The life simulation video game series Animal Crossing, created by Katsuya Eguchi 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. 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.

Characters Introduced in Animal Forest and Animal Crossing was released for the Nintendo 64 in 2001 exclusively in Japan. 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.

Character Original Name Species Description Alfonso Alligator A lazy villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori. Ankha Cat A snooty villager. First appeared in the GameCube game. Became well-known online in 2021 due to Ankha by Ankha, an animated porn parody that depicts Ankha rhythmically having sex with the player character to the beat of Croatian singer Sandy Marton's 1985 song "Camel by Camel". It was uploaded by animator Zone in January 2021 and went viral on TikTok in September 2021. Apollo Bald eagle A cranky villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. Blanca 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 Great horned owl A museum curator, paleontologist, and the brother of Celeste. Booker , 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 Rabbit A peppy villager. Cesar Gorilla A cranky villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. Cheri Bear cub Peppy female villager who first appeared in Animal Crossing, was removed in Wild World, and returned in New Leaf. Chip Beaver Hosts the Fishing Tourney in all series titles except New Horizons. Father to C.J. Copper , Dog (Akita) Works as a police officer in Animal Crossing and New Leaf and as a gatekeeper in Wild World and City Folk. Cyrano Anteater A cranky villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. Don Resetti Mole Lectures the player if they reset their game. Brother to Mr. Resetti. Farley Gnome A spirit who lives inside the town fountain. Franklin Turkey Hosts the Harvest Festival. Gracie Giraffe A fashion designer. Gulliver 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. Hopper Penguin A cranky villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. Jack A pumpkin-headed character who hosts Halloween. Jingle Reindeer Hosts Toy Day. Joan Wild boar A vendor who sells turnips on the "stalk market". K.K. Slider Dog (Jack Russell Terrier) A traveling musician and DJ. Kapp'n Turtle 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 Panther A fortune teller. Mabel Hedgehog Co-owner of the Able Sisters tailor shop. Sister to Sable and Label. Margie Elephant A normal villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. Pelly 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 Pelican A mail carrier. Phyllis 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 Monkey A porter at the train station. Redd Fox Operates a black market goods store. Also known as Crazy Redd. Mole Lectures the player if they reset their game. Brother to Don Resetti. Rosie Cat A peppy cat villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. Rover Cat A cat who assists the player in setting up the game. Sable Hedgehog Co-owner of the Able Sisters tailor shop. Sister to Mabel and Label. Saharah Camel A traveling rug and carpet vendor. Savannah Zebra A normal villager, who is actually a horse villager. Timmy & Tommy and Raccoon Twin apprentices and nephews to Tom Nook. Tom Nook Raccoon A businessman who manages the town shop and the player's home loan. Tortimer Tortoise The mayor of the town. He later retires to live on a tropical island in New Leaf. Villager 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 Walrus A traveling artist. Wisp Ghost A spirit who provides the player with rare items.

Introduced in Animal Crossing: Wild World Animal Crossing: Wild World was released on the Nintendo DS in 2005.

Character Original Name Species Description Brewster Rock Pigeon Operates The Roost, a coffee shop. Celeste Great Horned Owl Works at the museum observatory. Sister to Blathers. Champ Monkey A jock villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. Dr. Shrunk Axolotl Teaches the player emotes, also known as "Reactions". Harriet Dog (Poodle) Operates a beauty salon called Shampoodle. Kaitlin Cat Mother to Katie. Katie Cat A kitten who asks the player to reunite her with her mother Kaitlin. Lyle Otter A businessman who alternately works as an insurance salesman and for the Happy Home Academy. Pascal Otter A traveling philosopher. Whitney Wolf A snooty villager. Also appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori.

Introduced in Animal Crossing: City Folk Animal Crossing: City Folk was released on the Wii in 2008.

Character Original Name Species Description Frillard Frilled lizard Teaches the player emotes. Kicks Skunk A shoeshiner and shoe salesman. Label Hedgehog A fashion designer. Sister to Mabel and Sable. Also known as Labelle. Lloid Haniwa Operates the auction house in City Folk, and works as a construction worker in New Leaf and New Horizons. Nat Chameleon Hosts the Bug-Off in City Folk and New Leaf. Pavé Peacock Hosts Festivale. Phineas Sea lion Rewards the player with gifts and merit badges. Serena Dog (Chihuahua) A goddess who lives inside the city fountain. Zipper T. Bunny Bunny Hosts Bunny Day.

