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{{game icons|p3=y}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Pikmin'' Short Movies}}
{{page title|''Pikmin'' Short Movies}}
[[File:PikminShortsLogo.png|250px|thumb|The logo for the ''Pikmin'' Short Movies.]]
{{Nocanon|y}}
{{Nocanon|y}}


[[File:PikminShortsLogo.png|250px|right]]
The '''''Pikmin'' Short Movies''' ({{j|ピクミン短編アニメ集|Pikumin Tanpen Anime-shū|Pikmin Short Film Collection}}) are a trio of animated films released in 2014, showing [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] interacting with the environment of [[PNF-404]] alongside [[Captain Olimar]]. These films are drawn using computer generated 3D graphics. They were produced by TK3 Inc. and Nintendo Co., Ltd, and were animated by Dynamo Pictures, Inc. (formerly Dwango Pictures, Inc.), with Shigeru Miyamoto as executive producer. The three shorts are called ''[[The Night Juicer]]'', ''[[Treasure in a Bottle]]'', and ''[[Occupational Hazards]]''.
The '''''Pikmin'' Short Movies''' are animated films, showing [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] interacting with the environment of [[PNF-404]] alongside [[Captain Olimar]]. These films are drawn using computer generated 3D graphics. The shorts were produced by TK3 Inc. and Nintendo Co., Ltd, and were animated by Dwango Pictures, Inc., with Shigeru Miyamoto as executive producer. The three shorts are called ''The Night Juicer'', ''Treasure in a Bottle'', and ''Occupational Hazards''.


The shorts are all based on the first two [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' games]]. They focus more on the Pikmin's interactions with the environment, as well as each individual Pikmin's behaviors and actions. These aspects cannot be elaborated on inside the games, due to technical and visual limitations, as well as deviating from the gameplay purposes of the games. Some of the actions the Pikmin perform in the shorts contradict what is known to happen in the game's [[canon]], meaning that it is not clear if the shorts take place in the same canon as the games'. These include the Pikmin being able to open up their leaves or buds into flowers seemingly at will, and [[White Pikmin]] being able to spit acid.


In addition to the shorts, four bonus clips exist. The bundle consisting of shorts and bonuses was originally available on the [[Wii U]] and the [[Nintendo 3DS]], on each of the respective platform's eShop, for $4.99/£4.49/€4.99. However, those apps have since been deleted, and the videos were moved to Nintendo's official YouTube channels for free watching. The 3DS version of the bundle is in stereoscopic 3D, and is referred to as "''Pikmin'' Short Movies 3D", while the clips on the Wii U are referred to as "''Pikmin'' Short Movies HD", and are rendered in high definition. The latter being the versions that were uploaded to YouTube.


==Movie 1: ''The Night Juicer''==
==Shorts==
[[File:NightJuicerSC.png|thumb|200px|right|Olimar blends his drink.]]
===''The Night Juicer''===
This short features Captain Olimar, and [[red Pikmin|red]], [[Yellow Pikmin|yellow]], and [[blue Pikmin]], inside an unknown room, with Captain Olimar using a small blender to make a juice-like drink. The three Pikmin see this, and go to investigate, only to see what appears to be a vivisected red Pikmin on a cutting board. Olimars turns to the Pikmin, and they begin to back away in fear. The three Pikmin begin pushing each other towards Olimar, and Olimar slowly grabs for them. The Pikmin, trembling in fear, bump into a box of [[Pikpik carrots]], what Olimar was really blending. Olimar grabs  a few carrots, smiles at the Pikmin, and returns to the blender. ''The Night Juicer'' is 1:55 in length.
[[File:NightJuicerSC.png|thumb|200px|Olimar blending his drink in ''The Night Juicer''.]]
==Movie 2: ''Treasure in a Bottle''==
{{main|The Night Juicer}}
 
This short features Captain Olimar and some [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] inside an unknown room, with Captain Olimar using a small blender to make a juice-like drink. The three Pikmin become horrified with what appears to be a vivisected Red Pikmin on a cutting board. Olimar slowly chases after the Pikmin, each of them envisioning themselves being turned into a cool refreshment, until they eventually bump into a box of [[pikpik carrot]]s, the food that Olimar was really blending. Still petrified by fear, the Pikmin lay motionless in the pile of carrots as Olimar casually shifts them aside to pick up a couple of the carrots. He then proceeds to chipperly walk off camera, completely unaware of the humorous misunderstanding.
 
''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEbPAXTYhcg YouTube link]''
 
===''Treasure in a Bottle''===
[[File:PikminShort.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The 3 Pikmin get an idea to rescue their friend.]]
[[File:PikminShort.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The 3 Pikmin get an idea to rescue their friend.]]
This short beings off with a red Pikmin chasing after a large white butterfly, eventually coming across a Ramune bottle with a blue marble inside. By climbing a nearby plant, the Pikmin manages to eventually land inside the bottle's and reach the marble. After a few attempts, the Pikmin lodges the marble inside the mouth of the bottle. The marble then falls back inside the bottle, causing the red Pikmin to fall to the lower compartment of the bottle and become trapped. There, the Pikmin calls for help from a passing pair of blue and yellow Pikmin, which laugh at the red's plight. A fellow red Pikmin also comes and laughs.
{{main|Treasure in a Bottle}}
This short starts off with a Red Pikmin chasing after a large white butterfly, eventually coming across a Ramune bottle with a blue marble inside. While trying to retrieve the marble, the Pikmin manages to trap itself inside the bottle. It calls for help from a passing group of Blue, Yellow and Red Pikmin, which laugh at the Red's plight and comically distorted appearance the bottle causes the Red Pikmin to have.


After assessing the situation, the blue, the yellow, and the red all begin thinking about ideas on how to free their trapped friend:
The Pikmin get ideas to fill the bottle with water or blow it up, which are never executed and fail, respectively. After spotting the butterfly again and a [[Purple Pikmin|Purple]] as well as 3 Blue Pikmin using their weight as a chain to catch the butterfly, all at once they come up with the idea to create a rescue chain of Pikmin held by the Purple. The trapped Red Pikmin is rescued, but before it returns to the ground, it looks back at the marble. Eventually, the Pikmin decide to carry the whole bottle back.
The blue Pikmin gets an idea first; running off into the foliage and returning with a small bucket of water; its idea is to fill the bottle with water and have the red Pikmin swim out. The trapped red, however, refuses, realizing it will drown.
The second idea comes from the yellow, who runs off into the foliage and returns with a lit bomb rock. The red and blue flee, while the yellow lays the explosive beside the bottle, and runs away. The bomb rock explodes, sending the trapped red Pikmin and the Ramune bottle flying into the air, freeing the red. However, the bottle lands upright once again, remains unscathed, and the red falls back in, landing at the bottom. The three remaining pikmin return to the bottle, seeing that the bomb rock did not work. In the meantime, a few blue Pikmin are hanging onto the white butterfly in a chain. A [[purple Pikmin]] tries to join them but immediately weighs the Pikmin down, and the butterfly flies away, to the Blue Pikmin's dismay. After seeing this, the three Pikmin unanimously reach a solution.


