with their larvae feeding on the nectar the eggs provide.

“These parasitic insects feed on eggs. Upon reaching maturity, they excrete a special pheromone that attracts females of particular species, enticing these females to swallow the mitites whole. (Pikmin, however, seem to dislike the scent.) After entering the host female's body, the mitites lay their own eggs inside the host's eggs just prior to the host spawning.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“The cheeky Mitite lays its eggs inside the eggs of other creatures to provide its offspring with an easy first meal.”

[Source: Dalmo, Sozorian Animal Enthusiast and researcher, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Similarly, the egg-like Sunsquishes can also be found within nectar eggs. These are explicitly “other creatures’ eggs”, making them a species that parasitises on the eggs like the Mitites.

“A type of primitive organism called a protochordate. In its juvenile state, it has a skeleton-like structure called a notochord. It flaps its finned tail to move and lives within other creatures' eggs as it grows.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

That leaves us with the Burrowing Snagrets. In Pikmin 4, Downy Snagrets, the infant form of the Burrowing Snagret, occasionally hatch from nectar eggs. These seem to be the most likely candidates for the actual producers of nectar eggs.

As established in a previous post, almost all extant life on PNF-404 is made up of nectar, which would extend to the nutrients in the egg yolk.

“Nectar is a vital source of nutrition that most life on this planet depends on. Whether it's in the form of an egg yolk, sap, or honey, I leave up to your imagination!”

[Source: Dalmo, Sozorian Animal Enthusiast and researcher, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Nectar eggs also strongly resemble bird eggs and Burrowing Snagrets are certainly large enough to produce them. They’re also large enough to swallow Mitites whole and are even said to eat insects in the Piklopedia.

“The majority of snagret species lie in wait to ambush and capture prey, with a body type perfectly adapted to such sudden strikes. It violently attacks small, surface-dwelling insects.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

What’s more is that Snagret has the widest distribution of a species after the Bulborb, which explains why nectar eggs can be found all over the world across the Pikmin games.

“Distributed across a relatively wide range, subspecies of snagret suited to the varying soil conditions have emerged, making the snagret the most geographically represented species besides the bulborb.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

So in short, female Burrowing Snagrets lay their eggs. Those that are fertilised will produce Downy Snagrets, while unfertilised eggs will produce nectar. Sometimes, a female Burrowing Snagret will eat a Mitite, resulting in Mitite larvae hatching within and feeding on the eggs laid by the Burrowing Snagret. The larval Sunsquish also finds its way into these eggs, while Honeywisps occasionally steal the eggs to feed the nectar within then to their own larvae.

[cartographers-office]

The culture of Lakitus in the Mario Universe

Lakitus are a species of Koopa that are often seen riding around in clouds with faces, throwing items like Spiny Eggs, Piranha Pods, Hammers or Coins at the people below them and using fishing rods to hold or catch all sorts of things. Many Lakitus work as Bowser's Minions, though we've also seen Lakitu reporters, such as the Lakitu Bros. in Super Mario 64, and the referee Lakitu who runs the Mario Kart tournaments and various other Mario sports events.

While most Koopas are ruled directly by Bowser, the Lakitus have their own ruler, King Lakitu, implying they may be more distant culturally from the others. While King Lakitu and his people clearly serve Bowser in modern day, this may have been an alliance that formed in more recent history.

Throughout various Mario games, the Lakitus are connected to the Chinese-like culture in Mario’s World. In Dragon Driftway from Mario Kart 8, a course with Chinese-style architecture, murals of Lakitus practicing Kung Fu can be seen on the interior.

Lakitu’s name written in Chinese characters ("朱盖木") can be seen on lanterns, signs and murals in Dragon Driftway as well as Dragon Palace, where Koopa Troopas can be seen practicing Kung Fu. Lakitu emblems (depicting a Lakitu's Cloud) and statues of Lakitus practicing Kung Fu are both featured prominently in both Dragon Driftway and Dragon Palace.

A poster for a movie called “Kung Fu Lakitu” with the subtitle “Dragon Driftway The Movie” can also be seen in GBA Ribbon Road.

Dragon Driftway appears to have been built in the image of an ancestor of Gobblegut, from Super Mario Galaxy 2, which had four limbs. Gold and silver statues resembling a version of this this Gobblegut ancestor, with a shorter body and "whiskers" resembling those on Draggadon, can be found in the courtyard of Dragon Palace.

This civilisation may also have built Pagoda Peak, which features Chinese-like architecture and a large green dragon structure with orange horns, very similar to Gobblegut. Pagoda Peak is said to be 4000 years old and is inhabited by Kung Fu Koopas and the Koopa Master. Perhaps the Koopa Troopas seen training in Dragon Palace will go on to become Kung Fu Koopas.

Glitzville from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an “exotic” floating city with Chinese-style architecture, presumably modelled after a different region based.

The city is named “Oolong Town” (ウーロン街) in Japanese after Chinese oolong tea. Glitzville is inhabited by many Lakitus, with both guests and local reporters being members of the Lakitu species.

At least a quarter of the Glitz Pit audience is comprised of Lakitus. Perhaps the sky-high location and cultural theming make it a popular draw for Lakitus in the region.

In Super Mario Land, the bosses faced in the Birabuto Kingdom, Muda Kingdom and Easton Kingdom are depicted as the leaders of a specific faction of enemies faced earlier in their respective kingdoms.

The boss of the Chai Kingdom, Biokinton, initially appears to be an exception to this, not bearing a resemblance to any enemies faced in the Chai Kingdom. Biokinton is described as shy and said to be hiding in a cloud which resembles a Lakitu’s Cloud. Rocketons are airplanes piloted by "soldier guards" faced by Mario immediately before Biokinton.

These guards strongly resemble Lakitus with their yellow skin, goggles and short, round noses. They may have a connection to Biokinton given their close proximity and matching name endings in both English and Japanese. “Biokinton” (パオキントン), “Rocketon” (ロケトン).

Perhaps Dragon Driftway, Dragon Palace and Pagoda Peak are actually in the Chai Kingdom, and with the alliance between King Lakitu's and Bowser's families centuries ago, Koopa Troopas began training in Kung Fu and Lakitus began serving in the Koopa Kingdom army.

Thank you to Sophie of @cartographers-office for pointing out the resemblance between Lakitus and the Rocketon pilots, this has been a fun one!

[cartographers-office]

Hello! I'm looking for resources (images or directly ripped assets) on the dynamic bottom screen maps of M&L: Dream Team Bros., and I was wondering if you knew where I could find some/If you have any.

I've been looking everywhere, and aside a singular IGN article only having the map of Pi'illo Blimport, I've found nothing.

I was surprised at the lack of Dream Team minimaps online, so I decided to compile my own! First of all a big thank you to @ym-loreposting for extracting all the map assets from the game, and here they are:

And here's my fully connected map of the entire game! I hope people will find it useful.

Since Tumblr has compressed those sprite maps, I uploaded them to imgur, where they seem(?) to have kept their quality.

[cartographers-office]

The ancient Beanbean Kingdom

The Beanbean Kingdom is a kingdom that features in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and its remake for the 3DS, being located directly south of the Mushroom Kingdom. In the game, several hints are given as to the ancient past of this kingdom through the mentions of ancient civilizations, which I want to document in this post.

The Hoohoo Civilization

One of the first areas Mario and Luigi visit in the Beanbean Kingdom is Hoohoo Mountain in the kingdom's northwest. Among the waterfalls of this mountain sits Hoohoo Village. One of the people that live there says the following:

"Long ago, on this very mountain, the Hoohooligans developed the great Hoohoo civilization. At the summit, there still remain many mysterious remnants of this once great people."

