Editing Leader

{{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y|p4=y|hp=y}}

'''Leaders''' ({{j|リーダー|Rīdā}}, lit.: "Leader"), unofficially also called '''captains''', are the characters the player controls in the {{pg}}. Leaders have the ability to lead a [[squad]] of [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]], and can command the squad through [[throw]]ing, [[whistle|whistling]], and other actions. Each of the 8 leaders in the series is an alien explorer with some role in the mission, with the exception of [[Oatchi]] and [[Moss]] who are space dogs. Some games have multiple leaders which can be switched between, allowing multiple squads to be managed at a time.

In {{p1}}, there is only one leader, [[Olimar]], an employee of [[Hocotate Freight]] who crash-landed on [[PNF-404]]. In {{p2}}, [[Louie]] is added as a second character, also controlled by the player; it is possible to switch between the two playable leaders by pressing {{button|gc|y|wii|-}}. Louie is replaced by [[The President]] after the debt is cleared. In {{p3}} there are three new leaders: the engineer [[Alph]], the botanist [[Brittany]], and the crew's captain, [[Charlie]]. {{button|wiiu|y|wii|-|wiiu|pcy}} is used to switch in the original ''Pikmin 3'' and the [[action menu]] is used to switch in {{p3d}} and {{p4}}. ''Pikmin 4'' introduces two leaders with distinct mechanics: a [[Pikmin 4 player character|customizable protagonist]] and Oatchi. Olimar and Moss function identically as playable characters in the prologue [[Olimar's Shipwreck Tale]].

Several enemies can also be considered leaders, either for being able to steal or confuse the player's Pikmin (such as [[Puffstool]]s, [[Antenna Beetle]]s, and [[Groovy Long Legs]]) or for commanding an army of smaller underlings of their own (such as mature [[Bulbmin]] and the [[Scornet Maestro]]).

==Inactive leader==
When the player is not playing as the other leader(s), they are considered inactive. The inactive leader is controlled by a simple artificial intelligence system in both ''Pikmin 2'' and ''Pikmin 3''. If the inactive leader is with the active leader's group, they will follow the active leader very closely. They will also attack an enemy if the active leader is attacking the enemy through [[punch]]ing. However, they can only throw about one punch per second; far less than the player is capable of. The [[Rocket Fist]] will also not activate for the inactive leader. In ''Pikmin 3'', they will not punch alongside the leader, as leaders can now be thrown.

If an inactive leader is not in the player's group, they will stand idle similar to the way Pikmin do when dismissed or thrown. However, they can not call idle Pikmin to their side by touching them. They will also not attack enemies; instead choosing to walk away from them, which can be used to the player's advantage against certain creatures, such as the [[Ranging Bloyster]]. Pikmin in the inactive group are likely to be killed in these situations nonetheless, as the leader's reactions are rather sloppy and aim to protect the leader, not their Pikmin squad. In ''Pikmin 3'', whenever a leader is near an enemy, they will run in circles around it, while alerting the active leader by saying something. For example, Charlie can say "Things aren't looking good!" if he is near an enemy.

==Playable leaders==
===Olimar===
[[File:Captain Olimar P2 clay art.png|thumb|100px|Captain Olimar's clay artwork from ''Pikmin 2''.]]
{{main|Captain Olimar}}
'''Captain Olimar''', often simply called '''Olimar''', is the main character of the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' series]]. He is the Hocotate Freight employee who discovered [[PNF-404]] and the [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]]. He is the captain of his personal ship, the [[S.S. Dolphin]], until it is sold to repay some of the debt at the start of ''Pikmin 2''. In ''Pikmin 3'', Captain Olimar is a non-playable character that appears later in the story. However, he is playable in [[Bingo Battle]] and certain [[Mission Mode]] stages. Olimar is also playable in the [[Side Story]] missions in {{p3d}}. In {{p4}}, he once again remains unplayable in the main story (apart from a brief prologue), but is playable in [[Olimar's Shipwreck Tale]] and [[Dandori Battle#Dandori Battle mode|Dandori Battle mode]] (second player only).

