Pikmin family
Pikmin (ピクミン?) are plant-animal hybrid creatures that are found onPNF-404 and theplanet inHey! Pikmin. As the titular creatures of thePikmin series, they are the main feature of gameplay in all games in the series.
In the main games, Pikmin are created byOnions, which produce them as seeds, which in turn fall to the ground and becomesprouts. Aleader can thenpluck one of these sprouts. Once plucked, Pikmin follow a leader around in theirsquad, and the leader canthrow them at objects, as well asdismiss,swarm, andcharge them. When out of a leader's squad, they can bewhistled back into it. Through these basic actions, Pikmin can be ordered tocarry items orfight enemies, among other abilities.
Pikmin come in severaltypes, each with certain unique abilities (such as resistance to a specifichazard). Most are1.2cm tall head to toe (around3cm if the stem and top are included), and have a generally humanoid shape. On top of a Pikmin's head is either a leaf, bud, or flower, representing itsmaturity.
On its own, a Pikmin is not particularly strong, but in large groups (usuallyup to 100), they are capable of accomplishing many things. Pikmin can be lost toenemies and hazards, and losing all Pikmin of a type is known as aPikmin extinction. However, Pikmin can be grown easily by carrying defeated enemies orpellets to the Onion. In addition,Candypop Buds can convert Pikmin from one type to another.
Types[edit]
Pikmin come in several different types, each with unique physical attributes and abilities. The differences between Pikmin types is often utilized in puzzles. As the player progresses through a game'sstory, more types are unlocked, which over time allow the player to access more sections ofareas. While the Pikmin types available in each game are different, every game features the original trio of Red Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin, and Blue Pikmin.
Red Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:Red Pikmin.
Scientific name:Pikminidae rubrus
Red Pikmin have pointy noses and white flowers, and are present in allPikmin games. They are resistant tofire and their attack strength is 1.5x stronger than most other types, making them good atcombat. They are the first type discovered in allPikmin games (AlthoughYellow Pikmin are the first type encountered inPikmin 3, the firstOnion discovered is red, and Red Pikmin are the first to be added to the player'sOnion inventory).
Yellow Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:Yellow Pikmin.
Scientific name:Pikminidae auribus
Yellow Pikmin have large ears and white flowers, and are present in allPikmin games. They can bethrown higher than other types, but their other unique abilities vary by game. InPikmin, they are the only type that can carryBomb Rocks. InPikmin 2,Pikmin 3,Pikmin 4 andHey! Pikmin, they are resistant toelectricity (they can also conduct electricity inPikmin 3 andHey! Pikmin). InPikmin 3 andPikmin 4, they candig faster than most other Pikmin types.
They are the first type encountered inPikmin 3, although they are only temporarily used during the tutorial until the YellowOnion is discovered later in the game.
Blue Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:Blue Pikmin.
Scientific name:Pikminidae caerula
Blue Pikmin have mouthlike gills and white flowers, and are present in allPikmin games. They are resistant towater, making them the only type able to access submerged portions of areas where other Pikmin would drown. They are the last type discovered in most games with a linear discovery order, the exceptions beingHey! Pikmin,Pikmin Bloom andPikmin 4.
Purple Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:Purple Pikmin.
Scientific name:Pikminidae yokozunum
Purple Pikmin have short hairs, magenta flowers, and are bulkier than other Pikmin types. They are present inPikmin 2,Pikmin 4 andPikmin Bloom, as well as the alternative game modes ofPikmin 3. They weigh 10 times as much as other Pikmin types, are slower than other types, cancarry 10 times the weight of other types, and can attack with a strongpound capable of stunning enemies. In all games exceptPikmin 4, they do not have an Onion and must be gained by usingCandypop Buds.
White Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:White Pikmin.
Scientific name:Pikminidae venalbius
White Pikmin have red eyes, magenta flowers, and small, thin bodies. They are present inPikmin 2,Pikmin 4 andPikmin Bloom, as well as the alternative game modes ofPikmin 3. They are resistant topoison, are faster than other Pikmin types, can poison enemies upon being eaten, and inPikmin 2 can dig outtreasures completely buried in the ground that other types cannot see, although they have a 0.5x damage modifier in Pikmin 3 and 4. In all games exceptPikmin 4, they do not have an Onion, and must be gained by using Candypop Buds.
