From Real Life to Decor: The Inspiration for Pikmin Bloom's Stag Beetles

Pikmin Bloom features over 500 unique Decor Pikmin (excluding variations of existing designs), each drawing inspiration from real-world objects, species, and concepts. Many of these designs are not merely aesthetic choices but deliberate references rooted in biology and the lore of the Pikmin series. In this column, we are going to take a look at each Decor Pikmin set’s real-life inspirations.

Forest Decor: Stag Beetle Pikmin

Did you know that the Stag Beetle Decor Pikmin, part of the Forest Decor collection, wear the severed heads of real-life stag beetle species?

The original trio of Pikmin colors appear to be inspired by European stag beetle species, while the remaining Pikmin correspond to beetles whose physical characteristics align with each Pikmin type. Although stag beetles are not venomous, the Golden Stag Beetle is comparatively rare and exotic, paralleling the rarity of White Pikmin. Interestingly, Golden Stag Beetles possess smaller and weaker mandibles than many related species. This may explain why the smallest and weakest Pikmin wear their heads.

You might expect the Purple Pikmin to wear the Giraffe Stag Beetle’s head, since it is the largest and strongest beetle species in the world. However, Purple Pikmin instead feature the Sawtooth Stag Beetle, likely due to its more visually imposing mandibles. Purple Pikmin are stronger in combat, so this matches their personality well. This choice reflects an emphasis on visual symbolism rather than strict biological hierarchy, reinforcing Purple Pikmin’s combat-oriented identity.

Here’s a complete list of all the Decor Pikmin and their matching stag beetle: (All photo credits go to @stickalithus on Tumblr)

Red Pikmin — Red Stag Beetle (Lucanus capreolus)

Yellow Pikmin — European Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus)

Blue Pikmin — Blue Stag Beetle (Platycerus caraboides)

Purple Pikmin — Sawtooth Stag Beetle (Prosopocoilus inclinatus)

White Pikmin — Golden Stag Beetle (Allotopus rosenbergi)

Rock Pikmin — Giraffe Stag Beetle (Prosopocoilus giraffa)

Winged Pikmin — Golden Stag Beetle (Allotopus moellenkampi, distinct species)

Join us next time as we take a look at how Coffee Decor Pikmin are not just random cups, but are actually inspired by different enemies from the Pikmin series!

Written by Yaya