Another Animal Crossing Anime Movie? An Admirable Concept!

Minasan, Kon’nichiwa! Back in late 2006, animal crossers in Japan were enchanted by the animated film based on the Animal Crossing franchise known as “Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori” [1] [34]. Too bad it was only ever released in Japan. Similar to Tomoachi Life, the sequel to Tomodachi Collection being released worldwide with many regional differences [29] [30] [57], another Animal Crossing movie ought to be released worldwide, especially with an English dub, even though some anime fans would prefer to read English subtitles with the Japanese dub engaged [21] [52]. Besides, Happy Home Paradise is an exceptional paid expansion to the New Horizons experience as a follow-up to Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is still blossoming as there was a third storey added to the cabin for animal crossers who have reached Level 65 back in June 2022 and there will be some new events next months [26] [43] [44] [70] [71]. There is no confirmation of a new anime movie based on Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Animal Crossing: New Horizons happening…yet, but as an animal crosser, I am delighted to discuss what to expect in such a thing after the bewildering wreckage of the fourth wall when Deadpool became a playable character as part of the first DLC pack for Marvel’s Midnight Suns [22] [23] [41] [42] [74] [75]. 

After reading the first volume of Hatsune Miku: Rin-Chan Now! [50], I can confirm that there are some things to consider regarding how another Animal Crossing anime movie can excel. [1] [34] [35

 Why would I think a second Animal Crossing movie would excel if it was animated in an anime style? To make up for how there was never an official English release, of course [1] [34]. The characters ought to appear slightly taller to match up with the standards of New Leaf, Pocket Camp and New Horizons [28] [29] [30] [68] [69]. There ought to be a slight upgrade to meet up with today’s quality of anime, compared to the enchanting visuals in Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori [35] [55] [56], which was released in the mid-2000s [1] [34], even though there is nothing wrong with preferring a nostalgic anime style, especially if you still miss the days of Ash Ketchum’s beginning in Kanto [7] [8] [12]. There ought to be an eventual transition from Spring to Winter as a reference to how the season changes depending on the month of the year in the games [27] [28]. Aside from how the animation ought to be as adorable and vibrant as Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori with a noticeable minor step-up in terms of being a modern anime film [35] [55] [56] [76], there ought to be many other consistencies related to the gameplay experience in the games within a second anime film’s writing, which is an aspect of a movie based on a video game franchise that Detective Pikachu nailed [11].

When it comes to making another anime movie based on the Animal Crossing franchise appeal to animal crossers during it current era [68] [69] [70] [71], Isabelle and her brother Digby should definitely make an appearance in an adorable art style highly similar to the one in Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori [26] [53]. Additionally, Katie could make her second anime appearance as the older and independent kitten who debuted in Animal Crossing: New Leaf [37]. [53]

And fret not! We are beyond the 4Kids days [10]! It is safe to let the characters eat jelly doughnuts…I-I-mean rice balls [9]! [31]

Any ideas for the film’s plot? Beaming in personal growth, the human protagonist could start with a tent on the steady path to becoming the mayor, combining the premises of New Leaf and New Horizons [30] [68] [69]. It would not be a surprise if Redd would make an appearance as a potential antagonist as he has been infamous for selling counterfeit artwork and he sold fake gold slingshots in Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori [27] [34]. Any of the supporting roles can belong to some of the villagers who made an appearance in Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori, such as Rosie and Whitney [1] [34] [35] [55] [56]. To make the film a sincere adaption of New Leaf and New Horizons, there also ought to be a smug villager, a sisterly villager and perhaps a villager who debuted in Happy Home Paradise [2] [3] [70] [71]. It is unlikely that any of the characters will be rude in the film, unlike in Animal Crossing: Population Growing [17] [18] [19] [20], but it would arguably be more important to not feature way too many characters in it [46] [47]. But still, there ought to be many cameos, especially the newer characters from Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Animal Crossing: New Horizons [2] [3] [30]. The prime focus ought to be the updated equivalent of Ai’s new life in Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori.

