Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve spent any time on Nookazon or scrolled through the ACNH subreddit, you know the community has a borderline unhealthy obsession with the feline population. It's not just a trend. It's a full-blown phenomenon. Out of the 35 different species available in the game, all cat villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons consistently dominate the popularity charts. Why? Is it just because people like cats in real life? Maybe. But there’s a deeper design logic at play here, from the variety of personality types to the way their ears twitch when they’re thinking.
There are 23 cats in total. That's a massive number. To put that in perspective, there are only 8 octopuses (even after the update) and a handful of bulls. When you have 23 options in one species, you’re bound to find a favorite, but the sheer density of "top-tier" designs in this group is staggering. You have the icons like Raymond and Rosie, the weirdos like Tabby, and the literal Egyptian deity, Ankha.
Hunting for these specific villagers can take hundreds of Nook Miles Tickets. I’ve seen people burn through 400 tickets just trying to find one specific cat. It’s wild. But if you're trying to build an all-cat island—which, by the way, is a very common "dreamie" goal—you need to know who you’re actually dealing with.
The Raymond Phenomenon and the Business of Cats
We have to talk about the business-suit-wearing elephant in the room. Or rather, the cat. Raymond. When New Horizons first launched, Raymond was the first Smug cat in the series. Because he didn’t have an Amiibo card at the start, the only way to get him was through pure luck or trading.
At the height of the craze, people were trading him for 1,000 Nook Miles Tickets or even real-world money on eBay. It was peak ACNH madness. Raymond represents a specific "office chic" aesthetic that hadn't really been explored in the game before. With his heterochromia (one green eye, one brown eye) and his crisp waistcoat, he felt modern. He felt exclusive.
But Raymond isn't the only one holding it down for the Smug personality. There’s also Jacques, though he’s often overlooked because he looks more like a DJ who spends too much time in a basement than a corporate mogul. The Smug personality is great because they’re polite but slightly full of themselves, often flirting with the player regardless of gender. It adds a layer of charm that makes the cat villagers feel more like "characters" and less like programmed animals.
The Original Icons: Rosie and Bob
If Raymond is the new school, Bob and Rosie are the legends. Bob is widely rumored to be the very first villager ever designed for the series. His ID number in the game files has always suggested he’s the blueprint. He’s a purple, Lazy cat who just wants to talk about the bugs in his floor and eat snacks. He is the vibe.
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Then there's Rosie. She’s been the face of the franchise for years, even starring in the Dōbutsu no Mori movie. She’s a Peppy villager, meaning she’s high energy, wants to be a pop star, and will call you "silly" every five seconds. For many long-time fans, an island isn't complete without her. These two prove that the appeal of all cat villagers in ACNH isn't just about New Horizons—it’s about decades of nostalgia built into these low-poly frames.
A Breakdown of Personalities Across the Feline Spectrum
Most people don't realize that the cat species is one of the few that covers almost every personality type effectively. If you want a balanced island, you can actually achieve it using only cats.
The Sisterly and Cranky Gaps
Interestingly, there is only one Sisterly cat: Katt. Just one. If you want that "big sister" vibe where they give you medicine when you get stung by wasps, Katt is your only feline option. She has a very specific "rocker" aesthetic with her leather jacket and fangs. On the Cranky side, you have Kabuki and Tom. Kabuki is a masterpiece of design, based on traditional Japanese theater. His house is usually a zen-themed dream, and his deep voice coming out of a small cat body is always a trip.
The Prettiest Normals
Normal villagers are the "sweet" ones. They’re kind, they’re easy to get along with, and they usually have a hobby like reading or education. Lolly and Mitzi are the heavy hitters here. Lolly is famous because her eyes look like parentheses—( )—and she is arguably the cutest thing in the game. Mitzi is a classic, appearing in every single game to date.
The Snooty Elite
Snooty villagers can be polarizing, but cats pull it off well. Ankha is the obvious standout. Based on an Egyptian Pharaoh, her design is one of the most intricate in the game. Then you have Olivia and Purrl, who carry that "refined lady" energy perfectly. They might act like they’re better than you at first, but once you give them a few sweaters, they melt.
Why Design Matters: The "Tabby" Conflict
Not every cat is a "pretty" cat, and that’s actually a good thing. The community is split on villagers like Tabby and Stinky.
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Tabby has a very... expressive face. Some people find her terrifying. Others see her as a misunderstood legend who just wants to be a pop star despite her chaotic grin. Stinky, on the other hand, wears a wrestling mask. Why? Who knows. But he’s a Jock, so he’s constantly talking about his triceps while wearing a luchador outfit.
