Pikmin (universe)

The Pikmin universe (, Pikmin) refers to the Super Smash Bros. series' collection of characters, stages, and other properties that hail from Pikmin, the popular Nintendo series of colorful real-time strategy games. The series was personally developed by Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto and is one of the Nintendo GameCube's notable standout franchises.
The series, which contributed minor content in Super Smash Bros. Melee, was established as a major universe within the Super Smash Bros. series beginning in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, due to the inclusion of its main characters, Captain Olimar and the titular species, as team-based playable characters. Olimar and the Pikmin returned for Super Smash Bros. 4, while Alph, one of the three playable protagonists from Pikmin 3, made his Smash debut as an alternate costume for Olimar. Olimar, Alph, and the Pikmin would return in the same capacity as before in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
==Franchise description==
Prior to the launch of the Nintendo GameCube, Shigeru Miyamoto promoted the system's processing power by releasing a tech demo entitled Super Mario 128 at Nintendo's Space World trade show in August 2000, which demonstrated rapid generation techniques in order to display 128 separate Mario models on screen at once. Meanwhile, Miyamoto and his development team worked on an original project under the working title Adam and Eve, which was planned to be a game where one could watch the development and proliferation of two starting characters. Eventually, this idea was found to be far too lacking in interactivity for the player and was scrapped. But then, a completely new aesthetic was brought in and incorporated into a marriage between some of the concepts of Adam and Eve and the technicalities demonstrated by Super Mario 128. The now familiar Pikmin series' characters, setting, and real-time strategy gameplay style were introduced as a new Nintendo IP with the December 2001 release of Pikmin as a near-launch title for the GameCube. Incidentally, the name "Pikmin" was derived from Miyamoto's sheepdog, Pikku.
Pikmin received positive reception, both for its charming aesthetics and characters and for its unique spin on real-time strategy, and quickly earned a devoted fanbase. However, Japanese sales were not enthusiastic after the first week. In an attempt to stimulate sales, the virtual band Strawberry Flower was hired to write and perform a song featured in Japanese commercials for the game. Ironically, the single, "Ai no Uta" ("Song of Love"), became incredibly popular and actually outsold the game it advertised, and it thus did its part to surge weekly sales of the game itself. This likely helped secure Pikmins future status as an established Nintendo franchise, and the first sequel, Pikmin 2, was released in August 2004 for the GameCube. Pikmin 2 garnered near-universal acclaim from gaming publications and often makes appearances near the top of published lists of the best GameCube games released over the system's lifespan, due to its improvements over the original in many important aspects.
Despite the series' glowing track record and its status as a major Nintendo franchise being cemented with its protagonist Captain Olimar and its titular creatures appearing collectively as team-based playable characters in 2008's Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Pikmin series would experience a nine-year hiatus that would only end with the August 2013 release of its third installment, Pikmin 3. Like its predecessors, Pikmin 3 was positively received and proved popular enough to receive downloadable content. A spin-off title by Arzest, Hey! Pikmin, featuring vastly different gameplay from the mainline series more akin to a 2D platformer, released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2017. An enhanced port of Pikmin 3 for the Nintendo Switch, titled Pikmin 3 Deluxe, was released on October 30th, 2020. Another spin-off title, , released on mobile devices on October 27th, 2021. Co-developed with Niantic, Pikmin Bloom is an augmented reality game where players track their real world step count to take care of a growing group of pikmin that go on adventures and provide gifts in return. A fourth installment of the series, Pikmin 4, was announced by Shigeru Miyamoto on September 7th, 2015, who stated that the game is "actually very close to completion. Pikmin teams are always working on the next one." On September 13th, 2022, Pikmin 4 was officially announced in a Nintendo Direct presentation. The game would release on July 21, 2023. This entry stands out for having a different camera system, the new companion , and a new where players can use to fend off frenzied enemies.
