The life simulation video game series Animal Crossing, created by Katsuya Eguchi[1] and first released in 2001 by Nintendo, features an assortment of recurring characters. Titles in the series follow the player character as they live in a village populated by anthropomorphic animals, with gameplay that proceeds in a nonlinear fashion and in-game events that occur in real-time. As of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the most recent release in the series, there are over 400 animal characters that can potentially populate a player's village.[2] In addition to these villager characters, Animal Crossing features characters that appear in the villages of all players; these characters typically serve a particular gameplay function, or appear at a specific in-game event.
Animal Crossing series | |
---|---|
First appearance | Animal Crossing (2001) |
Last appearance | Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020) |
Created by | Nintendo EAD |
Designed by | Katsuya Eguchi |
Characters
editIntroduced in Animal Forest and Animal Crossing
editAnimal Forest (どうぶつの森, Dōbutsu no Mori) was released for the Nintendo 64 in 2001 exclusively in Japan.[3] An enhanced remake of the game for GameCube was released as Animal Forest+ in Japan, and as Animal Crossing worldwide. The games introduce many of the series' core recurring characters, notably businessman Tom Nook, traveling musician K.K. Slider, and Mr. Resetti, who lectures the player if they reset the game.[3]
Character | Original Name | Species | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Alfonso | アルベルト (Albert) | Alligator | A lazy villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Ankha | ナイル (Nile) | Cat | A snooty villager. Appeared first in the GameCube game. Famous for a fan-made animated pornography video called Ankha by Ankha, colloquially known as Ankha Zone, which depicts Ankha having penetrative sex with the player character, set to the 1985 song "Camel by Camel" by Croatian singer Sandy Marton.[4][5] |
Apollo | アポロ (Aporo) | Eagle | A cranky villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Blanca | あやしいねこ (lit. "Suspicious Cat") | Cat | A faceless cat who asks the player to draw their (his in Japan, her elsewhere) face. Hosts April Fool's Day in New Leaf. |
Blathers | フータ (Hooter) | Owl | A museum curator, paleontologist, and the brother of Celeste. |
Booker | おまわりさんB・もんばんさんA (Policeman B; Gatekeeper A) | Dog (Bulldog) | He works as a police officer in Animal Crossing and New Leaf and as a gatekeeper in Wild World and City Folk. |
Bunnie | リリアン (Lilian) | Rabbit | A peppy villager. |
Cesar | アラン (Alan) | Gorilla | A cranky villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Chip | うおまさ (Uomasa) | Beaver | Hosts the Fishing Tourney in all series titles except New Horizons. Father to C.J.. |
Copper | おまわりさんA・もんばんさんB (Policeman A; Gatekeeper B) | Dog (Akita) | Works as a police officer in Animal Crossing and New Leaf and as a gatekeeper in Wild World and City Folk. |
Cyrano | さくらじま (Sakurajima) | Anteater | A cranky villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Don Resetti | ラケットさん (Raketto-san) | Mole | Lectures the player if they reset their game. Brother to Mr. Resetti. |
Farley | ファーリー (Fārī) | Gnome | A spirit who lives inside the town fountain. |
Franklin | フランクリン (Furankurin) | Turkey | Hosts the Harvest Festival. |
Gracie | グレース (Grace) | Giraffe | A fashion designer. |
Gulliver[a] | ジョニー (Johnny) | Seagull | Appears as a marooned sailor in Animal Crossing, New Leaf, and New Horizons; and a stranded astronaut in Wild World and City Folk. In New Horizons, he also appears as a marooned pirate called Gullivarrr.[6] |
Hopper | ダルマン (Daruman) | Penguin | A cranky villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Jack | パンプキング (Pumpking) | – | A pumpkin-headed character who hosts Halloween. |
Jingle | ジングル (Jinguru) | Reindeer | Hosts Toy Day. |
