Tom Nook

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Revision as of 20:42, September 22, 2020 by The Jacketed Terrapin (talk | contribs) (Undo revision 396598 by 2601:5CB:4001:8660:D0CA:FCCA:AEF5:C806 (talk) Unconstructive edit.)
This article is about the special character. For the villager, see Tom.
"I'll be there with bells on! Ho ho!"
— Tom Nook, Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer
SpecialSpeciesIconSilhouette.png Tom Nook rco
Artwork of Tom Nook
Species Gender
Raccoon Male
Birthday May 30th Gemini
Role Home loan[nb 1]
Shop owner[nb 2]
Nook Homes[nb 3]
Resident Services[nb 4]
Main appearances

Other appearances
Name in other languages
 たぬきち
 너굴
 Tom Nook
 Tom Nook
 狸克
 Tom Nook
 Tom Nook
 Tom Nook
 狸克
 Tom Nook
 Tom Nook
 Том Нук

Tom Nook[nb 5] is a raccoon (tanuki in Japanese and Korean versions) who runs various businesses throughout the Animal Crossing series. Prior to Animal Crossing: New Leaf, he runs the town shop. In New Leaf, he operates Nook's Homes, where the player can customize their house, and in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, he works at Resident Services and gives daily announcements prior to the building's upgrade. At the beginning of each game in the series, Tom Nook sells the player a house, giving them a home loan to pay off and offering expansions after each loan is paid off.

Tom Nook has two apprentices, Timmy and Tommy (collectively referred to as the Nooklings), who are twins that serve as his assistants in Nookington's prior to New Leaf and as assistants in Resident Services in New Horizons prior to the opening of the island shop. In New Leaf and New Horizons, the Nooklings take over Nook's role as shop owner, with their shop in the latter game, Nook's Cranny, sharing a name with one of Tom Nook's stores from previous entries.

Background

Many years before the events of the Animal Crossing games, Tom Nook left behind his friends, most importantly Sable, to travel to the big city. While there, he has dreams of success which are quickly broken by the harsh life there. After making nothing of himself, he returns to the player's town to set up his store. Nook no longer appears to be friends with Sable, though the two often mention each other to the player.

Nook seems to have a varied reputation amongst the villagers, with some speculating that he is, in fact, a human in a suit. His large, bushy tail seems popular amongst lazy villagers. He is openly derided by Redd as a "raccoon in an apron."

While the Nooklings share a strong resemblance to Nook, the exact nature of their relationship with him is unclear. Their Animal Crossing e-Reader cards imply that the Nooklings are Tom's family members, but Nook states in Wild World that he has no relation to them and that they are simply his employees. This is contrasted in the Prima Games strategy guide for City Folk, which states that they are Nook's nephews.[nb 6] In later games, certain villagers may mention that Tom Nook found the Nooklings as orphans and adopted them.

Nook is implied to have worked with Redd in the past. This is evidenced in Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, where, if the player has built his house, he may say, "Have you ever worked with a fox? Yes, foxes are never to be trusted, hm? I worked with a fox once in my life. Never again. Not after...the incident. Stop! I cannot say a word more! Let us assume it was tragic and not speak of it again."

Appearances

Main article: Tom Nook's Store

Doubutsu no Mori and Animal Crossing

Tom Nook PG.png
Artwork of Tom Nook from Animal Crossing.

At the beginning of the game, Tom Nook owns a small wooden shack. As the player buys items from him, the store will expand, eventually into a two-story supermarket. There are a total of four expansions, beginning with Nook's Cranny, which upgrades to Nook 'n' Go, then to Nookway, and lastly Nookington's.

In Animal Crossing, Tom Nook runs a lottery on the last day of every month where spotlight items and NES games can be won if the player has raffle tickets. There are also random sales on occasion, as well as a selection of grab bags on Sale Day.

Tom Nook is also responsible for all players' mortgages, and will erect a statue outside the Train Station for each player who makes full repayments to him by depositing money in the Post Office.

