#Julie’s flower seeds | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

seandwalsh · 4 months

Text

The Origins of Pikmin (Part 2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But who...?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Thought to be a malformed larval Mamuta.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But that's a topic for another day.

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

#pikmin lore #pikmin theory #pikmin #pikmin 4 #captain olimar #olimar pikmin

56 notes · View notes