===Louie===
[[File:P2 Louie Front View Clay Artwork.png|left|thumb|90px|Louie.]]
{{main|Louie}}
'''Louie''' first appears in ''Pikmin 2'' and serves as a partner to Olimar, commanding Pikmin as his sidekick. He is relatively new to the shipping business and has a ravenous appetite. He was raised by his [[Louie's Family|grandmother]], who made him play with bugs and eat them, from where it is assumed that his great affinity for cooking beasts in ''Pikmin 2'' comes. After gaining 10,000 [[Poko]]s, Louie is replaced by the [[President]]. In ''Pikmin 3'', Louie is salvaged a few times by the [[Koppai]] explorers. He is only a playable leader in a few [[Mission Mode]] stages, and when playing with two leaders per team in [[Bingo Battle]]. In {{p3d}}, Louie is also playable in the [[Side Story]] missions.

Recently, Louie's signature color has been changed from blue to yellow, as seen in the side stories of ''Pikmin 3 Deluxe'' and the updates to the Nintendo Switch version of ''Pikmin 2''. The reason for this is unclear, but likely has to do with giving all of the pre-''Pikmin 4'' leaders their own unique color.

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===The President===
[[File:President P2 art.png|thumb|135px|left|The President.]]
{{main|The President}}
'''The President''' is the owner of [[Hocotate Freight]], and is a playable character in ''[[Pikmin 2]]''. He is called "Shacho" in the Japanese [[Region|version]], which is Japanese for "President". After returning back to Hocotate after clearing the debt, the President becomes the replacement for Louie for the rest of ''Pikmin 2'''s duration. He is mentioned many times throughout ''Pikmin 3'' and ''Pikmin 4'', such as in [[Olimar's Log (Exploration Notes)|Olimar's Log]] and [[Pikmin 4 voyage log|the voyage logs written by Olimar and Louie]]. There is a snow sculpture of him in the [[Distant Tundra]], and the Lucky Marble in Bingo Battle resembles his head. However, he does not appear as a playable character in this game whatsoever.

{{clear}}

===Alph===
[[File:Pikmin3Captains.png|thumb|200px|Alph, Brittany, and Charlie.]]
{{main|Alph}}
Alph is the mechanic of the [[S.S. Drake]]. He is kind, gentle, very interested in technological devices, and is a very capable engineer that configures objects found on the Pikmin Planet for the crew to use on their quest for food. He has a cerulean blue tuft of hair and wears a spacesuit with cerulean blue accents. Like the other two members of his team, he is from [[Koppai]].

===Brittany===
{{main|Brittany}}
Brittany is a botanist who is responsible of keeping track of the [[fruit]] found on the planet and juices produced by the crew. She is a bit dishonest and seems to care about her own safety far more than that of others, as she tends to take slightly more than her share of juice and is not concerned at all when Charlie is lost in the wild. Brittany is also a bit of a glutton, though not quite as much as Louie.
She has shoulder-length pink hair and a spacesuit with pink accents.

===Charlie===
{{main|Charlie}}
Charlie is the captain of the Koppaite trio. Though acting tough, he is caught quite off-guard by the Pikmin on the foreign planet. He also tries his best to appear as a good leader, but nonetheless the crew members all have equal say in decision-making. Aside from these traits, his personality differs noticeably between the European and American versions of ''Pikmin 3''. In the former, he appears to be very fond of Brittany, but in the latter, he is instead portrayed as being very egotistical. His hair is styled in a flattop pattern, but unlike Alph and Brittany, Charlie's hair does not match his suit's color scheme. Instead, his hair and mustache are dark brown, whereas his suit has green accents. By extension, his suit bears a five-point star, which presumably denotes his superior rank. Humorously, Charlie also owns a rubber ducky that he is very fond of.

===Player character===
[[File:Oatchi You and Pikmin.png|thumb|200px|The default character design and Oatchi.]]
{{main|Pikmin 4 player character}}
The main character of ''[[Pikmin 4]]'' is a customizable character, referred to in promotional material and in the game's introduction as "You". Their name and appearance can be customized in a character creator. They are the newest recruit to the [[Rescue Corps]], sent to rescue them from a crash landing after trying to rescue [[Captain Olimar]] for the same reason.

The default design of this character (shown in trailers and promotion art) has a full head of unkempt red hair, one long eyelash atop each eye, rosy cheeks, a small spherical nose, a small circular open mouth, an orange antenna light, as well as a full red [[spacesuit]] with white gloves and boots. Their ID card states they are from the planet Karut.

