Animal Crossing - Figures
In 2020, Animal Crossing reaffirmed its place as one of the most addictive social simulation games on the market. However, its cute characters and relaxed pace have charmed players since long before the quarantine began. Aside from the 394 possible villager characters, players also interact with recurring NPCs that set the gentle tone of the franchise. Most Animal Crossing merchandise relates back to the digital world, like Amiibo figures. Outside of these, however, are a selection of sometimes rare and unusual, but always cute, figures. Some of the best figure representations of these Animal Crossing characters are: “Animal Crossing New Leaf Outing Collect Set of 5,” “Haniwa Figure Collection,” and “Nendoroid Animal Crossing New Leaf Isabelle Winter Ver. Re-run.”
Animal Crossing New Leaf Outing Collect Set of 5
This collection of five mini outdoor scenery sets from Takara Tomy features some of the iconic characters from New Leaf. All of the sets include one character, one scenery landmark, and a base formed out of four puzzle piece shaped tiles. This allows for sets to be connected and disconnected as fans build their dream town. The first set features a Ship setting with Kapp’n, his ship, and an ocean speckled base. Next is a Train set with cobbled station flooring and Porter ready to board customers on the train car. The Exhibition Hall set has brick flooring, the exhibition hall archway, and Digby. The two village sets offer one more accessory to compensate for the generic grass tile base. One features a tree, streetlight, and plant specialist Leif. The final set takes place in the park, complete with a bench, clock, and the famous K. K. Slider playing his guitar.
Product Name: Animal Crossing: New Leaf Outing Collection (Set of 5)
Manufacturer: takaratomy-arts
Specifications: Figure diorama set
Haniwa Figure Collection
The Haniwa, or gyroids as they’re called in English translations, are captured in their disturbing glory in this figure collection. However, the haniwa provides a touch of ancient Japanese history to the gameplay. In real life, haniwa are terracotta figures found in burials from the Kofun period (roughly 250 AD - 550 AD). Archaeologists speculate that they may be intended vessels for the departed souls. As a result, fans are curious about their inclusion in the franchise, particularly due to how they are discovered by digging. These figures spindly arms and gaping expressions of the game haniwa in miniature scale. Three versions exist in all. One has its arms up around its mouth while another one has its arms clasped below the mouth. The third has one arm curled up by the eyes and the other down by the ridge encircling the bottom of the face.
Product Name: Haniwa Figure Collection
Manufacturer: Otonamiya
Height (Approx.): 60 mm | 2.4"
Nendoroid Animal Crossing New Leaf Isabelle Winter Ver. Figure
Gaming’s greatest and cutest secretary, Isabelle, wears her winter outfit in his Nendoroid figure. Isabelle’s already chibi design matches the dimensions of a standard Nendoroid, making it appear as if she leaped out of the game. She wears a two-tone brown cardigan over a white button-down shirt accessorized with a red bow around the collar and dark green skirt. She has her standard red hair affixed with two real jingling bells. Also, includes two positive facial expressions, her normal sweet smile, and a proud grin. The figure also includes two star-themed effect pieces based on the Reaction animations in New Leaf. One has five spokes radiating out from the center made of pale yellow, green, and blue five-sided stars. The other is an array of shiny, four-sided sparkle effect style stars in a golden 3D effect.
Product Name: Nendoroid Animal Crossing: New Leaf Isabelle: Winter Ver. (Re-run)
Release Info: Originally released in April 2014 with a re-release in September 2018 and December 2020
Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
Sculptor: Yuuta Matsuzawa
Specifications: Painted, articulated, non-scale ABS & PVC figure with optional parts and stand
Height (Approx.): 100 mm | 3.9"
Animal Crossing Series Story
Animal Crossing is a series of social simulation games that began in 2001. In each game, the player is the only human character moving to a rural or undeveloped area. The player is tasked with developing the area and making it more attractive to potential residents. These residents are a large cast of anthropomorphic animals. Throughout the game, the player will create and customize items for the settlement. Occasionally, completing construction tasks progress necessary story elements. The story is largely a framework leading to free open-gameplay though sometimes choices can affect the game’s outcome. Players can also customize their appearance as well as their house. The games also feature real-world socialization through online communications, trades, and in-game travel.
Animal Crossing Series Development
Nintendo began development for Doubutsu no Mori (later translated into English as Animal Crossing) in 2001 for the Nintendo GameCube. Due to limitations with the 64DD peripheral, development moved to the Game Pak cartridge. Animal Crossing became the only Game Pak using a real-time clock. Upon release, the game was considered a critical and consumer success. During localization for North American, the game underwent massive translation. Translators had to add much more additional text and invent holidays to rationalize Japanese traditions for an American audience. Nintendo loved the additions so much, they added the localized content back to the Japanese version and released it as Doubutsu no Mori E+. Today, there are six main series games and three spinoff games across Nintendo platforms. The 2020 release, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, became a global phenomenon due to gaming surges of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Links
Animal Crossing New Leaf Outing Collect Set of 5
Haniwa Figure Collection
Nendoroid Animal Crossing New Leaf Isabelle Winter Ver. Re-run
Animal Crossing Label
Isabelle Label