Editing Koppai

{{game icons|p3=y}}
{{todo|Add needed citations.}}
[[File:Koppai close-up.jpg|thumb|250px|Koppai, as seen in ''Pikmin 3'''s opening cutscene.]]
'''Koppai''' ({{j|コッパイ|Koppai}}) is the home planet of [[Alph]], [[Brittany]], and [[Charlie]], the [[leader]]s in {{p3}}. Much like [[Hocotate]], life on Koppai appears similar to that of Earth's, but with some important differences.

==Geography==
Not much is known about the planet Koppai; its most important feature in ''Pikmin 3'' is that it is about 279,000 light-years away from [[PNF-404]]. The diameter of the Milky Way is around 100,000 light-years; assuming PNF-404 is Earth, Koppai would exist in a neighboring dwarf galaxy (the {{w|Small Magellanic Cloud}} is a good candidate distance-wise, which suggests that Koppai would potentially be observable through telescopes from Earth's surface). Koppai's surface is never seen or described in-game, save for when Alph mentions that the sandy arena of the [[Sandbelching Meerslug]] reminds him of Koppai,{{cite quote|Beyond the dense jungle, at the end of a strangely foreboding pathway...we found ourselves in a vast desert. It rather resembles the terrain of Koppai.|Alph|a [[Pikmin 3 voyage log|voyage log]] entry}} and how Twilight River reminds him of Koppai's hot springs.{{cite quote|Doesn't this area remind you of a Koppai hot spring?|Alph|in a [[Check in/Plot#Heading for the Twilight River|check in conversation]].}} ''Pikmin 3''{{'s}} opening [[cutscene]] seems to depict the planet with a very thick atmosphere, covered in large cloud masses. One can infer Koppai has an Earth-like interior, with convection, a magnetosphere, and a means of {{w|outgassing}} (such as volcanoes) to seal in and maintain its atmosphere.

According to Brittany, the gravity on Koppai is roughly ten times stronger than on PNF-404. Assuming PNF-404 is Earth, this most likely indicates that Koppai is ten times denser than Earth, classified as a {{w|Mega-Earth}}. Brittany also mentions that Koppai's atmosphere has one-third the oxygen concentration of PNF-404's. Accordingly, if PNF-404 is again assumed to be Earth, Koppai would have an atmosphere that consists of roughly 7% oxygen. Brittany hypothesizes that the higher oxygen ratio is what allows the life-forms of PNF-404 to grow to such comparatively large sizes. It is assumed that the giant insects that lived in the {{w|Carboniferous}} only grew to their size due to the greater amounts of oxygen in the air during that time, which would support her theory.
In the good ending of ''Pikmin 3'',  it is stated that they were indeed able to cultivate the fruits on Koppai, suggesting that the atmosphere is similar enough to PNF-404 to grow its native food on Koppai.

==Life==
Little is known about life on Koppai other than sentient life forms known as Koppaites, which are very similar to Hocotatians. Hocotatians and Koppaites seem to speak similar languages, as throughout the events of ''Pikmin 3'', they communicate effortlessly, and even have a [[Koppaite text|written language]]. Koppaites also have a very limited diet, highly favoring [[fruits]] over other foods.

The dialogues in the game imply that Koppai has other life-forms as well. [[Minor characters#Charlie's dog|Charlie's pet]] in the game is called a dog in the US [[Region|version]] and a duck in the European version. At one point, Brittany also mentions geese on Koppai, and her notes on the [[Scaly Custard]] suggest the existence of reptiles there. The flora on Koppai must contain some resemblances to that of PNF-404, since the [[leader]]s can identify [[Spotcap|mushrooms]] and [[lily pad]]s and misidentify the [[Formidable Oak]] on PNF-404.

===Koppaites===
[[File:Three leaders P3 screenshot.png|thumb|left|250px|The three playable Koppaites: [[Alph]], [[Charlie]], and [[Brittany]].]]
Koppaites are the dominant species on Koppai. They stand around the size of a nickel, the same general size as a Hocotatian. Unlike Hocotatians, however, Koppaites seem to grow more hair on their heads and have smaller noses. Their eyes appear to be wide open at all times, whereas a Hocotatian's eyes appear small, squinted, and black normally, and widen when startled. Koppaites also have smaller ears that are rounded at the ends, as opposed to the Hocotatians' broader, pointed ones.

