Can Some Newer Horizons In Animal Crossing: New Horizons Be Adapted Into An Anime?

(Originally published on laurasambitiouswriting.wordpress.com on the 4^th of November 2025)

Minasan, Kon’nichiwa! During the announcement and reveal of festive Helluva Boss merchandise featuring Vassago bringing on some Coco vibes in honour of Día de los Muertos, also known as “The Day of the Dead” [4] [18] [50], I suddenly suspected that the forthcoming Version 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the game’s imminent Nintendo Switch edition could be promoted in a certain way sometime after its release and overall reception [23] [56] [57], yet such an idea has not been confirmed. Nearly three years ago, we have discussed the new of a modern Animal Crossing anime movie based on the New Horizons era that ought to be release worldwide to make up for those who missed out on the cute and wholesome film that was only released in Japan back in the second half of the 2000s [26] [54] [55]. Moreover, during my excitement for the Version 3.0 update for a reason that will be explained as we go along, as well as some partial hype for the Switch 2 edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons that must be another part of Nintendo’s attempt to sell the latest console successfully [56] [57], I believe a short but exceptional anime adaptation of the update can help the next chapter of the New Horizons era flourish even further [23] [54] [55]. Without further ado, let us discuss this concept during the wait for said chapter as I get used to the files on my MacBook Air being a rosy pinkish red for a change after upgrading to macOS Tahoe 26 [5].

I have been an animal crosser since I first player Animal Crossing: City Folk, also known as “Animal Crossing: Let’s Go To The City” in the United Kingdom [22]. As an admirer of anime and manga [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [61], I would have loved to watch an English dub of the movie [2] [26]. On a lighter note, I believe another anime adaptation can be in order, especially for a young Western audience with an English dub [54] [55]. But for now, Guy Fawkes Night shall be harmoniously celebrated tomorrow night [41]. [27]

The reason why I am theorising an anime series based on the current era of the Animal Crossingfranchise is because of the big features in the upcoming Version 3.0 update for New Horizons that will be launched this January, especially the resort hotel that will be run by Kapp’n’s family [23] [56] [57]. The premise can be a new human protagonist agreeing to help the hotel become successful in what can be considered a G-rated Hazbin Hotel, but perhaps without musical numbers [39] [40]. There can be some backstories on how Grams raised Kapp’n, how he met and fell in love with Leilani, and the time shortly after their daughter was born to flesh out the tribe and humanise them a little more in comparison to plenty of Club Penguin players learning that Aunt Arctic used to be pink [28] [29] [30] [37]. But because of the franchise’s overall light-heartedness, aside from awareness of art forgery [21] [22], please make an anime series as hilarious as Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Deserted Island Diary [44] [45] [46] [47] [48]! Chances are that series may only last for one or two seasons, but with plenty of focus on the notable aspects of the Version 3.0 update for the sake of some individuality without repeating what has already been done in the little manga libraries [31], it can be praised for a being faithful adaptation, much like how the film about an adorable human girl named “Ai” was [26] [27].

Hopefully, Fred Figglehorn will not be in one of the hotel rooms, making a ruckus and dining on a “spiced up” ice cream sundae that would make Gordon Ramsay scream at the top of his lungs [10] [12]… [23]

There can be a scene of the new protagonist playing a game on their Famicom they buy from Grams [23], quite like in the scene in Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!, another film based on a franchise created by Nintendo that was only released in Japan, where Mario plays the game on his Famicom late at night [52]. [23]

Reflecting on how certain villagers, including Margie and Whitney, made an appearance in the Japan-exclusive movie known as “Gekijōban Doubutsu no Mori” [2] [54] [55], perhaps villagers who did not appear in the film or in the Deserted Island Diary manga, such as Cookie, my sister’s favourite villager back in the City Folk days [22], Eugene, my avatar’s boyfriend in Pocket Camp [56] [57], and Lucy, whose proposed appearance in the film was sadly scrapped during its development [27], can be given a chance to shine as guests at the hotel, but there ought to not be too many of them for the sake of competent focus, pacing, and character development. Oh! And perhaps that villager that was scrapped during the development of the first Animal Crossing game can make an appearance in the anime and have a unique name like “Renna“ or “Chestnut” [6] [7] [33], as unlikely as that sounds. Labelle can be a special guest to analyse the fashion trends that originated from the hotel’s mannequins [21] [23], quite like how her two sisters played their usual supporting roles in Gekijōban Doubutsu no Mori [2] [26] [27]. The guests’ rooms ought to be uniquely stylised to express how varied they can be in the Version 3.0 update [23] [56] [57]. The tourists who agree to stay at the hotel during their vacations can provide some wit and character development throughout an anime series, though chances are that it may only be exclusive for animal crossers in Japan [2] [26].

