You either love him or you want to launch him into the sea with a vaulted pole.
Pietro, the infamous clown sheep in Animal Crossing, is a masterpiece of character design that doubles as a psychological litmus test. Honestly, he’s basically the Marmite of the Nintendo world. Since his debut in New Leaf, he’s sparked more heated debates on Reddit and Discord than almost any other villager, perhaps with the exception of Raymond or Shino. But while people want Raymond for his "office chic" aesthetic, they want Pietro for... well, it depends on whether you find clowns whimsical or the stuff of literal nightmares.
He’s a sheep. He’s a clown. He’s a Smug personality type.
If you’ve ever had him wander onto your campsite in New Horizons, you know the feeling. It’s that split second of "Oh, he’s colorful!" immediately followed by "Wait, is he looking at me?" This isn't just about a sheep with a red nose; it’s about how Nintendo leans into subverting expectations for what a "cute" life simulator should look like.
The Anatomy of the Clown Sheep: Why Pietro Looks That Way
Pietro isn't just wearing a costume. His entire being is a carnival. His wool is a literal rainbow of stripes—red, orange, yellow, green, blue. He sports a white face that mimics traditional "auguste" or "whiteface" clown makeup, complete with a teardrop gem under his eye and a bright red nose.
He’s a lot.
According to the official Animal Crossing: New Horizons internal data, his initial outfit is the Fritillary Umbrella (well, he carries it) and he wears the flashy Comedian’s Outfit. His house is even more chaotic. We’re talking spinning wheels, balloon lamps, and the "Merry-Go-Round" music playing on a loop. It’s a sensory overload.
But why a sheep?
Design-wise, sheep are the perfect canvas for patterns because their wool covers so much of their character model. If you tried to put Pietro’s rainbow pattern on a cat or a dog, it would look cramped. On a sheep, it’s a sprawling mural. It’s bold. It’s loud. It’s exactly what a Smug villager wants to be.
The Smug Personality: A Match Made in... The Circus?
The "Smug" personality was introduced in New Leaf, and it changed the game for characters like Pietro. Smug villagers are generally polite, but they have a massive ego. They’ll flirt with the player, talk about their "brand," and act like they’re the protagonist of a movie that everyone else is just an extra in.
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For a clown sheep, this is perfect.
Pietro doesn't think he’s scary. He thinks he’s a star. He’ll tell you he stayed up late thinking about his hair or that he’s practicing his "dashing" look for the camera. This creates a hilarious (or unsettling) juxtaposition. You have this creature that looks like it belongs in a Stephen King novel talking to you like he’s a French fashion designer.
He gets along with most villagers, though he can annoy the Cranky types. Think about it: Butch or Apollo probably don't want to hear about Pietro’s latest interpretive dance routine at 8:00 AM.
Coulrophobia and the Animal Crossing Community
We have to talk about the clown in the room. Coulrophobia—the fear of clowns—is a very real thing, and it has dictated Pietro’s reputation for a decade.
In the early days of New Horizons, "Pietro in boxes" was a common post on trading forums like Nookazon. Some players were desperate to get him off their island, often citing that his house placement made their daily chores feel like a horror movie. There’s a specific kind of dread that comes from seeing those rainbow stripes lurking behind a cedar tree at night.
On the flip side, there’s a massive "Pietro Protection Squad."
Fans of the "kidcore" aesthetic—which focuses on bright colors, 90s nostalgia, and playground themes—consider him a god-tier villager. For these players, Pietro isn't scary; he’s the centerpiece of a vibrant, joyful world. They build him custom carnival grounds, complete with popcorn machines and cotton candy stalls. It’s a complete 180 from the players who surround his house with pitfall seeds to trick him into moving out.
Tracking Pietro Across the Series
Pietro didn't just appear out of nowhere. He has a history.
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf: This was his debut. He was an instant standout because, quite frankly, there was nothing else like him.
- Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp: He’s a "Civic" theme villager here. His crafting requirement? A balloon lamp, obviously.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons: This is where his popularity peaked. The ability to decorate outside meant people could finally give him the circus he deserved.