The Pikmin call on more of their friends to form a huge chain that leads all the way to the bottom of the Ramune bottle, with a purple Pikmin on top, holding onto the chain. Ultimately, the trapped red Pikmin is freed, which it is quite thankful for. Before it returns to the ground with the group, it looks back at the marble, still sitting inside the bottle. The scene then changes, showing the red Pikmin sitting proudly atop the bottle as the other Pikmin carry it into the foliage with the purple Pikmin running slowly behind.
''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANpP2PebOW0 YouTube link]''
The length of ''Treasure in a Bottle'' is 8:00.


==Movie 3: ''Occupational Hazards''==
{{clear}}
[[File:OccupationalHazardsSC.png|300px|right|thumb|The Pikmin are hard at work scavenging an abandoned construction site.]]
This short begins with various colors of Pikmin working about to dismantle an abandoned [[wikipedia:Backhoe|Backhoe]] for [[The Ship]]. While most of the Pikmin are hard at work, some of them are slacking off, such as a group of several yellow Pikmin playing with an electrical current (which accidentally kills an unsuspecting blue Pikmin) and [[white Pikmin]] spitting poison fluids at various parts of the machine, which results in portions of the machine getting damaged. Olimar is on the top of the machine, and has a miniature seesaw device so that the Pikmin can reach the Ship's pod. A white Pikmin accidentally gets launched high into the air after 2 purple Pikmin jump on the other end of the seesaw.


Meanwhile, a group of Pikmin run off to rummage through some metal pipes and accidentally wake up a sleeping [[Fiery Blowhog]], who then stampedes after them. A few red Pikmin jump on its back and cause it to careen into a puddle of mud, dousing its flames and causing it to spew a fountain of mud, much to the joy of the Pikmin. While playing in the mud, a yellow Pikmin wanders off into a nearby sewer entry after noticing a shiny bolt on the floor. The yellow Pikmin bumps into what it believes to be a large Spotcap, but when it starts to move, the frightened Pikmin drops the bolts and flees in terror as the other Pikmin still playing in the mud realize what it was the yellow Pikmin was running away from; an angered [[Red Bulborb]].
===''Occupational Hazards''===
[[File:OccupationalHazardsSC.png|300px|thumb|Pikmin hard at work, scavenging an abandoned construction site.]]
{{main|Occupational Hazards}}
This short begins with various types of Pikmin scavenging an abandoned construction site containing a {{w|backhoe}} for treasures for the [[Hocotate ship]]. While most of the Pikmin are hard at work, some of them are slacking off, such as a group of several Yellow Pikmin playing with an electrical current of the engine's battery and [[White Pikmin]] spitting poison fluids at various parts of the machine, which results in portions of it getting damaged, and moreover, melted. Olimar is on the top of the machine, and has a miniature seesaw device so that the Pikmin can both reach the ship's pod and get to the ground easily at the same time. The Research Pod, filled to the brim with treasures (as the Pikmin have amassed a giant pile of fasteners below the ship), temporarily leaves to unload its cargo on the ship.


The Bulborb chases the Pikmin out of the mud and scoops two of them into its mouth. However, before it can swallow them, they crawl out of its nostrils and onto its eye stalks, temporarily distracting it while the other Pikmin continue to run away. The Bulborb shakes off the Pikmin and is halted by a moving glove. Right as the glove hypnotizes the Bulborb into submission, it realizes the hand was just the Pikmin controlling a glove and continues its chase, ripping the glove off and sending the Pikmin flying. They land inside the rim of a car tire and hide within it while the Bulborb attempts to unearth the rim from the ground. When Olimar climbs to the top of the machine, he sees the Pikmin fly through the air as the Bulborb sends the rim flying. Olimar whistles, and the Pikmin scurry towards the machine as the Bulborb gives chase. After it eats two of them, the Bulborb corners the Pikmin when they run into the scooping mechanism of the Backhoe.
Meanwhile, a group of Pikmin run off to rummage through some metal pipes and accidentally wake up a sleeping [[Fiery Blowhog]], who then stampedes after them. A few Red Pikmin subdue it into a pile of mud, causing the Blowhog to now spew out mud, and the Pikmin nearby start frolicking. While playing, a Yellow Pikmin wanders off into a nearby sewer entry after noticing a shiny golden colored bolt on the floor. It eventually finds and accidentally awakens an angered and incidentally hungry [[Bulborb]].


Meanwhile, the yellow Pikmin, who were playing with the electrical current at the beginning of the short, successfully complete a circuit which activates the machine; the sudden rumbling causes Olimar to fall backwards and land on a lever that makes the scoop mechanism lift up into the air, causing the trapped Pikmin and the Bulborb to get lifted up with it. It them drops them, sending all of them plummeting to the ground. The Pikmin sprout flowers which act as parachutes, but the Bulborb falls to its death.
The Bulborb chases the Pikmin, stopping a few times because of the Pikmin hiding in a glove to hypnotize him, and later, a tire rim serving as shelter for the Pikmin. Meanwhile, the Yellow Pikmin who were playing with the battery, manage to inadvertently activate the backhoe by completing a full electrical circuit between its battery and its machinery, and an accidental lever activation causes the bucket to lift, where the Pikmin and Bulborb were. The Bulborb crashes to the ground and becomes unconscious, and the Pikmin, their leaves changed to flowers, float safely to the ground. After some Pikmin swarm it, the arm and bucket of the machine fall apart and land on the Bulborb; the Pikmin escape just in time. The whole backhoe collapses, and the Research Pod, that has just returned, discovers that the whole pile (including the Bulborb) is worth 1 quadrillion and seven Pokos. Olimar is both astounded and overjoyed by this most profitable find and strikes a triumphant pose.


Olimar and his Pikmin approach the defeated Bulborb, with Olimar looking on as the Pikmin ravage the carcass. Suddenly, the excavation machine begins to fall apart with so many of its components having been taken apart, and Olimar commands the Pikmin to run away as the machine collapses, crushing the Bulborb's carcass. Olimar appears distressed at the loss of the machine, but the Ship Pod comes and claims that the resulting wreckage is worth a total of 10 Quadrillion and Seven [[Pokos]], much to Olimar's joy. The length of ''Occupational Hazards'' is 12:45.
''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=233Z0WhDrak YouTube link]''


This movie features a total of 500 Pikmin onscreen at once, an impressive feat that is impossible in the games.
===Bonuses===
[[File:TIABStoryboard.jpg|thumb|100px|A portion of the storyboard from ''Treasure in a Bottle''.]]
In the apps, a bonus section exists, featuring four clips on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, plus two more bonus clips exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version.


==Bonus Movies==
====TOHO CINEMAS 2012 Logo====
[[File:TIABStoryboard.jpg|thumb|100px|right|A portion of the storyboard from ''Treasure in a Bottle''.]]
This is a cross-promotional theater chain intro clip that was originally played in various {{w|Toho Cinemas}} theaters in late 2012 before the feature film began
A bonus was included with the shorts, two shorts exclusive to the 3DS version, and four available to both the 3DS and Wii U versions.
 