===Oatchi===
{{main|Oatchi}}
The space dog Oatchi is the second playable character in ''Pikmin 4''. Unlike the main player character, he cannot be customized, but his collar color will match the [[Rescue Corps]] suit color. He can be taught skills such as increasing his strength, allowing him to use the [[Go Here!]] function, or unlocking the ability to pluck. Just like the player character, he can call back Pikmin, but he uses a bark instead of a [[whistle]]. He can also throw Pikmin using his mouth. Instead of being able to [[charge]] or [[swarm]] Pikmin, he can dash forward in a "Rush", which damages and stuns enemies on impact while launching any Pikmin he is carrying at them.

===Moss===
{{main|Moss}}
[[File:Moss NSO Render.png|thumb|left|Moss.]]
A space dog named Moss fills Oatchi's role in [[Olimar's Shipwreck Tale]], being one Olimar encountered in the [[Blossoming Arcadia]] on PNF-404. Like Oatchi, she can be taught skills that increase her damage and speed, as well as function like a secondary leader. However, she learns her skills as Olimar collects [[ship part]]s rather than by exchanging [[Pup Drive]].

===Collin===
{{main|Collin}}
[[File:Collin.png|thumb|Collin.]]
Collin is the communications operator for the [[Rescue Corps]] and one of the selectable characters in [[Dandori Battle]] mode in ''Pikmin 4''. Unlike the player character, he cannot be customized in any way.

===Shepherd===
{{main|Shepherd}}
[[File:Shepherd.png|thumb|left|Shepherd.]]
Shepherd is the captain of the Rescue Corps and one of the selectable characters in [[Dandori Battle]] mode in ''Pikmin 4''. Like Collin, she cannot be customized in any way.
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==Enemies as leaders==
While not playable, several enemies have displayed leader-like traits, either through controlling the player's Pikmin or some equivalent to them.

===Puffstool===
{{main|Puffstool}}
The only enemy leader in the first ''Pikmin'' game is the Puffstool, who will shoot spores at Pikmin to infect them. These "[[Mushroom Pikmin]]" will follow the Puffstool around, and will chase Captain Olimar if he gets too close. Pikmin can be cured by either shaking them off or by killing the Puffstool.

===Antenna Beetle===
[[File:Antenna Beetle call.png|thumb|An Antenna Beetle using its wings to create a whistle sound to attract Pikmin.]]
{{main|Antenna Beetle}}
The Antenna Beetles found in ''[[Pikmin 2]]'' are comparable to the [[Hocotatian]] leaders in that they can control [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] with the sounds they produce, apparently by flapping their wings. This appears to affect Pikmin in a similar way to the [[whistle]]s of the other leaders. The only way to regain control of the captured Pikmin is to kill, stun, or chase away the Antenna Beetle. The Antenna Beetle's whistling range is notably larger than the leaders', without the [[Mega Tweeter]].

===Bulbmin===
{{main|Bulbmin}}
Bulbmin are Pikmin-Bulborb crosses that roam around [[cave]]s. They have a maximum of ten following Bulbmin. These Bulbmin do not do anything but follow their leader. The leader attacks by eating Pikmin just like normal [[Bulborb]]s do, and when the player kills it, the followers will get frightened and run around in circles. These Bulbmin can be [[whistle|called]] into the army, and act as additional Pikmin. They have immunities to the main four hazards, but the downside is that they cannot be taken out of caves. It is best to use [[Candypop Bud]]s to convert them into other types of Pikmin which can be taken out of caves.

===Spotty Bulbear===
{{main|Spotty Bulbear}}
In ''Pikmin 2'' and ''Pikmin 3'', Spotty Bulbears are awake and walk from place to place. It's common to find [[Dwarf Bulbear]]s following them around in a pack. If a mature Bulbear passes near some dwarfs, they will stop whatever they are doing and will start following. Besides that, these two creatures have no other interaction.

===Scornet Maestro===
[[File:Scornet Maestro attack no.1.jpg|thumb|The Scornet Maestro ordering the Scornets to attack the leader.]]
{{main|Scornet Maestro}}
The Scornet Maestro is the fourth major [[boss]] in ''Pikmin 3'' story mode. It can command up to 100 [[Scornet]]s at the same time and use them to attack with various formations. They also protect it. After one of its assaults, the Scornets will leave for a while, and the player will be able to attack the Maestro.

