Olimar
Olimar, as he appears in the Pikmin Short Movies.
Olimar, as he appears in the Pikmin Short Movies.
Name Olimar
Gender Male
Age Adulthood (age unknown)
Eye color Black
Hair color Brown
Home planet Hocotate
Known related characters Wife, son, daughter, Bulbie (pet)
Height 1.9 cm (0.75 inches)
Voice actor Kazumi Totaka
First game Pikmin
Latest game Hey! Pikmin

Captain Olimar (キャプテン・オリマー?), also referred to as just Olimar, is the main protagonist of the Pikmin series, although only the main character in the first two games. He discovered PNF-404 and all types of Pikmin so far. He works at Hocotate Freight and, in the first Pikmin game, owns and captains his ship, the S.S. Dolphin.

Olimar has a family on Hocotate, his home planet, and the currently known main members include his wife, son, daughter and his dog. In-game, Olimar monologues some notes in Pikmin; in the second game, they are replaced by the ship's notes.

Personality and appearance

Physically, Olimar has three short brown tufts of hair and wears a beige spacesuit, decorated with red lines and red gloves. He measures 1.9cm tall, 3.9cm tall with his space suit on, from the feet to the top of the antenna.

He is quite intellectual, judging from his writings, and has an interest in science and presumably biology, taking notes and commenting on every treasure and enemy he discovers. In addition, he might also have a knack for engineering, as he was once a mechanic and the one who designed the Bowsprit.

He loves his family, but they often ask a lot of him when it comes to financial matters. This is one of the reasons he enjoys time to himself. Normally, Olimar is a calm and caring individual, and was not portrayed as overly greedy in Pikmin 2, but his journal entries in US version of Pikmin 3 reveal that he has developed a fixating interest in treasure.

According to his journal entry on the Impenetrable Cookie, he has a short temper towards incidents of little importance. He also mentions that he has always "had a way with animals", which can be seen with his fairly extensive Piklopedia journal entries on the various creatures on the planet. According to his entries on the Paradoxical Enigma and Harmonic Synthesizer, he also considers himself a refined patron of the arts.

Traits and abilities

  • Olimar is able to control Pikmin, using his whistle as a means of command. The Pikmin quite possibly see him as a leader and a hero.
  • He can pluck or pull out Pikmin sprouts.
  • Olimar can launch a punch attack to weaken enemies (or a three punch combo after obtaining the Rocket Fist).

Biography

Plot of Pikmin

 
Olimar, followed by Red Pikmin.

While on an interstellar vacation from Hocotate, Captain Olimar's ship, the S.S. Dolphin, collided with a meteor, causing it to fall and start to burn as it was crashing down to an unknown planet.

The Dolphin lost 30 pieces, and the accident rendered Olimar unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he found the planet's atmosphere contained high amounts of oxygen, which is extremely poisonous to his species. Fortunately, Olimar landed next to the still barely functioning skeletal hull of the Dolphin. While wandering around an area he called The Impact Site, Olimar met odd creatures that he called Pikmin at what could be considered their nest, an Onion. Both Pikmin and the Onions are named after famous foods Olimar often ate on Hocotate.

These Red Pikmin that he discovered were able to reproduce more Pikmin with Olimar's help. Olimar directed them to carry his ship's Main Engine back to The Dolphin's remains, which auto-repaired itself with the parts that Olimar and the Pikmin brought. This allowed the S.S. Dolphin at least lift off for the night and avoid the hostile nocturnal creatures that reside on PNF-404.

As he was looking for more parts, he discovered additional Pikmin types, including Yellow Pikmin and Blue Pikmin in two different areas. Luckily for Olimar, he was able to find and recover all of the ship parts on the planet and restore his ship's damage. Before he left, he took a bottle cap from the planet as a souvenir and took notes on the wildlife.

Although that is the canonical ending, it is possible for players to reach alternate endings.

Return to Hocotate

After Olimar's success on PNF-404, he was able to blast off the planet to return to Hocotate, see his family and return to his normal life. After arriving at Hocotate Freight, he met up with the President and a new employee named Louie. After landing his ship, he learned that the company was in debt, having to pay at least   × 10,100 for the loss of a golden Pikpik carrot shipment. Learning that the Dolphin was sold to help pay the debt, Olimar was so shocked he dropped the souvenir for his son. As the bottle cap rolled past Louie, an old ship was able to suck up the rusty bottle cap. Its pod analyzed the piece of salvage to be worth   × 100, which lowered the debt to   × 10,000. The President commanded Olimar and Louie to return to the Pikmin Planet and collect more treasure as a result.

