When it comes to the world of Animal Crossing, Isabelle could be considered the mascot of the franchise. Her cute hair puff, eagerness to please, and adorable appearance make her a favorite of Animal Crossing fans around the world. She has been around since New Leaf, but her popularity has made her a mainstay in the Animal Crossing community.
Isabelle seems like an open book, but is there more to this exceptional Shih Tzu? There is still a lot to learn about Isabelle, and below are some details you may have never known about this cool dog.
10 Her Japanese Name Reveals Her Profession
The cool part about most video game characters is that they can have some interesting names in other languages. Many times, these titles can go a bit deeper into aspects of the character.
For Isabelle, her Japanese name is “Hisho.” When translated, this word means “secretary,” a clear nod to Isabelle’s profession in most of the Animal Crossing games. However, it was later changed to Shizue, a reference to her dog breed, Shih Tzu.
9 She Has A Twin Brother
For individuals who are die-hard Animal Crossing fans, you probably already know this. However, for casual fans, this may come as a surprise. Isabelle is actually a twin. She has a brother named Digby. He also made his debut in New Leaf and managed the Happy Home Showcase. He doesn’t have the flair that Isabelle has, but the resemblance is definitely there.
8 She Enjoys A Winter Birthday
Isabelle can enjoy her birthday with a nice hot chocolate since she was born on December 20th. She is a Sagittarius, which is fitting to her personality: loyal, generous, and truthful. Her work with Residence Services puts these attributes on display.
She is always willing to help but is bold when asked for advice on handling other residents. Honestly, Isabelle is a breath of fresh air.
7 What Does She Drink?
Stop the presses! A recent photo revealed that Isabelle might have some interesting drinking habits. A picture of her at her desk shows a glass cup filled with a brown liquid. Is it iced tea? Is it cold coffee? Or is it a more “adult beverage?” Is Isabelle a day drinker? Inquiring minds would like to know.
6 Whom Did She Belong To?
Ultimately, Isabelle is still a dog, and a cute one at that. So, one would wonder who her and Digby’s first owners were? Well, we get some insight into the early days of her puppyhood. In Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, Isabelle can remember spending time in a cardboard box with her brother. She also remembers chewing on her brother’s shoes as a young pup. They may have belonged to someone; the question is, who?
5 No Work-Life Balance
These days, we tend to harp on the importance of work-life balance. Making time to get away from work is crucial for overall life satisfaction, right? Well, it seems that Isabelle doesn’t feel the same way.
Much like Tom Nook, she is always at her desk. While Timmy and Tommy have a bedtime of 10:00 pm, Isabelle doesn’t seem to ever “turn off.” Maybe that early-morning drink is keeping her going.
4 She Has Appeared In Manga
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it seems to be true in this regard. In 2013, Isabelle had the honor to be featured in a one-off gag in the manga publication, CoroCoro comics.
In the gag, Isabelle is represented as a human with dog-like features. It is hard to tell what is happening in the plot, but she takes on a more “adult” and “seductive” look in the image.
3 Isabelle Used To “Manage” The Official Animal Crossing Twitter
You can add social media management and communications to Isabelle’s resume. Back when Animal Crossing: New Leaf was released on the Nintendo 3Ds, the developers thought it would be a good idea to add some realism to the experience. So, the social media “reigns” were handed over to Isabelle. The pup created a posting in her “own” voicing. Unfortunately, the task was eventually passed over to Tom Nook, but it was fun while it lasted.
2 She Can Sell Out An Amiibo Set
Amiibos haven’t always been the most popular Nintendo product. But, this changed for a short time in 2019. In honor of the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Nintendo released a few new Amiibos.
1 She Shared The Stage With Another “Cute” Icon
When it came to the Nintendo 3Ds, it seems that Isabelle was a flagship character. However, she wasn’t alone in representing Nintendo’s brand. The company had created themes for the handheld console, and one depicted her and the “queen of cuteness” herself, Hello Kitty. This theme seemed only to be carried in Japan’s e-shop, so, if you missed out, that is likely the reason.
NEXT: Animal Crossing: Daisy Has Fleas (& 9 Other Things You Didn’t Know About Her)