The clip starts off with a [[Red Pikmin]] atop a red ball. It spins the ball around, revealing the ball to be part of the Toho Cinemas logo. Various Pikmin (Red, [[Blue Pikmin|Blue]], [[Yellow Pikmin|Yellow]], [[Purple Pikmin|Purple]], and [[White Pikmin|White]]) come running out of the opening, carrying various letters. They set the letters down, which eventually spell out "TOHO CINEMAS". The Red Pikmin jumps off the circular emblem. Afterward, the emblem begins to bounce towards the Red Pikmin until it remains fixed atop the letters, revealing the full Toho Cinemas logo. The Red Pikmin then runs off.


===TOHO CINEMAS 2012 Logo===
This starts off with a red Pikmin atop a red ball. He spins it around, revealing an opening in the ball. Pikmin come running out of the opening, carrying various letters. They set the letters down, which eventually spell out "TOHO CINEMAS". The red Pikmin jumps off the ball. Afterward, the ball begins to bounce towards the red Pikmin until it remains fixed atop the words. The red Pikmin then runs off.
Length: 00:31
Length: 00:31


===TOHO CINEMAS 2013 Logo===
====TOHO CINEMAS 2013 Logo====
This is just like the first logo, except now, the ball is carried above the letters by a few [[winged Pikmin]]. The red Pikmin also stays on top of the ball.  
This is a cross-promotional theater chain intro clip that was originally played in various {{w|Toho Cinemas}} theaters in early 2013 before the feature film began. It is an updated version of the 2012 Pikmin intro clip to tie in with {{p3}}.
 
This clip starts of the same way as the 2012 version, except a [[Rock Pikmin]] is among the various Pikmin carrying the letters that spell "TOHO CINEMAS", and towards the end the circular Toho Cinemas emblem is carried above the letters by some [[Winged Pikmin]]. The Red Pikmin also stays on top of the emblem, calling out "Pikmin" as it [[Maturity|flowers up]].
 
Length: 00:37
 
====TOHO CINEMAS 3D Glasses====
This is a cross-promotional informal clip that originally played in various {{w|Toho Cinemas}} theaters between 2012 and 2013 just before the 3D trailers and the 3D feature film began. In the apps, it is exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version.
 
Three Pikmin appear in a blank background, and text suddenly appears informing the audience to please put on their 3D glasses. As the Pikmin put on their own glasses, a tremor occurs, and suddenly the Pikmin appear in distance of each other to illustrate the 3D effect, which surprises the Pikmin before running to greet each other. Suddenly, a large group of frightened Pikmin run past the three, where they quickly find themselves chased by a [[Bulborb]] in a grassy field. The Bulborb chases the three Pikmin until they disappear off screen. The Bulborb then puts on its own 3D glasses as it notices the audience, and hurls towards the camera.
 
Length: 00:37
Length: 00:37


===''Treasure in a Bottle'': Storyboard by Shigeru Miyamoto===
====RealD 3D Cinemas Trailer====
Like the name implies, this is a storyboard Miyamoto used to develop ''Treasure in a Bottle.'' It was created using Flipnote Studio 3D, a 3DS application that was never released outside of Japan.  
This is a cross-promotional informal clip that originally played in various theaters in certain countries during 2013, just before the 3D trailers and the 3D feature film began, if said theaters supported {{w|RealD}}'s {{w|RealD 3D|3D systems}}. The clip features RealD's old logo, which was officially redesigned in 2015.{{cite web|https://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/new_logo_for_reald.php|Brand New: New Logo for RealD|UnderConsideration LLC}} In the apps, it is exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version.
 
Three Pikmin are sitting idly on a leaf blade in a grassy field, and suddenly a [[Winged Pikmin]] comes along dropping 3D glasses for each one of the three. As the three Pikmin curiously put on their glasses, they got stunned by the 3D effect that just kicked in, with two Winged Pikmin on the scene also helping illustrate the 3D effect. Suddenly, a [[Bulborb]] appears behind them, and chases after the three Pikmin until they disappear off screen. The two Winged Pikmin from earlier appear again with a RealD pair of glasses for the Bulborb, which it puts on quickly before hurling towards the camera. The clip ends with the appearance of the blue RealD 3D logo, and its slogan "The New Dimension Of Entertainment" below it.
 
Length: 00:24
 
====''Treasure in a Bottle'': Storyboard by Shigeru Miyamoto====
Like the title implies, this is a storyboard Miyamoto used to develop ''Treasure in a Bottle.'' It was created using the original ''[[nwiki:Flipnote Studio|Flipnote Studio]]''.
 
To note is that the animated storyboard clips are in the same resolution as the original Nintendo DSi app, and the shorts were likely in production since circa 2012. The final version of Flipnote Studio 3D itself was not launched in Japan until July 2013.
 
Length: 01:23
Length: 01:23


===''Occupational Hazards'': Storyboard by Shigeru Miyamoto===
====''Occupational Hazards'': Storyboard by Shigeru Miyamoto====
Similarly, this is a storyboard created by Miyamoto for ''Occupational Hazards''. Once again, it was created using Flipnote Studio 3D.  
Similarly, this is a storyboard created by Miyamoto for ''Occupational Hazards''. Once again, it was created using the original ''[[nwiki:Flipnote Studio|Flipnote Studio]]''.
 
To note is that the animated storyboard clips are in the same resolution as the original Nintendo DSi app, and the shorts were likely in production since circa 2012. The final version of Flipnote Studio 3D itself was not launched in Japan until July 2013.
 
Length: 02:05
Length: 02:05


==Easter eggs==
==The app==
[[File:PikminMoviesEasterEgg.jpeg|200px|thumb|right|The bulletin board from ''The Night Juicer''.]]
===Wii U===
*On the 3DS version, pressing {{button|3DS|A}} while playing any movie will play a sound.
When the ''Pikmin'' Short Movies app is booted, a jingle with the [[Music in Pikmin 2#Leitmotifs|Pikmin motif]] from {{p2}} plays. When it finishes loading, a menu with 4 options is presented on the GamePad, three for the shorts, and one that opens the bonus menu. A short or bonus can be picked with either {{button|wiiu|lstick}} and {{button|wiiu|a}} or by touching it on the touchscreen. During this menu, the TV screen shows a static image of the ''Pikmin'' Short Movies HD logo, and if the viewer is on the bonus menu, the word "Bonus" appears below it. On the TV, a light remix of the theme that plays during the [[Cutscene#Bad ending|bad ending of ''Pikmin'']] can be heard – it is just the same song but with sound effects from the shorts spread about, and followed by wildlife sounds before it loops again.
*At 00:24 in ''The Night Juicer'', numerous articles and photos are posted on a bulletin board.
 
:*Two photos feature Olimar's family, his wife, his son, and his daughter.
When playing a short, the TV always shows the short, and the GamePad screen can either show the video or detailed playback controls; a button on the bottom-right corner toggles this option. When in the detailed view, the top of the GamePad screen shows the name of the short, followed by the current time and the total duration. Below that is a seek bar, which the viewer can drag to seek through the movie. Below that are three control buttons. The buttons to skip forward and backward move the movie 5 seconds forward or backward, if it is paused, and if not, it fast-forwards forwards or backwards, 5 seconds at a time. The play/pause buttons starts or pauses the playback. Finally, a button on the bottom-left returns to the main menu.
:*Another photo features the ''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]'' game art from the first game.
 