The Pikmin games are set on an uncharted planet called PNF-404, which appears to be a post-apocalyptic Earth. The player takes control of a visiting astronaut (the Hocotatian Captain Olimar in Pikmin and Pikmin 2 and the Koppaites Alph, Brittany, and Charlie in Pikmin 3) and is tasked to explore PNF-404's littered wilderness, take command over armies of native plant-like species that Olimar dubbed Pikmin, and securely retrieve important items to the home base. A cornucopia of hostile wildlife and environmental hazards does not make things easy for the player, as they cannot directly attack these enemies in most circumstances; they must frequently sacrifice their newfound friends by hurling them at large enemies so that they whittle the enemies' health down, and must rely on the harvesting of enemy carcasses (and naturally occurring pellets) to resow their Pikmin and pluck them up to replenish their standing forces. The game takes elements from real-time strategy games by having to micromanage an army of minions, take down enemies, and complete tasks all at once within a time limit. The different colors of Pikmin lend themselves to different on-the-spot battle strategies, and are also important to solving puzzles and opening up important pathways in the environment itself. 
In Pikmin, Captain Olimar hails from the planet Hocotate and is taking a vacation on his spaceship, the S.S. Dolphin, in outer space when a comet hits his ship and causes him to crashland onto the uncharted planet, PNF-404. Due to oxygen being poisonous to Hocotatians, Olimar cannot breathe on PNF-404, which is further compounded by his life support system only lasting for thirty days. As a result, he is forced to use that time in order to befriend and take command of the native plant-like creatures he calls Pikmin to help him gather all the scattered pieces of the S.S. Dolphin so that he can make a return flight back home. Pikmin 2 takes place immediately after Olimar returns home, in which he discovers that the company he works for, Hocotate Freight, is in severe debt. As a result, the company president sends Olimar and his co-worker Louie to scavenge valuable goods from PNF-404. Pikmin 4 reveals that one of his expeditions to the planet results in a crash land. He sends out a distress signal, but the rescue corps meant to retrieve him also crash lands, leading to a second rescue attempt by the player character.
Pikmin 3 introduces the Koppaites, another space-faring alien race that is highly similar to the Hocotatians. The three new playable protagonists - Alph, Brittany, and Charlie - are Koppaites and arrive at PNF-404, where they enlist the aid of the Pikmin to help them harvest fruit seeds to save their starving homeworld.
==In Super Smash Bros. Melee==
Pikmin, having been released right before Melee in Japan, cameos as a pair of collectible trophies, but is not a full-fledged universe. However, in fact, the original Pikmin is the only title in existence that Melee actually features connectivity with; the Captain Olimar trophy is acquired only if there is Pikmin save data on the same Memory Card with Melee saved data.
===Trophies===
*
*Captain Olimar 
==In Super Smash Bros. Brawl==
The Pikmin series debuts as a primary universe in Brawl, and the content that represents it includes: one playable character, a stage, some music, and a number of trophies.
===Fighter===
* (Starter): The protagonist of the Pikmin series, Captain Olimar has been greatly graphically enhanced, like the other characters of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. However, he is quite weak on his own - without Pikmin, he cannot even do a smash attack. All his special moves involve the Pikmin that he plucks from the ground. There are five different types: Red (which have high attack power, burning properties in their attacks, and immunity to all fire-based attacks), Yellow (which have a slightly larger range of attack, making it easier to hit opponents with, travel in slight arcs when thrown, and have electrical properties in their attacks, as well as being immune to electrical attacks), Blue (which are stronger when thrown and slightly more durable than average, and the only Pikmin type that can enter water without dying), Purple (which are heavy and slow, impeding flight distance, have high attack power, and slam into opponents instead of latching on to them), and White (which are light and quick, as well as poisonous to opponents when latched on). He can have up to six different Pikmin at once. He can use them to attack and latch on to opponents, draining their health, use them as a life-saving tether recovery, and call them back if separated. He can also alter their order by whistling. Whichever Pikmin is following him first is the one he will use first in combat. Olimar is among the top 3 characters in Brawl, as he currently ranks 3rd on the Brawl tier list, placing him in the A+ tier and being surpassed only by and the .
On the final character select screen (after all characters are unlocked), Olimar joins the characters as part of the fifth column. These characters have "Gourmet Race" playing when their dark forms are fought in The Great Maze, and they also come from another planet.
===Stages===
*Distant Planet (Starter): Based off and from and respectively. Technically, all the fighters will be under an inch tall when they are fighting on this stage. The stage has a slope on the left hand side, three leaves in the center which act as platforms, and another larger platform beneath the leaves, which is bouncy. A gigantic appears at the right hand side of the stage, serving as both a platform and stage hazard. It occasionally rains, and the slope on the left hand side becomes a hazard as water gushes down it. Characters can also pick up pellets that fall from and throw them into that appear on the stage to get Items.