Rock Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:Rock Pikmin.
Scientific name:Pikminidae habisaxum
Rock Pikmin are parasitic Pikmin inhabiting rocks and have lavender-purple flowers. They are present inPikmin 3,Pikmin 4,Hey! Pikmin, andPikmin Bloom. Their hardness allows them to destroycrystal obstacles, attack enemies through a powerfuldirect impact, and be resistant to beingcrushed orstabbed.
Winged Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:Winged Pikmin.
Scientific name:Pikminidae volarosa
Winged Pikmin are pink and have wings, large blue eyes, and lavender-purple flowers. They are present inPikmin 3,Pikmin 4,Hey! Pikmin, andPikmin Bloom. They can fly overwater and low barriers, allowing them to take shortcuts whencarrying, as well as making it harder for enemies to attack them, but their attack strength is lower than other Pikmin types.
Ice Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:Ice Pikmin.
Scientific name:Pikminidae habiglacius
Ice Pikmin are light blue with icy bodies similar to Rock Pikmin, albeit with a distinct head, and yellow flowers. They are present inPikmin 4 andPikmin Bloom. Ice Pikmin are immune to being frozen and can freezeenemies by filling up a meter around the enemy'shealth wheel by attacking or by being eaten, but they have the same lowered attack damage asWhite Pikmin andWinged Pikmin. The bodies of frozen enemies shatter upon death, leaving a droplet ofnectar behind in a manner similar to howultra-bitter spray functions. They can also be tossed intowater andmud to freeze it, freezing any enemies and treasure inside until the water unfreezes, and allowing leaders and other Pikmin to walk across its surface.
Glow Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:Glow Pikmin.
Scientific name:Pikminidae supravelum
Official family unknown
Glow Pikmin are a special species of Pikmin with green bioluminescent ghost-like bodies and yellow star-like flowers, and are present inPikmin 4. They are resistant to every elemental hazard, as well as not slowing inmud, being unable to becontrolled, not being able to be buried, and warping back to safe ground if they fall into anabyss. They will teleport to the active leader if they are not fighting or working on a task. They are the only type available innight expeditions, and can be summoned inside caves withGlow Seeds. They are also able to perform a group attack known as a Glowmob, which stuns any enemies it hits. Additionally, they have no Onion or Candypop Bud color, and are propagated by bringingglow pellets to aLumiknoll.
Bulbmin[edit]
- Main article:Bulbmin.
Scientific name:Parasiticus pikminicus
Bulbmin are a special species of Pikmin shaped like a minusculeBulborb with a stem, white flowers, and are present inPikmin 2 only. They are always found following a larger Bulbmin which must be defeated to be able to command them. They are resistant to fire, water, electricity, and poison, but cannot be taken out of caves, which are the only places they are found in. They are actually a parasite that takes over a juvenile Bulborb; the appearance of the parasite on its own is not known.
Additional types[edit]
The following types are not proper Pikmin types, as they are not distinguished by the games and cannot be controlled by leaders, but are related to Pikmin.
Mushroom Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:Mushroom Pikmin.
Mushroom Pikmin are a special state of Pikmin, created when thePuffstool attacks Pikmin with its gas. They are purple and have a mushroom instead of a leaf/bud/flower, and are present inPikmin only. They will attack Captain Olimar, and can be attacked by unaffected Pikmin, even though they will not fight back.
Pikpik carrots[edit]
- Main article:Pikpik carrot.
Pikpik carrots are plants from the planet ofHocotate that Pikmin are named after. While they do not appear in gameplay, they can be thrown at enemies inPikmin 2'sPiklopedia andPikmin 4'sPiklopedia. Pikpik carrots exist in the files ofPikmin 2 andPikmin 3 as a type of Pikmin, but it is not possible to obtain them in gameplay. InPikmin 4, Pikpik carrots are items used as bait and cause paralysis when ingested by enemies.