:*Another photo features Olimar and the Hocotate ship from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.
In the GamePad view mode, only three controls exist: a button on the bottom-left plays and pauses, a seek bar is in the middle, and the button on the bottom-right toggles the mode. The audio will also start being played through the GamePad instead of the TV. When the video is playing, after not touching anything for a few seconds, the controls disappear, but return if the touchscreen is touched. Bizarrely, even though no button or stick on the GamePad does anything, pressing {{button|wiiu|a}}, {{button|wiiu|b}}, {{button|wiiu|x}}, {{button|wiiu|y}}, {{button|wiiu|l}}, {{button|wiiu|r}}, {{button|wiiu|zl}} or {{button|wiiu|zr}} will bring back the on-screen controls if they are hidden.
:*There is also a news article that features Hocotate from ''[[Pikmin 2]]''.
 
*''Treasure in a Bottle'' shows a white butterfly throughout the short, which may be a [[White Spectralid]].
===3DS===
*''Treasure in a Bottle'' features a Nintendo ramune bottle.
When the ''Pikmin'' Short Movies app is loaded, the top screen will show a static image of the short movie or bonus video selected on the touch screen. The touch screen will show the 3 short movies' and the bonus contents' buttons. Tapping on a movie's button or pressing {{button|3ds|a}} while it's selected will start the film.
*At 02:54 in ''Occupational Hazards'', there is a green pipe which a red Pikmin pops out with lint portrayed similarly to Super Mario's hat, nose, and mustache. Numerous coins from the Super Mario Bros., as well as a short excerpt from "Super Mario Bros. Overworld Theme".
 
*In ''Occupational Hazards'', there is a scene where a red and blue Pikmin are running beside each other in an attempt to evade a rampaging Bulborb. During this scene, a police siren can be heard, referencing how police lights are generally red and blue.
While a short movie or bonus feature is playing, the top screen will show the video and the bottom screen will have the controls. Viewers can pause/play the video, skip ahead or back a few seconds, and see how much time is left. While the movie is playing, pressing {{button|3ds|a}}, {{button|3ds|b}}, {{button|3ds|x}}, {{button|3ds|y}}, {{button|3ds|l}}, or {{button|3ds|r}} will play a sound effect. {{button|3ds|a}} will play a [[whistle]] sound. {{button|3ds|b}} will play a train noise. {{button|3ds|x}} will play an [[Bomb rock|explosion]] noise, a bell ringing, a cymbal crash, a metal sound, or a drum beat. {{button|3ds|y}} will play an electric guitar sound. {{button|3ds|l}} will play the sound that plays every time a quarter of the day has gone by in ''[[Pikmin 3]]''. {{button|3ds|r}} will play a [[Bouncy Mushroom]] sound.
*At 09:20 in ''Occupational Hazards'', there is a remixed variation of the theme of the Final Trial.
 
While on the menu, the music ''Live as a Pikmin'' from ''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]'' will play, along with a bunch of sound effects from the short movies.


==History==
==History==
[[File:PikminShortsArt.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Promotional artwork for the movies.]]
{{Todo|Add sources.}}
In an interview with Shigeru Miyamoto in March of 2013, the creator of the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' series]] announced Nintendo was working on a cartoon based on the franchise. In the interview, Miyamoto revealed that these cartoons would be released at some point in 2013 but before the next game in the series, ''[[Pikmin 3]]'', which was still in development. The idea was to distribute them as Nintendo 3DS videos, and he considered the idea of selling them if they become something bigger.
[[File:PikminShortsArt.jpg|thumb|250px|Promotional artwork for the movies.]]
In an interview with Shigeru Miyamoto in March of 2013, the creator of the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' series]] announced Nintendo was working on a cartoon based on the franchise. In the interview, Miyamoto revealed that these cartoons would be released at some point in 2013 but before the next game in the series, ''[[Pikmin 3]]'', which was still in development. The idea was to distribute them as [[Nintendo 3DS]] videos, and he considered the idea of selling them if they become something bigger.


The idea for these cartoons came around when Miyamoto was trying to "give more life to the ''Pikmin'' characters". When asked if this was an attempt to make the 3DS less of a gaming-centric console, Miyamoto declared he hadn't thought about it that way. Instead, it's just taking advantage of the ''Pikmin'' series, and expanding its potential. If the idea flourishes, Nintendo might do cartoons on other franchises as well.
The idea for these cartoons came around when Miyamoto was trying to "give more life to the ''Pikmin'' characters". When asked if this was an attempt to make the 3DS less of a gaming-centric console, Miyamoto declared he hadn't thought about it that way. Instead, it's just taking advantage of the ''Pikmin'' series, and expanding its potential. If the idea were to flourish, Nintendo would do cartoons on other franchises as well.


Miyamoto stated that they’d considered doing something like this for Nintendo’s characters many times in the past, but avoided it because of the difference between an interactive game and a film. A film also requires much more ‘setting in stone’ about the characters and world that could be limiting for the company when it comes to future games. However, with Pikmin they’re very small inside the game and you can’t see them well without zooming in close. So he thought shorts might be a good fit for the Pikmin series as it’d allow there to be more focus on the actual Pikmin.
Miyamoto stated that they'd considered doing something like this for Nintendo's characters many times in the past, but avoided it because of the difference between an interactive game and a film. A film also requires much more "setting in stone" about the characters and world that could be limiting for the company when it comes to future games. However, with Pikmin they're very small inside the game and players can't see them well without zooming in close. So he thought shorts might be a good fit for the Pikmin series as it'd allow there to be more focus on the actual Pikmin.


In September of 2014, Miyamoto announced that three short animated movies would be shown at the Tokyo International film festival, which will happen from October 25 to 31. These short movies will be titled ''The Night Juicer'', ''Treasures in a Bottle'', and ''Occupational Hazards''.
In September of 2014, Miyamoto announced that three short animated movies would be shown at the Tokyo International film festival, which would happen from {{date|25|October}} to {{date|31|October}}. These short movies will be titled ''The Night Juicer'', ''Treasures in a Bottle'', and ''Occupational Hazards''.


