Is Isabelle a Villager Clone? Unpacking the Truth Behind the Beloved Secretary
Isabelle, the cheerful and efficient secretary from the Animal Crossing series, is a character beloved by many. Her inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate sparked debates about her classification, particularly concerning whether she is a “clone” of the Villager. The short answer is: no, Isabelle is not a clone of the Villager. While they share some visual similarities and a similar move set, they are distinct characters in both design and gameplay mechanics. They are also distinct characters in the Animal Crossing series.
Isabelle’s Unique Identity in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Isabelle is classified as Fighter #68 and is not designated as an Echo Fighter. Echo Fighters are essentially “clone” characters like Lucina (an Echo of Marth), who share nearly identical movesets and animations with a base character. While Isabelle and the Villager share some moves, such as using nets and slingshots, their execution and properties differ significantly.
One crucial difference lies in their body types and proportions. The article mentions that Villager and Isabelle have different builds and that they do not share a single animation with one another. Isabelle’s design follows the slimmer, updated character proportions seen in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, while the Villager’s design is more generalized. This difference in build, coupled with unique animations and moves, makes Isabelle a distinct fighter.
Gameplay Differences
Though they both originate from Animal Crossing, their gameplay in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate varies considerably. The article notes that the Villager has more powerful smash attacks, and their bowling ball special move is excellent for edgeguarding. His regular attacks have more utility, even if they don’t have the same raw power as Isabelle’s. In contrast, Isabelle has superior aerial attacks. This distinction in combat effectiveness highlights that they were designed with different gameplay approaches in mind.
Their special moves also differ considerably. The article emphasizes that the side b and up b special moves differentiate the two characters. Isabelle’s side special, the Lloid Rocket, is used primarily for mobility and for use at range, while the Villager’s pocket ability, allows the villager to steal and hold items and projectiles. Their up special, the Balloon Trip, also differs in their speed, distance, and how they can be attacked or cancelled.
Isabelle’s Backstory and Personality
Isabelle isn’t just a fighter; she’s a deeply beloved character within the Animal Crossing universe. Her Japanese name is Shizue, and she is a golden-coloured Shih Tzu. She is well known for her kind and helpful nature. Her role as the town secretary and her willingness to always help the player make her a fan-favorite. She is also the twin sister of Digby, who works at Nook’s Homes or the Happy Home Showcase, and is equally as helpful and friendly as his sister.
Interestingly, the article mentions that Isabelle harbors a crush on the player, evidenced by her eager acceptance of tasks and the blushy conversation she has about walks on the beach. This further illustrates the unique personality traits that makes her stand out from the Villager, which is more of a player avatar and doesn’t have an established persona.
The Echo Fighter Debate
The classification of characters as “clones” or “Echo Fighters” in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is often contentious, and some players still question why Isabelle isn’t considered an Echo Fighter of Villager. However, the game developers clearly intended to make Isabelle her own character, rather than being a derivative of Villager. The game’s focus on showcasing unique aspects of each fighter and preventing them from being purely derivative is evident with the distinction of Villager and Isabelle, despite being from the same universe.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Isabelle is not a clone of the Villager, despite similarities in their origin and moves. Isabelle is a unique character, both in the Animal Crossing universe and within the roster of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. She has distinct physical features, animations, gameplay mechanics, and personality, solidifying her individual status in each game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs providing additional insights about Isabelle and her relationship to the Villager and the Animal Crossing universe:
1. What breed is Isabelle from Animal Crossing?
Isabelle is a golden-coloured Shih Tzu.
2. Who is better in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Villager or Isabelle?
The article suggests that the Villager has more powerful smash attacks and better utility in normal attacks, while Isabelle has superior aerial attacks. It really depends on player preference and playstyle.
3. Why isn’t Isabelle an Echo Fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
Isabelle is not an Echo Fighter because she has a different body type and proportions, and no shared animations with Villager. She follows the newer design of Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
4. Who is Isabelle’s brother?
Isabelle’s twin brother is Digby. He works at Nook’s Homes in Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer or oversees the Happy Homes Showcase in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
5. What are the main differences between Villager and Isabelle in Smash Ultimate?
Villager boasts stronger smash attacks and more useful normal moves, whereas Isabelle has more powerful aerial attacks. They also differ significantly in their special moves, particularly in their side and up specials.
6. Does Isabelle have a crush in Animal Crossing?
Yes, the article states that Isabelle appears to have a crush on the player, as she is very eager to please them and sometimes blushes when having one-on-one talks about walks on the beach.
7. Who is the rarest villager in Animal Crossing New Horizons (ACNH)?
Octopus villagers are considered the rarest in the Animal Crossing franchise, with only five in existence.
8. Can Isabelle kick a Villager out of ACNH?
Isabelle can not directly remove a Villager herself. However, repeatedly complaining to Isabelle about a specific villager may lead that villager to want to move out.
9. Who is considered one of the nicest villagers in ACNH?
There are many nice Villagers in ACNH but some of the nicest include Axel, Puddles, Rolf, Celia, Diana, Fauna, Drake, and Marina.
10. Who is one of the cutest villagers in ACNH?
Molly, a brown Mallard duck, is often cited as one of the cutest villagers in ACNH, known for her gentle and warm personality.
11. Is the player character in Animal Crossing a boy or a girl?
The player can be either a boy or a girl in the Animal Crossing series, with differences being primarily cosmetic, though a few dialogue variations may occur.
12. Is Isabelle from Animal Crossing pansexual?
The article does not include any information about Isabelle being pansexual, but there’s an implication that Isabelle welcomes all players.
13. Are K.K. Slider and Isabelle dating?
The article mentions that K.K. Slider is Isabelle’s ex-boyfriend.
14. Is Isabelle’s head shaped like a bag of bells?
Yes, Isabelle’s head shape is often compared to a bag of bells in the Animal Crossing games, with her ponytail resembling the top of the bag.
15. Can you annoy a villager into leaving ACNH?
Yes, by constantly mistreating a villager, such as hitting them with tools and pushing them around, you might annoy them enough to want to leave the island, though there are more reliable methods of moving villagers out.