Paying off Hocotate Freight's debt

As Olimar and Louie were heading to the Valley of Repose, the ship collided with a tree branch, and the resulting impact jolted Louie out of the cockpit, leaving Olimar to search for him. Luckily for Olimar, he found a group of Red Pikmin fighting a lone Dwarf Red Bulborb. He was able to unite with Louie by using the Pikmin to squash the barriers. Before, Louie had discovered a treasure, and with the help of Olimar, they were able to forage it. They then discovered a series of caves, areas and new Pikmin types.

In the end, Olimar and Louie were able to pay the debt. Olimar blasted off the planet, but noticed that he somehow left Louie behind, but at too late a time to go back and rescue Louie immediately.

The search for Louie

After repaying the debt, Captain Olimar blasted off the planet, but noticed that he somehow left Louie behind. Alas, it was too late, as he was going too fast to turn around and get him. After meeting the President once again to present him with all the treasures he and Louie found, the debt was fully paid.

Olimar then told the President that there was more treasure on the planet. The President, looking to increase Hocotate Freight's fortune, then decided to send Olimar and Louie back to the planet. Only then did he realize that Louie was missing. The President decided that he would join Olimar to search for Louie and to make their company even wealthier. The two went to the Wistful Wild to start their search and eventually found Louie in the Dream Den.

Pikmin 3

File:DownedOlimar.jpeg
Captain Olimar asleep in Pikmin 3.

In Pikmin 3, Captain Olimar is present only as a plot element, but is a playable character in some Mission Mode stages, as well as being player 2's leader in Bingo Battle mode.

In Pikmin 3, Olimar's unseen voyage is explained through Data Files the player can find throughout the game, as well as the Secret Files.

Due to to the President's excessive spending and failure of a new business venture, Olimar is sent back to PNF-404 with Louie in search of even more treasure to buy back the S.S. Dolphin and repay Hocotate Freight's newly acquired second debt. However, the Hocotate ship lands near a massive creature known as a Quaggled Mireclops, which destroys it, leaving Olimar and Louie stranded. As they explore the planet, they inadvertently pick up the Koppaites' cosmic drive key.

After a while, Olimar starts to enjoy the search for treasure, and even becomes tempted by it. He at one point writes in his diary that he is sick of the President getting everything, and how easy it would be to take just one piece of gold. Olimar eventually discovers the Formidable Oak, seeing something glittering at the top of it. Thinking it must be valuable gold, he climbs to the top, only to find it is actually a living creature, the Plasm Wraith. The creature eventually obsesses over Olimar, preventing him from leaving, yet doesn't harm him. Because of the wraith, each time Olimar attempts to escape, his suit's auto-sleep feature prevents him from going through with it.

With the help of Louie, Alph, Brittany, and Charlie are able to locate Olimar and subdue the Plasm Wraith just long enough for them to take off with Olimar.

In the Super Smash Bros. series

 
Olimar's official artwork for Smash Bros. Brawl.
 

This article or section is a short summary on Olimar as a fighter.
SmashWiki features more in-depth content.

See also: Super Smash Bros. series.

Olimar is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He commands his Pikmin in battle and is almost entirely dependent on them. Olimar is able to pluck new Pikmin from the ground at any time, and he can have up to six or three with him at once (depending on the game).

As with most other characters in Smash, Olimar's design has multiple details not seen in the original games. His space suit has visible seams and straps, and his sleeves are decorated with the Hocotate Freight logo. Additionally, his backpack now has what appear to be ports for plugs of different shapes and sizes.

The Pikmin, as in the original series, are fragile and can be defeated easily, but each of the five types have special unique properties (for example, the Red Pikmin are stronger than average and have fire-based attacks, as well as resistance to flame). The Pikmin Olimar plucks are chosen at random in Brawl and appear in a set order in Smash 4.

Olimar's Final Smash is called End of Day, during which he leaves the arena via his spaceship as night falls. The players left behind are attacked by feeding Bulborbs, and can be further damaged when Olimar's ship returns and explodes on impact. Although Olimar's Pikmin are left behind too, they go unharmed.

Melee trophy

Captain Olimar also appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee, but only as a trophy.

  Description:

The main character of the game Pikmin, Captain Olimar crash-lands on a mysterious planet after his spaceship malfunctions. In order to get off the planet, he must gather the pieces of his broken ship, but the atmosphere of the planet is poisonous to Olimar. As a result, he has to enlist the help of the native Pikmin.