Joan | カブリバ (Kaburiba) | Wild boar | A vendor who sells turnips on the "stalk market". |
K.K. Slider | とたけけ (Totakeke) | Dog (Jack Russell) | A traveling musician and DJ. |
Kapp'n | カッペイ (Kappei) | Turtle[b] | He has alternately worked as a row boat operator, a taxicab driver, and a bus driver. Husband to Leilani, father to Leila, and son of Grams. |
Katrina | ハッケミィ (Hakkemī) | Panther | A fortune teller. |
Mabel | きぬよ (Kinuyo) | Hedgehog | Co-owner of the Able Sisters tailor shop. Sister to Sable and Label. |
Margie | サリー (Sarī) | Elephant | A normal villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Pelly | ぺりこ (Periko) | Pelican | Works the day shift at the post office in Animal Crossing and New Leaf and at the town hall in Wild World and City Folk. Sister to Phyllis. |
Pete | ぺりお (Pelio) | Pelican | A mail carrier. |
Phyllis | ぺりみ (Pelimi) | Pelican | Works the night shift at the post office in Animal Crossing and New Leaf, and at the town hall in Wild World and City Folk. Sister to Pelly. |
Porter | えきいんさん (Ekiinsan) | Monkey | A porter at the train station. |
Redd | つねきち (Tsunekichi) | Fox[c] | Operates a black market goods store. Also known as Crazy Redd. |
Mr. Resetti | リセットさん (Risetto-san) | Mole | Lectures the player if they reset their game. Brother to Don Resetti. |
Rosie | ブーケ (Būke, Bouquet) | Cat | A peppy cat villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Rover | みしらぬネコ (lit. "Unknown Cat") | Cat | A cat who assists the player in setting up the game. |
Sable | あさみ (Asami) | Hedgehog | Co-owner of the Able Sisters tailor shop. Sister to Mabel and Label. |
Saharah | ローラン (Rōran) | Camel | A traveling rug and carpet vendor. |
Savannah | (サバンナ (Savannah) | Zebra | A normal villager, who is actually a horse villager. |
Timmy & Tommy | まめきち・つぶきち (Mamekichi & Tsubukichi) | Raccoon[d] | Twin apprentices and nephews to Tom Nook. |
Tom Nook | たぬきち (Tanukichi) | Raccoon[d] | A businessman who manages the town shop and the player's home loan. |
Tortimer | コトブキ (Kotobuki) | Tortoise | The mayor of the town. He later retires to live on a tropical island in New Leaf. |
Villager | むらびと (Murabito) | Human | The player character, whose name, gender, appearance and house are customizable. In New Leaf, the first player to create a save file on each copy takes on the role of the town's mayor. |
Wendell | セイイチ (Seiichi) | Walrus | A traveling artist. |
Wisp | ゆうたろう (Yūtarō) | Ghost | A spirit who provides the player with rare items. |
Introduced in Animal Crossing: Wild World
editAnimal Crossing: Wild World was released on the Nintendo DS in 2005.[7]
Character | Original Name | Species | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Brewster | マスター (Master) | Pigeon | Operates The Roost, a coffee shop. |
Celeste | フーコ (Fuko) | Owl | Works at the museum observatory. Sister to Blathers. |
Champ | さるお (Saruo) | Monkey | A jock villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Dr. Shrunk | ししょー (Shishō) | Axolotl | Teaches the player emotes, also known as "Reactions". |
Harriet | カットリーヌ (Kattorīnu) | Dog (Poodle) | Operates a beauty salon called Shampoodle. |
Kaitlin | おかあさん (Okaa-san) | Cat | Mother to Katie. |
Katie | まいこちゃん (Maiko-chan) | Cat | A kitten who asks the player to reunite her with her mother Kaitlin. |
Lyle | ホンマさん (Honma-san) | Otter | A businessman who alternately works as an insurance salesman and for the Happy Home Academy. |
Pascal | ラコスケ (Rakosuke) | Otter | A traveling philosopher. |
Whitney | ビアンカ (Biance) | Wolf | A snooty beautiful villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Introduced in Animal Crossing: City Folk
editAnimal Crossing: City Folk was released on the Wii in 2008.[8]
Character | Original Name | Species | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Frillard | きょしょー (Kyoshō) | Frilled lizard | Teaches the player emotes. |