And another one says:

"We are said to be the descendants of the people who developed the Hoohoo civilization. This land is largely populated by the Beanish peoples, but there are other races, like ours!"

It seems in the past that these Hoohooligans inhabited the entirety of Hoohoo Mountain, but their descendants confined to their village in the present. When one goes up the mountain, they indeed come across many remnants of their culture. The most notable are their Hooroglyphs, ancient letters that spell out the jokes of the civilization.

Another is the weapon Hoohooros, who functions as a boss and guards the path to the mountain summit. He is also surrounded by Hooroglyphs and can use them to fire lasers.

Lastly, there are also fiery statues on the mountain that are not explicitly tied to the civilization, but may have been made by it as they look like the people of Hoohoo Village. When doused, other statues are activated that generate small tornadoes and so may also have been made by this civilization.

Soybean Civilization

The second civilization is given less to work with. They are mentioned by an elderly resident of Beanbean Castle Town, who describes them as an advanced bean civilization from an age of flying spin-beans, tunneling mole-beans, and fast-moving dash-beans. They also had hidden treasures called Beanstones, which are jewels that can be found in modern-day Beanbean Castle Town.

The other mention of the Soybeans comes from a Toad in Little Fungitown, who says the lift that leads into the town (which is located atop tall mushrooms) was made by them:

"They say that lift was made long ago by the people of the ancient Soybean Civilization."

Given that this lift bears a crest of the Mushroom Kingdom that is shown in the Mushroom Castle and the Mushroom Kingdom embassy in Little Fungitown, it is possible that the ancient Mushroom Kingdom and the Soybean civilization used to have contact. Generally, it seems probable that the Soybeans are the predecessors of the modern Beanish people, given they inhabit the same general area.

Guffawha Ruins

At the foot of Hoohoo Mountain but outside the fields around Beanbean Castle, there sits an ancient structure called the Guffawha Ruins. Underground ruins of similar structure also extend in the western portion of Teehee Valley, a desert that sits east of the ruins in general. The Guffawha Ruins seem to have architectural elements of both the Hoohoo civilization and the Soybeans. For the Hoohoo civilization, Hooroglyphs can be found in and outside the ruins. There are also statues inside that bear resemblance to cave entrances near Hoohoo Village.

As for the Soybeans, presuming they are the ancestors of the modern Beanish, we do find some structures that resemble those of the modern Beanish in the Guffawha Ruins. The Beanish have the tendency to mark their presence with the use of smiling faces which can be seen on the rocks and door frames of the Guffawha Ruins. Furthermore, a large smiley face also adorns the outside of the ruins on the map and several statues in front of its entrance.

Given both architectural styles are present and the ruins are found on the border of Hoohoo Mountain and modern-day Beanish territories, it is likely the Guffawha Ruins were a joint effort by both ancient civilizations. It is unclear what the purpose of these ruins was, though in the present day they are the only place where Crabbie Grass, the cure for Bean Fever, grows.

Oho Civilization

The final civilization is only mentioned once and a tad indirectly. On the Oho Oasis island in the Oho Ocean in the east of Beanbean Kingdom, there are several recordings left behind by an expedition team. They were there to research to so-called Oho Civilization:

"It has been a week since our Oho Civilization Research Expedition reached this island."

On the island, two ruins of palaces can be found dedicated to the entities Firebrand and Thunderhand. During Superstar Saga, they bestow the Firebrand and Thunderhand abilities to Mario and Luigi respectively. These palaces were likely built by the Oho Civilization and were last visited 3000 years ago according to Firebrand, giving a general time frame for how long ago the Oho Civilization existed.

In and near these palaces there are also statues present. What is interesting is that smaller versions of those statues can be found underwater in the Oho Ocean and on Gwarhar Lagoon in the far southeast of the Beanbean Kingdom. This indicates the Oho Civilization spanned the entire Oho Ocean at one point and perhaps that they were an aquatic people, given sea levels were higher in the past (as Teehee Valley used to be an ocean).

Conclusion

The ancient Beanbean Kingdom was home to three separate civilization, which date back at least 3000 years ago. Whether or not they all existed at the same time is unclear, especially as the Beanish appear to be rather long-lived (the Beanish Bubbles having been alive for more than 1000 years), but their spheres of influence can be tracked in the modern day at least.

[cartographers-office]

Does Raccoon Mario have ears on his hat, or ears on his head that poke out of his hat?

This is a question we simply don't know the answer to yet. Unfortunately we've never seen if Mario can take his hat off when he's in Tail Form, and he gains his hat as part of the Super Leaf's transformation, even when he isn't wearing one, as we see in New Super Mario Bros. 2.

What we can say is that even though Mario still has his normal ears on the side of his head, it's likely that the "Raccoon ears", whether they're attached to his head or not, would function. Mario can also control the tail he gains from the transformation, and as established in Mario Party 4's Mushroom Medic Minigame, the wings Koopa Paratroopas gain from the P-Wing Power-Up contain bones, despite only being attached to their shells and not sprouting directly from their backs.

[cartographers-office]

If anyone is wondering the reasoning behind Mario's height, in Super Mario Odyssey, it's possible to use Luigi's Balloon World to measure distances across the map, and use that to measure Mario's height.

You can check this video by Nin10doLetsPlay, who used the same logic to figure out how long 100 meters in New Donk City are. Using that, the width of Squawks Park (which I used for reference here) comes in at about 48.77 meters

Now we can compare the width of the park with this reference photo I took of Mario laying down, and voilá! His height comes at around 1.55 meters or 5'1"

This math is corroborated by the size of Mario's model in this game, which, according to Blender, is around 153 units tall.

Behold, the truth.

[cartographers-office]

maps of all the 8 worlds of New Super Mario Bros.

these were shockingly released when someone hacked me and spouted some evil stuff. it was a big deal but it's all okay now

a funny thing when looking at the widths of these maps combined: they're on average the distance i take to go to Basic School with my bicycle. it's cute, very cute. Mario should've taken a bicycle--could've gotten through this adventure in half an hour

[cartographers-office]

What if Delfino Plaza was in Super Mario Odyssey?

While making this post, I remembered bigboxman8 made his own version of this location based on my template a long time ago! You can check it here!

[cartographers-office]

The evolution of Inkopolis Square

Inkopolis Square is the central hub in Splatoon 2, also returning as one of the three hubs in Splatoon 3. It is a bustling center for Turf Wars activity in Inkopolis, but just how much has it changed over the years?

According to The Art of Splatoon 2, while Turf Wars action was centered around Inkopolis Plaza in the first game, the Square neighborhood used to be in a precarious condition, as it was "constantly dealing with minor crimes". Fortunately, it started undergoing redevelopment around the year 2015 (during/shortly after the events of Splatoon!)

By the year 2017, Inkopolis Square had new shops in its Galleria, along with the renovated Deca Tower and the Shoal, transforming it into the new hotspot for Turf Wars in the city. But the renovation did not stop there. when looking around the hub in Splatoon 2, it's possible to see a lot of construction equipment and materials laying around while large areas appear to be sectioned off.

It wasn't until its return in Splatoon 3 that we saw a fully overhauled Square. The skateboarding area has been completed, a lovely outdoors cafe was made and a brand new subway station was added. Overall, the whole area looks more welcoming and polished.

Great attention to detail and worldbuilding!