On the 25<sup>th</sup> of October 2014, the movies were premiered at the Tokyo Film Festival. According to IGN, Miyamoto has completed 20-30 short films, yet has only left the three movies listed above for public viewing.<ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/28/shigeru-miyamotos-pikmin-short-films-are-beautiful IGN's article]</ref>
On {{date|25|October|2014}}, the movies were premiered at the Tokyo Film Festival. According to IGN, Miyamoto has completed 20-30 short films, yet has only left the three movies listed above for public viewing.{{cite web|http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/28/shigeru-miyamotos-pikmin-short-films-are-beautiful|Shigeru Miyamoto's Pikmin Short Films Are Beautiful|IGN}}


After the shorts were presented, Shigeru Miyamoto and Dwango chairman Nobuo Kawakami held a press conference, and revealed more info on the shorts <ref>[http://mynintendonews.com/2014/10/25/pikmin-short-films-coming-soon-to-nintendo-3ds/ My Nintendo News' article]</ref>. The two stated things such as the shorts soon coming to the eShop. They also announced that they made the storyboard using ''[[wikipedia:Flipnote Studio 3D|Flipnote Studio 3D]]'', an app never relased in the West. Each film was planned to be 10 minutes long, but they ended up scrapping the idea and made some slightly longer and shorter ones. Other minor details were announced as well.  
After the shorts were presented, Shigeru Miyamoto and Dwango chairman Nobuo Kawakami held a press conference, and revealed more info on the shorts{{cite web|http://mynintendonews.com/2014/10/25/pikmin-short-films-coming-soon-to-nintendo-3ds/|Pikmin Short Films Coming Soon To Nintendo 3DS|My Nintendo News}}. The two stated things such as the shorts soon after coming to the eShop. They also announced that they made the storyboard using ''{{w|Flipnote Studio 3D}}''. Each film was planned to be 10 minutes long, but they ended up scrapping the idea and made some slightly longer and shorter ones. Other minor details were announced as well.


===Nintendo Direct===
===Nintendo Direct===
On November 5<sup>th</sup>, 2014, Nintendo released the ''Pikmin'' shorts, for both 3DS and Wii U. The 3DS version featured 3D elements to it, while the Wii U version is in HD. The full bundle (per version) costs $4.99/£4.49/€4.99, and includes some bonus clips as well. He explained that storyboard was created using ''[[wikipedia:Flipnote Studio|Flipnote Studio]]'', instead of ''[[wikipedia:Flipnote Studio 3D|Flipnote Studio 3D]]'' that he said in a Japanese interview early ago, possibly a form to hide the ''Flipnote Studio 3D'' delay since July 2013 in North America, Europe and Australia. During the Direct, Miyamoto also mentioned that a Pikmin 3 demo would be released after the direct, as a way for people who enjoyed the movies to get a feel for what Pikmin was like. During the same direct, Miyamoto stated that they would be holding various Pikmin events via Miiverse, the first of these being an Art Academy: Sketchpad contest. After the direct, Miyamoto also stated that "continuing campaigns such as these may lay the groundwork for the next iteration in the ''Pikmin'' series," leading fans to believe that Miyamoto may have hinted at Pikmin 4 being on the Wii U. <ref> [http://mynintendonews.com/2014/11/06/miyamoto-hints-that-pikmin-4-could-be-in-development/ Miyamoto hints at Pikmin 4]</ref>
On {{date|5|November|2014}}, Nintendo released the ''Pikmin'' shorts, for both 3DS and Wii U. The 3DS version featured 3D elements to it, while the Wii U version is in HD. He explained that storyboard was created using ''{{w|Flipnote Studio}}'', instead of ''{{w|Flipnote Studio 3D}}'' that he said in a Japanese interview some time ago, possibly a form to hide the ''Flipnote Studio 3D'' delay since July 2013 in North America, Europe and Australia (however it was eventually released in February 2015 in North America, and in March 2016 in Europe and Oceania). During the Direct, Miyamoto also mentioned that a ''[[Pikmin 3]]'' demo would be released after the direct, as a way for people who enjoyed the movies to get a feel for what Pikmin was like. During the same direct, Miyamoto stated that they would be holding various Pikmin events via Miiverse, the first of these being an [[Miiverse#Pikmin Spotted!|''Art Academy: Sketchpad'' contest]]. After the direct, Miyamoto also stated that "continuing campaigns such as these may lay the groundwork for the next iteration in the ''Pikmin'' series", leading fans to believe that Miyamoto may have hinted at a fourth ''Pikmin'' title being worked on for the Wii U.{{cite web|http://mynintendonews.com/2014/11/06/miyamoto-hints-that-pikmin-4-could-be-in-development/|Miyamoto Hints Yhat Pikmin 4 Could Be In Development|My Nintendo News}}


===Miiverse Miiting===
===Miiverse Miiting===
[[File:Miiting.jpeg|thumb|200px|Artwork for the Miiting.]]
[[File:Miiting.jpeg|thumb|200px|Artwork for the Miiting.]]
On November 22<sup>nd</sup>, a Japanese Miiverse user by the name of Marichan interviewed Shigeru Miyamoto about the movies. During the interview, Miyamoto revealed professional screenshots of the official storyboard, concept art of the opening to ''The Night Juicer,'' and gave a better look at the bulletin board seen in the same movie. He also discussed the making of the movies and some more minor details. The full interview can be seen <span class = "plainlinks">[https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAAAYUKlwtdBZ2Q here.] </span>  
On {{date|22|November|2014}}, a Japanese Miiverse user by the name of Marichan interviewed Shigeru Miyamoto about the movies. During the interview, Miyamoto revealed professional screenshots of the official storyboard, concept art of the opening to ''The Night Juicer,'' and gave a better look at the bulletin board seen in the same movie. He also discussed the making of the movies and some more minor details. The full interview can be seen <span class="plainlinks">[https://web.archive.org/web/20171018140531/https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAAAYUKlwtdBZ2Q here]</span>. In the Japanese edition, Miyamoto talks about ''{{w|Flipnote Studio}}'' and its sequel then never released outside of Japan, but in the English version, all mentions of this were removed.{{cite web|http://www.reddit.com/r/3DS/comments/2n6jx2/nintendo_censors_any_mention_of_flipnote_studio/|Nintendo censors any mention of Flipnote Studio from Pikmin Short Films interview on Miiverse|Reddit}}{{cite web|http://n4g.com/news/1627002/flipnote-studio-censored-from-recent-miyamoto-interview|Flipnote Studio censored from recent Miyamoto interview|N4G}}
 
===YouTube move===
Some weeks after the announcement of {{p3d}}, the Pikmin Short Movies were announced to be delisted off the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops, meaning users could no longer purchase the shorts, although users who previously purchased them still has download access. Instead, the videos would be officially uploaded to YouTube on all of Nintendo's regional channels. The move happened on {{date|8|October|2020}}.{{cite web|https://nintendoeverything.com/pikmin-short-movies-to-be-removed-from-the-3ds-wii-u-eshops-next-week/|Pikmin Short Movies to be removed from the 3DS / Wii U eShops next week|Nintendo Everything|published={{date|2|October|2020}}|retrieved={{date|5|October|2020}}}} The YouTube re-uploads can be freely enjoyed by everyone, but they do not include the bonus content that came with the eShop versions, and come without stereoscopic 3D support unlike the Nintendo 3DS versions.
 