Kicks | シャンク (Shanku) | Skunk | A shoeshiner and shoe salesman. |
Label | ケイト (Keito) | Hedgehog | A fashion designer. Sister to Mabel and Sable. Also known as Labelle. |
Lloid | ハニワくん (Haniwa-kun) | Haniwa | Operates the auction house in City Folk, and works as a construction worker in New Leaf and New Horizons. |
Nat | カメヤマさん (Kameyama-san) | Chameleon | Hosts the Bug-Off in City Folk and New Leaf. |
Pavé | ベルリーナ (Berurīna) | Peacock | Hosts Festivale. |
Phineas | パロンチーノ (Paronchīno) | Sea lion | Rewards the player with gifts and merit badges. |
Serena | めがみさま (Megami-sama) | Dog (Chihuahua) | A goddess who lives inside the city fountain. |
Zipper T. Bunny | ぴょんたろう (Pyontarou) | Bunny | Hosts Bunny Day. |
Introduced in Animal Crossing: New Leaf
editAnimal Crossing: New Leaf was released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2012.[9] The game introduces Isabelle, a secretary at the town hall who has been described as a "fan-favorite" and a mascot of the Animal Crossing series.[10][11][12] Additional content and characters were added to the game in Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome Amiibo, a free update for the game released in late 2016.[13]
Character | Original Name | Species | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Cyrus | カイゾー (Kaizō) | Alpaca | Works at Re-Tail, a refurbishment shop. Husband to Reese. |
Digby | ケント (Kento) | Dog (Shih Tzu) | Works at the Happy Home Showcase. Twin brother to Isabelle. |
Grams | ゲコ (Geko) | Turtle[b] | Mother to Kapp'n, mother-in-law to Leilani, and grandmother to Leila. |
Harvey | パニエル (Panieru) | Dog (Spaniel) | A hippie who operates the campground in New Leaf and Photopia in New Horizons. |
Isabelle | しずえ (Shizue) | Dog (Shih Tzu) | A secretary and assistant to the player. Twin sister to Digby. |
Leif | レイジ (Reiji) | Sloth | Operates the gardening store. |
Leila | クク (Kuku) | Turtle[b] | Daughter to Kapp'n and Leilani, and granddaughter to Grams. |
Leilani | クーコ (Kūko) | Turtle[b] | Wife to Kapp'n, mother to Leilani, and daughter-in-law to Grams. |
Luna | ゆめみ (Yumemi) | Tapir | Operates the Dream Suite. |
Reese | リサ (Risa) | Alpaca | Works at Re-Tail. Wife to Cyrus. |
Introduced in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
editAnimal Crossing: New Horizons was released on the Nintendo Switch on March 20, 2020.[14] Certain characters introduced in previous Animal Crossing titles were not present in the game at launch, but have been added through free downloadable content (DLC) updates.[15][16][17] Other characters were added in Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise, a paid DLC update slated for release on November 5, 2021.[18]
Character | Original Name | Species | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Audie | モニカ (Monika) | Wolf | A peppy villager. Supposedly named after an elderly woman who played New Leaf for over 3500 hours.[19][20] |
C.J. | ジャスティン (Justin) | Beaver | Hosts the Fishing Tourney. Son of Chip and roommate and business partner to Flick.[21] |
Daisy Mae | ウリ (Uri) | Wild boar | A turnip vendor and granddaughter of Joan. |
Flick | レックス (Rex) | Chameleon | Hosts the Bug-Off. Roommate and business partner to C.J.[21] |
Niko | ニコ (Niko) | Monkey | A worker at Paradise Planning. Appears in Happy Home Paradise. |
Orville | モーリー (Mōrī) | Dodo | A receptionist for Dodo Airlines. Brother of Wilbur. |
Raymond | ジャック (Jyakku) | Cat | A smug villager. The first Animal Crossing villager to have heterochromia. Noted by outlets as being especially popular in the game's trading and exchange economy.[22][23][24] |
Wardell | ナッティー (Nattei) | Manatee | A worker at Paradise Planning. Appears in Happy Home Paradise. |
Wilbur | ロドリー (Rodrī) | Dodo | An Aircraft pilot for Dodo Airlines. Brother of Orville. |
Introduced in spin-off titles
editSeveral spin-off Animal Crossing series titles have been produced, which feature their own original characters.