===Item===
*Pellet (throwing): a colorful, crystallized disc of nectar from the original only accessible on the Distant Planet stage. The damage dealt upon throw is the same as the number on the pellet.
===Music===
====Original Tracks====
*: A remixed track featuring elements of both the map screens of Pikmin and Pikmin 2.
*: A medley of both End of Day from Pikmin, as well as a remix of the title screen theme. This track is also played during Olimar's Classic Mode credits.
*: Not an actual song, per se, but rather a collection of basic environmental noises giving the impression of being in a vast wilderness.
====Source Tracks====
*: Taken directly from Pikmin, it is the title screen music from said game.
*: Taken directly from the original Pikmin, this was the background music to the Forest of Hope, the second area that Olimar could explore.
*: A promotional image song performed by the Japanese band Strawberry Flower that was used in commercials for the original game.
*: A French version of the previously mentioned image song.
*: Similar to Ai no Uta, this was an image song performed by the Japanese band Strawberry Flower that was used in commercials for the second title, Pikmin 2.
====Victory Theme====
*Victory! Olimar: The tune the Pikmin hum in Pikmin 2 when all the treasure has been acquired in an area.
===Trophies===
===Stickers===
==In Super Smash Bros. 4==
Between the releases of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. 4, the third entry in the Pikmin series was released in 2013. A significant amount of its content was incorporated into Smash 4, including Pikmin 3s Alph as a alternate character swap for Olimar and a new stage - Garden of Hope. The first Pikmin item (sans the Distant Planet-exclusive Pellets) was introduced in Smash 4. Much of the Pikmin content from Brawl was carried over into Smash 4, including the Distant Planet stage. Music pieces used in Brawl by the group did not return in Smash 4. 
===Fighter===
* (Starter): a captain from the who has learned to command altruistic plant-like aliens called Pikmin. He was the first playable character announced for Smash 4 after E3 2013, being confirmed on July 12, 2013 to coincide with the Japanese release of . His whistle from Pikmin 3 has been incorporated into his design, and the finer details of his spacesuit from Brawl have been downplayed. His neutral attack is now the from . All five Pikmin from Brawl return. Olimar can only have three Pikmin follow him at once rather than six. Instead of plucking Pikmin at random, Olimar plucks them in a fixed order of: Red, Yellow, Blue, White, & Purple before the cycle reverts. He has a new recovery move where Winged Pikmin from Pikmin 3 carry him and his Pikmin to safety. Four of the eight s replace Olimar with Alph, a blue-haired engineer and one of the three protagonists in Pikmin 3, but the change is purely cosmetic. At some point in late development, Alph was going to be "promoted" into a playable clone that utilized , but this never came into fruition.
===Stages===
====for Nintendo 3DS====
*Distant Planet (Starter): staged in the from the original Pikmin. Pellet-bearing posies and Onions are found on this stage. Striking a posy causes it to drop its pellet, which can either be thrown as a projectile or brought to an Onion. The Onion uses the pellet to create items. The number of items created is dependent on the number on the face of the pellet (1, 5, or 10) and if the pellet matches the color of the Onion it is brought to. Distant Planet is subject to changes in weather: rain causes flash floods that carry fighters off of the lowest platform. An enormous Bulborb occasionally walks in stage left and can be used as a platform. However, it will eat fighters that stay on its back too long. It is one of the possible stages to appear in Level 6 of All-Star Mode as a home stage for Olimar and Alph. Its Ω form takes place on a tree stump.
====for Wii U====
*Garden of Hope (Starter): staged in an alien garden from Pikmin 3. It is a large stage that is made up of two large columnar platforms, a , a pot, and a set of s on the side, which function as scales. A small bridge appears to connect the two large platforms. Fighters can destroy the pot and the Climbing Stick, and can stand on top of both. Wild Pikmin will come onto the stage to fix any damage done, such as rebuilding the bridge and the pot. Fighters can get stuck in the pot if they stand in the middle while Pikmin are rebuilding it. An enormous creature called the Peckish Aristocrab will occasionally lumber across the stage, destroying structures and damaging fighters in its wake. If fighters have ≥80% damage, making contact with the Aristocrab can result in an instant KO. A Bulborb and the S.S. Drake appear in the background. The Garden of Hope large enough to accommodate 8-Player Smash. It is one of the possible stages to appear in Level 2 of All-Star Mode as a home stage for Olimar and Alph. Its Ω form is columnar. The organization of trophies in the trophy gallery suggests that Alph's co-workers, and , were originally going to appear on this stage in some capacity.