This is the only game where the player can give passwords to Tom Nook. This allows for the transfer of items between towns.

Doubutsu no Mori e+

Tom Nook as he appears after hours at Nookway

Tom Nook's role in Doubutsu no Mori e+ is virtually identical to what it was in the series' previous three entries. However, there are a few key additions found in the game. For example, the player can now visit his shop after hours by banging on the entrance with either a shovel or an axe three times. This causes the store's interior lighting to switch on and door to open, allowing the player to enter. Inside, Tom Nook, who is dressed in striped pajamas, wearing a nightcap, and carrying a pillow, will let the player browse and purchase any of the items on display, though this does not come without cons. Since he was sleeping, Tom Nook moves at a much slower pace; the selling price is inflated by 17%, while all items sold by the player are worth only 70% of their original value. Also, the player is only able to purchase the wares currently on display, meaning that the catalog is inaccessible.

In addition, the player can pay Tom Nook to erect decorative objects - ranging from street lamps to wind turbines - at selectable acres in the town. He can also demolish them should the player ask. Near holidays, he temporarily stocks more celebratory items, such as party poppers in the latter half of December for New Year's Eve.

Animal Crossing: Wild World

Tom Nook WW.png
Artwork of Tom Nook from Animal Crossing: Wild World.

Tom Nook returns in Animal Crossing: Wild World as the shop owner once again. In this game, his store is now always adjacent to the Able Sisters, and the lottery, password and Sale Day features are removed. He also no longer sells clothes or umbrellas. However, the Tom Nook Point System is introduced to allow for eventual discounts on all purchases, with occasional Point Special days awarding five times the points, and Spotlight Items will infrequently appear in store. Nookington's contains Shampoodle on the lower floor, and upgrading to this store triggers Tom Nook's episodes.

Each player now shares Tom Nook's mortgage, and Tom will still force new players to work for him even when it is fully paid off. He states that he will 'not charge' the player for the lessons they are learning in Animal Crossing life.

His picture can be obtained by giving him a Safe, and the quote is "I'll be there with bells on! Ho ho!"

Animal Crossing: City Folk

Tom Nook CF.png
Artwork of Tom Nook from Animal Crossing: City Folk.

Tom Nook acts similarly in Animal Crossing: City Folk to Animal Crossing: Wild World. His store is never directly to the west of the Able Sisters, however, and his picture cannot be obtained in this game. But, players each have their own mortgage once again. Tom Nook will erect a flag outside a house with its mortgage fully paid off.

After a period of time with Nookington's in City Folk, Tom Nook will ask the player a question to "better serve his customers". Based on the answer given, Nookington's can close and reopen as a previous store to better suit the player's needs. Periodically, after the first questioning, Tom Nook will ask again, and the player can once more change the store.

The suggestions and answers are:

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Tom Nook NL.png
Tom Nook as he appears in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Nook runs a real estate store in place of a shop, and players are no longer required to work for him. The player, the new mayor, moves in without a home, but Tom Nook assists the player by letting the player determine the location of their new home. Construction of the home, however, takes a day and a 10,000 Bells down payment from the player, so they must sleep in a tent. Once the home is built, players must pay off the debt before they can make any expansions. After this, Tom Nook offers exterior home decorations and encourages the player to sign up for the Happy Home Academy, an association that scores players' homes.

Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer

HHD King Nook.jpg
"King Nook", as he appears in Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer.

In Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, he is usually referred to as King Nook. He helps run the monthly Happy Home Network Design Contest. During the contest, the player will be asked to design a home for King Nook. His appearance is notably different, as he wears royal clothing including a crown.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nook and the Nooklings are heading a new venture, offering getaway packages to the player that set them up as new residents on a deserted island. Nook is now the founder and CEO of Nook Inc., a real estate development company. In the game, Nook provides the player with a loan to establish themselves on the island and also runs a Resident Services center that provides a crafting bench and other amenities to the island's residents, like the use of the Nook Stop and recycling bin. When the player progresses through the game and the Resident Services center is upgraded, Nook will provide construction consultation and home upgrades to the player.

