Isabelle (Animal Crossing)
Gentle Shih Tzu secretary and de facto mascot of Animal Crossing.
Isabelle (Shizue in Japanese) is a character from Nintendo’s *Animal Crossing* series. This gentle Shih Tzu first appeared in *Animal Crossing: New Leaf* (2012), where she works as the secretary to the player character. Since then, she has appeared in other game franchises, such as a playable racer in *Mario Kart 8* and a fighter in *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*. Critics and fans have received her warmly, and she has become one of the most recognizable figures in the *Animal Crossing* series, effectively serving as its mascot.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Animal Crossing
- First Game
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012)
- Species
- Dog (Shih Tzu)
- Family
- Digby (brother)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Isabelle was created by the development team of Animal Crossing: New Leaf after they decided the player-controlled mayor needed an assistant. They focused on making a 'very affectionate' character who was loyal and helpful, and thus chose to make a female dog who was 'a little bit clumsy... but still very cute'. Animal Crossing designers wanted players to reject Isabelle's offer of a ceremony for various accomplishments as mayor at least once so that they feel bad about having done so. Animal Crossing director Katsuya Eguchi and New Leaf producer Aya Kyogoku both enjoyed Isabelle; Eguchi appreciated her for her smile, friendliness, and clumsiness.
Isabelle first appeared in the 2012 video game Animal Crossing: New Leaf along with her twin brother Digby. In the game, she acts as the secretary to the player character, who becomes the town mayor, and assists them with various tasks. She has appeared in several Animal Crossing games since, including Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Outside of the Animal Crossing franchise, Isabelle has also appeared in the Super Smash Bros. series, first appearing as an assist trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U before becoming a playable fighter in the Nintendo Switch sequel Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. As a playable fighter, multiple of Isabelle's moves reference commonly used items in the Animal Crossing series, for example, a fishing rod, and a net. Isabelle also appears in the Wii U video game Mario Kart 8 as a downloadable racer, as well as in its Nintendo Switch port Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Isabelle's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is based on fellow Animal Crossing character Villager. However, Super Smash Bros. series director Masahiro Sakurai chose not to make Isabelle an 'Echo Fighter' of Villager because of her different animations and her proportions being based on character models in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, as opposed to earlier Animal Crossing character models. Player costumes based on Isabelle appear in Super Mario Maker and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. Isabelle also appears as part of Nintendo's amiibo line of toys-to-life figures. She has two figures from the Animal Crossing line, one from the Smash Bros. line, and five Animal Crossing amiibo cards.
Reader's Guide
Isabelle has received generally positive reception since her debut, to the point that she has become the mascot of the Animal Crossing series. She was ranked as one of the best video game characters of the 2010s by Polygon staff; writer Nicole Carpenter called her a 'pure, helpful pal' and a 'very real icon.' Writer Amy Valens explains that her popularity was due to her being 'wholesome, positive, and adorable.' Writer Nadia Oxford praised her for her intelligence and selflessness, stating that she is 'guaranteed to turn your heart into a crimson puddle of pulsating goo.' Kotaku's Patricia Hernandez called Isabelle adorable and her 'beloved,' while expressing sadness at how difficult it was to obtain her amiibo card. Nadia Oxford of USGamer has named Isabelle as her 'best new Nintendo character of the past decade.' TheGamer also included Isabelle on their 'Iconic Video Game Characters,' stating that 'Canonically the Shih Tzu breed, Isabelle quickly won over every player's heart with her officious nature and killer style.' GamesRadar's Henry Gilbert called her his favorite resident in Animal Crossing due to her cute appearance and reliability. Isabelle has been a popular suggestion for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate among fans. When Animal Crossing: New Horizons was delayed and ultimately released on the same day as Doom Eternal, fans of both games began creating and sharing fan art depicting Isabelle and Doomguy together as friends, which eventually trended on social media in 2020. Commentators responded positively towards the fan-made pairing, including acknowledgments from Aya Kyogoku, director of New Horizons, as well as Doom franchise owners Bethesda.
Did You Know?
- Isabelle's Japanese name is Shizue.
- She has a twin brother named Digby.
- Isabelle appears as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with moves referencing items like a fishing rod and net.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Isabelle?
Isabelle is a gentle Shih Tzu from Nintendo's Animal Crossing series who serves as the player character's secretary. She debuted in Animal Crossing: New Leaf in 2012 and has since grown into the de facto mascot of the entire franchise.
What are Isabelle's powers or role?
In her home series, Isabelle handles the administrative and organizational duties of the player's town as their dedicated secretary. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate she steps into the ring as a fully playable fighter, and she also appears as a racer in Mario Kart 8.
Why is Isabelle important?
She has become the most recognizable face of the Animal Crossing series, effectively serving as its mascot across multiple titles. Her warm reception from critics and fans has carried her well beyond her home franchise, earning her spots in Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
What is Isabelle's Japanese name and where did she first appear?
In Japanese, Isabelle is known as Shizue. She first appeared in 2012 in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, where she was introduced as the player's town secretary.
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