[cartographers-office]

I like how the creators of Waluigi are pretty clear about how they don't like each other and are literally just co-workers. It's an interesting contrast to Mario's and Luigi's brotherly relationship.

Fact: Wario and Waluigi are not brothers, blood related or even friends. They're said to be partners or accomplices with common interests.

They team up during tournaments to compete with Mario and Luigi, but don't seem to spend much time together outside of those activities.

Source(s):

Nintendo Dream Web

Fumihide Aoki on Instragram

[cartographers-office]

I’ve always loved the light worldbuilding and creativity in some of the brands in Yoshi’s Crafted World. Personally I think they’re much more interesting than the ones in Mario Kart.

Fact: Yoshi’s Crafted World, which as mentioned previously is set in a kindergarten in Mario’s World, features a multitude of in-universe brands and products with unique names and logos. Some of these brands even originated in the Mario Kart series or the Mario & Luigi series!

Source(s):

Nintendo Dream Web

[cartographers-office]

Pikmin 4: The Cannon Beetle Mix-Up

As the person who made an entire phylogenetic tree of Pikmin creatures (soon to be updated!), it should come as no surprise that I have a lot of love for this series. With Pikmin 4 introducing a whole new group of critters, while also bringing back many classic ones, I would like to shine a light on one of my favorite enemies: The mighty Horned Cannon Beetle. While this enemy might seem like it caused some confusion regarding its relation to previous enemies, it actually cleared up a few mistakes and inconsistencies from almost two decades ago!

Between Japanese and English languages, each Pikmin enemy gets four different names. This might sound complicated, but I'll try my best to juggle them all and explain their confusing history.

Pikmin 1 introduced the enemy then known as the Armored Cannon Beetle, or Granitus chukkulinae. According to the Enemy Reel:

This migratory lithopod has developed a stronger carapace than its relatives.

Hold on to that information, it will be relevant later. Pikmin 2 then introduced the Armored Cannon Larva, which shares both its name and scientific name with the Armored Cannon Beetle. This is because both enemies share a Japanese nickname (that being (フタクチドックリ, Two-Mouth Tokkuri). However, their Japanese technical name (the equivalent to their English scientific name) makes it clear they are different species.

It's unclear why both enemies share the same Japanese nickname (maybe due to similar designs/mechanics), but it probably led to the mistranslation of the Armored Cannon Larva's scientific name. Their Piklopedia entry states:

This expedition was unable to confirm the existence of any mature lithopods, leading to concerns that the species was extinct on this planet, but the discovery of the creature in larval form eased such concerns.

And for almost two decades, both enemies were generally considered being the same species, which seemed logical at the time, without analyzing their Japanese technical name. Once Pikmin 4 rolled around, it "introduced" the Horned Cannon Beetle. This creature's JP technical name is the exact same as the original Armored Cannon Beetle (Black Iron Giant Stone Wrapper), meaning they are supposed to be one and the same. Their Piklopedia entry states:

[...] this species is actually a naturalized non-native species that migrated here from another continent. [...] Furthermore, it exhibits aggressive territorial behavior, sometimes launching boulders at young Armored Cannon Beetles, which has driven the latter species to the verge of extinction.

This corroborates perfectly with the Armored Cannon Beetle's and Armored Cannon Larva's entries shown previously! So why the name change?

Well I suspect that, when the localizers realized that two separate species had the same name and scientific name, they opted to retcon the older one instead of the most used one. They even added a tongue-in-cheek reference to this retcon by mentioning they were "once mistaken for adult Armored Cannon Beetles".

And that's why the original Pikmin 1 enemy then-known as the Armored Cannon Beetle (Granitus chukkulinae) has been retconned into being a Horned Cannon Beetle (Granitus ferrous).

One image speaks more than a thousand words, so I will end this post with a neat graphic detailing all four different names each creature has. I added the other two mainline Cannon Beetle species for completion's sake. See you guys next time!

[cartographers-office]

The Origins of Pikmin (Part 2)

The following is Part 2 (because Tumblr's text limit sucks) of an adaptation of my first published Pikmin Theory in written form. For Part 1, click here.

The Candypop buds also have a strong connection to Pikmin, converting Pikmin of one species into another matching the colour of the flower and perishing in the process. Olimar questions what benefit the Candypop Bud gains from this relationship, postulating the Candypop Bud is itself a variety of Pikmin, or an evolved Pikmin of some kind.

“This specimen constantly changes colors. When Pikmin are thrown into it, it shoots out seeds that match the flower's coloration the moment the Pikmin landed inside of it. The number of seeds shot out is always greater than the number of Pikmin thrown in. It can be said that this is a completely baffling plant, and many mysteries remain over precisely what sort of relationship it has with the Pikmin. It would appear that the Pikmin gain all of the benefit from the relationship... Perhaps it is simply a different variety of Pikmin to begin with?”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“Could this be the next stage in Pikmin evolution? Like the Pikmin themselves, it has many mysteries.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

The sound a Candypop Bud makes when wilting is even a modified version of the sound a wilting Pikmin Flower makes. The Candypop Buds are also clearly related to Onions, with the similarities being so strong it's even been hypothesised that they're merely under-developed Onions. Candypop Buds share the same plant muscle fibres as the Pikmin, Pellet Posies and Onions.

“What looks like the interior of a flower is actually an insectivorous leaf that's developed into an organ. This organ releases a sweet scent from its central pistil, luring small insects into its interior and trapping them. The DNA of those captured organisms is directly absorbed by the plant's cells, which might indicate that this species is attempting to evolve at an astounding speed. But in most cases, the cells essentially self-destruct. The bud then releases Pikmin seeds of the same color, and the plant withers. Muscle fibers extremely similar to those of an Onion were also found in this species, so some could hypothesize that a Candypop Bud is an under- or undeveloped Onion. However, there aren't enough details to confirm this theory either way.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“Pikmin relatives? They [Onions, Pellet Posies and Candypop Buds] have the muscle fibers characteristic of half-animal, half-vegetable organisms, and appear to have some sort of relation to Pikmin...”

[Source: Chet, Mihaman Scientist and Research Task Force Lead, Pikmin Garden, Nintendo Co., Ltd. website]

Most notably, the existence of Pikmin, Onions and Candypop Buds isn't as easily explained as other species on PNF-404.

“No matter what color Pikmin is tossed into the bosom of this flower, it spits out the same number of red Pikmin seeds. The Pikmin, the candypop flowers, and the Pikmin Onions are not easily explained by current theories of the xenobotanical sciences, and thus have not yet been appropriately studied and classified.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

This also extends to the Mamuta, which has an unknown taxonomic family and has not been properly classified.

No, these couldn’t have simply evolved on their own. There’s clear intention here. Someone made the Onions. Someone made the Pellet Posies. Someone made the Mamutas. Someone made the Candypop Flowers. Someone made the Pikmin.

But who...?

Well, I believe the answer lies in quite an unexpected place, Pikmin Bloom. Pikmin Bloom is an Augmented Reality game in which you play as a human who wears a device called a Planter Pack on their back. Planter Packs are backpacks which function as propagators for Pikmin seedlings, allowing Humans to grow and pluck a squad of Pikmin. Once plucked, the Pikmin follow the humans, while the humans send Pikmin out on expeditions to collect objects such as fruit or more Pikmin seedlings. Nectar from the fruit is used to feed the Pikmin and help their flowers grow, before the humans harvest their petals to cultivate a “flower-filled world”.

It’s clear that at this time, Pikmin coexist and have a vital mutualistic or at the very least commensalistic relationship with humans.

