Leafling

A leafling is an individual that has been delivered to an Onion and turned into a Pikmin-like hybrid of their former self. Leaflings, besides their Pikmin-like stems, are most notable for their leaf-covered heads, only their eyes and noses visible, and obsession with, the ability to "organize tasks strategically and working effectively to execute plans". The color of the heaves on their head, but not their stem, matches their hair color, and when fainted, their stems glow a matching color much like an idle Pikmin's.

Most leaflings are unable to speak in normal sentences, instead using simple words and small sentences at a time. Leaflings will surrender any leafling castaways they have or fall unconscious to be rescued themselves if they witness an impressive display of dandori in Dandori Challenges or Dandori Battles, allowing them to be rescued. Leaflings rapidly sicken if they try to leave PNF-404. Glow sap can be refined into a medicine that reverts leaflings to their normal form by dissolving their leaves.

Olimar, as a leafling, justifies converting castaways into leaflings by stating that those who don't embrace dandori can not survive on PNF-404. Following his curing, Olimar speculates that the Pikmin, through leaflings, may be trying to create a permanent leader for themselves.

Besides Olimar, there is one notable leafling, the Sage Leaf. They are a white leafling that oversees the, a series of ten Dandori Challenges with varied objectives. Though they refuse to be rescued or cured, they will grant rewards for completing their trials. The Sage Leaf's former identity is unknown, as even the Sage Leaf themself has long since forgotten it, but given their advanced age, it would seem they have been one for a long time.

=In fanon games=

In Pikmin Evolution
Leaflings are the main race found in Pikmin Evolution, making up the playable captains. Unlike those in, Leaflings were born as natives of PNF-404 and as such have some differences. Firstly, they only have leaves on specific parts of their faces, acting as facial hair such as eyebrows, mustaches, and beards. They are also less obsessed with Dandori, and while it's still a major part of their culture, it's not their sole focus in life. Since Leaflings are natives of PNF-404, they are able to breathe oxygen, though they are weak to other gasses such as methane, which causes them to become weaker when in the presence of these natural gasses. Leaflings are capable of partaking in different cultures and traditions, but most of them take shelter behind the walls of large settlements as they have a fear of the outside world. This leaves most Leafling communities isolated from one another, leading many to be unfamiliar with the outside world. Part of the story revolves around connecting these communities and expanding the Leafling race into a thriving civilization. Most Leaflings are unfamiliar with Pikmin but they seem to have an innate desire to follow the Leaflings and mutually expand the two's races. The Leaflings' natural whistling abilities seem to be able to attract and control the Pikmin, implying a connection between the two races.

In the base game, there are five species of Leaflings, each having a counterpart to the roster. Each species shares traits with each other such as the aforementioned leaf-based hair and pointed ears, but each species also have its own distinctive traits. Each Leafling species also has a respective playable captain to represent them.
 * Red Leaflings have average builds and heights, not being notably skinny or rotund or having a lot of facial leaves. They also have golden yellow eyes. Their species is represented by Magdelene, the lead captain.
 * Blue Leaflings have pointed ears and average builds. They have cyan eyes and more pronounced fangs in their mouths. Their species is represented by Azure, the geographist.
 * Yellow Leaflings are the tallest species and have the longest hair. They have lime-green eyes and thinner limbs compared to other species. Their species is represented by Leni, the chef.
 * White Leaflings are the second-shortest in build height and the shortest in hair length. Their red eyes are a result of not seeing the sun regularly due to their subterranean lifestyle, making them easily blinded by the sun, so they wear glasses to compensate. Their species is represented by Ivy, the scientist.
 * Purple Leaflings have the most muscular builds, having short legs but well-defined arms. They have gray eyes, and the most body hair compared to all other species. Their species is represented by Marvin, the strategist.

In the The House of Gloom DLC, four more species of Leaflings are introduced, each based on the Pikmin introduced in and. One species is not playable due to being considered extinct.
 * Pink Leaflings are the shortest and have stout heads. They have deep blue eyes, as well as webbed hands and feet to give them better speed to compensate for their short height. Their species is represented by Sal, the appraiser.
 * Gray Leaflings have quite rotund builds, like those of sumo wrestlers. They have dull yellow eyes, and their limbs are short but muscular with three fingers rather than the usual four. Their species is represented by Gea, the artist.
 * Cyan Leaflings have tufts of fur over the necks and hands, resembling scarves and mittens. They have pink eyes and average heights and builds. Their species is represented by Cia, the doctor.
 * Light Leaflings are an extinct species of Leafling and are considered urban legends among the other species. They are named for their ghostly glow and piercing golden eyes. While they lack a playable character, the Overlord of All Lifeforms takes the form of one as his avatar.

Different species of Leaflings tend to live in various areas. Red and Yellow Leaflings tend to live in the grasslands, Blue Leaflings tend to live in jungles and swamps, Purple and White Leaflings live underground or in deserts, Pink and Gray Leaflings live on the tops of mountains, and Cyan Leaflings live in the artic.