Nintendo just put an end to one of the strangest mysteries in gaming this week. Those weird animated videos that appeared out of nowhere? They’re not teasing Pikmin 5, they’re not promoting a new movie, and they’re definitely not some elaborate ARG. They’re simply short films from Nintendo Pictures, the company’s animation studio.
The Mystery That Had Everyone Guessing
On October 7th, Nintendo dropped a four-minute animated video called “Close to You” on YouTube and social media with absolutely zero context. No trailer label, no game announcement, no explanation whatsoever. Just a beautifully animated short about a baby chasing their pacifier around a room while invisible forces seemed to move it around.
The internet did what it does best and went wild with theories. Was this a new Pikmin game? A Super Mario Galaxy origin story for Rosalina? A teaser for an upcoming animated movie? The speculation reached fever pitch when Nintendo dropped a second video the next day on their Nintendo Today app, revealing that Pikmin were actually the invisible creatures moving the pacifier.
Nintendo Finally Breaks Its Silence
On October 9th, Nintendo finally addressed the confusion with a statement on their official social media channels. The explanation was surprisingly straightforward and maybe a little anticlimactic for those hoping for a big game announcement.
“We hope you enjoyed the two ‘Close to You’ videos released on October 7 and 8,” Nintendo stated. “The second video is available on Nintendo Today, a free app available on your smart device. These are the first short films created by Nintendo Pictures Co., Ltd.”
What Is Nintendo Pictures Anyway
If you’re scratching your head wondering what Nintendo Pictures even is, you’re not alone. This isn’t exactly a household name, even among dedicated Nintendo fans.
Nintendo Pictures is actually a veteran CGI and motion capture company that used to operate under the name Dynamo Pictures. Nintendo formally acquired the studio and rebranded it in 2022. Before the acquisition, they worked on some pretty impressive projects, including Death Stranding 2, which led to the bizarre situation of Nintendo’s name appearing in a PlayStation game’s credits.
The studio has been working behind the scenes on various Nintendo projects involving motion capture and animation, but these “Close to You” shorts mark their first standalone creative output under the Nintendo Pictures banner.
Not Marketing Just Art
The most interesting part of Nintendo’s statement is what it doesn’t say. There’s no mention of these videos being promotional material for an upcoming game or movie. Nintendo Pictures explicitly stated they “will continue to explore new creative possibilities through video content,” suggesting this is about artistic expression rather than marketing.
This is actually pretty refreshing in an industry where every piece of content usually serves as an advertisement for something else. Nintendo is essentially saying they wanted to make something cool and share it with fans, full stop.
The Pikmin Connection
While this isn’t a Pikmin game announcement, the choice to feature the tiny plant creatures wasn’t random. The shorts play beautifully with established Pikmin Bloom lore, which suggests that Pikmin inhabit present-day Earth but remain invisible to human eyes. The first video keeps them hidden, while the second reveals their presence, creating a clever narrative twist.
Don’t Confuse It With Nintendo Stars
Here’s where things get a bit confusing. Nintendo Pictures is not the same as Nintendo Stars, which is the company’s division dedicated to feature-length films. Nintendo Stars is handling the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the live-action Zelda film that’s in development.
Think of it this way: Nintendo Pictures makes short-form artistic content, while Nintendo Stars handles the big-budget Hollywood productions. Both fall under Nintendo’s broader strategy to expand their IP beyond gaming, but they serve different purposes.
What This Means For Future Content
Nintendo’s statement leaves the door wide open for more experimental video content. The phrase “continue to explore new creative possibilities” suggests this is just the beginning of Nintendo Pictures flexing its creative muscles.
The quality of these shorts rivals anything Pixar or DreamWorks produces, which makes sense given the studio’s pedigree. If Nintendo keeps producing content at this level, we could see shorts featuring Mario, Donkey Kong, the Inklings from Splatoon, or any character from Nintendo’s massive roster.
Community Reaction
The gaming community’s response has been mixed. Some fans are disappointed that these videos weren’t teasing anything tangible like a new game or movie. Others appreciate Nintendo’s willingness to create art for art’s sake without constantly pushing products.
The first “Close to You” video racked up nearly 250,000 views in its first eight hours, proving that Nintendo can command attention even when nobody knows what they’re looking at. That’s the power of the brand right there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Close to You videos teasing a new Pikmin game?
No, Nintendo has clarified that these are standalone short films from Nintendo Pictures and not promotional material for an upcoming game, though they do feature Pikmin characters.
What is Nintendo Pictures?
Nintendo Pictures is Nintendo’s motion capture and animation studio, formerly known as Dynamo Pictures before Nintendo acquired and rebranded it in 2022. They create CGI content and animated shorts.
Where can I watch both Close to You videos?
The first video is available on Nintendo’s YouTube channel and social media platforms. The second video, which reveals the Pikmin, is available on the Nintendo Today app, which is free to download on mobile devices.
Is Nintendo Pictures the same as Nintendo Stars?
No, they’re different divisions. Nintendo Pictures creates short-form animated content, while Nintendo Stars handles feature-length films like the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie and live-action Zelda film.
Will there be more short films from Nintendo Pictures?
Yes, Nintendo’s statement indicates that Nintendo Pictures “will continue to explore new creative possibilities through video content,” suggesting more shorts are planned for the future.
Why did Nintendo release these videos with no explanation?
Nintendo appears to have released them as standalone artistic pieces rather than marketing material, allowing the content to speak for itself before providing context about Nintendo Pictures’ role.
What other Nintendo characters might get short films?
While Nintendo hasn’t announced specific plans, their vast catalog of characters including Mario, Link, Donkey Kong, Kirby, and the Splatoon Inklings could all potentially appear in future Nintendo Pictures shorts.
Conclusion
While the “Close to You” mystery might not have ended with the dramatic game announcement many fans hoped for, it does reveal something potentially more interesting about Nintendo’s evolving strategy. The company isn’t just expanding into feature films and theme parks anymore. They’re building a full-fledged animation studio capable of producing high-quality shorts that exist purely as creative expressions of their beloved franchises. Whether these shorts eventually tie into larger projects or remain standalone artistic pieces, Nintendo Pictures has proven it can capture attention and spark imagination. For a company that’s always marched to the beat of its own drum, creating beautiful animated content without an obvious profit motive feels perfectly on brand.