I believe the Planter Packs which humans wear in Pikmin Bloom are precursors to the onions, with the Pikmin Seedlings grown within featuring similar patterns to those found on the Onions, as well as an unlockable planter pack strongly resembling the Onion from Pikmin 3.

I think humans engineered Pikmin and their relatives. Pikmin were made to help spread seeds and flowers, with Onions being made to convert Nectar into more Pikmin. Candypop Buds were made to help Pikmin adapt to their environment and Pellet Posies were made to convert nutrients from the ground into solid nectar for Pikmin to collect and reproduce with.

This would explain how Pikmin survived, why there’s a specific cap per Onion(s) in each area, why the onions have mechanical elements, why Rock Onions and Rock Candypop Buds stockpile stone, why Winged Pikmin have wings, why the pellets have human numbers on them and why the Pikmin themselves have a natural tendency to follow and take commands from the leaders.

As for the Mamuta, they would’ve been made to cultivate Pikmin, explaining the aforementioned patterns on their wrists and their instinct to plant Pikmin. They’re described as feeding on seeds and fruit, which contain nectar. This could explain how they can instantly convert Leaf Pikmin and Bud Pikmin into Flower Pikmin with an open-handed smack, somehow transferring the nectar from their diet to the Pikmin.

“This seems to be a gentle, flower-loving creature, but if angered, it is fierce. Its mighty open-handed smack was so powerful that I feared my helmet might crack open.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“The imbalanced, asymmetrical arms of the mamuta are among its most notable features. Feeding on seeds and fruit, the mamuta is known to actually sow and grow plant species. While other species have exhibited seed-burying behavior for the purpose of storage, the mamuta is the only species so far known to actually cultivate fields of plants.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

What is thought to be the Mamuta’s malformed larval state, the Smoky Progg, is even able to pluck Pikmin out of the ground with some sort of call and is naturally drawn towards the Onions after hatching, with the pearl-like object it drops upon defeat containing enough nectar to produce 100 Pikmin.

“Thought to be a malformed larval Mamuta.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“Trait #2 Mysterious Behavior They head towards Lumiknolls and Onions, but the motive for this is unknown.”

[Source: Primitive Creature Field Guide, Pikmin Garden, Nintendo Co., Ltd. website]

“The Smoky Progg's body is constantly deteriorating, so collecting a living sample has proven difficult and research into the species has progressed at a glacial rate. However, by examining the genes adhered to the Smoky Progg's eggs, it has been confirmed that they are, in fact, Mamuta eggs! This discovery allows for the possibility that Mamuta that do not develop properly and hatch become Smoky Proggs. If, hypothetically, a Mamuta were to remain aboveground at night and absorb glow sap, that might impact the nutrient levels within its egg's yolk. That change could lead to the embryo's inviability or break down its enzymes, then...maybe...”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Furthermore, there’s clear precedent for biomechanical experimentation by higher beings, most notably with the Gatling Groink and Man-At-Legs found in the Subterranean Complex - beings ostensibly engineered to be used as weapons, albeit with Olimar perhaps not quite picking up on that fact when making his observations:

“This beastly predator's aggressive ejection of high-speed projectiles makes it one of the most fearsome creatures in the ecosystem. Its body seems to comprise of both biological and mechanical components, and represents one of the most evolutionarily advanced specimens ever observed. The chamber within its torso gives it rapid-fire bio-pellet launch capabilities. What appears to be a tail fin is in fact the base of its counter-weight and ammunition cylinder, so immobilizing this appendage will prevent the groink from attacking...at least in theory. Confirmation of this suspicion remains elusive, as nobody has volunteered to test it.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“This species of the arachnorb family fuses with machinery at a crucial point in the maturation process, giving it the ability to fire energy bursts from the launcher beneath its orbular torso. However, the man-at-legs itself is not in control of this weapon. Instead, the mechanical portions of its structure appear to automatically acquire and attack targets. The man-at-legs has a gentle disposition, and as a member of the arachnorb species, it has no natural enemies. It is particularly difficult to understand why this species would develop such awesome offensive capabilities, leading to rumors among the scientific community that it was the machinery that approached the arachnorb and proposed the symbiotic relationship.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“We recently found all sorts of mechanical parts scattered around a cave. The walls and floor were constructed of solid steel. Perhaps it was once a great military fortress? I decided to name it the Subterranean Complex.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

The Careening Dirigibug also seems to be one such creature, perhaps modified from a member of the Scarpanica genus. These creatures are found in the Subterranean Complex, much like the Gatling Groink and Man-at-Legs. They are completely covered by bolted metal plates, have glass over their eyes, drop Bomb Rocks and fly via gas-filled balloons connected to piping. This also explains why they're the only variant of the species found by the leaders - they didn't naturally evolve into their current state and are no longer recognisable as the creatures they're derived from.

“This creature floats effortlessly through the air using gas-filled balloons. Both its appearance and its nature are antagonistic. And it is the only variant of its species in this ecosystem. It may be best to consider the possibility that it somehow wandered into this ecosystem from an entirely alien one. Positive proof does not exist at this point, but that is how the creature is currently classified.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

Scientists in the Pikmin world have even begun to catch onto the odd evolution surrounding and relationship between the Pikmin and their Onions, with one intelligent researcher called Pitunia seeing intention in the Onion's design:

“Ah! You must want to ask about my research. Good, very good. I’m currently working on my hypothesis that the Onion is a biocrafter. The Onion is a biocrafter intentionally created to ensure the propagation and safety of the Pikmin, is it not? To verify this theory, I have dedicated myself to studying the Onion. Do you think my hypothesis that the Onion is a biocrafter is pretty wild? If you’ll humor me for a moment, let’s consider it together. Its symbiotic relationship with Pikmin doesn’t appear coincidental. Durability and flight capability allow it to travel far. Its ejections and production adjustments of Pikmin seem calculated. All mechanics that fit the idea of intentional "crafting". To Pikmin, the Onion is—to put it in terms of our understanding of biology—similar to the concept of a nest. But the fact that the Pikmin themselves are crafted by it far exceeds the function of a nest as we understand it. An Onion can craft different Pikmin based on what other Onions it has fused with. If we consider these blueprints for new Pikmin, it behaves like a crafter right?”

[Source: Pitunia, Oguran Scientist and Research Task Force Recruit, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

This hypothesis has received some pushback from other researchers, though their counterevidence isn't particularly strong and doesn't say anything about the nature of the Onion considering bioengineering from higher beings.

“When the Onion absorbs flarlic, it consistently increases the number of Pikmin that you can take out at once. Maybe the Onion is the one who determines what’s possible and issues its own orders… Wouldn’t that indicate that the Onion has a will of its own? I was talking to Pitunia from the task force. She says the Onion may be artificial or was intentionally created somehow. But if the Onion’s a living entity with its own needs, then doesn’t that align with it being a natural specimen? Isn’t it funny how two individuals can look at the exact same thing and have two entirely different perspectives?”

[Source: Sy, Oguran Scientist and Research Task Force Recruit, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Of course, what Sy isn't considering is that even an intentionally created being can have needs and a will of its own. It seems the leaders and their machinery also seem to have trouble telling natural and manufactured items apart. I think it's likely Pitunia is the one on the right track here...