Other types[edit]
Warning: the following text contains majorspoilers about the best ending ofPikmin. |
|---|
In the best ending ofPikmin, there is a scene where a group of fourteen different colored Onions fly above the atmosphere ofPNF-404. |
Biology[edit]
Pikmin have a generally humanoid body shape. All types except Bulbmin have a head with two round eyes, two arms and hands. With the exception ofGlow Pikmin, Pikmin also have two legs and two feet. Each hand and foot has three digits. Pikmin heads have a tall stem on which a single leaf, bud, orfive-petaled flower, also with the exception of Glow Pikmin, which have a different flower. There are differences between Pikmin types in ways other than color – Red Pikmin have a nose, Yellow Pikmin have ears, Blue Pikmin have a mouth, Purple Pikmin are wider and have 6 hairs, White Pikmin are smaller and have red eyes, Rock Pikmin are shaped like rocks, Winged Pikmin have wings and blue eyes, Ice Pikmin have cyan and angular shaped icy bodies, and Glow Pikmin have ghostly tails and unevenly sized blue eyes.
Their proportions, with a large head and very narrow limbs, make them look a bit like carrots, and this resemblance also exists in the way that Pikmin grow in the ground and can be pulled out of it. While buried in the ground, their limbs serve as roots; Olimar refers to their entire bodies, save the stems, as ambulatory root structures.[1] While all Pikmin of a type are the same size in most games, inPikmin Bloom, individual Pikmin can vary in size.
Pikmin start their lives as seeds ejected from theOnion, which, after landing in the ground, transform into sprouts. Aleader mustpluck a sprout so that the Pikmin may come out. Whileidle, the Pikmin's leaves and flowers glow that Pikmin's respective color; that, coupled with acutscene at the end ofPikmin 2, would suggest that Pikmin are somehow bioluminescent, though what causes this and what function it might serve in the wild has never been explained.

The internal structures of Pikmin are a mystery, but certain things about them can be speculated. Since Pikmin never seem to eat anything, savenectar, they probably have a very simple digestive system, if any. As such, it is likely that Pikmin get a majority of their nutrients from food theOnions break down. Since the Onions are the center of Pikmin reproduction as well, it seems likely that Pikmin are incapable of sexual reproduction. However, inPikmin, flower Pikmin will sometimes drop seeds when slain in battle, suggesting that they may be able to reproduce asexually, but also that they do not have defined sexes and are hermaphrodites like many plants. Pikmin also have a skeletal system, as seen whenelectrocuted. Pikmin probably don't have any sort of lungs (however, theBlue Pikmin are observed to have gill structures), but their leaves, buds, and flowers appear to serve as their main means of respiration, since poison gas or water droplets collecting around them suffocates the Pikmin; inversely, walking in shallow water in which their leaf/bud/flower does not touch (as seen in theShower Room) is fine. When killed, Pikmin disappear and asoul flies into the air, sometimes after releasing a liquid of the same color as the Pikmin, possibly the Pikmin equivalent to hemolymph or blood – this is best seen when theCloaking Burrow-nit attacks.
Bulbmin,Rock Pikmin andIce Pikmin lack independent bodies and compensate by controlling another living creature or an inanimate object, making them parasitic in the former case. Such types are collectively calledHermikmin.
Stages[edit]
- Main article:Maturity.
There are 3 stages of life that a Pikmin can be in: leaf, bud, and flower. A Pikmin's maturity controls its walking and carrying speed. Leaf Pikmin are the slowest, flower Pikmin are the fastest, and bud Pikmin are in between. A Pikmin's maturity is not connected to its type.
When an Onion or Candypop Bud sends out a seed, it will always be in the leaf stage. If left in the ground, the leaf will grow into a bud, and then into a flower. Thus, the longer the player waits before plucking the Pikmin, the faster it will be. Pikmin can go instantly to the flower stage by drinkingnectar, or being powered up by anultra-spicy spray inPikmin 3. They can also decrease in stage inPikmin,Pikmin 2, andPikmin 4 through certain enemy attacks. Glow Pikmin naturally mature to a flower over time, but will revert back to a leaf after using the glowmob ability.
InPikmin Bloom, there are several varieties of flowers that Pikmin can have, andpetals can also be collected from Pikmin flowers.