Other appearances

Template:Noncanon

Stories

Sometimes, upon entering his store, he will appear in thought, and may tell the player a story when approached:

"...Well, actually, I was just thinking about the good old days, hm?
I know it seems that the world is my oyster, what with my fine shop...
But in my childhood, I lived the kind of life you couldn't even imagine!
Yes, yes, but this was all some time ago, before I moved to this town, hm?
Of course, I was born in our lovely <Town Name>, but I moved away for a time...
Yes, yes, the city years, I like to call them. I was a raccoon of action, hm?
The big city certainly had its charms...but it had its pitfalls, as well.
Indeed, I had to endure certain hardships that I've never spoken of, hm?
...Hard to believe, yes?
You're probably asking yourself, what the heck is Nook talking about, hm?
For now, <Player Name>, maybe it's best that we forget we ever talked about this."

General description

Appearance

Tom Nook PG Nookington's.png
Tom Nook's Nookington's outfit.

Tom Nook is a short, plump tanuki (raccoon in western regions) with brown fur and a long nose. He appears to have lazy, frowning eyes and no visible mouth, with his nose moving in place of one when he speaks.

Nook's clothing changes depending on the state of his store. In Nook's Cranny, his most iconic appearance, he wears a short, blue apron with a leaf embedded on the front, or a kanji ten (店), meaning "shop", in Doubutsu no Mori. In Nook 'n' Go, Tom Nook wears a striped market uniform with a small market hat. In Nookway, Nook wears a large supermarket apron that covers his entire body, with a leaf still embedded on the front. Lastly, in Nookingtons', Tom Nook wears a simple, purple business suit.

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Tom Nook's clothing is changed to reflect his new employment, wearing a teal colored vest with a white undershirt and red tie. He also wears gray-colored pants.

Personality

In the past, Tom Nook was an ambitious, money-driven individual who dreamed of fame and glory, even abandoning his friends to pursue such dreams in the City, although he still thought of his friends, particularly Sable, and would frequently exchange letters with them. After barely making a living and no profits, Tom returned to his home a more contemporary, down-to-earth individual, being described by Sable as a "completely different soul". Tom also says things such as "yes yes" or "Hm" in his speech. Many villagers will say that he has a checkered past, hinting at illicit activities.

Tom Nook's description in the Animal Crossing: City Folk game guide:

A kind raccoon with a heart of gold, Tom Nook helps you get started when you first move to town by loaning you a home to live in. Tom also runs a little supply shop in town that sells all the basics, including furniture, tools, and gardening supplies. Tom will help you in a variety of ways as your life unfolds, and you'll help him as well: keep shopping at the store and it'll get bigger and bigger. Eventually, old Tom will even need to hire his two nephews, Timmy and Tommy, just to keep his business running!

Villager info

In Happy Home Designer

Tom Nook
Birthday Personality Catchphrase
No results [[File:Starsign No results NH Icon.png|32px|No results|link=No results]] [[No results]] No results
Default clothing [[File:No Results HHD Icon.png|30px|link=]] No results
Umbrella [[File:No Results HHD Icon.png|30px|link=]] No results
House request
Client's vision I'll leave it up to you!
Favorite song [[File:K.K. Bossa_(Album Cover)_HHD_Icon.png|x29px|alt=|link=]] [[K.K. Bossa|K.K. Bossa]]
Unlocked items
Starting house: Default exterior of Tom Nook's house in Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer


Card profiles

Animal Crossing e-Reader cards

Animal Crossing-e 1-004 (Tom Nook).jpg

Card back

Animal Crossing-e 1-004 (Tom Nook - Back).jpg

#004 Tom Nook - Series 1
Gender: Male
Sign: [[Gemini]]
Profile: Tom Nook fancies himself to be quite the financial genius. He owns the town store and dabbles in real estate. He'll cut you a deal on your first home, but you'll owe him, and he won't let you forget it.
Password: nHUJVz8K&eU2Ts
YXXOQBLMdC8h4U


