Nintendo has released a mysterious new animated short titled Close To You, sparking widespread speculation across the gaming community. The short, which features a mother and her baby in a series of whimsical scenes, depicts the baby losing her pacifier, which then travels through various locations as if it possesses a will of its own. This playful journey ultimately inspires the child to take her first steps, creating a heartwarming yet puzzling narrative that feels unlike Nintendo’s usual animated content.
While the video itself offers no explicit branding or context, fans quickly noticed curious details that may hint at a deeper connection to one of Nintendo’s most beloved series, Pikmin. At roughly the 1:39 mark, sharp-eyed viewers pointed out a small red figure in the background that strongly resembles a red Pikmin. Some users have noted that the music accompanying the short appears to be taken directly from Pikmin 4. This discovery has led to growing speculation that Close To You might serve as an early teaser for a rumored Pikmin spin-off, potentially featuring a new art style.
Adding to the intrigue, some viewers have identified what appears to be wall art within the short that faintly resembles characters from Pikmin, including Captain Olimar. However, others have suggested an entirely different interpretation. A segment of the community believes that the short could be linked to the Super Mario Galaxy universe, citing the baby’s resemblance to a young Rosalina and the art style’s similarity to The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The ambiguity has led to ongoing debate, with some fans proposing that the animation could be a crossover teaser or even a proof-of-concept for an upcoming Nintendo film project.
Despite the uncertainty, there is reason to believe the connection to Pikmin may not be accidental. During Nintendo’s financial results briefing for the fiscal year ending March 2024, company president Shuntaro Furukawa referred to Pikmin as one of Nintendo’s flagship franchises, alongside The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros.. This marked the first time the company publicly elevated Pikmin to such status, suggesting renewed corporate interest in expanding the series’ visibility and reach. Given this acknowledgment, a new Pikmin project—whether a game, short film, or creative tie-in—would align with Nintendo’s broader strategy of promoting its major IPs across multiple formats.
For now, Close To You remains shrouded in mystery. The short’s lack of context, combined with its striking visual design and subtle musical cues, has left fans both confused and fascinated. Whether this is an early hint at a Pikmin spin-off, a Mario Galaxy teaser, or simply an artistic experiment, Nintendo has once again succeeded in capturing the internet’s attention. Until the company provides an official explanation, Close To You will continue to fuel theories, screenshots, and speculation among Nintendo fans eager to uncover what lies beneath its charming exterior.