===Items===
Bold italics denotes an item new to the Smash Bros. series.
*Pellet (throwing): a colorful, crystallized disc of nectar from the original only accessible on the Distant Planet stage. A pellet is held in the disc of a tall flower called a and will be dropped if the Posy is struck. The pellet can either be picked up and tossed as a projectile weapon, or it can be thrown at an Onion. The Onion will use the procured pellet to create items.
*Hocotate Bomb (throwing): an explosive rocket that resembles the from . Similar to End of Day, the bomb launches skyward and comes back crashing down, creating a large explosion that damages nearby opponents on impact. Being tossed or attacked trigger its launch. If it was tossed, it will not harm the wielder. It can also take fighters up with it as it ascends, similar to 's up aerial. If struck enough times, it will explode immediately. This bomb is not in any of the Pikmin games.
====Smash Tour items====
*Yellow Wollywog (): a yellow amphibian from the original Pikmin. It nullifies traps on the board that the user steps on.
*Plasm Wraith (): a gelatinous beast from . It heals the user when they block attacks with their shield.
===Enemies===
Enemies that appear in both Smash Run in the 3DS version and Smash Tour in the Wii U version.
*Iridescent Glint Beetle (Pilli auricus): a subterranean species of beetle from Pikmin 2. In Smash Run, it is usually only found in bonus rooms. It does not present any harm. When struck, it drops gold. It can be hit about 4-5 times before it scuttles back underground. In Smash Tour, any player that bumps into one on the board is awarded extra fighters.
====Smash Run enemies====
Enemies exclusive to the 3DS version. They appear in Smash Run.
*Bulborb (Oculus kageyamii russusa): a large, red subspecies of from the original Pikmin. It is a large enemy that does not flinch from most attacks and cannot be grabbed. It takes many hits to take down. It will lumber towards the opponents and snap at them with their mandibles, or slam into them with its colorful backside. For aerial opponents, it will jump up and try to headbutt them.
===Music===
====Original Tracks====
Arrangements and remixes unique to SSB4.
*: an arrangement of "World Map Theme" from . It plays on Distant Planet and Garden of Hope.
*: an arrangement of "Mission Mode" from , itself an arrangement of "Pikmin" from the original . It features singing Pikmin. It plays on Garden of Hope.
====Returning Tracks====
Arrangements and remixes from Brawl.
*: an arrangement of "Night Comes" and "Pikmin" from Pikmin. It plays on Garden of Hope.
*: an environmental-inspired interpretation of the wildlife audio samples used to establish the atmosphere of Pikmin. It plays on Garden of Hope.
*: an arrangement of "World Map Theme" from Pikmin 2. It plays on Garden of Hope.
====Source Tracks====
Compositions and arrangements directly sourced from Pikmin games with no alterations.
*: plays on Distant Planet and Garden of Hope.
*: from Pikmin. It plays on Garden of Hope.
* from Pikmin 3. It plays on Garden of Hope.
====Victory Theme====
*Victory! Pikmin Series: an arrangement of the first few notes of the "Pikmin motif", a derivative of the eponymous title theme from Pikmin. It is sourced from Brawl.
===Trophies===
==In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate==
The Pikmin series and all of its previous characters and stages return for Ultimate, along with slight addition to its universe in the form of two new arrangements and a new Assist Trophy.
Much later in January 2024, a new combined spirit from Pikmin 4 was added to the game.
===Fighter===
*40. (Unlockable): The microscopic astronaut returns as an unlockable fighter after being a starter in Brawl and Smash 4. Like in Smash 4, Alph appears as an alternate costume for him. When taking damage, his helmet appears cracked for a second.
===Stages===
Both Pikmin stages from the last two games return.
*Distant Planet (Starter): Pikmin's first stage from Brawl returns as a retro stage.