Koppaites can breathe oxygen, unlike Hocotatians. However, they must still wear protective suits while on [[PNF-404]] because the planet's oxygen levels are three times higher than Koppai's.{{cite quote|The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere here is triple that of Koppai.|Brittany|a [[Check_in/Small_talk#Small_talk_4|check in conversation]]}}{{cite quote|Upon completion of my analysis of this planet's atmospheric composition, I can now safely conclude that the concentration of oxygen is roughly three times that of Koppai. The planet's gravity is roughly one-tenth of Koppai's. The combination of a rich-oxygen atmosphere and low gravity is a key contributor to the planet's oversized flora and fauna.|Brittany|a [[Pikmin_3_voyage_log#Misc._4|Pikmin 3 Voyage Log]]}}

Koppaites are only capable of metabolizing a substance called Piktamin U. It is explained by [[Brittany]] that [[Pikpik Carrot]]s do not contain Piktamin U, which is why [[Hocotate Freight]] could not help with Koppai's food crisis. Fortunately, the massive fruits found on PNF-404 contain large amounts of this substance.

One of [[Alph]]'s dialogues seems to indicate that the Koppaite brain does not produce the hunger-appeasing hormone {{w|leptin}}, meaning Koppaites can and will continuously eat without ever feeling full; this problem was one of the reasons they have fallen into a famine.{{cite quote|As Koppaites, using up our food supply seems to be in our DNA. We eat until food runs out, at which point we migrate to a place with more food. Simple! But now, I'm starting to think that maybe this isn't the best way to go about things. With the recent population boom on Koppai, we may need to start rethinking our methods in the future in order to preserve our species...|Alph|a [[Pikmin_3_voyage_log#Misc._7|Pikmin 3 Voyage Log]]}}

It is possible, though not confirmed, that Koppaites might be a related species to Hocotatians, but adapted to a different environment.

===Known Koppaites===
[[File:Pikmin3Captains.png|thumb|200px|Artwork of the Koppaites.]]
The following characters in the [[Pikmin series|series]] are known to be from Koppai:
*[[Alph]]
*[[Brittany]]
*[[Charlie]]
*[[Minor characters#Drake|Drake]] (Alph's grandfather)
*[[Minor characters#Auntie Bea|Auntie Bea]] (Brittany's aunt)
*[[Nelle]], a researcher introduced in [[Pikmin 4]]
*[[Yorkie]], a mechanic and one of [[Alph]]'s older brothers, introduced in [[Pikmin 4]]
*[[Don Bergman]], an adventurer introduced in [[Pikmin 4]]

{{clear}}

==History==
Prior to the events of ''Pikmin 3'', it is known that Koppai has quite an expansive population, which lusts heavily for eatables. Its sub-par planning of the production necessary to sustain such a lifestyle eventually leads to a food shortage. ''Pikmin 3''{{'s}} storyline starts with three explorers being sent out on a mission to scour a distant planet for food, so that it may be retrieved to stop the hunger problem.

{{spoiler section|
If the player completes the game without all [[fruit]]s, the epilogue is unclear as to whether the Koppaites pull through with the limited food supplies recovered by the game's [[leader]]s. The epilogue upon completing the game with all fruits, however, tells of how Koppai prospers as a civilization and manages to change their lifestyle in order to prevent future food shortage disasters.
|the endings of {{p3}}}}

==Technology==
The technology on Koppai is likely similar to that on [[Hocotate]], as several of the communication mediums used in ''Pikmin 3'', such as [[Data Files]] and the [[KopPad]], are compatible between Koppaites and Hocotatians. An interstellar bazaar is also known to exist, selling space-travel hardware that is bought by both Hocotatians and Koppaites.{{cite quote|I only buy space suits at this one retail outlet that has several locations throughout the galaxy. I feel like I'm always seeing people on other planets wearing the same suits as me. Maybe I need to switch it up a bit from just rotating the same three suits all the time. ...It's kind of embarrassing sometimes.|[[Alph]]|a [[Pikmin 3 voyage log|voyage log]]}} The Koppaites also use Olimar's names for fruits and enemies that get identified by the [[S.S. Drake]], meaning his original names are programmed in the Drake's database. These clues suggest that Koppai and Hocotate have established some possibly strong contact.

Koppai is also known to have the necessary technology to observe and locate extragalactic planets, construct unmanned scouting probes, called [[SPERO]]s, and launch spaceships capable of speech and {{w|tractor beam}}ing, such as the [[Drake]]. Koppaite technology surpasses humans' technology in that spaceships contain a feature called "cosmic drive", which apparently allows material objects to travel intergalactic quickly; the [[S.S. Drake#Cosmic drive key|key]] to activate this feature plays a pivotal role in the story of ''Pikmin 3''.

