- Nintendo releases "Close to You," a dialogue-free short film about four minutes long.
- A later version on Nintendo Today shows Pikmin visible; at the premiere, they were invisible.
- The music and various visual details reinforce the connection to the Pikmin saga.
- The short is produced by Nintendo Pictures; the project's purpose has not been specified.
Sin previo aviso, Nintendo has released an animated short titled Close to you that has aroused as much curiosity as questions. With a aesthetics reminiscent of large studios, the footage of about four minutes dispenses with dialogue and opts for a purely visual storytelling.
What seemed like an isolated piece soon became a topic of conversation: The community detected clues that pointed to Pikmin y, poco después, A version of the video has arrived that clears up part of the mystery.. Besides, Nintendo has confirmed its authorship through Nintendo Pictures, its in-house animation studio based in Kyoto.
What is Close to You and how was it published?
The short It shows a baby in his room while objects move around without any apparent explanation.; in a certain scene his mother appears and the little one ends up taking his first steps. The piece premiered on the official channels of YouTube and in the app Nintendo Today, without detailed information or production notes, reinforcing the idea of total surprise.
Days after, Nintendo distributed a second version within the mobile application in which, unlike the first, are appreciated clearly several Pikmin scattered around the scene, confirming the relationship with the franchise.
Signs leading to Pikmin
Before the update, there were already hints: the piano soundtrack takes melodic turns that refer to Pikmin's signature themes, and a tiny figure steals the baby's pacifier, sparking a chase. In the first montage, these creatures seemed invisible, and in an out-of-focus shot, movement was seen under the bed.
With the revised version, these insinuations become evidence. Pikmin They appear integrated into the room as those responsible for the toys that change place, resolving the wink and aligning the short with the identity of the saga of tiny creatures.
Nintendo Pictures, behind the project
The company has indicated that the short corresponds to nintendo pictures, its in-house animation studio founded in 2022 following the integration of Dynamo Pictures. Since then, the team has worked on short pieces and promotional materials, with previous experience linked to content from Pikmin.
According to the information shared, this would be the first signed work officially by Nintendo Pictures as an in-house studio, a step consistent with the company's recent commitment to audiovisuals.
What is confirmed and what is up in the air
There are a handful of certainties and several unknowns. On the one hand, the link with Pikmin It's no longer a mere suspicion thanks to the version with visible creatures; on the other hand, the final purpose of the short has not been specified.
- Confirmed facts: There is an official short film called Close to you, which is around four minutes long, has been posted on Nintendo Channels and the Nintendo Today app, and the most recent version features Pikmin.
- Autores: Nintendo has confirmed the involvement of its internal studio, Nintendo Pictures.
- Open questions: It has not been announced whether this is a prelude to a new game, a series of short films, a brand campaign, or a larger project related to the franchise.
Launch timeline
From the first hint to the update with visible creatures, the movement has been staggered and calculated, with brief communications on networks and direct distribution on in-house platforms.
- 7 de octubre: first preview on social media that focuses on Close to you.
- 8 de octubre: publication of the short on the official YouTube channels and in the Nintendo Today app.
- 10 de octubre: A new version arrives on Nintendo Today where the Pikmin They are seen without hesitation and Nintendo confirms its authorship via Nintendo Pictures.
Context: The Pikmin Moment and the Audiovisual Strategy
The saga is having a good time after Pikmin 4, released in 2023 for Nintendo Switch, which accumulated 3,48 million copies as of March 31, 2024. In parallel, the company is strengthening its audiovisual presence with its own studios and external collaborations. If you want to learn how to play, check out how to play Pikmin Bloom.
In this context, a short film, without dialogue and with Music tracks recognizable works as a flexible piece of communication: it serves both to reinforce the brand and to prepare future actions without yet revealing its destination.
With the veil partially lifted, Close to you It remains a carefully crafted introduction that connects with Pikmin without revealing the next step. Between the gentle staging, the engaging music, and the confirmation from Nintendo Pictures, everything points to Nintendo fine-tuning its approach to the short format while waiting to make its move with something bigger.
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