Character | Original Name | Species | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Ai | あい | Human | A female human villager. Protagonist of the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Beppe | ピンちゃん (Pin-chan) | Blackbird | Works at OK Motors. Introduced in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. |
Carlo | グーさん (Gū-san) | Blackbird | Works at OK Motors. Introduced in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. |
Giovanni | キャンタロー (Kyantarō) | Blackbird | Works at OK Motors. Introduced in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. |
Lottie | タクミ (Takumi) | Otter | Works at Nook's Homes. Niece to Lyle. Introduced in Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. |
Yū | ゆう | Human | A male human villager. Appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. |
Appearances by title
editCharacter | Forest | Crossing | Wild World | City Folk | New Leaf | New Horizons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blanca | DLC | |||||
Blathers | ||||||
Booker | DLC | |||||
Brewster | DLC | |||||
C.J. | ||||||
Celeste | ||||||
Chip | DLC | |||||
Copper | DLC | |||||
Cyrus | DLC | |||||
Daisy Mae | ||||||
Digby | DLC | |||||
Don Resetti | DLC | |||||
Dr. Shrunk | DLC | |||||
Farley | ||||||
Flick | ||||||
Franklin | DLC | |||||
Frillard | ||||||
Gracie | DLC | |||||
Grams | DLC | |||||
Gulliver | ||||||
Harriet | DLC | |||||
Harvey | DLC | |||||
Isabelle | ||||||
Jack | DLC | |||||
Jingle | DLC | |||||
Joan | DLC | |||||
K.K. Slider | ||||||
Kaitlin | ||||||
Kapp'n | DLC | DLC | ||||
Katie | DLC | |||||
Katrina | DLC | DLC | ||||
Kicks | ||||||
Label | ||||||
Leif | DLC | |||||
Leila | DLC | |||||
Leilani | DLC | |||||
Lloid | ||||||
Lottie | DLC | |||||
Luna | DLC | |||||
Lyle | DLC | |||||
Mabel | ||||||
Nat | DLC | |||||
Niko | DLC | |||||
Orville | ||||||
Pascal | DLC | |||||
Pavé | DLC | |||||
Pelly | DLC | |||||
Pete | DLC | |||||
Phineas | DLC | |||||
Phyllis | DLC | |||||
Porter | DLC | |||||
Redd | DLC | |||||
Reese | DLC | |||||
Mr. Resetti | ||||||
Rover | DLC | |||||
Sable | ||||||
Saharah | ||||||
Serena | ||||||
Timmy & Tommy | ||||||
Tom Nook | ||||||
Tortimer | DLC | |||||
Villager | ||||||
Wardell | DLC | |||||
Wendell | DLC | |||||
Wilbur | ||||||
Wisp | DLC | |||||
Zipper T. Bunny | DLC |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ Andrew H (March 27, 2014). "While Animal Crossing may never see a mobile game, there could be companion apps on the way". droidgamers.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
- ^ Nairn, Lacie (April 11, 2020). "Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Recruitable Villagers, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ a b Harris, Craig (June 14, 2012). "The Evolution of Animal Crossing". IGN. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Jiang, Sisi (September 22, 2021). "Animal Crossing's Ankha Porn Video Becomes Internet Sensation". Kotaku. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ Haasch, Palmer; Asarch, Steven (September 16, 2021). "Homemade porn inspired by Animal Crossing is going viral on TikTok and across the internet, sparking a wave of memes". Business Insider. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ "Island News — Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch system". Official Animal Crossing website. June 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ^ Garratt, Patrick (September 8, 2005). "Euro date for Animal Crossing DS". Eurogamer. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Totlio, Stephen (October 2, 2008). "Nintendo SF Event: Lots Of New DS and Wii Games Announced For U.S." MTV. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Sarkar, Samit (August 29, 2012). "'Animal Crossing: Jump Out' coming to Japan November 8th". The Verge. The Verge. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ Phillips, Tom (September 13, 2018). "Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch finally confirmed". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ Vincent, Brittany (September 15, 2018). "'Animal Crossing' is coming to Switch—and the news sparked Tom Nook memes". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ Minor, Jordan (November 20, 2018). "The Ultimate Super Smash Bros. Character Guide: Isabelle". Geek.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ "New Leaf's generous Welcome amiibo! update is well worth a trip back to your Animal Crossing town". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ Heller, Emily (March 19, 2020). "Here's when you can unlock Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Switch". Polygon. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Dell-Cornejo, Daniel (February 20, 2020). "Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct breakdown – All new and returning features". Nintendo Wire. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Lee, Julia (March 26, 2020). "Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Bunny Day event detailed, Leif revealed". Polygon. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ @animalcrossing (April 21, 2020). "[Announcement] More good times await in #AnimalCrossing: New Horizons, starting with the free April update landing on your island 4/23! Check out new seasonal events like Nature Day, two new merchants: Leif & Redd, and the addition of an art gallery to the museum! #ACNH" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Whitehead, Thomas (October 15, 2021). "Happy Home Paradise Unveiled For Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Paid DLC Or In NSO Expansion Pack". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ Gerblick, Jordan (March 17, 2020). "Animal Crossing: New Horizons villager apparently named after internet-famous grandma who loves New Leaf". GamesRadar. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ Purslow, Matt (April 14, 2020). "Animal Crossing-Loving Grandma Seems to Be an Animal Crossing: New Horizons Character Now". IGN. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Official Companion Guide clarifies the relationship between Flick and C.J." Go Nintendo. April 19, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ Hernandez, Patricia (April 22, 2020). "Raymond is blowing up the Animal Crossing villager black market". Polygon. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Hernandez, Patricia (March 20, 2020). "Animal Crossing's Raymond and his maid outfit tear up the internet". Polygon. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Bishop, Rollin. "Tumblr Loves Animal Crossing, But It Especially Loves Raymond". CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
External links
edit- Official website
- List of villager characters at Nookipedia