His catchphrase is "honk honk." It’s simple. It’s on the nose. It’s either adorable or it’s a threat depending on your heart rate when you see him.
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The "Ugly" Villager Trend
There’s a fascinating subculture in Animal Crossing where players intentionally seek out "ugly" or "weird" villagers. While Pietro is often lumped into this category, he’s more "niche" than "ugly." Villagers like Barold or Beardo often get the "ugly" label, but Pietro is a deliberate stylistic choice.
He represents a break from the "same-y" feel of having five different cute deer on your island. Having Pietro on your island says something about you. It says you’re okay with a little chaos. It says you value a villager who actually stands out in a crowd of 400+ characters.
How to Get (or Get Rid of) Pietro
If you’ve decided you need this rainbow sheep in your life, you have a few options.
The easiest way is the Amiibo card. Pietro is Card #356 in Series 4. If you have the card, you can invite him to your campsite, craft some items for him over three days, and he’s yours.
If you’re hunting for him via Nook Miles Tickets, good luck. There are 18 different sheep villagers. When the game decides you’ve encountered a sheep, you have a 1 in 18 chance of it being Pietro. Those aren't terrible odds, but if you’re looking for him specifically, it could take a while.
Now, if you want him gone?
The old myths about hitting villagers with nets or complaining to Isabelle don't actually make them move faster. In fact, ignoring them is often less effective than being their best friend. The game’s move-out logic is based on a random timer. Every few days, a villager will have a thought bubble over their head. If you see Pietro wandering around looking pensive, that’s your chance to tell him "Go forth and find new audiences."
Creating the Perfect Space for Pietro
If you’re a Pietro enthusiast, you can’t just stick him in a corner. His house exterior is a muted yellow/beige with a red door, which is surprisingly subtle compared to what’s inside.
To really lean into his vibe, try these items:
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- The Plaza Train: Part of the 2.0 update, this looks amazing near his house.
- Circus Flooring: It’s a classic for a reason.
- The Balloon Wagon: You can get this through the Nook Stop.
Putting him near other "performer" types like Julian (the unicorn) or Chrissy and Francine (the pop stars) creates a "backstage" or "entertainment district" feel that makes his presence feel intentional rather than accidental.
What Most People Get Wrong About Pietro
The biggest misconception is that he’s a "horror" villager.
While the community has created plenty of "Creepypasta" style content around him, his actual dialogue is incredibly sweet. Because he’s Smug, he’s often very encouraging. He’ll tell you that you look great today or that he’s glad you’re his friend. He’s a performer who just wants to make people smile, even if his face is frozen in a permanent, painted grin.
He’s also surprisingly deep. Smug villagers often talk about their insecurities or their desire to be understood. For a clown—a character designed to hide their true self behind a mask—this personality type is actually quite poignant.
Final Thoughts for Island Representatives
Pietro isn't going anywhere. He’s become a permanent fixture of the Animal Crossing mythos. Whether he’s a dreamie or a nightmare, he forces you to have an opinion.
If you’re building an island, don't be afraid of the "weird" ones. The villagers that provoke a reaction are usually the ones you remember years later. You might forget about that generic "Normal" cat, but you will never, ever forget the time a rainbow clown sheep told you that your outfit was "positively transcendent."
Actionable Steps for Players: 1. Check your storage: If you have "circus" or "theme park" items gathering dust, Pietro is the only villager who can truly pull them off.
2. Give him a chance: If he moves in, talk to him for a week before deciding to boot him. His dialogue is some of the best in the game.
3. Use the DLC: If you have Happy Home Paradise, you can eventually redesign his house to be as toned down or as dialed up as you want.
4. Photography: Use the Harvey’s Island photo studio to see how he looks in different outfits; he’s a surprisingly good model for the "Flashy" clothing line.
Keep your eyes on the campsite. You never know when the rainbow sheep might decide your island needs a little more "honk honk."