Bulbmin
Bulbmin (adults: ハチャッピー?, lit.: "Leaf Chappy"; juvenile: コッパチャッピー?) are a parasitic species of Pikmin found in Pikmin 2. These Pikmin infect Bulborbs and take control of them, but it is hinted by Olimar that they can take on other hosts as well. Physically, they resemble Red Bulborbs, except with a Pikmin stem and leaf (or bud or flower) atop their back. They can be found wandering the floors of certain caves and behave much like the Spotty Bulbear, patrolling an established path in search of food, and can be dealt with similarly by using sprays or Purple Pikmin. The cave with the greatest number of Bulbmin is the Submerged Castle. Mature Bulbmin, acting as a leader, can be followed by 10 or fewer juvenile Bulbmin. These wild juveniles can be used like normal Pikmin by the Hocotatian leaders, and each count towards the 100 Pikmin limit; exactly how many there are when entering the sublevel depends on the number of available Pikmin slots the player had prior, up to a limit of 10 juveniles per mature Bulbmin. The mature Bulbmin acts like a Bulborb, in that it will pursue and eat Olimar's Pikmin. After defeating it, the smaller ones go into a panic. They are not dangerous, but whistling at them will instantly bring them into line under the leader's command, and they become part of his Pikmin swarm. This addition is not permanent though, as Bulbmin stay behind whenever the party leaves the cave. Besides appearing in a select few caves in story mode, they are also present in some Challenge Mode stages. ContentsAs Pikmin[edit]
As Pikmin that the player's leaders can use, the Bulbmin are identical to other Pikmin types, but look like Bulborbs and sound different. They have average capabilities in terms of mobility and strength, but are immune to all elemental hazards (fire, electricity, water, and poison). As beneficial as their abilities may seem, they cannot leave the caves with the group, for an unknown reason. Instead, they stay behind and watch the leaders and fellow Pikmin leave. Because of this, they will not count towards the overall Pikmin count, although any deaths do count towards the lost Pikmin total. Them being left behind when a cave is exited does not count as a death, however. This makes them ideal for use in Candypop Buds. There is no information regarding what Bulbmin inside Bulborbs actually look like. It is possible that they are green, since they appear as green dots on the radar, and since their leaves glow green when idle. Although they may also be orange, given the color of their stem, as well as the color of the conical aiming cursor when a Bulbmin is in hand, and the color of the trail they produce when thrown. That said, what is known is that their buds and flowers are white. The only way that Bulbmin can be killed before ever being whistled is if they are crushed, or they fall over the side of a level into the abyss when shaken by an enemy attack, explosion, or other sufficient force. When that happens, their deaths will not count for the player's death tally. Stats[edit]
NotesOlimar's notes“This loathsome creature is in fact a parasitic form of Pikmin that has infected a bulborb. Unlike Pikmin that nest in Pikmin Onions, this parasitic relative spends its life inside the body of a host, usually a bulborb. Juveniles fall in line and mimic the actions of their parent until maturing to full independence. By burying its rootlike limbs into the nervous system of the host bulborb and infusing it with natural hormonal excretions, the bulbmin is able to control virtually all of the host's bodily functions. However, the host's voracious appetite seems impossible to suppress.” Louie's notes“Grind the meat and season with allspice, salt, and ground white pepper. Press the seasoned meat into meat satchels, then panfry them with onions. Prior to serving, smother the brats with dijon mustard and sauerkraut. Buns are optional.” Ship's dialogs“The confused bulborb has fallen in with the Pikmin. They appear to coexist peacefully.
Strange... this bulborb has a leaf sprouting from its spine, much like the leaf on a Pikmin's head.”
Strategy[edit]Pikmin[edit]To ensure a low Pikmin loss, if not zero, wait until it approaches the active leader, then throw Pikmin rapidly on top of the beast, further to the back than the front. If done correctly and with good aim, it should shake them off and turn around slowly: it has been distracted, leaving a large time gap in which to swarm it. Do it, then, and it should die before any of the Pikmin it manages to swallow do. Also if it is attacked by other Bulbmin it will hesitate slightly before attacking allowing more time to deal damage. As extra precautions or for an easier fight, use Purple Pikmin or an ultra-bitter spray if it captures any Pikmin. Leaders[edit]Approach the Bulbmin like a roaming Bulbear, attacking it from behind and avoiding its bite. Although its health is significantly lower than a Bulbear's, it can still take a substantial amount of time to kill without the Rocket Fist. Technical information[edit]
Other information[edit]
Naming[edit]
See more: Grub-dog family#Naming.
The word "Bulbmin" is a combination of "Bulborb" and "Pikmin". In Japan, the mature Bulbmin is called ハチャッピー?, which means "Leaf Chappy"; "leaf" is because of the leaf (or bud or flower) coming out of their backs, and Chappy is the Japanese name for Bulborb. The juvenile Bulbmin is called コッパチャッピー?. Their scientific name is Parasiticus pikminicus, which is made up of Parasiticus, Latin for "parasitic", given that the Bulbmin itself is a parasitic life-form, and pikminicus, like "Pikmin". Internally, they are known as Names in other languages[edit]
Gallery[edit]
Trivia[edit]![]() The three stages of Bulbmin sprouts in the ground.
See also[edit]
|