“This species has some remaining internal organs, but its carapace and eyes are made up of inorganic material. All 19 of its eyes are actually photoelectric sensors that the species uses to precisely locate its prey. The gas emitted from the posterior of its first leg joints includes a chemical substance that, after making contact with another organism's brain, temporarily controls that organism's actions. The Groovy Long Legs uses this natural phenomenon, called the "Endless Dance," to make its prey jump between its legs while it moves around in bizarre rhythms. The entire interaction is seemingly odd for a living organism, but the line between organic and inorganic on this planet is not always clear.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

But why would humans do all of this? What purpose would developing these weapons and horticulturists serve? Well, while details are scarce, it’s clear that something happened to the planet that changed it dramatically from the Earth we know. The natural cycles of the planet’s surface have accelerated, with the tectonic plates even shifting so much by the time of Pikmin 3 that the Pangaea Proxima supercontinent, which shouldn’t occur for another 200 million years, seemingly formed in the span of a few years at most since Pikmin 2.

“I've recently noted that changes in this planet's environment happen at a very rapid pace. Compared to how it was when I was here before, the Perplexing Pool has changed drastically. Due to frequent tectonic shifts, the region appears slightly different each time I enter it. It could be a natural phenomenon, but it's as if I feel the presence of a guiding hand. ...Maybe it's just my imagination running wild.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“The interior of this hemisphere contains a chip coded with charts detailing a new region. I explored this forest the last time I was here, but it's clear that it has undergone some dramatic changes. The plants and animals have also evolved significantly. I've given this forest a new name... The Awakening Wood. I must begin to form a hypothesis to explain why the forest changed so rapidly.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

Meanwhile, underground caves are constantly shifting and time is significantly slowed due to a powerful magnetic field.

“The powerful magnetic field between the surface and underground can have peculiar, unexpected effects. You can't rely merely on your memory, as familiar areas can often appear foreign. Just focus on gathering all of the treasures, and you'll be all right.”

[Source: Exploring Underground: Subterranean Q & A, Page 26, Instruction Booklet of Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“Because of a powerful magnetic field deep under the surface, time does not pass underground. When you climb back to the surface, you will return at the exact moment in time that you entered the hole. Time will not have passed.”

[Source: Exploring Underground: Above Ground, Page 25, Instruction Booklet of Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“Subterranean Time Warp Upon returning to the surface after exploring underground, I noticed the hands of my clock had barely moved at all, and I had been down there for hours! I can only assume that on this planet, time flows differently on the surface than it does underground.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“I calculated the difference. It looks as if about 1/6 as much time passes on the surface as you spent underground. Time seems to move differently in the underground spaces on this planet… I’m not sure how it works, but I suppose that means you can take as much time as you need to explore caves.”

[Source: Collin, Member of the Rescue Corps and Comms Operator, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

The planet in general seems to have warped space-time:

“While exploring this warped land, I got the feeling that time passed faster than usual. Upon researching it further, I realized it was just my mind playing tricks on me. But whenever I touch this object I can feel the space-time continuum bending!”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“I was entranced by the longer needle as it spun round and round, and I completely lost track of time. This object doesn't strike me as otherworldly, but whenever I look at it, it's like I can feel the space-time continuum bending around me!”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“Case 2 Even when revisiting the same area, the placement and design of the circles shown may change. Could the planet's space-time be distorted...?”

[Source: Chet, Mihaman Scientist and Research Task Force Lead, Pikmin Garden, Nintendo Co., Ltd. website]

In Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 4's Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, we see the Geiger Counter from the S.S. Dolphin frequently activate, producing buzzing and clicking noises, while on the surface of PNF-404, indicating levels of ionizing radiation much higher than those typically found on 21st century Earth.

“Every spaceship needs one of these, but I don't actually know what it's for. Every once in a while, it goes wild and lets out a lot of noise, but I never pay much attention to it, so it doesn't do me much good. I really should read that instruction manual one of these days!”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“This noisy gauge is always letting off spontaneous clicks and buzzes. It can be kind of annoying.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

There’s even hints that whatever caused the hole in the Plasm Wraith’s torso, a manifestation of emotional trauma (as it's called in Japanese), or “psychic wound”, is somehow linked to the planet’s evolutionary history:

“This unusual life-form consists of an amorphous body around a hard, cubic core. The body can shift not only into different shapes but into different substances. It reminds me very much of the waterwraith, and at first I wondered if it was also an ectoplasmic incarnation. However, enough others have seen and encountered it to dispel this theory. The creatures living near the plasm wraith must be formed from its gelatinous substance, since they all liquefy upon its death. It's not clear what purpose they serve for the wraith. It's currently unknown what caused the hole in its torso—some sort of manifested psychic wound?—but the search for this cause may lead us down the path to unraveling the history of evolution on this planet.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 3 Deluxe, October 2020]

It seems as though the most likely answer is a war or similar event which coated the planet in radiation, caused the collapse of the world’s existing ecosystems and the rapid evolution of new species and damaged the space-time continuum. The Pikmin and their companion organisms were produced in an effort to reverse the damage the humans caused and repopulate the planet with plant life. Perhaps the humans weren’t so fortunate and perished not long before Olimar’s initial crash in Pikmin 1, with their creations continuing to inhabit the planet without their guidance - or perhaps they succeeded and continue to inhabit the planet just out of sight, explaining the "guiding hand" Olimar felt changing the Distant Spring into the Perplexing Pool...

“[The areas aren’t] exactly the same, but we intentionally made them look similar to give a sense of déjà vu that you’ve been here before… Like maybe it is the same places, but time has passed and humans have interacted with them…”

[Source: Shigefumi Hino & Masamichi Abe, Directors of Pikmin 2, Nintendo Dream Magazine, May 2004]

“The planet where Pikmin live is a mysterious one that shows a different side of itself with every visit, but this time players arrive in an age with the strongest traces of past civilizations. You'll be seeing plenty of familiar things that will help you feel closer to Pikmin than ever before.”

[Source: Yutaka Hiramuki, Planning Director of Pikmin 4, Nintendo Co., Ltd., July 2023]

Or maybe the humans realised the damage was beyond repair and the planet was inhospitable. Perhaps they left it all behind, survived and have been living on right under our noses…

But that's a topic for another day.

Thank you for reading! I’d like to give a special thank you to Lady Sophie and Ymcan64 for looking over the script and providing some additional points which really solidified this theory. Their help was invaluable. Please check their blogs out.

[cartographers-office]

The Origins of Pikmin (Part 1)

The following is Part 1 (because Tumblr's text limit sucks) of an adaptation of my first published Pikmin Theory in written form. While I’ve previously presented this as a YouTube video, it was actually originally written for this blog. As Pikmin 4 has released and only provided even stronger support for the theory, I’ve decided to publish it here once again, as originally intended, with more evidence from both Pikmin 4 and its predecessors - an extensive expansion to say the least, so even if you've seen the video this should still act as an interesting piece of supplementary material.

I hope you all enjoy!

In Pikmin 1, Olimar crashes on what we know as Earth, seemingly after the extinction of humans and familiar wildlife:

“This is an ever-surprising ecosystem. What has caused this planet's vegetation to grow to such gigantic proportions? In comparison to the Pikmin and the other creatures of this planet, the scale of the plant life here seems inexplicable. Perhaps, long ago, creatures of incomprehensible size walked the surface of this planet. Just imagine!”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“This must be the fossilized remains of an enormous land-dwelling creature. I was unable to piece together the entire beast, but it certainly had a massive head! It's obviously quite different from the Pikmin and other creatures I've encountered. Perhaps it's an extinct creature that couldn't adapt to changes in its environment.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“This appears to be a huge bird feather, but I've never seen the creature it once belonged to. I wonder if I ever will. I've only seen a few airborne creatures on this planet. I wonder why? Maybe it's just because I haven't encountered them yet. Oh no... What if they saw me take this feather? They could be watching me, waiting for the perfect moment to take their sweet revenge!”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

When Olimar arrives on the planet, later dubbed by Koppaites as “PNF-404”, he discovers the Pikmin, species of plants with animal-like features. The Pikmin are seemingly quite close to extinction upon discovery, with their nests, the Onions, buried in the ground and incredibly low in population. In fact, it appears the only reason they aren’t extinct is because the Onions are able to produce emergency seedlings after a Pikmin extinction. The Pikmin don’t seem to know how to hunt for the nutrients necessary to survive and reproduce without Captain Olimar’s help.

