Nintendo has always been a company that thrives on surprise. From the moment Shigeru Miyamoto introduced the world to a plumber who could leap into pipes, the Kyoto-based giant has been redefining how we experience play. But in 2025, Nintendo’s ambitions are stretching beyond consoles and handhelds into something more cinematic. Their latest short film, Pikmin: Close to You, marks a milestone not just for the beloved plant-like creatures, but for Nintendo Pictures itself — a studio with a history as curious and layered as the Pikmin world it now brings to life.
Pikmin on the Big (and Small) Screen
Pikmin: Close to You is a short animated film that captures the whimsical, slightly mischievous charm of the Pikmin species. Longtime fans will remember Nintendo’s earlier experiments with Pikmin shorts back in 2014, when a series of mini-films debuted on the Wii U and 3DS. Those were delightful, but they were outsourced projects. This time, the difference is crucial: Close to You is the first short produced fully in-house by Nintendo Pictures.
The film leans into the franchise’s core themes — cooperation, curiosity, and the delicate balance between nature and adventure. It’s not just a marketing tie-in; it’s a statement of intent. Nintendo Pictures is here, and it’s ready to tell stories.
The Backstory of Nintendo Pictures
To understand why Close to You matters, you need to know the story behind Nintendo Pictures.
- Origins as Dynamo Pictures (1991–2011):
The company began as part of Visual Science Laboratory, a Japanese CG and VR research group founded in 1991. By 2004, the animation and motion capture division was branded as Dynamo Pictures, and in 2011, it officially spun off as an independent studio under Hiroshi Hirokawa. - Early Work:
Dynamo Pictures built its reputation on motion capture and CG support for games and films. They contributed to projects like Metroid: Other M (2010), The Last Story (2011), and even Capcom’s Resident Evil 4D-Executer short film. Their fingerprints were everywhere, even if the average gamer never noticed. - Nintendo Connection:
The studio’s relationship with Nintendo deepened over time. They worked on Pikmin Short Movies (2014), provided motion capture for Persona 5 and Catherine, and supported animation for Monster Hunter Stories. Their technical expertise made them a quiet but vital partner in the Japanese gaming ecosystem. - Acquisition and Rebirth (2022):
In July 2022, Nintendo announced it would acquire Dynamo Pictures outright, renaming it Nintendo Pictures Co., Ltd. The acquisition was framed as a way to “strengthen the planning and production structure of visual content.” By October 2022, the deal was complete, and Dynamo’s legacy was folded into Nintendo’s creative arsenal. - Mission Today:
Nintendo Pictures is not just about making films. It’s about creating a pipeline of visual storytelling that complements Nintendo’s games, expands its IPs into new mediums, and ensures that the company has in-house control over how its characters are portrayed.
Why This Matters
Nintendo has always been protective of its characters. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) proved that audiences are hungry for Nintendo stories on the big screen, but that project was handled by Illumination. With Nintendo Pictures, the company now has the ability to craft smaller, more experimental works — shorts, series, or even VR experiences — without relying on outside studios.
Pikmin: Close to You is a proof of concept. It shows that Nintendo Pictures can take a quirky, niche franchise and give it a polished, heartfelt treatment that resonates with fans. It also hints at what might come next: Zelda shorts? Splatoon anime? A Kirby series? The possibilities are as wide as Nintendo’s IP library.
The story of Nintendo Pictures is one of transformation — from a behind-the-scenes contractor to a front-facing creative powerhouse. For decades, Dynamo Pictures was the invisible scaffolding behind other people’s visions. Now, under Nintendo’s banner, it has the chance to define its own.
With Pikmin: Close to You, Nintendo Pictures has planted its first seed. And like the Pikmin themselves, small beginnings can grow into something extraordinary when nurtured with care.
Nintendo Pictures isn’t just about animation; it’s about legacy. It’s about ensuring that Mario, Link, Pikmin, and countless others aren’t just game characters, but cultural icons who can thrive across mediums. If Close to You is any indication, we’re witnessing the start of a new era where Nintendo’s worlds are not only played, but also watched, shared, and cherished in entirely new ways.