There are distinct roles for engineers and botanists on Koppai &ndash; [[Minor characters#Drake|Drake]] and [[Alph]] are engineers, whereas [[Brittany]] is a botanist. These suggest that technology on Koppai has at least passed a point where job specialization is necessary for everyday life and cultural growth. Science on Koppai is also advanced, as evidenced by the Drake's reception of electromagnetic signals, the leaders' knowledge of oxygen, and their identifcation of Piktamin U, a vitamin vital to Koppaites present in all [[fruit]] in the game.

Other, minor objects are also known to exist on Koppai: Brittany mentions crayons in her notes on the [[Portable Sunset]], in the American English script.

==Government==
It seems that [[Pokos]] are a universal currency in the ''Pikmin'' universe, as Koppai is also hinted to use them. ''Pikmin 3'''s [[Collect treasure!]] stages have markers for a point value, labeled with what appears to be a Poko. This is not confirmed, however, as [[Mission Mode]] is not considered [[canon]].

Due to the fact that Koppaites have it "written into their DNA to never stop eating and never stop to plan", it can be assumed that they have a very weak government. However, Brittany mentions elections when speaking to Alph, meaning there is likely an elected government on Koppai.{{cite quote|Hee hee... Maybe you should run for office when we get back to Koppai, {{color|2=#AA0|Alph}}!|[[Brittany]]|a [[Check_in/Small_talk#Small_talk_22|check in conversation]]}}

==Relations with Hocotate==
A [[Data File]] left by [[Olimar]] and later found by the leaders mentions [[Hocotate]]. Whichever leader is active at the moment the file is retrieved will then recall that Hocotate is a planet a few solar systems away from Koppai, with a population that is interested in the monetary and historic value of objects and cultivation of vegetables. Olimar is simply referred to as a man who must love his family very much or have a lot of time to kill. While a vague description, the idea that the people of Hocotate and Koppai are unfamiliar with each other or even different species seems unlikely. As mentioned above, the technology and language used between the two planets are similar, and the two peoples have similar physical size and characteristics.

==Naming==
The name "Koppai" comes from Nintendo's founding name, "Nintendo Koppai", back when they were still a card company, and the Japanese word ''hirou kompai'' meaning exhaustion.

===Names in other languages===
{{foreignname
|Jap=コッパイ星
|JapR=Koppai Hoshi
|JapM=Planet Koppai
|ChiTrad=古牌星
|ChiTradR=
|ChiTradM=Planet Koppai
|ChiSimp=古牌星
|ChiSimpR=
|ChiSimpM=Planet Koppai
|Fra=Koppaï
|FraM=From English name
|Ger=Koppai
|GerM=-
|Ita=Koppai
|ItaM=-
|Kor=행성 코파이
|KorR=Haengseong Kopai
|KorM=Planet Koppai
|Spa=Koppai
|SpaM=-
|Rus=Коппай
|RusR=Koppay
|RusM=Transcription of English name
|RusN=Name taken from [https://www.nintendo.ru/-/2014/-/-Pikmin-3-Nintendo-eShop-Wii-U-937759.html Nintendo's Official site]
|notes=y
}}

==Trivia==
*Koppai, just like Earth, appears to rotate on a tilted axis. However, its moon appears to revolve around it from its north to south poles counterclockwise. This type of orbital pattern has not yet been observed in any real-life celestial bodies.
*Koppaite culture seems to have some overlaps with Earth, as [[Alph]] and [[Brittany]] make reference to English idioms in their reports; Alph uses the phrase "double-edged sword", and Brittany says Alph had "gone absolutely bananas" for the [[Slapstick Crescent]] (a banana).
*Koppai appears to have a simple anthem, which becomes a major [[Music (Pikmin 3)#Leitmotifs|motif]] in the game. It can be heard sung by the three [[leaders]] when they are walking without any Pikmin behind them. The only lyric they use is "Koppai” and the tune is similar to the starting cutscene.
*The image of Koppai used in ''Pikmin 3'''s opening cutscene is actually an edited photo of 'The Blue Marble', a NASA photograph of Earth.{{cite youtube|yV834uL04Ms|showing the similarity between Koppai and The Blue Marble|published={{date|10|May|2022}}|retrieved={{date|10|May|2022}}}} Its use as Koppai most likely doesn't mean anything.

==See also==
*[[PNF-404]]
*[[Hocotate]]
*[[S.S. Drake]]

==References==
{{refs}}

[[Category:Koppai]]
[[Category:Planets]]