*Garden of Hope (Starter): Returning from Smash for Wii U, this garden returns as a retro stage.
===Item===
*Hocotate Bomb
====Assist Trophy====
*Burrowing Snagret: The Burrowing Snagret appears as the first Assist Trophy from the Pikmin series. It appears with its design from Pikmin 3. When summoned, it emerges from the ground and rapidly pecks in front of itself. It will then burrow back into the ground and reemerge somewhere else to repeat its attack, even on soft platforms.
===Music===
====Original Tracks====
Arrangements and remixes unique to Ultimate. 
*: A remix of the main theme from .
*: A medley of the Garden of Hope and Bingo Battle themes from .
====Returning Tracks====
Arrangements and remixes returning from previous Smash games.
*: A remix of the title theme and the end of day theme from Pikmin.
*: A recording of ambient noises that would typically occur in a forest or jungle, like those heard in Pikmin.
*: A remix of the world map theme from .
*: Another remix of the world map theme from Pikmin 2, with excerpts from the world map theme from Pikmin.
*: A remix of the mission mode theme from Pikmin 3.
====Source Tracks====
Tracks sourced directly from the Pikmin games.
*: The main theme, sourced directly from Pikmin.
*: The theme of the , sourced directly from Pikmin. In the second half of the track, the drumbeat heard when fighting enemies is added.
*: The theme of the Garden of Hope, sourced directly from Pikmin 3.
*: The theme that plays when fighting the , taken directly from .
*: The theme that plays when fighting the , sourced directly from Hey! Pikmin.
*: The theme of the fourth special course, sourced directly from Hey! Pikmin.
*: The theme that plays in the third phase of the fight against the , taken directly from Hey! Pikmin.
====Victory Theme====
*Victory! Pikmin Series: A remix of a small excerpt from the main theme of Pikmin. This track remains unchanged from Brawl and Smash 4.
===Spirits===
==Games with elements appearing in the Super Smash Bros. series==
The Pikmin universe has games represented throughout the Super Smash Bros. series with a total of 5 games. The latest game represented in this universe is , released on July 21, 2023.
======
*Playable characters:
** Captain Olimar debuts in this game as the main playable character, taking many of his special moves from this game, such as Pikmin Toss and Pikmin Order.
** Red, Blue and Yellow debut in this game.
** Olimar's final smash, End of Day, is based on the sequence at the end of each day in this game, as well as the ship crashing like in the game's intro.
*Stage:
** Distant Planet appears as a stage and incorporates elements of the Forest of Hope from this game.
*Stage elements
** and several Bulborb enemies appear as hazards and background elements. The Pellet can be used as a throwing item.
*Items:
** Yellow Wollywog appears as an item in Smash Tour.
*Assist Trophies:
** Burrowing Snagret appears as an Assist Trophy.
*Enemies:
** Bulborb appears as an enemy in Smash Run.
*Trophies:
** Olimar, Red Pikmin, Blue Pikmin, and Yellow Pikmin appear as trophies in Melee, Brawl, and Smash 4.
** Onions, , and appear as trophies.
** Red Bulborb and Pellets appear as trophies in Brawl and Smash 4.
** Yellow Wollywog, , and appear as trophies in Brawl and Smash for Wii U.
*Stickers:
** , Olimar’s Daughter, Blue Pellet, Red Pellet, Yellow Pellet, Red Pikmin, Blue Pikmin, and Yellow Pikmin appear as stickers.
*Spirits:
** Olimar, Bulborb, Burrowing Snagret, Fiery Blowhog, Red Pikmin, Blue Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin, , , Swooping Snitchbug, and Yellow Wollywog appear as spirits.
*Music:
** "": The title screen music, sourced from this game.
** "": The background music to the Forest of Hope, the second area that Olimar could explore, sourced from this game.
** "": A remix of both End of Day theme and a frantic remix of the title screen theme.
** "": Not an actual song, per se, but rather a collection of basic environmental noises giving the impression of being in a vast wilderness. 
** "": A remix featuring elements from the stage select theme from this game.
** "": A promotional image song performed by the Japanese band Strawberry Flower that was used in commercials for this game. 