Decor Pikmin[edit]
- Main article:Decor Pikmin.
Decor Pikmin are a special status of Pikmin inPikmin Bloom andPikmin 4. They differ from regular Pikmin in that they wear some decorations. These decorations are generally made from objects like flower heads, acorns, or cupcakes, but there are some Decor Pikmin that have more elaborate costumes. Different types of Decor Pikmin are collected by finding Pikminseedlings in specific types of real-world locations inPikmin Bloom, or by finding them in specific locations inareas inPikmin 4. There are over 30 sets of costumes, and over 200 types of Decor Pikmin inPikmin Bloom, whereas inPikmin 4 there are only 24 of them – each having an unique costume
Habits[edit]
When a Pikmin is in aleader'ssquad, it will follow that leader in a large group with other Pikmin, waiting still when the leader stands still, and running after the leader when the leader runs, going around small obstructions if possible. They cantrip or stumble, however, and this can lead them to be separated from the group. The probability of tripping and stumbling varies by game.
In combat, a Pikmin latches onto the enemy and repeatedly pummels it using its stalk. The sole exception to this is the Rock Pikmin, which is normally unable to latch onto enemies and instead repeatedly charges at the enemy.
When a Pikmin is not in a leader's squad and is not doing a task, it isidle. Idle Pikmin have various animations they do, such as sitting down and standing up, grooming each other, communicating in high pitched whimpers, waving, and playing abstract games. InPikmin 2, if 20 of each type of Pikmin is called into one group, they will hum a portion of the songAi no Uta. This suggests that they have a highly developed and friendly social structure. Pikmin will also watch leaders move around when stationary, indicating that they are very curious creatures, and can be seen to mimic the idle motions of those leaders. If there is a task nearby that an idle Pikmin can do, such as attacking an enemy, it will run to the task and do it.
InPikmin, if Pikmin are told to go in anOnion, they will follow a path to go there if they cannot make it in a straight line.[2] This behavior is rarely seen, given that thearea layouts seldom allow Pikmin to be unable to enter the Onion from a straight walk while also being under the control of a leader that is close enough to the Onion's beam. This does not happen in later games, as Pikmin will always run in a straight line towards the Onion when directed to return inside.
InPikmin 3, having a group of 66 or less Pikmin of any type and moving the cursor around the Pikmin or around the group will make some Pikmin look at the cursor, although this may just be aesthetic. For Winged Pikmin, this only works if they are walking. Interestingly, leaders do not display this behavior.
InPikmin 3 Deluxe, Pikmin that are told to deliver something to the Onion memorize which player ordered them. If the same player is near the Onion when they finish delivery, they will return to that player's group. If that player isn't nearby, but the other player is, the Pikmin will ignore them and go idle.
Naming[edit]
During the development ofPikmin, Pikmin were referred to as "Piki" (ピキ?), and later "Picky" (ピッキー?), due to a programmer mishearing the word一匹? (lit.: "one small animal"). The final name was chosen for its similarity to the words "pick me".[3][4]
The early name "Piki" is still used as part of theHoneywisp's common name ofピキマキ? (lit.: "Pikmin Aphid"), as well as sometimes being used inside the game's files, such as the term "piki park" inanimtest, and the folder/dataDir/pikis inPikmin's file structure. Likewise, they are sometimes referred to as "pikumin" or "piku", like inHey! Pikmin's internal names for the Coppeller that carries Pikmin (enemy_carry_piku).
The in-universe reason for the name is thatCaptain Olimar named the Pikmin after a type of vegetable fromHocotate, thepikpik carrot. The plural of Pikmin is also "Pikmin", and the word is typically never written with a lowercase "P", except for the Latin American Spanish localizations ofPikmin 3,Hey! Pikmin, andPikmin 3 Deluxe, as well as in unused pieces of text inPikmin, and all Spanish localizations ofPikmin 2 andNew Play Control! Pikmin 2.