Mr. Resetti might as well be another antagonist of a second Dōbutsu no Mori film, as amusingly wrathful as he can be [54], despite his dedication to making sure that rules are followed [34]. Oh, how I wanted to play Whac-A-Mole with him back in the day [27] [68] [69]. [34]

If you are an artist, a writer and an animal crosser, you can let your own Animal Crossing characters go on their own adventures during the wait for another Animal Crossing movie [5] [65]. [1] [34] [35]

Since Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori was never released outside of Japan [1] [34], it would be more necessary to start a new continuity from scratch with a new human protagonist instead of establishing a direct chronological sequel to avoid a little confusion for a Western audience [28] [68] [69]. Similar to Margie moving away to peruse a dream of hers in Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori [1] [34], there might as well be a moment of a villager moving away in a second Dōbutsu no Mori film as well. However, there ought to not be too many recycled elements from the story in Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori, so that a film based on Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Animal Crossing: New Horizons can consist of some individuality as part of the franchise [30] [68] [69]. An example could be the main character browsing some recipes on their Nook Phone [28] [68] [69]. Another would be a moment of said protagonist crafting a flimsy tool. Perhaps in another scene, a perfect fruit can be identified [26]. The writing of a second anime movie based on the Animal Crossing series might not be as captivating as the writing in animated films like Zootropolis, also known as “Zootopia” [61] [77], but a decent storyline ought to keep an animal crosser engaged.

In a nutshell, the plot ought to be focused on a human protagonist starting a new life on an island where anthropomorphic animals reside, much like how The Super Mario Bros. Movie is about Mario and Luigi’s re-establishment origin [60]. [34] [35]

And believe it or not, Whitney’s appearance in Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori is starting to remind me of Loona from Helluva Boss [6] [72] [73]. [35]

What else is there to consider for a new Animal Crossing film? Gracie will likely be a male exclusively in the Japanese and South Korean versions if she were to make an appearance [36]. Nonetheless, it is theorised that she is a transgender giraffe and that could lead to some positive trans representation in the film, especially for young transgender people [48] [49]. Moreover, Blanca, the mysterious white cat whose face is up to an animal crosser could be non-binary or genderfluid [32]. If there ought to be new human characters in a new continuity, they ought to have notable personality traits to stand out like movie stars, just like how Yū and Ai had notable traits in Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori, such as Ai having arachnophobia [31] [40]. Lastly, the English voice acting ought to be spectacular, quite like the voice acting in Abridgimal Crossing, a parody English dub of Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori directed and written by The Rollin Nolan [55] [56]. The Animal Crossing series has come a long way since the very first game for the Nintendo 64 that was only released in Japan [33], so a second anime film based on it could be another reflection of that.

Saharah is also a male in the Japanese and South Korean versions of the games [39], yet she can also be part of some great trans representation in a new Animal Crossing anime film for those in favour of trans rights, including me [48] [49]. [39]

Can you imagine if this was released in the West near the end of Nintendo 64 days [33]? And can you imagine if Tomodachi Collection was also not a Japan-exclusive game [59]? [33]

In conclusion, I strongly believe a new anime film based on the Animal Crossing franchise can be an addition to the league of films based on Nintendo franchises after the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie [60]. I am not saying that such an idea will definitely be taken into action, but at least we know that a Tomb Raider anime is certainly in production and the English dub of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys will continue next month [24] [45] [66] [67]. A new Animal Crossing movie does not necessarily have to be an anime film, especially for a young Western audience as Sonic Prime, a Canadian production has been quite recommendable with the potential to progress even further with a second season later this year [4] [25] [51] [64]. In the meantime, many hazbeans shall stay sinful for the Helluva Boss event in LVL UP EXPO in Las Vegas after Valentine’s Day [15] [16]. Surely, I do not deserve vitriol for being a hazbean [19] [62] [63], despite the series’ decline in viewership and the neutral reception of “Seeing Stars”, the second episode of the second season [6] [14] [72] [73]. As for the current era of the Animal Crossing series, the third anniversary of New Horizons awaits many fellow animal crossers. Sayonara!

Alternatively, a new Animal Crossing anime can be a television series rather than a film. As Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is still blossoming like a cherished flower garden [28], there will be some enchanting new items for a campsite and some splendid new clothing fit for a campsite manager throughout this February [43]. Bai bai! [1] [34] [35]

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