** "": A French version of the previously mentioned image song.
** "": Another remix featuring elements of the stage select theme from this game.
** "": An acoustic remix of the Mission Mode theme from Pikmin 3, which itself is an arrangement of the title theme from this game.
** "": An orchestral rock-styled remix of the main theme from this game.
** "": Incorporates the theme of , the first area of this game.
** "Victory! Pikmin Series": A sped of remix of an excerpt of this game's title theme.
======
*Playable characters:
** White and Purple Pikmin are introduced in this game.
** The spaceship Olimar and Louie use to fly in this game, the Hocotate Ship, is part of Olimar's Final Smash, End of Day, and as a part of Olimar's on-screen appearance.
** Olimar's jab and forward tilts are based on attacks from this game.
*Items:
** The spaceship from this game is the inspiration for the Hocotate Bomb. 
*Enemies:
** Iridescent Glint Beetle appears as an enemy in Smash Run and Smash Tour.
*Trophies:
** Purple Pikmin, White Pikmin, and appear as trophies in Brawl and Smash 4.
** , Hocotate Ship, , , and appear as trophies.
*Stickers:
** Louie, the Hocotate Ship, and The President appear as stickers. 
** Bulborb, Pellet, Crimson Candypop Bud, Blue Pellet, Red Pellet Flower, Reclining Red Pikmin, and Onion appear as stickers using artwork from this game.
*Spirits:
** Louie, Purple Pikmin, Empress Bulblax, White Pikmin, and Iridescent Glint Beetle appear as spirits. 
** Burrowing Snagret and Emperor Bulblax appear as spirits useing artwork from this game.
*Music:
** "": An orchestral remix featuring the map screen from this game.
** "": Similar to Ai no Uta, this was an image song performed by the Japanese band Strawberry Flower that was used in commercials for this game. 
** "": A more upbeat remix of the world map theme from this game.
======
*Playable characters:
** Olimar’s design in Smash 4 is based on his appearance in this game. 
** Alph debuts in this game and appears and an alt for Olimar in Smash 4 and Ultimate.
** Winged Pikmin debut in this game and serve as Olimar's up special move.
*Stages:
** Garden of Hope debuts in this game as the second playable area.
*Stage elements:
** Peckish Aristocrab appears as a stage hazard.
*Items:
** Plasm Wraith appears as an item in Smash Tour.
*Assist Trophies:
** Burrowing Snagret uses its design from this game.
*Trophies:
** Alph, Winged Pikmin, and Rock Pikmin appear as trophies.
** , , , Peckish Aristocrab, , and Plasm Wraith appear as trophies.
*Spirits:
** Alph, Rock Pikmin, Winged Pikmin, Plasm Wraith, Peckish Aristocrab, Charlie, and Brittany appear as spirits. 
** Red Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin, Purple Pikmin, White Pikmin, Bulborb, Fiery Blowhog and Yellow Wollywog appear as spirits using artwork from this game.
*Music:
** "": An acoustic remix of the Mission Mode theme from this game featuring Pikmin vocals.
** "": The theme from the Garden of Hope, sourced from this game.
** "": An orchestral medley of the Garden of Hope and Bingo Battle themes from this game, the latter of which is itself an arrangement of the Impact Site, the first area from the original Pikmin.
======
*Spirits:
** appears as a spirit.
** Olimar and Blue Pikmin appear as spirits using artwork from this game.
*Music:
** "": The theme that plays when fighting the , sourced from this game.
** "": The theme that plays when fighting the , sourced from this game.
** "": The theme of the fourth special course, sourced from this game.
** "": The theme that plays in the third phase of the fight against the , sourced from this game.
======
*Spirits:
** with the protagonist and some Pikmin appear as a spirit.
==Trivia==
*Not counting (which had yet to be released at the time), Pikmin was the newest universe to be represented in Super Smash Bros. Melee, with the first game releasing one month before Melee's release.
*With Olimar in Brawl, Pikmin is the first series to have debuted within the 21st century to have been represented by a fighter in Smash, although is the oldest for the 21st century overall.
*Pikmin is also the first fighter-based universe in the series to debut after the release of the original Super Smash Bros.
*Pikmin, along with (and technically ), are the only series with minor representation in Melee to have a fighter in the following installment, Brawl.
==External links==
*Pikipedia
*
es:Pikmin (universo)