Nintendo Declares Nov 1 Pikmin Day, Announces Hello! Pikmin Shorts

A New Annual Tradition for Nintendo

Nintendo has officially established November 1 as Pikmin Day, an annual celebration dedicated to its long-running puzzle-strategy franchise. The announcement was made during a surprise broadcast on Halloween 2026, where fans were greeted not by horror-themed content, but by the face of series creator Shigeru Miyamoto. This marks the first time the company has designated a specific day for the franchise, signaling a renewed commitment to celebrating its history and future projects.

The selection of November 1 is rooted in the visual identity of the original game. Miyamoto explained that the date was chosen because the numerical format 11.1 resembles the three original Pikmin species—the red, yellow, and blue varieties—standing side by side. This creative justification connects the calendar date directly to the core visual elements that defined the series when it first launched in Japan in October 2001, before arriving in North America in December of that year.

Hello! Pikmin Animated Series

The centerpiece of the Pikmin Day announcement was the reveal of Hello! Pikmin, a new animated project. Miyamoto confirmed he is collaborating with Nintendo Pictures on this initiative, which will feature short animated features. The first glimpse provided during the broadcast showed a humorous scene where a red Pikmin attempts to steal a well-worn baseball from a seemingly sleeping Toad. This project expands the franchise's presence beyond traditional video games into animated media, leveraging the studio's growing capabilities in digital content production.

Updates for Switch 2 and Legacy Titles

The surprise Direct also served as a platform to highlight the franchise's presence on current and upcoming hardware. Nintendo showcased updates for Pikmin 4, specifically noting its availability on the Nintendo Switch 2. The broadcast emphasized the continuity of the series across generations, encouraging players to engage with Pikmin games on both the Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch. This cross-generational support ensures that the 25-year-old franchise remains accessible to both new and veteran players.

Significance of the 25th Anniversary

The announcement comes as the Pikmin franchise celebrates its 25th anniversary. By creating a dedicated day and introducing new media formats like Hello! Pikmin, Nintendo is reinforcing the cultural significance of the series. Miyamoto expressed his desire for people to know more about Pikmin going forward, indicating that the franchise will receive continued attention and development. This strategic move highlights Nintendo's approach to maintaining engagement with its legacy IPs while integrating them into modern marketing and entertainment ecosystems.

Key takeaways

• Nintendo has designated November 1 as annual Pikmin Day, chosen because 11.1 resembles the original three Pikmin species.
• Shigeru Miyamoto announced Hello! Pikmin, a new animated short series produced with Nintendo Pictures.
• The surprise broadcast included a nine-minute Direct highlighting updates for Pikmin 4 on the Nintendo Switch 2.
• The initiative marks the 25th anniversary of the franchise, which launched in Japan in October 2001.
• Nintendo aims to increase global awareness of the Pikmin franchise through new media and annual celebrations.