Animal Crossing: New Horizons has undergone an incredible journey since launch and has become a massively popular Nintendo title. The gameplay is relaxing and immersive, and players can progress in the game at their own pace. It is one of the many reasons New Horizons has allured so many new players into the Animal Crossing franchise.
The social simulation game features a lot of anthropomorphic villagers that players simply love and adore. It is a trademark feature of the game, and everyone wants their favorite villagers on their islands. Another exciting aspect is players get introduced to fresh characters frequently with free updates.
However, New Horizons still has many Animal Crossing characters and features yet to appear in the game. YouTuber Crossing Channel points out some characters that will most likely return to Animal Crossing: New Horizons in his recent video. There are some interesting ones to look out for.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons features many returning villagers and a few new villagers that can move onto your island - either temporarily or to create a home to live in. There are also many. There are 391 villagers in New Horizons, excluding special characters. All villagers present in New Leaf and most from Welcome amiibo make a return, while 8 new villagers are added: Audie (peppy wolf), Cyd (cranky elephant), Dom (jock sheep), Judy (snooty cub), Megan (normal bear), Raymond (smug. Let's decide who the best villagers are with this villager tier list (popularity list) December 2020 of Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch (ACNH). Includes a Japanese Tier List!
Also read- Animal Crossing: Check Out the Least Popular Villager in New Horizons
New Horizons villagers have foreshadowed returning Animal Crossing characters
In-game villagers have foreshadowed the returning characters in several instances. For starters, Peanut, who is a peppy squirrel villager, is seen saying, 'I've been waiting forever for the new Super Gyroid Brothers game, SGB3: Prelude of SGBIV, Part 2.'
Although New Horizons seems to have omitted Gyroids, at the moment, the game has a Gyroid character in Lliod. Though mostly furniture items, Gyroids also appear as NPCs in the series. Adding to that, two other peppy characters in the game speak vividly of Gyroids, hinting that they could definitely return. It makes sense that Nintendo has preemptively patched in the dialogues in the game, so they don't have to add these strings when Gyroids return.
This is something that has happened earlier. Prior to the update with the art in the Museum, Fang, the cranky wolf, foreshadowed that art would return to New Horizons. Shortly after that, the feature subsequently made its way into the game, which players found exciting.
Besides that, Gyroids have been referenced in the game's files, uncovered by data-mined intel. Therefore, they will likely return at some point, considering that data mines have always been accurate about other additions.
Next, we have normal villagers like the ostrich Gladys, who players will see referencing Dr. Shrunk. He is a series regular who gave the player the ability to use emotions. However, in New Horizons, players get their reactions from villagers. Perhaps being a special character, Dr.Shrunk could return as a host for a new event, much like how Reece and Cyrus returned for the Wedding Season.
Animal Crossing Characters New Horizons Characters
Meanwhile, players will see Clay, the lazy hamster, talk about coffee, and Brewster, the pigeon who runs The Roost cafe. Data mined intel suggested that the return of Brewster and his cafe is definitely on the cards. Perhaps the pigeon character could return during the colder months when a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate is what an islander needs. Despite the evidence, nothing is confirmed yet. We have to wait and see when and how these characters return to New Horizons.
Characters confirmed to return in New Horizons
There are some other characters that Nintendo themselves confirmed will return with free periodic updates. Franklin, the turkey villager who hosts the Harvest Festival, is coming with the November update, as shown in a recent trailer. Jingle, the reindeer who appears during Toy Day, will also arrive with the November update as confirmed in the same trailer.
Animal Crossing Characters New Horizons
Other than that, players can expect Pavé to come back to host Festivale. The special peacock character hosts the spring event during February or March. Meanwhile, Jack, the Czar of Halloween, is a character who returned to the game with the fall update. He will show up on the day of Halloween. Last but not least, Crossing Channel notes Blanca, the special cat, could come back around the occasion of April Fools.
Animal Crossing has introduced some of the most-loved video game characters over the last few years. While a few of them made it to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the latest game in the series, many missed out. Animal Crossing keeps on bringing characters back and they have done it with New Horizons too.
Players expected a lot of characters from previous Animal Crossing games to show up in New Horizons. However, it appears that the developers do not share the same view. To appeal to a new generation of youth, the game has replaced many older characters with new younger ones. Many have also lost a spot on items and furniture, which makes it hard for them to make a comeback.
YouTuber Crossing Channel compiled a list of the most popular characters from the series of all the characters who won't come back to Animal Crossing New Horizons. In his video, he also explained why he feels these characters will not return to the game.
Say goodbye to Joan, Nat, and Chip from Animal Crossing New Horizons forever
Everyone who has played Animal Crossing for a long time knows Joan. She is a lovely old lady who sells turnips. However, in New Horizons, the developers have brought Daisy May on board to do the job. Without a need for two turnip sellers, Joan has been forced into retirement. Unfortunately, Daisy May has had quite an impact on players. Therefore, there is no space for Joan in the game anymore.
Another popular duo that will probably never return to the game is Nat and Chip. The gecko and the beaver probably had the most interesting personality of all the characters in the game. Both of these have also been replaced with younger versions of them. Flick and CJ are filling the void that Nat and Chip left after their departure. With these two around, Nat and Chip are just names in the hall of fame now.
Finally, the most heartbreaking departure is that of our favorite hairdresser, Harriet. With the mirror to help player change their hair and so many new styles in the Nook Shop, there is no need for a hairdresser. Since styling hair is so much easier now, Animal Crossing will not call back Harriet.
Unless there is a crossover episode that features the return of old characters, most of these are vaulted forever. While many veterans might miss these characters, those who started with Animal Crossing New Horizons are very comfortable with their villagers.