“Even some wild Pikmin have become extinct, it seems, and there are some very rare varieties that can only be created by tossing Pikmin into a flower called a Candypop Bud.”

[Source: Chet, Mihaman Scientist and Research Task Force leader, Pikmin Garden, Nintendo Co., Ltd. website]

At the end of Pikmin 1, we see that Olimar has taught the Pikmin how to fight for themselves, when they attack a Bulborb on their own and seemingly remain on the planet’s surface overnight as Olimar heads for home. This carries over into Pikmin 2, where the Red Pikmin are seen fending for themselves when Olimar and Louie return to PNF-404, as well as Pikmin 3, where the Red Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin and Rock Pikmin at the very least have somewhat large populations despite some of their Onions being in peril.

The essence of my point is that the Pikmin don’t seem equipped to survive on this planet, which begs the question of how it is they survived through the planet’s evolutionary history until the point of Captain Olimar’s arrival…

The Pikmin certainly have some peculiarities. They’re Ambuloradices, described as having both plant and animal features by explorers in various games:

“Pikmin are part of the Ambuloradicis class, which consists of creatures that exhibit both plant and animal characteristics.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“[#] days have passed since I began my search with the Pikmin. They are an ever-mysterious life-form. They grow like plants do, but they're also mobile and active like animals are. Individually, they seem weak, but in truth, I am beginning to believe that they could be an exceptionally mighty species if properly organized. I certainly hope so.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“What exactly are these Pikmin? One could classify them as both plant and animal. They mature from leaf, to bud, and finally to blossom. When all of one color are lost, the Onion instinctively puts out new seeds... How does it know to do this? What a mysterious life-form!”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“The Pikmin sprout from seeds and transform from plants into animals when uprooted. They treat outsiders like us as their leaders, obediently following us and even risking their lives for us when necessary. Yet it's this obedience that has aided in their propagation and survival. Perhaps it is actually the Pikmin who are controlling us.”

[Source: Alph, Koppaite Scientist and Engineer of the S.S. Drake, Playable Character in Pikmin 3, July 2013]

“The leaf on a Pikmin's head can develop into a bud, and then into a flower. It seems that if a Pikmin sprout is left in the ground, these developments take place over time. In this way they appear very plant-like, and yet once they have been plucked they show their animal aspect. A completely fascinating creature...”

[Source: Brittany, Koppaite Botanist and Crew Member of the S.S. Drake, Playable Character in Pikmin 3, July 2013]

This is despite the fact they're believed to have evolved from terrestrial root vegetables:

“It is generally believed that the Pikmin body was originally the root of a plant that has evolved over centuries, if not millennia, developing structures analogous to muscles, neural networks similar to those of a brain, and more.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“The accepted theory is that Pikmin evolved from terrestrial root vegetables, and so would be unable to breathe underwater and subsequently drown.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

The bodies of Rock Pikmin are special stones stored within Rock Candypop Buds and Rock Onions which the root system and vital organs of the Rock Pikmin spread throughout. Why and how would the Onions and Candypop Buds develop this stone stockpiling functionality?

“This species is definitely a member of the Pikmin genus, but its body does not share any of the plant-like traits that Pikmin are known for. Instead, it's composed primarily of stone. The stone is actually the chosen host for a parasitic subset of Pikmin species nicknamed "Hermikmin." Similar to how a seed can sprout and push through the cracks of a rock, the Pikmin's roots stretch deep into the stone, storing its vital organs in an interior cavity that resembles a crystal geode.Because this species displays characteristics common in parasitism, one could hypothesize that the Rock Onion and Rock Candypop Bud stockpile stone that will eventually host the Rock Pikmin.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Winged Pikmin feature distinctly insectile wings on their bodies, a massive evolutionary improbability. It's hypothesised by leaders that perhaps the Winged Onions absorbed DNA resulting in the modern Winged Pikmin's body plan, but why would Onions have that capability?

“The wings on the back of this flying Pikmin species closely resemble the wings you would find on a flying creature. It's possible that an ancient Winged Onion somehow absorbed a flying creature's DNA, which then resulted in the precursor to the Winged Pikmin transforming into the species we recognize today. If this theory is correct, then Onions might also be serving the role of messenger, transmitting new traits and characteristics to their Pikmin.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Olimar even mentions that it’s almost like the Pikmin were waiting for the brain of an alien leader of some sort to lead them, like they knew following Olimar would help them survive.

“I wonder if these Pikmin were waiting for me to arrive. No... Not necessarily me, but an alien being like me who could fight alongside them. On this planet they are a weak species, but maybe they see that they can use the power of an alien brain to climb to the top of the natural order. Such ideas make me wonder if it isn't I who is being used by them...”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“The Pikmin's Purpose I wonder if these Pikmin were waiting for me to arrive. On this planet, they are a weak species, but if they're trying to use the power of an alien brain to climb to the top of the natural order... I have to wonder if it isn't me who is being used by them.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

They seem to have a natural inclination towards or instinct for following and taking orders from intelligent humanoids, as is further noted by the Hocotate Freight ship in Pikmin 2, Alph in Pikmin 3 and Olimar in Pikmin 4:

“At last, you have encountered them! They seem to have gill-like ducts on their cheeks. They must be blue Pikmin! Like the other types, they look to you for direction. While they are indeed surviving naturally they still seem to long for a valiant leader.”

[Source: The Hocotate Freight ship (First model S.S. Dolphin), Deteriorating Hocotate Freight adventure vessel, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“It seems that Pikmin are driven by instinct to carry away anything they see lying around. Prey that will increase their numbers are carried to the Onion, whereas things they cannot use are carried to the spaceship or to their original location. Thus, their carrying instinct lets them form symbiotic relationships with species like us. This could be the key to their success.”

[Source: Alph, Koppaite Scientist and Engineer of the S.S. Drake, Playable Character in Pikmin 3, July 2013]

“A Pikmin will instinctively follow whoever plucks them from the ground, so it is quite common for them to form symbiotic relationships with another species or accept a leader of a different species, as it serves the goal of propagating their own species as a whole.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“Pikmin have a disposition to carry things that will increase their ranks to the Onions, and to carry everything else to their leaders' spaceship. They may instinctively sense what we need and seek to strengthen our symbiotic relationship...”

[Source: Chet, Mihaman Scientist and Research Task Force leader, Pikmin Garden, Nintendo Co., Ltd. website]

Pikmin form a natural symbiosis with the leaders from the moment they're plucked. With their leaders commanding them, Pikmin quickly become one of the most powerful species on the planet.

“TOPIC 2 - A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH LEADERS What is a symbiotic relationship? Symbiotic means a mutual relationship that different organisms have with each other while active in the same space. But both sides don't always benefit from it; sometimes it only seems to be a one-way street. What about Pikmin though? LEADERS AND PIKMIN EACH BENEFIT When a Pikmin sprout is plucked, it will appear to recognize its leader as such and follow them. From this moment on, a symbiotic relationship of sorts between leader and Pikmin is formed. (The leaders' benefit) With lots of Pikmin in tow, they will be able to transport heavy objects and defeat creatures that stand in their way. (The Pikmin's benefit) With a capable leader on board, the Pikmin can rapidly increase their ranks and become the most powerful creatures on the planet.”