Perhaps Resetti can reflect on how he has worked on his anger issues, including one time when he lost it over blue roses being trampled on as a reference to Gekijōban Doubutsu no Mori [26] [27], as he performs his new cleaning duties on the island as an element of character development [23]. Luna can introduce a peaceful Slumber Island the new protagonist can freely construct throughout the end credit sequence [23] [56] [57], somewhat like the bonus scene of Moxxie dining on the leech that was caught by Blitzo during the credits near the end of the seventh Helluva Short [19]. [23]

Oh! And I think Del ought to appear in the series for the sake of Robyn from Anime America [2]. [25]

Again, a new anime adaptation of the New Horizons era ought to be colourful and elegantly animated [54] [55]. I can imagine the hotel looking grand on the pier in modern anime aesthetics, especially as the sunlight glistens across the waves [2] [23]. The overall style of anime ought to be much like the one in Gekijōban Doubutsu no Mori, but up to today’s standards of anime quality, even with some inspiration from a chibi style [2] [8] [27] [54] [55]. I can also imagine Isabelle running the resident services alongside Tom Nook in an exceptional anime style [21]. The same can apply to Labelle to give her a chance to shine in it to, as previously mentioned, be her fashion-studying self, quite like how her sisters were their loveable selves in Gekijōban Doubutsu no Mori [2] [27]. An eventual transition from Winter to Spring to not only reference how the season changes depending on the time of the year in the game but also elevate the overall artistic skill and value put into the series [54] [55]. Since hand-drawn animation takes quite a lot of time to complete, depending on how ambitious the project is [16] [17], there can always be a new manga instead if the budget for a short anime series cannot be obtained. It worked for one-shot spin-off of Super Mario-kun that promoted Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics [51], didn’t it?

If only it could have worked for a sequel to this event titled “Mario and Sonic and the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games” featuring Pauline, Wave the Swallow, the other four Koopalings, and the other four members of the Deadly Six from Sonic Lost World [49] [51] [59]. [51]

It looks like Ai was originally going to have pink hair during the development of Gekijōban Doubutsu no Mori [27]. Considering how her nose is not the usual red triangle in the film [2] [27], perhaps a new protagonist in an anime series based on the upcoming Version 3.0 update for New Horizons can have a square nose or a round nose, as well as green, grey, sky blue or cyan hair, in honour of how far the customisation has come since the first generation of the franchise [21] [22] [32]. And yes, they can also consist of the same cutesy anime eyes Ai was known for [2] [26] [27]. [27]

I am not firmly stating that a new anime based on the current era of Animal Crossing should definitely be crafted as there is still no confirmation of such a concept being brought into action [54] [55], but there can always be a tenth volume of the Deserted Island Diary manga centred on the hotel, the Slumber Islands, and Resetti’s cleaning service [56] [57]. And of course, there is nothing wrong with preferring to keep playing New Leaf rather than switching to the Switch 2 edition of New Horizons in 2026 [14] [15] [23]. We can still count on some of the developments of projects that have been going on for a few years, such as Project Rene [58], but still feel nervous about others, including the forthcoming live-action adaptation of Kimi no Na wa, also known as “Your Name” that has been in development for about eight years [3] [9] [11] [13] [20] [61]. And indeed, we can count on animated adaptations that shall definitely continue, with a notable example being the second season of Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft that will premiere on Netflix this December [53]. In the meantime, keep expressing your creativity and counting on forms of escapism every now and then [1] [38] [42]. I know I will during a difficult time I am currently going through. Let us keep striving against bigotry that will put you off X, formerly known as “Twitter”, for life and spread kindness to those in need [43] [60]. Sayonara!

I have a feeling that the Version 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons will bring on an engaging new chapter of the era, especially in the Switch 2 edition [56] [57]. But for now, kudos to Kyu for an interesting Animal Crossing: New Leaf mod titled “Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome Luxury” [35] [36], especially for the golden apple and rainbow roses that add an imaginative aesthetic [14] [15]. And gosh darn it, Gulliver! Why do you keep getting washed up on the beach [21]?! Please stop already! [23]

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