Although the original version came out on Game Cube two decades ago, Nintendo continues to spark excitement with new additions to the Animal Crossing series; and now they've released a manga-inspired by their most recent installment, New Horizons. Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Vol 1 English release is a playful take on four friends who, just like everyone who plays the actual game, find themselves on a deserted island which they are responsible for making their own.
At a time where new content for the game is severely lacking, (and fans are getting collaborations instead of updates) the manga has provided a welcomed endeavor to help fill the void. Fans have been expecting big updates and revamps to New Horizons, but nothing has really materialized. Other than bringing back past characters, like Luna, and possibly Brewster soon as well, not much has changed to keep people actively engaged. That's why this manga is a great supplement for those starved for content. Unfortunately, because of this hunger for content, there's bound to be more scrutiny surrounding New Horizons, Vol 1 than there would be otherwise.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Vol 1, Deserted Island Diary, by Kokonasu Rumba and published by Viz media, follows four friends who think they're going on the vacation of a lifetime, only to end up being greeted by Tom Nook on a deserted island. It mirrors the game as Coroyuki, BenBen, Himepoyo, and Guchan start their adventure on a temporarily barren wonderland. It even highlights long-established characters like Tom Nook, Timmy, Tommy, and Blathers as they play their parts in managing the island, albeit with more freeform, crazy, and goofy inhabitants than would be seen in the actual game. Newer additions to the Animal Crossing lineup like Dom also make an appearance. Overall it provides a playful and more narrative take on everyday New Horizons tasks, such as upgrading homes, crafting furniture, and even terraforming.
Although the writing appears cheeky enough to pander towards the average demographic of Animal Crossing: New Horizons players, the artwork itself errs on the side of being almost childish and overly simplistic. Of course, a lot is lost when color is taken out of the equation, but nevertheless, it is odd considering how detailed and graphically stunning the game is. Additionally, about a third of the manga is focused solely on character bios and in-game guides, which at this point in time seem less relevant. If the English version of this manga had come out in tandem with the release of the game, or sometime around then, the latter half of the volume would be much more topical, but considering the game has been out for over two years now, that information seems a bit outdated and unnecessary.
Despite these problems, it's obvious Rumba is a fan. Whether or not the artwork comes off as simplistic, or some of the content isn't necessarily topical, there is no doubt that Rumba knows the subject well. Anyone who isn't familiar with Tom Nook's personality, Gulliver's quirky tendencies, the hundreds of obtainable items, or the functionalities of the game itself wouldn't be able to create a manga that captures the comedic playfulness of it all. So, if people are in it just for a simple, semi-nostalgic, pleasant time reliving goofier versions of their own in-game adventures, then it'll be a great fit. On the other hand, if people are excited about it for new and elevated content that feels fresh and different, this might not be the manga for them. Regardless, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Vol 1 is an easy read that delivers spirit, comedy, and quirkiness, just like the game and characters themselves, while also providing some helpful tips and information to anyone just getting started.