[Source: Chet, Mihaman Scientist and Research Task Force leader, Pikmin Garden, Nintendo Co., Ltd. website]

Even Pikmin that have become separated from the squad, fail to form a symbiotic relationship and become wild will instantly fall in line and take orders in the presence of a leader to command them. It's almost like it's part of their very DNA...

TOPIC 3 - WILD PIKMIN Spotted by the Crew! Pikmin in the Wild The Pikmin that fail to establish a successful symbiotic relationship and decrease in number, as well as those who become separated from their group, may sometimes revert to a wild state and move their activity underground.

[Source: Chet, Mihaman Scientist and Research Task Force leader, Pikmin Garden, Nintendo Co., Ltd. website]

“Wild Pikmin Wild Pikmin found underground can be brought to the surface and added to an Onion. However, when tasked with transporting a pellet, the resulting seed ends up the same color as the Onion. I must be careful, as these Pikmin cannot be propagated right now.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

That’s not to mention some other oddities, such as the natural cap of a certain number of Pikmin being active within a given radius of a set of Onions in the field, which is apparently believed to help prevent a Pikmin extinction, or the fact that in order to reproduce Pikmin require being plucked from a sprout after being planted.

“I have made yet another Pikmin-related discovery. Just when I was about to exceed 100 Pikmin in the field. the Onion stopped expelling seeds, yet the total number of Pikmin continued to climb. It seems that once there are 100 Pikmin in the field. subsequent seeds get stored inside the Onion. Thus, no more than 100 Pikmin can be in the field at one time in any area.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“The Onion stopped spitting out seeds! But the Pikmin inside the Onion still seem to be increasing in numbers. Apparently, once the number of Pikmin in the field reaches 100, any new Pikmin will stay inside the Onion. This means that a maximum of 100 Pikmin can be active outside the Onion at any one time.”

[Source: Alph, Koppaite Scientist and Engineer of the S.S. Drake, Playable Character in Pikmin 3, July 2013]

“Maybe Pikmin have evolved to self-limit how many can be out on the surface at a time to prevent unnecessary loss.”

[Source: Captain Shepherd, Giyan Leader of the Rescue Corps, Rescue Pup trainer and Captain of the S.S. Shepherd, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“Preservation Instincts The Onion stopped releasing seeds! I went to check on it and saw that the Pikmin will only propagate inside the Onion once a certain number are out on the surface. Could limiting the number of active Pikmin be a strategy to avoid extinction?”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“When the number of Pikmin on the surface exceeds a certain number, they start to multiply inside the Onion. Apparently, they are trying to control the number of Pikmin active at one time to prevent their total extinction.”

[Source: Chet, Mihaman Scientist and Research Task Force leader, Pikmin Garden, Nintendo Co., Ltd. website]

Who “naturally” does this plucking when beings like the Hocotatians and Koppaites aren’t around? How can the Pikmin exist in the way they do?

There’s also an odd, seemingly “intentional” way for Pikmin to reproduce - using the easily accessible crystallised nectar of Pellet Posies, which develop quickly and pull all of the necessary nutrients from the ground. They even produce pellets with colours matching each Pikmin type in a region, tend to grow near Onion landing sites and have literal human numbers on them, indicating exactly how many Pikmin are required to carry them. It’s clear there’s a deeper connection here.

“In the stem of the pellet posy, one can observe the muscle fiber unique to half-plant, half-animal species such as the Pikmin and candypop flowers, so the pellet posy is a species that can be considered a close relative. Although the ability to crystallize nectar is unique to a small group of the pellet weed family, the fact that these plants reach maturity so quickly and that their pellets contain such high concentrations of the natural nutrients in the soil explains why the Pikmin and so many of the other indigenous species are so reliant on these pellets for sustenance.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

The pellet cradled in its petals changes colors like some form of chameleon, aligning to match the color of nearby Pikmin. It's almost as though it's inviting us to come harvest it to make more. Even though it appears to be helping out, it's really just using us to spread its seeds!

[Source: Dalmo, Sozorian Animal Enthusiast and researcher, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Which brings me to the Onions themselves. When Olimar first discovers a Red Onion in Pikmin 1, he notes that it awoke as if it was waiting for his arrival. He questions what it is, whether or not it’s alive and then whether or not it’s a machine.

“A strange thing has appeared before me. I had barely begun my search when it reared up as if it were waiting for me. It then dropped a single seed. What is it? Is it alive? Is it a machine? It resembles a vegetable on my home planet that we call an onion. I shall call this an Onion too.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

Onions are clearly unnatural in some sense. They seemingly have mechanical parts, such as their flower-like propellers and jets. Some types even have what appear to be solar panels. Some types have a unique pattern, which also appears on the wrists of Mamutas, who themselves have a clear connection to planting and growing Pikmin. Onions take flight, entering orbit during the night, and are described as “a Pikmin mother ship” by the Hocotate Freight ship in Pikmin 2.

“The Onion ejected more seeds! The pellet from that flower must hold nutrients that breed Pikmin. Yes! The Pikmin gather nutrients, haul them to the Onion, and further propagate the species! The Onion is a Pikmin mother ship! Reviewing Olimar's report, it seems holding {A} lets one rapidly pluck Pikmin sprouts.”

[Source: The Hocotate Freight ship (First model S.S. Dolphin), Deteriorating Hocotate Freight adventure vessel, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“Sometimes it lies dormant, much like a bulb, but dig it up from the ground and provide it with the right stimulus—for example, a good, hard shake—and it will activate, sprouting three rootlike legs. It serves a role similar to a nest or an incubator for the Pikmin, absorbing pellets or the bodies of dead creatures for their nutritional value, then propagating Pikmin the same color as itself. Onions also seem to greedily attempt to replicate certain characteristics of the matter they absorb by combining with, or absorbing, other Onions, sometimes of the same type. It's been confirmed that just like Pikmin, an Onion has muscle fibers in its body, and though it is unable to walk it is capable of a small range of motion. However, when one breaks down the biological matter it has absorbed a fuel similar to bioethanol is created. Onions spray this fuel out of the mouths on their underbellies and are able to fly using their flowerlike propellers for stabilization.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

The Onions were later classified by scientists as an entirely different species from Pikmin. This means that much like the Pikmin-leader symbiosis, the very basis of Pikmin reproduction is symbiosis with the Onion species.

“"The majesty of nature," "the mystery of life"… I feel that these stale clichés can't fully express the extraordinary symbiotic relationship between Pikmin and Onions. Is there a connection here of an affectionate nature, perhaps? There's so much we still don't know!”

[Source: Dalmo, Sozorian Animal Enthusiast and researcher, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“Pikmin not only increase in numbers by living symbiotically with their leaders, but seemingly even the means by which they are born are obtained through symbiosis. By providing nutrition to the Onion, an object which can be considered their nest or incubator, they sprout seeds and multiply. But in fact, while Onions are similar in species to Pikmin, they are said to be completely different beings... Next time, we'll report about these so-called Onions.”