Introduced in Animal Crossing: New Leaf Animal Crossing: New Leaf was released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2012. 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. 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.

Character Original Name Species Description Cyrus Alpaca Works at Re-Tail, a refurbishment shop. Husband to Reese. Digby Dog (Shih Tzu) Works at the Happy Home Showcase. Twin brother to Isabelle. Grams Turtle Mother to Kapp'n, mother-in-law to Leilani, and grandmother to Leila. Harvey Dog (Spaniel) A hippie who operates the campground in New Leaf beginning in the Welcome amiibo update and Photopia in New Horizons. Isabelle Dog (Shih Tzu) A secretary and assistant to the player. Twin sister to Digby. Leif Sloth Operates the gardening store. Leila Turtle Daughter to Kapp'n and Leilani, and granddaughter to Grams. Leilani Turtle Wife to Kapp'n, mother to Leilani, and daughter-in-law to Grams. Luna Tapir Operates the Dream Suite. Reese Alpaca Works at Re-Tail. Wife to Cyrus.

Introduced in Animal Crossing: New Horizons Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released on the Nintendo Switch on March 20, 2020. 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. Other characters were added in Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise, a paid DLC update slated for release on November 5, 2021.

Character Original Name Species Description Audie Wolf A peppy villager. Supposedly named after an elderly woman who played New Leaf for over 3500 hours. C.J. Beaver Hosts the Fishing Tourney and commissions fish models for the player. Son of Chip and roommate and business partner to Flick. Daisy Mae Wild boar A turnip vendor and granddaughter of Joan. Flick Chameleon Hosts the Bug-Off and makes insect models. Roommate and business partner to C.J. Niko Monkey A worker at Paradise Planning. Appears in Happy Home Paradise. Orville Dodo A receptionist for Dodo Airlines. Younger brother of Wilbur. Named after Orville Wright. Raymond 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. Wardell Manatee A worker at Paradise Planning. Appears in Happy Home Paradise. Wilbur Dodo An Aircraft pilot for Dodo Airlines. Older brother of Orville. Named after Wilbur Wright.

Introduced in spin-off titles Several spin-off Animal Crossing series titles have been produced, which feature their own original characters.

Character Original Name Species Description Ai Human A female human villager. Protagonist of the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. Beppe Blackbird Works at OK Motors. Introduced in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. Carlo Blackbird Works at OK Motors. Introduced in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. Giovanni Blackbird Works at OK Motors. Introduced in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. Lottie Otter Works at Nook's Homes. Niece to Lyle. Introduced in Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. Yū Human A male human villager. Appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori.

Appearances by title

Character Doubutsu no Mori Animal Crossing Wild World City Folk New Leaf New Horizons Blanca data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Blathers Booker data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Brewster data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" C.J. Celeste Chip data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Copper data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Cyrus data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Daisy Mae Digby data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Don Resetti data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Dr. Shrunk data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Farley Flick Franklin data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Frillard Gracie data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Grams data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Gulliver Harriet data-sort-value="Y" Harvey data-sort-value="Y" Isabelle Jack data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Jingle data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Joan data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" K.K. Slider Kaitlin Kapp'n data-sort-value="Y" Katie data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Katrina data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Kicks Label Leif data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Leila data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Leilani data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Lloid Lottie data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Luna data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Lyle data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Mabel Nat data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Niko data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Orville Pascal data-sort-value="Y" Pavé data-sort-value="Y" Pelly data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Pete data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Phineas data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Phyllis data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Porter data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Redd data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Reese data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Rover data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Sable Saharah Serena Timmy & Tommy Tom Nook Tortimer data-sort-value="Y" Villager Wardell data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Wendell data-sort-value="Y (DLC)" Wilbur Wisp data-sort-value="Y" Zipper T. Bunny data-sort-value="Y"

Notes

References

External links

List of villager characters at Nookipedia