Pikmin
12/01
How to obtain: Have a Pikmin save file in the memory card. Type: Other

Brawl trophy

  Description:

Veteran spacefarers in the employ of Hocotate Freight. After crash-landing on an enigmatic planet, Olimar met the mysterious beings known as Pikmin. He enlisted their aid to find his spaceship parts and help him escape. Once home, he found his employer on the verge of bankruptcy. He was sent back to the Pikmin world with his partner, Louie, to repay the company debt.

  Pikmin
  Pikmin 2
How to obtain: Complete Classic mode with Olimar. Type: Fighter

Smash 4 trophy

Normal, 3DS

    US description:
A veteran spaceship pilot for Hocotate Freight, Captain Olimar partners with Pikmin in Smash Bros. to help him in battle. Olimar is much stronger when he's got Pikmin with him, so keep them plucked and good to go. Pikmin abilities are based on their color—learn what each is best at!
  EU description:
Captain Olimar, veteran Hocotate Freight astronaut, joins forces with Pikmin again in this game to take on the world. Olimar isn't much of an attacker without Pikmin by his side, so you should always keep some ready. Pikmin have different abilities depending on their colour, so learn how they work to use them effectively!
How to obtain: Complete Classic mode with Olimar or Alph. Type: Fighter

Alt, 3DS

    US description:
Pikmin aren't just good for attacking, you know. For example, when you throw them, they can pick up items on their way back. Only items that aren't very heavy, though! Also, if there's someone charging or shooting at you, a well-timed Pikmin throw can stop them in their tracks!
  EU description:
Pikmin aren't just good for attacking, you know. For example, when you throw them, they can pick up items on their way back. Only items that aren't very heavy, but still! Also, if there's someone charging or shooting at you, a well-timed Pikmin throw can stop them. Just don't forget to replace your Pikmin when they're gone!
How to obtain: Complete All-Star mode with Olimar or Alph. Type: Fighter

Normal, Wii U

    US description:

A veteran spaceship pilot for Hocotate Freight, Captain Olimar partners with Pikmin in Smash Bros. to help him in battle. Olimar is much stronger when he's got Pikmin with him, so keep them plucked and good to go. Pikmin abilities are based on their color—learn what each is best at!
Appears in:

  Pikmin (12/2001)
  Pikmin 2 (08/2004)
  EU description:

Captain Olimar, veteran Hocotate Freight astronaut, joins forces with Pikmin again in this game to take on the world. Olimar isn't much of an attacker without Pikmin by his side, so you should always keep some ready. Pikmin have different abilities depending on their colour, so learn how they work to use them effectively!
Related Games

  Pikmin (06/2002)
  Pikmin 2 (10/2004)
How to obtain: Complete Classic mode with Olimar or Alph. Type: Fighter Trophy Box: 62. Space Explorer

Alt, Wii U

    US description:

Pikmin aren't just good for attacking, you know. For example, when you throw them, they can pick up items on their way back. Only items that aren't very heavy, though! Also, if there's someone charging or shooting at you, a well-timed Pikmin throw can stop them in their tracks!
Appears in:

  Pikmin (12/2001)
  Pikmin 2 (08/2004)
  EU description:

Pikmin aren't just good for attacking, you know. For example, try throwing them at boxes. They'll grab them and drag them in for you, hitting enemies along the way. Also, if there's someone charging or shooting at you, a well-timed Pikmin-throw can stop them. Just don't forget to replace your Pikmin when they're gone!
Related Games

  Pikmin (06/2002)
  Pikmin 2 (10/2004)
How to obtain: Buy it from the store after getting the Olimar trophy. Type: Fighter Trophy Box: 62. Space Explorer

amiibo

 
A close up of the amiibo.
Main article: amiibo.

In the April 1st, 2015 Nintendo Direct, Olimar was confirmed to be a part of the Super Smash Bros. amiibo, launching in September 2015 in the US and July 2015 in all other regions. Like other fighters, his amiibo is identical to his main trophy from the game.

As a Pikmin

 
Olimar as "Pikmar".

Captain Olimar becomes a Pikmin (dubbed by fans as Pikmar or Olimin) in the bad 'alternative' ending of Pikmin, where the S.S. Dolphin fails to take off and crashes on the planet again; Olimar is then carried to the Red Onion by some Pikmin and ejected as a seed consisting of only his head and a small stem with leaf. Judging by the sounds and visual effects, he appears to flourish to his former size similar to the way Pikmin first grow.

This ending is not considered canon with the rest of the series as in Pikmin 2 he is seen proceeding to land on Hocotate in his ship and so must have obtained at least the 25 mandatory ship parts. "Pikmar" is only ever seen buried, so the rest of his appearance is unknown. It should also be noted that the model used in the in-game cutscene only contains a head.

