The simple but effective premise of the Animal Crossing series gives players a blank check with which to develop the virtual world of their dreams. This development bonanza is facilitated by the tanuki mogul Tom Nook, who offers suspiciously reasonable loans to fund the island's expansion.
Best Animal Crossing Games, Ranked
The Animal Crossing franchise has a lot of fun entries under its belt. Here's how they stack up against each other.
But a perfect island is nothing without characters to populate it. The Animal Crossing franchise has introduced gamers to over 400 villagers since it was first released in Japan in 2001. Many of these characters have transcended the video games, appearing in discourse, art, and memes, and inspiring legions of fans.
Updated on January 27, 2025, by Ashely Claudino: There are eight personality types in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which doesn't sound like a lot when fans take into consideration how there are over 400 villager options in the game. Thankfully, even though their dialogue doesn't change all that much, they're all visually different, and this led to some favoritism among fans.
This list includes a few of the villagers that a major part of the community would consider "dreamies" or some of the most sought-after villagers. It article has been updated with brand-new images as well as with an additional villager, Merengue!
16 Pietro
A Smug Clown That Will Bright Up Your Island
- Birthday: April 19
- Personality: Smug
It is often said that laughter is the best medicine. This being the case, any town visited by the ovine Pietro can count on quality healthcare. Pietro certainly dresses the part, although the stereotypical makeup and clothes are as likely to terrify players as they are to amuse them. Indeed, the villager's clown aesthetic makes him one of the franchise's more divisive characters.
Despite Pietro's jovial nature, the sheep is prone to smugness. This can bring him into conflict with cranky villagers, and this is hardly shocking - his outfit is bound to trigger headaches.
15 Cephalobot
The Robotic Octopus That You Didn't Know You Needed on Your Island
- Birthday: April 1
- Personality: Smug
The robotic Cephalobot brings a touch of science fiction to any player's paradise. Although his metallic, rivet-studded body may at first appear intimidating to players, Cephalobot is anything but. He is something of a gentleman, as is clear by his smug personality.
Cephalobot is a relatively recent addition to the villager pool, having been introduced to New Horizons in late 2021. Despite his newcomer status, the play-loving robot has already built up a following within the Animal Crossing fan base, due in part to his unique appearance.
14 Lucky
The Silly Mummy Dog Everyone Loves
- Birthday: November 4
- Personality: Lazy
It is a testament to Animal Crossing's visual design that a mummified dog is such an enduringly cute character. The accident-prone (and presumably ironically named) Lucky has appeared throughout the franchise, although his state of permanent injury suggests that he never gets any less clumsy.
Animal Crossing: Everything You Need to Know About Lucky (Birthday, Personality, & More)
Lucky is one of the most sinister and popular villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with a dark and tragic background to match.
Lucky's propensity for trouble might be due in part to his lazy personality in Animal Crossing, although his laid-back nature also makes him easy to befriend. However, he struggles to interact with jocks, as the chilled-out canine cannot understand their active lives. Perhaps future games will see Lucky's fortunes improve enough to lose the full-body cast, letting players finally get a good look at this underdog.
13 Goldie
Improve Your Island With the Golden Retriever Villager
- Birthday: December 27
- Personality: Normal
Goldie is what some could consider an OG villager, as she has in every single Animal Crossing game so far. She is a dog villager, which makes her automatically lovable for many, and her name alludes to her breed, a Golden Retriever.
Since Goldie has a Normal personality type, she enjoys reading and is often very kind to the player as well as her fellow neighbors.
12 Ankha
The One and Only Egyptian Cat Villager
- Birthday: September 22
- Personality: Snooty
There is no doubt that Ankha stands out as a villager with her unique headpiece and Egyptian-inspired outfit. Cat and history lovers simply need this villager on their island.
17 Secret Things Villagers Do In Animal Crossing: New Horizons
What are your villagers doing when you're not paying attention to Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Lots, actually!
In-game, the Egyptian mythology-inspired villager is haughtier than her online reputation suggests. As a villager with the Snooty personality type, she is frequently dismissive of her fellow villagers. However, despite her apparent vanity, Ankha also loves nature and dreams of being an astronaut.
11 Kabuki
Cat Inspired by the History of Japan
- Birthday: November 29
- Personality: Cranky
The colorful Kabuki may have first appeared way back in the original Animal Crossing, but his roots actually extend far further. The grumpy animal's markings are reminiscent of designs used in Japan's Kabuki theater style, which fuses dance and drama. This art form is thought to have originated early in Japan's Edo Period, over 400 years ago.
This heritage is further enhanced by Kabuki's love for music and his preference for Japanese-style interior design. The snarky cat may not be the franchise's most personable character, but he can serve as an introduction to an interesting aspect of real-world history for gamers who wish to learn.
10 Roald
An Online Sensation
- Birthday: January 5
- Personality: Jock
Although the concept of a penguin jock sounds surreal on paper, Roald has become a prolific and popular villager in Animal Crossing. The penguin bodybuilder comes from a frosty climate, and must presumably do a lot of warming up before his frequent exercising. It is also likely that Roald's physical strength contributes to his prowess as a fisherman and bug collector.
Roald & 9 Must-Have Jock Villagers In Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is filled with jock villagers. Here's a look at 10 you absolutely need on your island.
Roald dreams of becoming a professional golfer, but he is not shy about showing off his other talent: belly dancing. If the Olympics ever come to Animal Crossing, other entrants better be ready—Roald is sure to go for gold no matter which event he tries.
9 Sherb
Debut Cozy Goat Villager
- Birthday: January 18
- Personality: Lazy
Sherb is an adorable light-blue goat villager in Animal Crossing: New Horizons who dresses in winter clothes and whose name will remind anyone of delicious ice cream. This villager became part of the Animal Crossing franchise when New Horizons was released, and he quickly became a favorite among the community.
He will suit just about any island, but gamers who have built winter wonderland-themed creations simply need to invite him to live on their island, as he will fit right in.
8 Chai
Sanrio-Inspired Teacup Villager
- Birthday: March 6
- Personality: Peppy
Chai wasn't available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons right away; she was added to the game when Update 1.9.0 came out. In order to get Chai to move in, players will have to invite her to the island by scanning a Sanrio amiibo card. Chai's character references Cinnamoroll, and it is quite obvious as the character is portrayed on her shirt.
This adorable elephant villager will walk around players' islands with a teacup on her head at all times, and she has a beautifully designed room riddled with adorable Sanrio items.
7 Coco
Creepy, Cute, or Both?
- Birthday: March 1
- Personality: Normal
There is some debate about the origin of Coco's English name, as it may be a reference to chocolate Easter bunnies or coconuts, which her face resembles. In Japanese, however, the villager's name (Yayoi) refers to a period in Japanese history lasting between 300 AD and 300 BC. This historical tidbit is appropriate, as Coco has the education hobby.
The Best Ostrich Characters in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has adorable ostrich friends, but there are some that players want to have on their island and others that they avoid.
Coco's vacant, unchanging expression shows that it's important not to judge a book by its cover. The rabbit is actually very amiable, no doubt due to her normal personality.