Nintendo recently showcased an Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct livestream displaying the many features coming to the game in the new 2.0 update, including a new crew of villagers and NPCs to fill players’ islands. New villagers have been a frequent request from ACNH fans, as the many players have likely already located their favorite collection of villagers from the existing roster. Additionally, extended periods without new vendors or events have left rotating vendors and shop owners dull and uninteresting. Thankfully, Animal Crossing’s November update promises a solution to these issues.
Longtime fans of the Animal Crossing franchise may recognize some of the new cast of Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ latest update. Several characters aren’t fresh new creations from Nintendo’s designers and instead revive NPCs lost between the games. It isn’t unusual for Animal Crossing games to abandon certain villagers as the franchise progresses. Still, their return holds promise for the future of ACNH and the revival of other beloved features.
Details concerning the role of various NPCs have not yet been confirmed for Animal Crossing: New Horizons' latest update. Many utilities of familiar features (such as the Dreaming mechanic) have changed to adapt to Nintendo Switch systems. Whether these characters will operate the same way or hold the same level of importance is unknown, though it won’t be long until players find out for themselves. Most of ACNH’s new characters are available as part of the free update, though some are exclusive to the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC.
New Villager To Animal Crossing: Sasha
Sasha is one of Nintendo’s brand new villagers coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Her neon blue bunny design paired with adorable eyes matches the theme of Bunny Villagers, though her sense of style and personality is sure to set her apart. Bunny Villagers have adapted a wide variety of interior designs, outfits, and themes. For example, Mira, the superhero and comic nerd Bunny, is far different than Chrissy’s polka dot obsession. With luck, Sasha can bring another unique style to the roster.
New Villager To Animal Crossing: Ione
Marshall has long ruled the Squirrel Villagers as the most popular species in Animal Crossing, but Ione could threaten that dominance. Their gender is unrevealed, though their professional attire suggests they could mirror the designs of ‘professionals’ like Raymond. Ione’s personality and interior decoration are sure to play a role in their popularity, as is their wardrobe.
New Villager To Animal Crossing: Tiansheng
Nintendo finally brought a new addition to Animal Crossing’s Monkey Villager selection with Tiansheng. So far in ACNH, monkeys have been notoriously unpopular. Many Monkey Villagers, for instance, fail to reach A-Tier in Animal Crossing popularity tier lists.
Thankfully, Tiansheng may be the key to breaking this trend. Their gender is currently unknown, as is their personality. Their design features stylish face paint and a golden circlet resting on their head.
New Villager To Animal Crossing: Shino
Shino s Tiansheng to craft another uniquely designed Animal Crossing villager. Their white fur and red horns depict a devilish design to accompany their coy expression. They appear to be wearing a kimono and also sport stylish eyeliner. Both Tiansheng and Shino likely mirror Kabuki’s traditional Japanese styles and bring more diversity to Animal Crossing’s roster.
New Villager To Animal Crossing: Marlo
Marlo appears to continue the Mouse Villager curse, featuring a Godfather-esque design and emitting a rather creepy vibe. His suit and mustache combined with his superior expression suggest he may conflict with kinder characters and possibly look down on player characters. Hopefully, Marlo’s first impressions give way to a more thoughtful, grandfather-like character when he arrives in New Horizons.
New Villager To Animal Crossing: Petri
Mouse Villagers often receive the short end of the stick in Animal Crossing, but Petri could change that. Her name (and outfit) suggest a mad scientist theme for her character, with giant glasses and a lab coat sporting her small frame.
Her unique colored ears match DC’s Harley Quinn character, suggesting Petri could be a bit eccentric. With luck, she’ll be able to break the curse of Mouse Villagers being so unpopular in New Horizons.
New Villager To Animal Crossing: Cephalobot
Cephalobot is perhaps the most unique new Villager ing Animal Crossing’s current roster, furthering the Octopus species’ popularity. While characters like Marina already enjoyed significant attention from the fandom, they may experience some competition with Cephalobot. This Villager’s body comprises metal plating and screws, with two beaming electrical bulbs functioning as its eyes. Like its fellow new Villagers, Cephalobot’s personality is unknown, but it’s likely to have a mechanically themed house, which could be an exciting addition to player islands.
New Villager To Animal Crossing: Quinn
Animal Crossing’s Eagle Villagers are known for their sleek designs and bold personalities, despite their appearance varying from a dominant color scheme. Quinn continues the adaptation of a bald eagle’s coloration but features more toned-down shades of blue feathers. His enunciated eyebrows and black jacket craft a slick yet pompous design that promises some exciting conversations with player characters.
New Villager to ACNH: Chabwick
Chabwick has not appeared in any English version of Animal Crossing but in the Japanese-only Dōbutsu no Mori e+, as an exclusive e-Reader character. This Penguin Villager previously had a Lazy Animal Crossing personality type. It’s currently unknown if Chabwick maintains that personality, though players are likely excited for another Penguin Villager to the roster.
New Villager to ACNH: Zoe
Zoe appeared in the Animal Crossing GameCube edition, as well as Dōbutsu no Mori e+. However, she hasn’t appeared in Animal Crossing games since. Her Normal personality and teal design make her a strange choice to return to the franchise, but her return is a promising sign for other villagers to also be revived.
Her haunting pink eyes and flat design may result in Zoe’s failure to make Anteater Villagers any more popular in ACNH than they already are. However, it's great to see villagers from past Animal Crossing games appear in New Horizons.