===Gildemander===
{{main|Gildemander}}
While Gildemanders can't control Pikmin directly, their use of electromagnetic waves make the Pikmin run out on their own give them a modicum of control over them. This only happens in [[Olimar's Shipwreck Tale]].

===Leafling Olimar===
{{main|Leafling#Leafling_Olimar}}
In [[Dandori Battle]] caves in ''Pikmin 4'', a strange red leafling commands his own group of pikmin identical to how the player does: collecting [[treasure]]s, defeating enemies, and carrying those things to their own [[onion]]. This leafling is later revealed to be [[Olimar]].

===Moss===
{{main|Moss}}
Moss is a special enemy encountered in [[Hero's Hideaway]] before completing [[Leafling Showdown]]. She will roam the floors of Hero's Hideaway and attempt to collect any Pikmin she finds. If she manages to whistle the player's Pikmin, they will jump on her back as she carries them off. Similar to confusion, the Pikmin will have purple clouds around their stems and cannot be whistled. To free the Pikmin, the player must damage Moss enough until she starts to run away, which will make her drop the Pikmin.

===Queen Shearwig===
{{main|Queen Shearwig}}
The Queen Shearwig is the fifth boss fought in ''Hey! Pikmin'', in the [[Troop Commander]] area. As the name of the area implies, the Queen Shearwig is the commander of a troop of [[Shearwigs]], which aid it in battle. These must be defeated in order to attack the Queen, it’s very similar to the scornet maestro.

== Gameplay differences between characters ==
Normally, all playable leader characters work exactly the same in terms of gameplay, making choosing a specific one a preference for the player.

However, in ''Pikmin 2'', Louie and the President are actually slightly taller than Olimar, which has a very slight impact in the gameplay. Clipping through the bridge near the [[Geographic Projection]] using the [[Napsack]]{{cite youtube|SafoGOWLIg8|showing how to clip through the bridge with the Napsack|m=9|s=07}} is considerably easier with Louie and the President, compared to Olimar. It can also be noted that in this game, the [[music]] switches from straight eight notes when controlling Captain Olimar to swing time when controlling Louie or the President.

In ''Pikmin 3'', Brittany has a minor special role at the [[Formidable Oak]] since she's the one the Pikmin will initially follow. If she falls, [[Captain Charlie]] will take her place, and then [[Alph]]. Charlie's frame is also larger, and when he [[Throw|holds on]] to another leader or Pikmin, they're actually a bit further outward than with Alph or Brittany. In the original ''Pikmin 3'', this makes Captain Charlie ideal for releasing Pikmin or leaders [[out of bounds|through walls]].

In ''Pikmin 4'', the capabilities of the space dogs [[Oatchi]] and [[Moss]] are vastly different from that of the [[Pikmin 4 player character|player character]] and [[Olimar]]. The space dogs can jump, rush, dig, carry objects, and follow scents. Pikmin in the space dogs' squad will ride on their backs rather than trailing behind them, allowing them to transport Pikmin safely across water, cold areas, small ledges, and moving walkways. However, the space dogs cannot [[charge]] or [[swarm]], and can only cross water and pluck Pikmin after being trained to do so. The space dogs also cannot use climbing walls, nor can they pass through iron bars or narrow tunnels.

== Leader is down ==
When a leader loses all of their [[health]], they become unconscious. In ''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]'', the day ends and all [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] that aren't in an [[Onion]] die. In ''[[Pikmin 2]]'' and ''[[Pikmin 3]]'', this only occurs if all leaders faint; otherwise, the Pikmin that were with the fallen leader become idle, and the leader is moved to the [[Hocotate ship]] or the [[S.S. Drake]], where they stay until the end of the [[day]].