[Source: Chet, Mihaman Scientist and Research Task Force leader, Pikmin Garden, Nintendo Co., Ltd. website]

On the subject of Onions, Pellet Posies and Pikmin reproduction, the recently observed Lumiknoll exist in a very interesting related position. Lumiknolls and their juvenile form Tricknolls sprout at night and produce Glow Pikmin. Glow Pikmin, while resembling Pikmin in appearance and behaviour, are not technically classified as Pikmin. Lumiknolls appear at Onion landing sites, smell like Onions and are even speculated to be Onion rhizomes of some sort. It seems that Lumiknolls and Glow Pikmin, with their leaf-dissolving enzymes, exist for the purpose of breaking down deceased Pikmin (and other nectar-based wildlife) and returning their nectar to the soil for Pellet Posies to absorb and crystalise, perpetuating the life cycle of the Pikmin.

“Besides the fact that they serve as incubators and nests for Glow Pikmin, we know very little about the Lumiknoll's ecology. When nocturnal creatures die, a Lumiknoll can break them down into glow pellets through its strong dissolving enzymes. This matter, when condensed, becomes glow sap. One might assume glow sap is then an extremely dangerous substance, but it has hardly any negative effects. In fact, I've had it administrated to me personally as a curative medicine to break down growing leaves. Lumiknolls will only appear in places where an Onion was located earlier in the day, and since they propagate Glow Pikmin, one could surmise that they are rhizomes from those Onions. Perhaps, using its dissolving powers, it returns the nectar that supports the ecosystem back to the soil.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“Smells a lot like an Onion. The green juice is particularly delicious!”

[Source: Louie, Employee of Hocotate Freight, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

[PART 2]

[cartographers-office]

How many King Boos are there?

King Boo is a reoccurring antagonist in the wider Mario franchise and the main villain of the Luigi's Mansion subseries. Some questions surround him, like if there are multiple of him or just one. This is because his design has changed somewhat depending on which series he appears in.

He debuted in the first Luigi's Mansion game, where he appears as a large Boo with a blue tongue, glowing eyes and a shadow over his eyes. This design would generally be followed in the other games in the Luigi's Mansion series, but outside it, King Boo received a tamer design. The second game he appeared in was Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, where he just looks like a large Boo with a more generic golden crown. This would go on to become King Boo's standard design outside the Luigi's Mansion series. Some believe these different designs are different characters and to complicate matters, a third variation with strange eyes and a long tongue also appeared in Super Mario Sunshine. So what gives?

One (true) King Boo

Right off the bat, I want to say that there is one "true" King Boo. Or in other words, the designs on the left and in the middle above are the same character. This is most blatant in Mario Kart Tour, where both designs appear and are considered alts of the same character with the same emblem and everything. Even characters that are evidently the same, like Cat Peach, Baby Peach and Peach, have different emblems at times. So that they have the same emblem seems a pretty open and shut case.

Beyond this, it is also noteworthy that in Mario Superstar Baseball, King Boo has bad chemistry with three characters: Luigi, Baby Mario and Baby Luigi. The bad chemistry with the babies may be riffing on the fact children are afraid of ghosts, but the bad chemistry with Luigi suggests a specific reference to the Luigi's Mansion series which would once again indicate both designs are the same character. In the sequel, Mario Super Sluggers, he additionally has bad chemistry with Mario, which makes sense given his anger towards Mario in Luigi's Mansion and his multiple kidnapping attempts. He also has bad chemistry with Yoshi in Super Sluggers, which is not a clear reflection of any known event.

If both designs are the same character, it does beg the question as to why they look different in the first place, aside from the differences in atmosphere between the Luigi's Mansion series and other Mario subseries. Some have suggested it is due to the crown King Boo wears in the Luigi's Mansion series, which is inlaid with a jewel and amplifies his powers. However, this does not work. King Boo wears two crowns throughout the Luigi's Mansions game: one with a red jewel in the first game and one with a purple jewel in Dark Moon and Luigi's Mansion 3. Only the second crown is said to amplify King Boo's powers. Furthermore, King Boo is seen in his Luigi's Mansion design without the power-enhancing gem at the end of Luigi's Mansion 3 and without any crown at the end of Luigi's Mansion.

Seán D. Walsh came up with the idea that in the Luigi's Mansion games (and by extension Mario Kart Tour), King Boo's appearance is different because he is angry. This would be in line with the appearance of Mad Boos and Mad Big Boos from Super Princess Peach, which have similar glowing eyes and a similar shadow around their eyes. It also fits since King Boo is generally angrier in the Luigi's Mansion series than he is in other games: in the first game due to E. Gadd capturing Boolossus and some past meddling of the Mario Bros. In Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon and Luigi's Mansion 3 due to Luigi meddling in his personal plans (those unaffiliated with Bowser) multiple times.

This would mean that King Boo's design that first appeared in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is his default state of being, and there is also some support for this. In Mario Superstar Baseball, it is said the gold crown he has in that design is his trademark one: "The king of the Boos. The golden crown is his trademark, and while he looks similar to other Boos, it's obvious that he's much larger than the others."

Furthermore, the ghost of Yikk in Mario & Luigi's Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey also owns a figurine of King Boo in his tower. The figurine is of King Boo's design outside of the Luigi's Mansion series and given that Yikk is at least older than Bowser (since he isn't aware of Bowser), it seems that this is the appearance King Boo was most known by in the timeframe before Bowser's birth.

"King Boo" in Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario Bros. Wonder adds a wrinkle to this topic, as in several levels, a Wonder Effect happens wherein King Boo appears (in his design introduced in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!). At the end of the Wonder Effect, this King Boo turns into a normal Boo and its gold crown falls away. Does this suggest this King Boo design is fake in some way after all?

Not quite. The King Boos in Super Mario Bros. Wonder only appear under the influence of Wonder Flowers' power when the playable characters collect the flowers and their appearances are thus rather situational. While Wonder Flower effects can last for longer periods of time as is the case with Castle Bowser, there is no indication Wonder Flowers are a factor in any previous games. Thus far, they have only appeared in Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario Run. These are random Boos being transformed into fake King Boos and they return to normal once the Wonder Effect passes.

Boss Boo in Super Mario Sunshine

The final thing to address is King Boo in Super Mario Sunshine. He is fought once under the casino in the basement of Hotel Delfino. The thing is this boss isn't called King Boo in Japanese, but Boss Boo: ボステレサ or Bosu Teresa (the Japanese name for Boo). King Boo meanwhile is called キングテレサ or Kingu Teresa.

The other thing of importance is that King Boo appears to be made of paint from Bowser Jr.'s Magic Brush. A lot (but not all) of the enemies in Super Mario Sunshine are made from paint, as is evident when they melt away into goop after being defeated like Petey Piranha or leaving dirty paint splotches behind like Strollin' Stus.

When King Boo in Sunshine is damaged and defeated, particle effects appear that are similar to those that appear when balls of goop hit the ground. This indicates this King Boo is another fake, this time produced by the paint of the Magic Brush.

Conclusion

So, how many King Boos are there? One, technically three. The one that appears in Luigi's Mansion and most other Mario games is the same individual. The ones that appear in Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario Sunshine are fake King Boos, produced by Wonder Flowers and the Magic Brush respectively.

[cartographers-office]

Fact: According to the manual of Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Mario Superstar Baseball and various website descriptions, Wario was Mario’s childhood friend. According to Mario, their relationship soured due to Wario becoming jealous of Mario’s popularity.

[cartographers-office]

Fact: While they both have similar appearances, Baby Bowser and Bowser Jr. are not the same character. 

Baby Bowser is the infant form of Bowser, who only appears in games set in the past, while Bowser Jr. is Bowser’s son who only appears in games set in present day.