It Takes a Villager

Octopus villagers are rare in the Animal Crossing series, and we’ve only seen four thus far. It’s possible to catch other variations of octopodes by fishing, but Pocket Camp puts forth the theory that the octopus villagers are actually aliens! Octavian’s choice of home decor adds credence to this claim, and his rooms are typically decked out with rockets, flying saucers, and other space-related objects. I was fond of every Animal Crossing octopus and liked how Inkwell looked like Q*bert, but Octavian was the clear choice for this list as the only octopus to appear in every game in the series. Also, there was a lack of cranky villagers on this list. The real world is filled with people who are easily annoyed, so guys like Octavian add an element of authenticity to any neighborhood. As an added bonus, he kind of reminds of of Squidward.

Puck is a penguin who is seldom seen without his helmet and jersey. His name and appearance are based around hockey, his Pocket Camp profile explicitly states that he plays the sport, and his Japanese name is Hokke! According to his amiibo card, he wants to add a chilly room in his house dedicated to icy sports. Given everything we know about him, you’d assume that Puck would have a jock-type personality. In actuality, he’s a lazy penguin who hates exercise. He’ll outright panic when other villagers try to get him to do any sort of physical activity! Puck is the type of villager that you think you know everything about, but you gain more insight into his personality with each interaction. Animal Crossing has always been promoted as a “communication game,” and characters like Puck promote these ideals.

There are a number of Animal Crossing villagers that directly resemble food. Tangy the cat looks like a tangerine, Zucker the octopus looks like the Japanese snack takoyaki, and Merengue the rhino looks like a strawberry shortcake. These villagers are all notable in their own right, but I’m partial to Ketchup due to her adorable appearance and her oddball personality. Although the peppy duck paints herself as the poster child of maturity, she has a short attention span and tends to overreact. She’s also easily confused. Even though Ketchup resembles a giant tomato, her favorite saying is, “When in doubt, eat a tomato!” That’s the rough equivalent of saying, “Bite me!” but I’m sure she doesn’t mean it like that. Ketchup has a sunny disposition and is easy to befriend, so she’d make a great addition to almost any village.

Ankha is a snooty cat who’s heavily influenced by Egyptian culture. Her outfits and eyeliner have an obvious Egyptian motif, and her house is decorated like an ancient tomb. Needless to say, there aren’t many villagers with hieroglyphics, thrones, and caskets in their house. Cats were held in high regard by the ancient Egyptians, so it’s only appropriate for Ankha to have a snooty personality. She’s downright rude to other villagers, and she has a tendency to gossip about her female neighbors. She clearly thinks she’s better than everyone, and she even treats the player with arrogance! She’s kind of a bitch, but that’s part of her charm. If you’re going to walk around dressed like an Egyptian queen, you may as well act the part. If nothing else, Ankha is one of the most exotic figures to ever grace the world of Animal Crossing.

There are two types of frogs in the Animal Crossing series: Realistic frogs that you can catch in the wild, and anthropomorphic frogs that could end up being your neighbors. And then, of course, we have Ribbot. His body is covered in metal plating, he makes mechanical sounds when he moves, and I’m not even sure if he should be classified as a frog at all. Although some villagers suspect that he’s a machine, it’s worth noting that he gets muscle cramps when he works out. It’s also clear that Ribbot has real emotions despite his metallic exterior. Ribbot has a competitive spirit and shows a clear interest in sports and bodybuilding, but his house is decorated like a science lab despite his jock-type personality. His neighbors aren’t sure what to make of Ribbot, and that’s part of his charm.

Some of you might be wondering if we really need two Egyptian-themed characters on this list, but I have a strong affinity for Lucky. I’ve always felt that pound puppies and shelter dogs need more love, so my heart’s obviously going to go out to a dog that’s almost entirely covered in bandages. It’s unclear if Lucky is severely injured or merely undead, but his current situation was apparently the result of a fishing accident gone awry. Although Lucky appears to be in considerable pain, the lazy dog enjoys his laidback lifestyle and gets along with almost everyone. He fails to live up to his name in the most spectacular way, but irony is what defines him. (He’s frightened by mummies on Halloween even though he looks like one!) There are over a dozen dog villagers in the Animal Crossing series, and none are more unique than Lucky.

Mira is a relative newbie to the Animal Crossing series, and she didn’t make her debut until New Leaf was released on the 3DS in 2012. The sisterly rabbit is always ready to help a friend in need, and she’ll gladly give you medicine if you’re stung by bees or wasps. It’s fitting that she has a superhero personality to go along with her superhero outfit. (I know I’m not the first person to make this observation, but she reminds me a lot of Sailor Venus.) Mira likens her house to a secret lair, and she has a spherical radar that’s used for undisclosed purposes. Although she never goes looking for trouble, she’s always prepared for it. She’ll even offer to fight anyone who gives the player a hard time. Mira is easy to befriend due to her caring nature, and no one on this list is more protective than she is.

There are a number of superhero villagers in the Animal Crossing series, but Kid Cat is number one in my books. (Fittingly, he literally has the number affixed to his helmet!) His colorful outfit is an obvious nod to the Super Sentai series, and his poses bear a striking resemblance to Kamen Rider. Although Kid Cat believes that spandex is the best disguise and hopes to one day have a superhero base, life in Animal Crossing can be pretty uneventful. Nevertheless, he would be the first in line to defend his town against impeding evil should it ever rear its ugly head. In the interim, he spends his days working out. His house is usually decorated like a gym, complete with weights, lockers, and boxing mats. No wonder there aren’t any super villains in Animal Crossing – they’re probably afraid of Kid Cat!

Chrissy is the most underrated Animal Crossing villager. The peppy rabbit is almost always smiling, and she’s one of the most upbeat neighbors I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. Her older sister is snooty and self-centered, but Chrissy is friendly and outgoing. She doesn’t get discouraged easily, and she’s even endearing when she’s angry or stressed out. Her cheerful demeanor is amplified by her fashion choices, and her home decor is as colorful as she is. (Her eyes will even turn pink when she’s surprised!) Chrissy’s trademark dresses kind of remind me of a Twister mat, but the polka dot pattern is a great fit for her vibrant personality. Her ultimate dream is to become a model, and I think she has the charisma to pull it off. If you still question her place on this list, just check out this letter she wrote to me!

Monkeys are scientifically proven to be the best animals ever, so Deli had a built-in advantage over the other villagers on this list. Picking my favorite Animal Crossing monkey was surprisingly easy. Deli is the cutest monkey by far, and his argyle vest is totally adorable. Deli is one of only two monkeys in the series with a lazy personality, and he spends most of his time eating and lounging around. In other words, he’s a chill monkey who knows how to relax. More than anything, Deli is a cool guy to hang out with. His conversations are always compelling, and he has valuable insight to offer in almost every situation. Deli isn’t especially popular within the Animal Crossing community, but he’s welcome in my village any time. He’s right up there with Chrissy as one of the most underrated characters in the series.