{{clear}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:PikminMoviesOpening.jpg|Concept art of the intro to ''The Night Juicer'', revealed during this interview.
PikminMoviesOpening.jpg|Concept art of the intro to ''The Night Juicer'', revealed during this interview.
Characters-Pikmin Short-Movies.jpg|Artwork used to promote the ''Pikmin'' Short Movies. The Pikmin are reused from Pikmin 3's artwork.
Pik red.gif|A gif for the Red Pikmin on the ''Pikmin'' Short Movies official website.
Pik yellow.gif|A gif for the Yellow Pikmin on the ''Pikmin'' Short Movies official website.
Pik blue.gif|A gif for the Blue Pikmin on the ''Pikmin'' Short Movies official website.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Trivia==
==See also==
*In the intro to ''The Night Juicer'', purple and white Pikmin erroneously have white flowers as opposed to the pink ones.
*''[[Pikmin Safari]]''
*In ''The Night Juicer'', Olimar is seen without his helmet on while on PNF-404. It is assumed that this is PNF-404 because Pikmin are in the same room.
*[[Cutscene]]
*On the ''Pikmin 3'' boxart, a Red Pikmin is seen inside a bottle. It could possibly be a reference to ''Treasure in a Bottle''.
*[[Pikmin in other media]]
 
==External links==
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wiiu/mcvj/sp/index.html ''Pikmin'' Short Movies on Nintendo.co.jp]
*[http://pikmin.nintendo.com ''Pikmin'' Short Movies on Nintendo.com]
*[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Nintendo-3DS-Family/Download-Content/Downloadable-videos/PIKMIN-Short-Movies/PIKMIN-Short-Movies-937752.html ''Pikmin'' Short Movies on Nintendo.co.uk]
*[https://pikmin.nintendo.com/en/short-movies/ ''Pikmin'' Short Movies on Pikmin.Nintendo.com]
*[https://youtu.be/ebekXCaC9w0 Japanese trailer]
*[https://youtu.be/dTnNdctBvtQ North American trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2JiZAV5BmDUWcjAdK4qQI05cFc72Qd3Q Official playlist on YouTube]


==References==
==References==
<references/>
{{refs}}
 
{{featured|{{date|1|October|2021}}|{{date|1|December|2021}}}}


[[Category:Real world]]
[[Category:Pikmin Short Movies| ]]

Latest revision as of 17:57, September 12, 2024

The logo for the Pikmin Short Movies.

This article or section features debatable canonical information.
The content here is yet to be confirmed to be canon, but features non-canonical aspects.

The Pikmin Short Movies (ピクミン短編アニメ集?, lit.: "Pikmin Short Film Collection") are a trio of animated films released in 2014, showing Pikmin interacting with the environment of PNF-404 alongside Captain Olimar. These films are drawn using computer generated 3D graphics. They were produced by TK3 Inc. and Nintendo Co., Ltd, and were animated by Dynamo Pictures, Inc. (formerly Dwango Pictures, Inc.), with Shigeru Miyamoto as executive producer. The three shorts are called The Night Juicer, Treasure in a Bottle, and Occupational Hazards.

The shorts are all based on the first two Pikmin games. They focus more on the Pikmin's interactions with the environment, as well as each individual Pikmin's behaviors and actions. These aspects cannot be elaborated on inside the games, due to technical and visual limitations, as well as deviating from the gameplay purposes of the games. Some of the actions the Pikmin perform in the shorts contradict what is known to happen in the game's canon, meaning that it is not clear if the shorts take place in the same canon as the games'. These include the Pikmin being able to open up their leaves or buds into flowers seemingly at will, and White Pikmin being able to spit acid.

In addition to the shorts, four bonus clips exist. The bundle consisting of shorts and bonuses was originally available on the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS, on each of the respective platform's eShop, for $4.99/£4.49/€4.99. However, those apps have since been deleted, and the videos were moved to Nintendo's official YouTube channels for free watching. The 3DS version of the bundle is in stereoscopic 3D, and is referred to as "Pikmin Short Movies 3D", while the clips on the Wii U are referred to as "Pikmin Short Movies HD", and are rendered in high definition. The latter being the versions that were uploaded to YouTube.

Shorts[edit]

The Night Juicer[edit]

The first scene of The Night Juicer, showing Captain Olimar blending Pikpik Carrots.
Olimar blending his drink in The Night Juicer.
Main article: The Night Juicer.

This short features Captain Olimar and some Pikmin inside an unknown room, with Captain Olimar using a small blender to make a juice-like drink. The three Pikmin become horrified with what appears to be a vivisected Red Pikmin on a cutting board. Olimar slowly chases after the Pikmin, each of them envisioning themselves being turned into a cool refreshment, until they eventually bump into a box of pikpik carrots, the food that Olimar was really blending. Still petrified by fear, the Pikmin lay motionless in the pile of carrots as Olimar casually shifts them aside to pick up a couple of the carrots. He then proceeds to chipperly walk off camera, completely unaware of the humorous misunderstanding.

YouTube link

Treasure in a Bottle[edit]

The 3 Pikmin get an idea to rescue their friend.
Main article: Treasure in a Bottle.

This short starts off with a Red Pikmin chasing after a large white butterfly, eventually coming across a Ramune bottle with a blue marble inside. While trying to retrieve the marble, the Pikmin manages to trap itself inside the bottle. It calls for help from a passing group of Blue, Yellow and Red Pikmin, which laugh at the Red's plight and comically distorted appearance the bottle causes the Red Pikmin to have.

The Pikmin get ideas to fill the bottle with water or blow it up, which are never executed and fail, respectively. After spotting the butterfly again and a Purple as well as 3 Blue Pikmin using their weight as a chain to catch the butterfly, all at once they come up with the idea to create a rescue chain of Pikmin held by the Purple. The trapped Red Pikmin is rescued, but before it returns to the ground, it looks back at the marble. Eventually, the Pikmin decide to carry the whole bottle back.

YouTube link

Occupational Hazards[edit]

The first scene of Occupational Hazards, showing several Pikmin carrying various parts.
Pikmin hard at work, scavenging an abandoned construction site.
Main article: Occupational Hazards.

This short begins with various types of Pikmin scavenging an abandoned construction site containing a backhoe for treasures for the Hocotate ship. While most of the Pikmin are hard at work, some of them are slacking off, such as a group of several Yellow Pikmin playing with an electrical current of the engine's battery and White Pikmin spitting poison fluids at various parts of the machine, which results in portions of it getting damaged, and moreover, melted. Olimar is on the top of the machine, and has a miniature seesaw device so that the Pikmin can both reach the ship's pod and get to the ground easily at the same time. The Research Pod, filled to the brim with treasures (as the Pikmin have amassed a giant pile of fasteners below the ship), temporarily leaves to unload its cargo on the ship.

Meanwhile, a group of Pikmin run off to rummage through some metal pipes and accidentally wake up a sleeping Fiery Blowhog, who then stampedes after them. A few Red Pikmin subdue it into a pile of mud, causing the Blowhog to now spew out mud, and the Pikmin nearby start frolicking. While playing, a Yellow Pikmin wanders off into a nearby sewer entry after noticing a shiny golden colored bolt on the floor. It eventually finds and accidentally awakens an angered and incidentally hungry Bulborb.

