UPDATE (09 October 2025):

Well, guess what… it was a Pikmin reveal after all! However, rather than teasing a new game the short updated video (now featuring visible Pikmin) is the first official release (and showcase) for Nintendo Pictures, their new animation studio based in Tokyo.

Somewhat sadly all this information was revealed via the Nintendo Today app which is currently not available in SA. However, you can watch the updated video here.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

Nintendo did a very ‘Nintendo’ thing yesterday (07 October). They released a new animated short called ‘Close To You’. It’s a very cute, quite Pixar-like video showing a mom and a child. The mom hears some knocking at the door, and heads off to check it out. In the meantime, we stay with the child and soon see a bunch of their toys and then their pacifier being grabbed by some invisible (and rather mini-looking) force while the child tries to get it back. Finally, the mom comes back into the room to witness the child’s first steps – seemingly oblivious to the unseen mayhem-causers.

So, what’s it actually teasing? Well, we don’t really have any idea.

Nintendo said nothing about the video and has, until now, provided no context. Of course, after the announcement of 2026’s The Super Mario Galaxy movie a few weeks ago, and the fact that the child could possibly be a young Rosalina, the first option could be that this is the first teaser for the film. However, some eagle-eyed viewers also note that at various points throughout the video it seems small creatures can be seen just about be seen in the background. Additionally, according to some, the music also sounds a lot like the whistling and at least part of the Pikmin soundtrack. So, could this be a tease for Pikmin 5… or perhaps a Pikmin animated series on the way?

Well, it’s all speclation at this point – but we’re excited and slightly confused… in a way that only Nintendo can make us feel!