- "Red Bulborb" redirects here. For the enemies in Pikmin Adventure, see Red Bulborb (Pikmin Adventure).
Bulborbs (チャッピー Chappī) are enemies appearing in every game of the Pikmin series. Bulborbs are both the most common and iconic creatures native to PNF-404. They were originally named Spotty Bulborb in Pikmin, and had their name changed to Red Bulborbs (アカチャッピー Aka Chappī) in Pikmin 2. As of Pikmin 3, they have been called simply "Bulborbs," even though the Orange Bulborb appears in said game. The same name is used in Pikmin 4, which features other Bulborb variants, including the Frosty Bulborb and Jumbo Bulborb.
Bulborbs are nocturnal creatures, sleeping during the daytime, during which they are vulnerable to unexpected attacks from Pikmin. Bulborbs only wake up during the day when they are either bothered or detect potential prey. Bulborbs are the main predators of Pikmin, and their attack involves trying to eat them. Bulborbs become considerably stronger at night and are therefore generally invulnerable. While a single Bulborb can usually easily overcome one or two Pikmin, the Bulborbs' main weakness lies in the fact they do not usually cooperate with one another, and thus, any single one of the Bulborbs can almost always be defeated a large group of the much smaller Pikmin.
Biology
Red Bulborbs are among the most biologically diverse enemies in the series. As they poses traits similar to those of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. They have large bulbous eyes, opposed to the compound eyes of most insects. Judging by the size of their eyes and their nocturnal lifestyle, their eyes have a wide pupil, a large lens and possible increased retinal surface used for collecting more ambient light during night time. It seems likely that they developed from amphibious creatures, possibly swamp-dwellers - their large bodies are/would be somewhat buoyant, allowing them to maintain a neutral position in the water with their eyes above the surface. Their legs mostly served for limited propulsion, and also allowed them to lunge out of the swamp to seize prey - also a reason for mandibles that can grip quickly.
Olimar mentions the Red Bulborbs having a set of mandibles. Mandibles are a pair of appendages near an insects mouth, used for grinding and chewing food. The so-called mandibles Olimar mentions in his notes look nothing like normal mandibles and are instead most likely sabre-teeth, used for breaking exoskeletons of prey insects and digging through the soil for roots. It is very likely that Bulborbs are omnivorous creatures.
It seems that the juvenile Red Bulborbs is the favored host of the parasitic Pikmin known as Bulbmin. This type of Pikmin appears to control its host, causing the animal to behave less like a Bulborb and much more like a Pikmin, following a Captain (which is naturally an older Bulborb) and hunting in packs. Red Bulborbs are not observed at the two stages of development displayed by red Bulbmin anywhere else in-game (unlike the Spotty Bulbear), so it is unknown whether Bulbmin are a common stage in Red Bulborb initial development or not, as symbiotic cooperation from the parasite would give this slightly weaker form of Grub-dog an advantage in the subterranean environment that all stages of the Red Bulborb species are found in.
Appearances
| For information on Bulborb's appearances, click here.
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Etymology
The Red Bulborb's scientific name, Oculus kageyamii russus, translates to "red-eyed kageyamii". It is unclear what "kageyamii" actually means (it would be the Latin genitive meaning "of Kageyama"). It may refer to a Kageyama working at Nintendo or an in-universe person who discovered them, or it could mean "of the shadow mountain", in a weird Japanese-Latin hybrid language.
"Chappy" is the enemy's Japanese name, and could possibly refer to the lip-smacking sound it makes when it gobbles up Pikmin in the first two games. "Chappy" is their internal name in the files of Pikmin 2.
Using an Action Replay to access a model test menu in Pikmin, the Spotty Bulborb's code name is "swollow".
Notes
Pikmin series
Pikmin
- Ship's Log: The most plentiful species on the planet, they are quite ferocious despite their appearance, using their massive jaws to swallow Pikmin whole. Frontal assaults result in disaster; attacks from behind are more successful. Attacking their legs is also effective.
- Enemy reel: This nocturnal hunter feeds mostly on small animals returning to their nests at night.
- Promotional booklet: These nocturnal creatures are very common. Capable of surviving in a variety of habitats, bulborbs spend nearly all of their time searching for food. Their favorite meal? Raw Pikmin, of course.