The Bulborb chases the Pikmin, stopping a few times because of the Pikmin hiding in a glove to hypnotize him, and later, a tire rim serving as shelter for the Pikmin. Meanwhile, the Yellow Pikmin who were playing with the battery, manage to inadvertently activate the backhoe by completing a full electrical circuit between its battery and its machinery, and an accidental lever activation causes the bucket to lift, where the Pikmin and Bulborb were. The Bulborb crashes to the ground and becomes unconscious, and the Pikmin, their leaves changed to flowers, float safely to the ground. After some Pikmin swarm it, the arm and bucket of the machine fall apart and land on the Bulborb; the Pikmin escape just in time. The whole backhoe collapses, and the Research Pod, that has just returned, discovers that the whole pile (including the Bulborb) is worth 1 quadrillion and seven Pokos. Olimar is both astounded and overjoyed by this most profitable find and strikes a triumphant pose.

YouTube link

Bonuses[edit]

Storyboard for Treasure in a Bottle.
A portion of the storyboard from Treasure in a Bottle.

In the apps, a bonus section exists, featuring four clips on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, plus two more bonus clips exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version.

[edit]

This is a cross-promotional theater chain intro clip that was originally played in various Toho Cinemas theaters in late 2012 before the feature film began

The clip starts off with a Red Pikmin atop a red ball. It spins the ball around, revealing the ball to be part of the Toho Cinemas logo. Various Pikmin (Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, and White) come running out of the opening, carrying various letters. They set the letters down, which eventually spell out "TOHO CINEMAS". The Red Pikmin jumps off the circular emblem. Afterward, the emblem begins to bounce towards the Red Pikmin until it remains fixed atop the letters, revealing the full Toho Cinemas logo. The Red Pikmin then runs off.

Length: 00:31

[edit]

This is a cross-promotional theater chain intro clip that was originally played in various Toho Cinemas theaters in early 2013 before the feature film began. It is an updated version of the 2012 Pikmin intro clip to tie in with Pikmin 3.

This clip starts of the same way as the 2012 version, except a Rock Pikmin is among the various Pikmin carrying the letters that spell "TOHO CINEMAS", and towards the end the circular Toho Cinemas emblem is carried above the letters by some Winged Pikmin. The Red Pikmin also stays on top of the emblem, calling out "Pikmin" as it flowers up.

Length: 00:37

TOHO CINEMAS 3D Glasses[edit]

This is a cross-promotional informal clip that originally played in various Toho Cinemas theaters between 2012 and 2013 just before the 3D trailers and the 3D feature film began. In the apps, it is exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version.

Three Pikmin appear in a blank background, and text suddenly appears informing the audience to please put on their 3D glasses. As the Pikmin put on their own glasses, a tremor occurs, and suddenly the Pikmin appear in distance of each other to illustrate the 3D effect, which surprises the Pikmin before running to greet each other. Suddenly, a large group of frightened Pikmin run past the three, where they quickly find themselves chased by a Bulborb in a grassy field. The Bulborb chases the three Pikmin until they disappear off screen. The Bulborb then puts on its own 3D glasses as it notices the audience, and hurls towards the camera.

Length: 00:37

RealD 3D Cinemas Trailer[edit]

This is a cross-promotional informal clip that originally played in various theaters in certain countries during 2013, just before the 3D trailers and the 3D feature film began, if said theaters supported RealD's 3D systems. The clip features RealD's old logo, which was officially redesigned in 2015.[1] In the apps, it is exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version.

Three Pikmin are sitting idly on a leaf blade in a grassy field, and suddenly a Winged Pikmin comes along dropping 3D glasses for each one of the three. As the three Pikmin curiously put on their glasses, they got stunned by the 3D effect that just kicked in, with two Winged Pikmin on the scene also helping illustrate the 3D effect. Suddenly, a Bulborb appears behind them, and chases after the three Pikmin until they disappear off screen. The two Winged Pikmin from earlier appear again with a RealD pair of glasses for the Bulborb, which it puts on quickly before hurling towards the camera. The clip ends with the appearance of the blue RealD 3D logo, and its slogan "The New Dimension Of Entertainment" below it.

Length: 00:24

Treasure in a Bottle: Storyboard by Shigeru Miyamoto[edit]

Like the title implies, this is a storyboard Miyamoto used to develop Treasure in a Bottle. It was created using the original Flipnote Studio.

To note is that the animated storyboard clips are in the same resolution as the original Nintendo DSi app, and the shorts were likely in production since circa 2012. The final version of Flipnote Studio 3D itself was not launched in Japan until July 2013.

Length: 01:23

Occupational Hazards: Storyboard by Shigeru Miyamoto[edit]

Similarly, this is a storyboard created by Miyamoto for Occupational Hazards. Once again, it was created using the original Flipnote Studio.

To note is that the animated storyboard clips are in the same resolution as the original Nintendo DSi app, and the shorts were likely in production since circa 2012. The final version of Flipnote Studio 3D itself was not launched in Japan until July 2013.

Length: 02:05

The app[edit]

Wii U[edit]

When the Pikmin Short Movies app is booted, a jingle with the Pikmin motif from Pikmin 2 plays. When it finishes loading, a menu with 4 options is presented on the GamePad, three for the shorts, and one that opens the bonus menu. A short or bonus can be picked with either the L Stick on the Wii U GamePad and the A Button on the Wii U GamePad or by touching it on the touchscreen. During this menu, the TV screen shows a static image of the Pikmin Short Movies HD logo, and if the viewer is on the bonus menu, the word "Bonus" appears below it. On the TV, a light remix of the theme that plays during the bad ending of Pikmin can be heard – it is just the same song but with sound effects from the shorts spread about, and followed by wildlife sounds before it loops again.

When playing a short, the TV always shows the short, and the GamePad screen can either show the video or detailed playback controls; a button on the bottom-right corner toggles this option. When in the detailed view, the top of the GamePad screen shows the name of the short, followed by the current time and the total duration. Below that is a seek bar, which the viewer can drag to seek through the movie. Below that are three control buttons. The buttons to skip forward and backward move the movie 5 seconds forward or backward, if it is paused, and if not, it fast-forwards forwards or backwards, 5 seconds at a time. The play/pause buttons starts or pauses the playback. Finally, a button on the bottom-left returns to the main menu.

In the GamePad view mode, only three controls exist: a button on the bottom-left plays and pauses, a seek bar is in the middle, and the button on the bottom-right toggles the mode. The audio will also start being played through the GamePad instead of the TV. When the video is playing, after not touching anything for a few seconds, the controls disappear, but return if the touchscreen is touched. Bizarrely, even though no button or stick on the GamePad does anything, pressing the A Button on the Wii U GamePad, the B Button on the Wii U GamePad, the X Button on the Wii U GamePad, the Y Button on the Wii U GamePad, the L Button on the Wii U GamePad, the R Button on the Wii U GamePad, the ZL Button on the Wii U GamePad or the ZR Button on the Wii U GamePad will bring back the on-screen controls if they are hidden.

3DS[edit]

When the Pikmin Short Movies app is loaded, the top screen will show a static image of the short movie or bonus video selected on the touch screen. The touch screen will show the 3 short movies' and the bonus contents' buttons. Tapping on a movie's button or pressing the A Button on the 3DS while it's selected will start the film.