Interestingly, some parts of some games do not capitalize the word that defines the type of Pikmin, but capitalize the word "Pikmin" itself, whereas others might capitalize both words. For instance, Olimar's voyage log may write "red Pikmin",[5] whileAlph andBrittany's dialogues might have the text "Red Pikmin".[6] Inearlier versions ofPikmin, a Pikmin would be referred to as a "pikmin", with a lowercase "p", and the plural would be several "pikmins".[7]
The scientific names for Pikmin (aside from Bulbmin) went unspecified until thePiklopedia fromPikmin 4, where they were all classified under the genusPikminidae, a very straight-forward reference to the family itself. However, the suffix "-idae" is a suffix for animal family names, not genera, so it would be considered invalid in real life taxonomy.[8]Pikmin 4's Piklopedia also reveals that Pikmin belong to the class Ambuloradicis, which in Latin roughly translates to "walking root".
Names in other languages[edit]
Pikmin
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ピクミン? Pikumin | Pikmin | ||
| 皮克敏 Píkèmǐn | Pikmin | ||
| Pikmin | - | ||
| Pikmin | - | ||
| Pikmin | - | ||
| Pikmin | - | ||
| 피크민 Pikeumin | Pikmin | ||
| Pikmin | - | ||
| Pikmin | - | ||
| Пикмин Pikmin | Pikmin | ||
| פיקמין pikmin | Pikmin | Used in official media | |
| Pikmin | - | Used in official media |
Pikmin family
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ピクミン科? Pikumin ka | Pikmin family | |
| 皮克敏科 | ||
| 피크민 과 Pikeumin Gwa | Pikmin family |
In theSuper Smash Bros. series[edit]
Pikmin form a part ofOlimar's moveset in allSuper Smash Bros. games Olimar appears in as a playable character. Olimar can pluck Pikmin from the ground and throw them at opponents, which the Pikmin then attack.Red Pikmin,Yellow Pikmin,Blue Pikmin,Purple Pikmin, andWhite Pikmin are all usable in this way, with slightly different attributes based on their abilities in thePikmin games.Winged Pikmin are also used in Olimar's up special move inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. There are also trophies, stickers, and spirits based on Pikmin.
InSuper Smash Bros. Melee, Olimar is not a playable character, but Pikmin appear as a trophy.
Gallery[edit]
- Pikmin
Pikmin fighting aSpotty Bulborb.
Pikmin climbing on somehorsetails.
Early screenshot showing a multitude of Pikmin.
- Pikmin 2
Pikmin greeting the player in thePikmin 2loading screen.
- Pikmin 3
Promotional art ofAlph leading the Pikmin away from a Bulborb.
- Pikmin 4
- Hey! Pikmin
- Super Smash Bros.series
Olimar, Alph, and every Pikmin variety (excluding Rock Pikmin) inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U.
- See more:Pikmin images category.
Trivia[edit]
- Winged Pikmin have dark stripes on their bodies which make them resemble bees. This color pattern makes their bodies non-monochromatic, a trait uncommon in most Pikmin types. White Pikmin also seem to have this trait to a certain extent, as they exhibit a purplish tint at the ends of their limbs.
- In early versions ofPikmin, Red Pikmin and Blue Pikmin were able to hold bomb-rocks along with Yellow Pikmin. This idea was later scrapped, most likely due to Yellow Pikmin not having use of their high throw ability often, but it was later made a feature ofPikmin 3.
- The first five members of the Pikmin family (fromPikmin toPikmin 2, not including Bulbmin) appear in theWii toWii U andDSi/3DS to 3DS data transfer apps, in which they "carry" the software and save data, either to a rocket (representing an SD card to transfer from a Wii to a Wii U, or between two Wii U consoles) or directly to the target Nintendo 3DS system on a flat plane.
- Pikmin resemble a legend about the mandrake plant, a plant whose roots can sometimes resemble a human body. The legend says that if one uproots a mandrake plant, it will be their servant. However, it is also said that if picked, it will emit a scream powerful enough to kill its picker, so it was recommended to form a strategy for picking it, like tying it to a dog.
- InPikmin 3, Rock Pikmin, Winged Pikmin, and Yellow Pikmin (when thrown) have their own voice, different from the other types of Pikmin. InPikmin 2, Purple and White Pikmin have their own voice during their introduction cutscene. However, they have the same voice as other Pikmin types during normal gameplay. InPikmin 4, Yellow Pikmin, White Pikmin, Purple Pikmin, Rock Pikmin, Winged Pikmin, Ice Pikmin, and Glow Pikmin all have unique voices throughout both cutscenes and gameplay.