- New Play Control! website (British English): Can anything polka-dotted be dangerous? If it’s a hungry Bulborb, you bet. Its big eyes on the top of its head are as big as its stomach. But the eyes can’t see what’s going on behind it. From the back is the perfect place to strike and swarm this beast.
Pikmin 2
- Olimar: This large organism has the familiar mandibles and cranial morphology of the grub-dog family, as well as the characteristic bulging eyes. As with most grub-dogs, the creature's cranium comprises half of its total length and girth. Showing a scarlet abdomen with white spots, this creature is primarily nocturnal, choosing to prey upon smaller creatures returning to their nests. Originally classified as the spotty Bulborb, further research has reclassified this species as the red Bulborb. Subspecies of varied colors have recently been discovered, but academics are divided into two rival camps over how to handle their classification.
- Louie: Plump specimens are best spit-roasted whole, stuffed with a lime and a slab of bacon. Baste frequently to ensure a magnificently moist haunch.
- Player's Guide: The weakest of the larger Bulborbs, the Red Bulborb can still hold its own against a good-sized Pikmin squad. Since it is a nocturnal species, most of the Red Bulborbs that you encounter in the daytime will be asleep to start. Sneak up on them from behind and hit them with a stream of flying Pikmin.
Pikmin 3
- Alph
- Structural flaws: eyestalks
- Weight: 10
- Only a very confident designer would waive through issues like bright-red warning coloration and a tendency to sleep in broad daylight. There's no way a frontal assault on this thing will work, so we have to get creative. I'm thinking we should hit its back hard while it sleeps, or maybe target those thin-looking eyestalks."
- Brittany: The white polka dots on red is quite a look. Something about it is familiar, but where- Ah. Right. It reminds me of the captain. Not the polka dots-I mean the way it snores as it naps in the sun.
- Charlie: This red bruiser gobbles up Pikmin like candy. The standard approach is to attack from behind while it's still asleep. That may seem callous, but it would do the same to you if it could. Stow those feelings and strike.
- Website: It's considered one of the weakest of the Bulborbs, but can still hold its own against a good-sized Pikmin squad. Attack from behind to gain the advantage. Weakest point: eyeballs.
- Prima guide: These large creatures use their jaws to gobble up several Pikmin with each bite. Whenever possible, use a large squad of Pikmin to charge the creature from the rear. If brute force isn’t an option, throw Red Pikmin and Rock Pikmin onto the creature’s back. During an extended battle, it’s important to retrieve your Pikmin as the Bulborb shakes them off.
Hey! Pikmin
- Creature Log: The S.S. Dolphin II said that it sleeps during the day, but the one I met was awake. I pointed this out and the ship said, "I meant during the day on Hocotate." After defeating it, we found an object rich in Sparklium. It's possible that the creature considers such objects a delicacy.
Pikmin 4
- Dalmo: It has wide, googly eyes on protruding stalks, a mouth meant to swallow prey in one large gulp, and powerful, red and white polka-dotted hindquarters. It's fierce, and yet it's somehow quite endearing. Be wary of getting lured in by its disarming mien.
- Olimar:
This large organism has the familiar mandibles and cranial morphology of the Grub-Dog family, as well as the characteristic bulging eyes. As with most Grub-Dogs, the creature's cranium comprises half of its total length and girth. Showing a scarlet abdomen with white spots, this creature is primarily nocturnal, choosing to prey upon smaller creatures returning to their nests.
Originally classified as the Spotty Bulborb, further research has reclassified this species as the basic Bulborb. Subspecies of varied colors have recently been discovered, but academics are divided into two rival camps over how to handle their classification.
- Louie: Plump specimens are best spit-roasted whole, stuffed with a lime and a slab of bacon. Baste frequently to ensure a magnificently moist haunch.