Animal Crossing-e 2-061 (Tom Nook).jpg

Card back

Animal Crossing-e 2-061 (Tom Nook - Back).jpg

#061 Tom Nook - Series 2
Gender: Male
Sign: [[Gemini]]
Profile: Tom Nook has been feeling mighty pleased with himself ever since he remodeled Nook's Cranny into the Nook 'n' Go. He has to work longer hours - seven AM until eleven PM - But hey, that's big business!
Password: 5W5smI5CRfTfXg
PFLlSuB3dxmV3A


Animal Crossing-e 3-119 (Tom Nook).jpg

Card back

Animal Crossing-e 3-119 (Tom Nook - Back).jpg

#119 Tom Nook - Series 3
Gender: Male
Sign: [[Gemini]]
Profile: No matter how big his store gets, Tom Nook still makes a point of maintaining his "paws-on" sales approach. It doesn't matter where you go in the store - he'll always be one step behind you!
Password: VgmSbR9kNfWYvO
DIQ48MPWUrmRod


Animal Crossing-e 3-175 (Tom Nook).jpg

Card back

Animal Crossing-e 3-175 (Tom Nook - Back).jpg

#175 Tom Nook - Series 3
Gender: Male
Sign: [[Gemini]]
Profile: Tom Nook is a huge fan of the monthly raffle. Not only does he get a day of relative leasure - All he has to do is turn a wheel - but the desire for prizes really drives furniture sales. People buy stuff just for tickets!
Password: VgmSbR9kNfWYvO
DIQ48MPWUrmRod


Animal Crossing-e 4-198 (Tom Nook).jpg

Card back

Animal Crossing-e 4-198 (Tom Nook - Back).jpg

#198 Tom Nook - Series 4
Gender: Male
Sign: [[Gemini]]
Profile: Tom Nook is "The Man". Everybody relies on him for basic supplies and a steady income. And after you become a Nook regular, your shopping trips will become shopping extravaganzas!
Password: Osj6bM@fzy7QRb
XTgz5rZbNzbUfG

Animal Crossing amiibo cards

002 Tom Nook amiibo card NA.png

Card back

Amiibo Card Back.png

#002 Tom Nook - Series 1
Star sign: Gemini
Birthday: May 30
Dice value: 6
Hand sign: Rock


203 Tom Nook amiibo card NA.png

Card back

Amiibo Card Back.png

#203 Tom Nook - Series 3
Star sign: Gemini
Birthday: May 30
Dice value: 4
Hand sign: Paper

Trivia

  • Tom Nook seems to be a fan of golf, as in HHD his employees mention that he is probably golfing if he isn't in the office. Also, the loading animation for the Happy Home Network shows him hitting a golf ball. This is shown further in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, as he has an indoor golf set in Resident Services prior to its upgrade.

External links

Note: It was originally taken over by Isabelle, few days before the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, he took over the role up until June 30th 2020.

Gallery

Names in other languages

Japanese たぬきち
Tanukichi
From 狸 tanuki (raccoon dog)

Korean 너굴
Neogul
Pun on 너구리 (Neoguri/Raccoon dog).

Simplified Chinese 黎茂 (iQue)
Lí mào
Homophony with 狸猫 (Límāo/Raccoon)

Simplified Chinese 狸克
Lí Kè
Transcription of tanuki

Russian Том Нук
Tom Nuk
Transcription of English name

Dutch Tom Nook

German Tom Nook

European Spanish Tom Nook

European French Tom Nook

Italian Tom Nook

Notes

  1. All games
  2. In Animal Crossing, Wild World, and City Folk
  3. In New Leaf only
  4. In New Horizons only
  5. Japanese: たぬきち Hepburn: Tanukichi
  6. "Eventually, old Tom will even need to hire his two nephews, Timmy and Tommy, just to keep his business running!"


Template:Tanuki