Why the Onion transforms him instead of turning him into true Pikmin seeds is unknown. However, it is worth noting that the Pikmin silently watch as he is spat out and cheer as he begins to grow, indicating that they expected the transformation to occur. In-game, when Pikmin carry Olimar to their Onion, he is not affected in any way and merely bounces off the alien mother-ship. As such, the process may be controlled by the Pikmin themselves.

Naming

Olimar's name is derived from Mario, as "Louie" is from Luigi. In Japanese, Olimar (オリマー Orima) is an anagram of Mario (マリオ Mario). Olimar also shares Mario's red color scheme and big nose.

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
  Japanese オリマー?
Orima
An anagram of "Mario"
  Chinese 歐利瑪 / 欧力马 Olimar Names taken from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
  Dutch Kapitein Olimar Captain Olimar
  French Capitaine Olimar Captain Olimar
  German Captain Olimar -
  Italian Capitano Olimar Captain Olimar
  Korean 캡틴 올리마
kaebtin olima
Captain Olimar
  Portuguese Capitão Olimar Captain Olimar Name taken from Nintendo's official website
  Spanish Capitán Olimar Captain Olimar
  Russian Капитан Олимар
Kapitan Olimar
From English name
  Czech Kapitán Olimar Captain Olimar Name taken from Nintendo's official website
  Danish Kaptajn Olimar Captain Olimar Name taken from Nintendo's official website
  Finnish Kapteeni Olimar Captain Olimar Name taken from Nintendo's official website
  Hungarian Olimar kapitány Captain Olimar Name taken from Nintendo's official website
  Norwegian Kaptein Olimar Captain Olimar Name taken from Nintendo's official website
  Polish Kapitan Olimar Captain Olimar Name taken from the official Polish Facebook page
  Swedish Kapten Olimar Captain Olimar Name taken from Nintendo's official website

Gallery

Pikmin

Pikmin 2

Pikmin 3

Hey! Pikmin

Super Smash Bros. series

Trivia

  • It is referred to that Olimar used to be a repairman before his current job[1], and has had conflicts with space pirates.[2]
  • Olimar was supposed to make a cameo appearance in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. The captain was to come in and taste the player's coffee. However, this never occurred, as the scene was canceled. He was also planned to call Mario "Marlio" (an anagram of "Olimar") and somehow mistake Luigi for a beast.
  • In Yoshi's Island DS, a baby similar in appearance to Olimar is present in a few scenes.
  • One of the key items in Super Paper Mario, the Helmet has a large resemblance to Olimar's helmet. It even includes an antenna with a red light beacon.
  • Although not seen, the player can get a message from Olimar in the Wii game Animal Crossing: City Folk, which reads: I found this odd little hat on my travels. It looks just like one of those cute little creatures I've met in outer space! Have fun wearing it! – From Captain Olimar.. When the player finishes reading the letter, they get an item called the "Red Pikmin Hat", which looks like a Red Pikmin's stem with a leaf. A "life size" model of his ship has also been released.
  • Olimar's carrying weight seems to vary in each game. He weighs 4 units in Pikmin, 1 unit in Pikmin 2, and 5 units in Pikmin 3.
  • The bad ending in Pikmin is possibly referenced in Pikmin 3, as one of Olimar's ship logs in a Data File states that he had a nightmare that the Pikmin dragged him into their Onion after being injured by a creature.
  • In Pikmin 2, Olimar is voiced by Kazumi Totaka – the music composer that added his song as a secret in the game.
  • The trophy for Olimar in Super Smash Bros. Brawl serves as a trophy for the Pikmin and Olimar, as they fight together as a single fighter. The trophy mistakenly calls them "veteran spacefarers", even though that does not apply to the Pikmin, only to Olimar.
  • Olimar also seems to have trypophobia, the fear of clusters of holes or bumps, as he gets very nervous while looking at a treasure with many holes around it.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gradually, my repairs to the Dolphin continue. This ship is like a part of me. One could even say that it is tied to my very essence. Yes, it was a long – one might say epic – journey, going from mere repairman to captain of my own ship... but now I'm rambling. – Captain Olimar in his voyage log
  2. ^ The Guard Satellite! Deep space is filled with dangers. This automated satellite does its part to help guard both me and my spaceship. I'll sleep better at night once this little satellite is back on duty. ---- This has protected me from space pirates many, many times. – Captain Olimar in his monolog over the Guard Satellite
  3. ^ It's...a nest of some kind? I'm too nervous to see what lives in it. I...I don't need to analyze all of these things! It's not my job! – Captain Olimar in his notes on the Unexamined Nest