While a short movie or bonus feature is playing, the top screen will show the video and the bottom screen will have the controls. Viewers can pause/play the video, skip ahead or back a few seconds, and see how much time is left. While the movie is playing, pressing the A Button on the 3DS, the B Button on the 3DS, the X Button on the 3DS, the Y Button on the 3DS, the L Button on the 3DS, or the R Button on the 3DS will play a sound effect. the A Button on the 3DS will play a whistle sound. the B Button on the 3DS will play a train noise. the X Button on the 3DS will play an explosion noise, a bell ringing, a cymbal crash, a metal sound, or a drum beat. the Y Button on the 3DS will play an electric guitar sound. the L Button on the 3DS will play the sound that plays every time a quarter of the day has gone by in Pikmin 3. the R Button on the 3DS will play a Bouncy Mushroom sound.

While on the menu, the music Live as a Pikmin from Pikmin will play, along with a bunch of sound effects from the short movies.

History[edit]

To do: Add sources.
Care to do so?

Artwork of the Pikmin Short Movies.
Promotional artwork for the movies.

In an interview with Shigeru Miyamoto in March of 2013, the creator of the Pikmin series announced Nintendo was working on a cartoon based on the franchise. In the interview, Miyamoto revealed that these cartoons would be released at some point in 2013 but before the next game in the series, Pikmin 3, which was still in development. The idea was to distribute them as Nintendo 3DS videos, and he considered the idea of selling them if they become something bigger.

The idea for these cartoons came around when Miyamoto was trying to "give more life to the Pikmin characters". When asked if this was an attempt to make the 3DS less of a gaming-centric console, Miyamoto declared he hadn't thought about it that way. Instead, it's just taking advantage of the Pikmin series, and expanding its potential. If the idea were to flourish, Nintendo would do cartoons on other franchises as well.

Miyamoto stated that they'd considered doing something like this for Nintendo's characters many times in the past, but avoided it because of the difference between an interactive game and a film. A film also requires much more "setting in stone" about the characters and world that could be limiting for the company when it comes to future games. However, with Pikmin they're very small inside the game and players can't see them well without zooming in close. So he thought shorts might be a good fit for the Pikmin series as it'd allow there to be more focus on the actual Pikmin.

In September of 2014, Miyamoto announced that three short animated movies would be shown at the Tokyo International film festival, which would happen from October 25th to October 31st. These short movies will be titled The Night Juicer, Treasures in a Bottle, and Occupational Hazards.

On October 25th, 2014, the movies were premiered at the Tokyo Film Festival. According to IGN, Miyamoto has completed 20-30 short films, yet has only left the three movies listed above for public viewing.[2]

After the shorts were presented, Shigeru Miyamoto and Dwango chairman Nobuo Kawakami held a press conference, and revealed more info on the shorts[3]. The two stated things such as the shorts soon after coming to the eShop. They also announced that they made the storyboard using Flipnote Studio 3D. Each film was planned to be 10 minutes long, but they ended up scrapping the idea and made some slightly longer and shorter ones. Other minor details were announced as well.

Nintendo Direct[edit]

On November 5th, 2014, Nintendo released the Pikmin shorts, for both 3DS and Wii U. The 3DS version featured 3D elements to it, while the Wii U version is in HD. He explained that storyboard was created using Flipnote Studio, instead of Flipnote Studio 3D that he said in a Japanese interview some time ago, possibly a form to hide the Flipnote Studio 3D delay since July 2013 in North America, Europe and Australia (however it was eventually released in February 2015 in North America, and in March 2016 in Europe and Oceania). During the Direct, Miyamoto also mentioned that a Pikmin 3 demo would be released after the direct, as a way for people who enjoyed the movies to get a feel for what Pikmin was like. During the same direct, Miyamoto stated that they would be holding various Pikmin events via Miiverse, the first of these being an Art Academy: Sketchpad contest. After the direct, Miyamoto also stated that "continuing campaigns such as these may lay the groundwork for the next iteration in the Pikmin series", leading fans to believe that Miyamoto may have hinted at a fourth Pikmin title being worked on for the Wii U.[4]

Miiverse Miiting[edit]

Artwork for the Pikmin Short Movies "Miiverse Miiting".
Artwork for the Miiting.

On November 22nd, 2014, a Japanese Miiverse user by the name of Marichan interviewed Shigeru Miyamoto about the movies. During the interview, Miyamoto revealed professional screenshots of the official storyboard, concept art of the opening to The Night Juicer, and gave a better look at the bulletin board seen in the same movie. He also discussed the making of the movies and some more minor details. The full interview can be seen here. In the Japanese edition, Miyamoto talks about Flipnote Studio and its sequel then never released outside of Japan, but in the English version, all mentions of this were removed.[5][6]

YouTube move[edit]

Some weeks after the announcement of Pikmin 3 Deluxe, the Pikmin Short Movies were announced to be delisted off the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops, meaning users could no longer purchase the shorts, although users who previously purchased them still has download access. Instead, the videos would be officially uploaded to YouTube on all of Nintendo's regional channels. The move happened on October 8th, 2020.[7] The YouTube re-uploads can be freely enjoyed by everyone, but they do not include the bonus content that came with the eShop versions, and come without stereoscopic 3D support unlike the Nintendo 3DS versions.

Gallery[edit]

  • Concept art of the intro to The Night Juicer, revealed during this interview.

    Concept art of the intro to The Night Juicer, revealed during this interview.

  • Artwork used to promote the Pikmin Short Movies. The Pikmin are reused from Pikmin 3's artwork.

    Artwork used to promote the Pikmin Short Movies. The Pikmin are reused from Pikmin 3's artwork.

  • A gif for the Red Pikmin on the Pikmin Short Movies official website.

    A gif for the Red Pikmin on the Pikmin Short Movies official website.

  • A gif for the Yellow Pikmin on the Pikmin Short Movies official website.

    A gif for the Yellow Pikmin on the Pikmin Short Movies official website.

  • A gif for the Blue Pikmin on the Pikmin Short Movies official website.

    A gif for the Blue Pikmin on the Pikmin Short Movies official website.

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Brand New: New Logo for RealD on UnderConsideration LLC
  2. ^ Shigeru Miyamoto's Pikmin Short Films Are Beautiful on IGN
  3. ^ Pikmin Short Films Coming Soon To Nintendo 3DS on My Nintendo News
  4. ^ Miyamoto Hints Yhat Pikmin 4 Could Be In Development on My Nintendo News
  5. ^ Nintendo censors any mention of Flipnote Studio from Pikmin Short Films interview on Miiverse on Reddit
  6. ^ Flipnote Studio censored from recent Miyamoto interview on N4G
  7. ^ Pikmin Short Movies to be removed from the 3DS / Wii U eShops next week on Nintendo Everything, published on October 2nd, 2020, retrieved on October 5th, 2020


Icon of a white flower in the Challenge Mode of Pikmin 2. It represents a course that is beaten, but with Pikmin who were lost.

This article was a featured article from October 1st, 2021 to December 1st, 2021.

Icon of a white flower in the Challenge Mode of Pikmin 2. It represents a course that is beaten, but with Pikmin who were lost.
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