- In thePikmin Short Movies, Purple Pikmin have a deeper voice than the other types, as seen in theTreasure in a Bottle scene where three Blue Pikmin and one Purple Pikmin chase after a butterfly.
- Despite their flowers being indigo in-game, the flowers of Winged Pikmin and Rock Pikmin are blue in someearly concept art.
- The Pikmin appear in some games and media outside of the franchise ascameos.
- For an unknown reason, inPikmin 2, it is impossible to have 100 Pikmin buried in the same area or sublevel, if the Pikmin in question were buried by an enemy. The last Pikmin will simply get knocked back (in the case of aMamuta)[9] or stay idle (in the case of aSwooping Snitchbug)[10]. Attempting to get 100 seeds via delivering items to an Onion is possible, though.
- Pikmin noises are created by recording a human making a sound, speeding it up, and raising the pitch+formant values. Most types of Pikmin are voiced by Hajime Wakai.[11][12]
- If a leader bumps against a Pikmin that is bringing something solo inPikmin 3, it will make some noise.
- InPikmin Reunion, the first day ofOlimar's Comeback, each plucked Pikmin is valued at
× 10.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^“Like Pikmin, the creeping chrysanthemum is a member of a group of creatures with ambulatory root structures. This creature is known as a "mimic," but because it is actually a form of plant, this label is not entirely accurate. For unknown reasons, the creeping chrysanthemum's mimicry does not fool Pikmin, perhaps because they share a similar heritage. It relies on preying upon other creatures to provide sustenance, so it has no need of leaves for photosynthesis. Generally speaking, the role of plants within an ecosystem is as a producer species, and thus plants are generally found at the bottom of the food pyramid. However, on this strange planet the line between producer plants and consumer plants is blurred.” – Captain Olimar inhis notes for theCreeping Chrysanthemum
- ^YouTube video showing the Pikmin following a path in order to enter the Onion
- ^Ask the Developer Vol. 10, Pikmin 4—Part 1 on Nintendo Official Site, retrieved on July 20th, 2023
- ^Ask the Developer: Pikmin 4 on Nintendo of Japan, retrieved on July 20th, 2023
- ^“Fire should be a natural enemy of the Pikmin, but on closer examination, I've foundred Pikmin to be impervious to it. It is fascinating. The reds continuethrough the flames, completely oblivious to any Pikmin burning around them...” – Captain Olimar in hisvoyage log for thefirehazard
- ^“Come to think of it, Alph, you've been with the Red Pikmin since crash-landing here, right?” –Brittany in a dialog withAlph aboutRed Pikmin, in theEuropean English version ofPikmin 3
- ^E3 2001 Tech Demo Show Off
- ^Explanation on classification naming on Wikipedia, retrieved on December 17th, 2025
- ^YouTube video showing it is impossible for a Mamuta to bury more than 99 Pikmin
- ^YouTube video showing it is impossible for a Swooping Snitchbug to bury more than 99 Pikmin
- ^Pikmin 2 developer interview on Nintendo of Japan, retrieved on April 6th, 2018
- ^Hajime Wakai on Behind the Voice Actors, retrieved on April 6th, 2018
![]() | This article was afeatured article from October 1st, 2018 to December 1st, 2018. | ![]() |
| Pikmin | |
|---|---|
| Types | Red Pikmin •Yellow Pikmin •Blue Pikmin •Purple Pikmin •White Pikmin Rock Pikmin •Winged Pikmin •Ice Pikmin •Bulbmin •Glow Pikmin |
| Biology | Candypop Bud •Flarlic •Glow pellet •Idle •Lumiknoll •Maturity •Onion Pellet •Pikmin extinction •Trip •Sprout •Seedling •Soul •Squad |
| Abilities | Carry •Dig •Dodge •Fight •Hide |
| Controls | Charge •Dismiss •Swarm •Pluck •Throw •Whistle |
| Other | Decor Pikmin •Leafling •Mushroom Pikmin •Pikpik carrot |