In ''Pikmin'', if Captain Olimar's suit takes too much damage, there will be a [[cutscene]] with his space suit being electrified, then Olimar falling down. Eventually, the screen will turn black and white. The words "Olimar is down" will then appear on-screen and the day's journal will read as follows:

{{transcript|I've been careless, sustaining damage beyond my space suit's limits. My crisis transport system saved me, but I lost all of the Pikmin I had with me. I must pay closer mind to my space suit damage meter in the bottom-left corner of the screen. I can press {{button|gc|a|wii|a}} by the Dolphin to repair my suit.|block=y}}

In ''Pikmin 4'' if a leader runs out of health, they will be teleported to the [[S.S. Beagle]], where they will slowly regain health. The other leader can stop the health regeneration and bring the leader back to life by pressing {{button|switch|a}} next to the knocked-out leader. However, if both leaders are knocked out, the day will still end or cave will be exited as it does in the other games.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Olimar Shacho.png|Captain Olimar and the President of Hocotate Freight.
Olimar guides Red Pikmin P1 art.png|Artwork of Olimar from {{P1}}.
P2 Louie With White Pikmin Artwork.jpg|Clay art of Louie.
Hocotate President Shocked.png|Clay art of The President.
Alph Awakening.png|Alph waking up in the Tropical Wilds.
Captain Brittany.jpg|Brittany as seen from the [[KopPad]] in an early build of the game.
Charlie Awakening.png|Captain Charlie in the [[Distant Tundra]].
Leaders E3 2012 screenshot.png|The leaders in an [[Pikmin 3 prerelease information|earlier]] E3 2012 build of ''Pikmin 3''.
movie01.jpg|All three leaders from ''Pikmin 3''.
Alph Brittany Charlie.png|Brittany pulling out a Red Pikmin, while standing next to the other ''Pikmin 3'' leaders.
All leaders' silouhette.png|A montage showing every leader's silouhette. From left to right and top to bottom: The President, Alph, Brittany, Charlie, Louie, Captain Olimar.
You Walking.png|The player character in ''Pikmin 4''.
Oatchirender.png|Oatchi in ''Pikmin 4''
</gallery>

==Trivia==
[[File:Demo leaders.png|thumb|200px|Concept art of the four leaders. The scrapped one is labeled with "D".]]
*''Pikmin 3'' was originally planned to have [[Pikmin 3 prerelease information#Character D|four leaders]], but the idea was later changed to three. The leaders in the concept art were labeled as A, B, C, and D. While A, B, and C were later worked into Alph, Brittany, and Charlie respectively, D went unused. It's commonly thought that D's name was meant to be Drake, and was later reworked into the Koppai explorer's spaceship, the S.S. Drake.
*Also in ''Pikmin 3'', leaders can lightly move small objects by repeatedly bumping into them. These objects include [[nectar egg]]s, [[Cupid's Grenade]]s, [[Juicy Gaggle]]s, and the smallest part of [[Crimson Banquet]]s. Objects can be pushed into the [[abyss]] using this method, but they merely reappear in their original location.
[[File:P3D 2 Player Ghost Leaders.jpg|thumb|left|200px|2 copies of Charlie on day 1.]]
*In ''[[Pikmin 3 Deluxe]]'', if the [[Story Mode]] is played with two players during a moment where only one leader should be playable, the second player will control an exact copy of that leader. The other player will appear translucent from the other person's perspective.
*Leaders are on occasion erroneously referred to as captains by players. This might be because the term is often used to refer to certain leaders in the games. In reality, [[Olimar]], [[Charlie]], and [[Shepherd]] (the later being too afraid of Pikmin to command them) are the only known individuals to officially hold the title of Captain, and are referred to as such.
*The [[Strategy guides|''Pikmin 2'' Nintendo Player's Guide]] uniquely refers to the leaders as '''pilots'''.
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==Names in other languages==
{{foreignname
|Jap=リーダー
|JapR=Rīdā
|JapM=Leader
|ChiTrad=領隊
|ChiTradR=
|ChiTradM=Leader
|ChiSimp=领队
|ChiSimpR=
|ChiSimpM=Leader
|Fra=Meneur
|FraM=Leader
|Ger=Anführer
|GerM=Leader
|Ita=Leader
|ItaM=Leader
|Kor=리더
|KorR=lideo
|KorM=Leader
|Spa=Líder
|SpaM=Leader
}}

==See also==
*[[Mii]], who fill the role of leaders in {{pa}} and {{pb}}
*[[Minor characters]]
*[[Pikmin family]]

==References==
{{refs}}

{{Characters}}
[[Category:Leaders| ]]