Super Smash Bros. series
 Specifics: Perhaps transclude from Smashpedia |
Super Smash Bros. Brawl trophy
| Image | Title | Appears in | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Red Bulborb | GCN Pikmin 2 | Random drop |
| Description | |||
|
American English: A creature whose Japanese name translates as "spotted crimson bug-eye." These bulky nocturnal animals have white-and-red-flecked rumps that resemble strawberries. Red bulborbs sleep in the day and wake in the evening to feed on small animals. Several colors of bulborb subspecies have been discovered--their classification is a hot subject for scholars. British English: A creature whose Japanese name translates as "spotted crimson bug-eye". These bulky nocturnal animals have white-and-red-flecked rumps that resemble strawberries. Red bulborbs sleep in the day and wake in the evening to feed on small animals. Several colors of bulborb subspecies have been discovered--their classification is a hot subject for scholars. | |||
Super Smash Bros. Brawl sticker
| Name | Image | Artwork from | Effect in The Subspace Emissary | Usable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulborb | 
|
Pikmin 2 | [Pikmin] - Attack +32 | Olimar |
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U trophy
| 3DS image | Wii U image | Title | Category | Appears in* | Trophy Box*
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Bulborb | Stage | GCN Pikmin (12/2001) GCN Pikmin 2 (08/2004) |
61: Distant Planet & Indigenous Creatures
| ||
| Description | |||||||
| These creatures from the Pikmin series have snail-like protruding eyes, huge mouths, and really bad tempers. They're known for snapping at fighters and trying to trample them underfoot. If you see one in a group of enemies, you should try to take it out fast–it'll shoot off and bounce around, hitting other enemies as it goes! | |||||||
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirit
| General information | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Image | Series / game | Type | Slots | Class | Strength / effect(s) | How to obtain |
| 810 | Bulborb | 
|
Pikmin Series | Primary | 2 | Advanced | Shield Can be enhanced to Empress Bulblax at Lv. 99 |
World of Light (Sacred Land); Spirit Board |
| Spirit battle | ||||||||
| Opponent(s) | Battle conditions | Stage | Song | |||||
| Giant Yoshi | Rule: Attack Power ↑
|
Distant Planet | Main Theme - Pikmin (original) | |||||
Gallery
Trivia
- On the title screen of Pikmin 2, pressing and holding the X button will summon a Red Bulborb onto the screen. The player can control it by using the C stick and can eat Pikmin using the Z button.
- Its name has been slightly altered in every game so far. It is named "Spotty Bulborb" in Pikmin, "Red Bulborb" in Pikmin 2, and just "Bulborb" in Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4. This makes the Red Bulborb the creature with the most name changes in the series.
- The Bulborbs in Pikmin 3 look directly at the Pikmin instead of looking straight forward, as they have done in the first two games.
- It is believed that Bulborbs are named after Olimar's pet dog, Bulbie.
- In some pre-release builds of Pikmin, the Pikmin originally carried the Bulborb's corpses upside down instead of right-side up.
- In Pikmin 3, if a Bomb Rock is planted near a Bulborb, the noise produced by the explosion will wake it up.
- It could be said that the Bulborb is what represents enemies in general in the Pikmin series, since it repeatedly appears as the icon whenever the game needs to refer to enemies: a stylized Bulborb icon is used to represent battle deaths in the day results menu of Pikmin 2 and the remaining enemy count in the Battle Enemies! mode of Pikmin 3, a Bulborb silhouette icon represents the Pokos earned through enemy bodies in the cave results menu of Pikmin 2 and is used to show how many enemies of a particular type have been killed in the Piklopedia of Pikmin 2, a Bulborb icon is used to represent the Piklopedias of Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, and Pikmin 4. Bulborb icons appear in the Game Hunter, Animal Annotator, and Blast Radius (silhouetted in this case) badge icons for completing tasks related to defeating enemies in Pikmin 3 Deluxe; Bulborbs and Bulborb variants appear as the most frequently seen enemy during day lift off cutscenes. Bulborbs also appear very prominently in concept art, franchise merchandise, and in crossovers involving the series (such as in the Super Smash Bros. series). This role as the standard, ubiquitous enemy, however, is instead fulfilled by the Mockiwi in Hey! Pikmin.
See also
- Spotty Bulbear
- Hairy Bulborb
- Orange Bulborb
- Dwarf Red Bulborb
- Whiptongue Bulborb
- Jumbo Bulborb
- Frosty Bulborb