This variety is what makes all cat villagers in New Horizons so much more interesting than species like the hamsters or the hippos. You have literal royalty (Ankha), a grapefruit (Tangy), and a guy in a mask (Stinky).
Tangy: The Fruit Hybrid
Tangy is a fan favorite for a reason. She’s a cat that is also an orange. Or a tangerine. She has a leaf on her head and pores on her skin like a citrus fruit. She’s been in the series since the Nintendo 64 days in Japan, and she remains a top-tier Peppy villager. Her existence opens up the "food-themed" villager rabbit hole that fans love to obsess over.
The Mechanics of Moving Cats In
If you're serious about collecting these guys, you have to understand the "Move-Out" mechanics. A villager will generally think about moving every 15 days or so. If you’re hunting for a specific cat, you’re playing a game of probability. Since there are 23 cats, your odds of seeing one on a Mystery Island are technically higher than seeing an octopus, but lower than seeing a rabbit (there are 20-something of those too).
However, the game rolls for species first, then villager.
This is a crucial detail. Because there are so many cats, the game is actually "weighted" in a way that makes finding a specific cat harder than finding a specific octopus. If the game decides the island you're visiting has a cat, it then has to pick 1 out of 23. If it decides it's an octopus island, it only picks 1 out of 4. This is why Raymond and Shino (a deer) are so much harder to find naturally than someone like Zucker.
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Creating the Perfect Feline Neighborhood
If you’ve managed to hoard enough Nook Miles to actually get a few of these cats, the next step is the aesthetic. Most cat lovers tend to lean into specific themes.
- The Zen Garden: Featuring Kabuki and Genji (wait, Genji is a rabbit, but he fits the vibe—let's stick to Kabuki and maybe Snake... no, also a rabbit). For cats, you'd want Kabuki and maybe punchy to keep it relaxed.
- The Urban City: Raymond, Lolly, and Kid Cat. Kid Cat is a Jock who thinks he’s a superhero. He wears a helmet 24/7. He is the red ranger of the cat world.
- The Tropical Paradise: Tangy and Ankha. They bring the bright colors and the "ancient" vibes.
Kiki is another one you shouldn't overlook. She's a black cat inspired by Kiki's Delivery Service. She is incredibly simple in design—just large yellow eyes and a black body—but she is one of the most soothing villagers to have on your island. She doesn't demand attention. She just exists, peacefully, usually watering your flowers.
Real Talk: Are Cats Overrated?
Look, I love cats. Most players do. But is the obsession with all cat villagers in ACNH overshadowing other great villagers? Probably. When everyone is focused on getting Raymond, they miss out on absolute gems like Tiansheng (a monkey based on the Monkey King) or Roald (a penguin who is essentially a perfect circle).
But the "cat tax" exists for a reason. Their animations are among the best. When a cat villager sits down to watch a river or starts singing in the plaza, it looks right. Their ears have unique physics. Their tails have different patterns—some are striped, some are solid.
The complexity of their designs, from the kabuki makeup of Kabuki to the digital-looking eyes of Ribbot (wait, Ribbot is a frog, I'm thinking of the mechanical cat... oh wait, there actually isn't a full-robot cat, which is a missed opportunity by Nintendo), keeps them at the top of the food chain.
Your Next Steps for a Cat-Centric Island
If you're ready to commit to the feline life, don't just start burning tickets. Be smart about it.
- Check the Personality Balance: If you get 10 cats, try to ensure you have at least one of each personality. You’ll need Katt (Sisterly), Kabuki or Tom (Cranky), and Raymond (Smug) to ensure you get all the different DIY recipes and reactions.
- Use the Campsite Method: If you want a Smug cat like Raymond, empty your Smug personality slot on your island. The game’s campsite logic slightly favors personalities you don’t currently have. It’s not a guarantee, but it beats raw island hopping.
- Amiibo Cards: If you aren't a purist, buying the Amiibo cards (or the newer Series 5 for Raymond) is the only way to keep your sanity. It's much cheaper than the "NMT black market" that still exists in some corners of the internet.
- Don't Ignore the "Uglies": Give Tabby or Stinky a chance. Sometimes the weirdest looking villagers end up being the ones you bond with the most because they have so much more "personality" than the conventionally cute ones.
Building an island around all cat villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a long-term project. It’s about the hunt, the design, and the weird satisfaction of seeing ten pairs of cat ears wandering around your town square at 3:00 PM while the ukulele music kicks in. Just remember to give them plenty of places to sit; cats in this game love nothing more than sitting directly on the ground three inches away from an expensive chair you bought specifically for them. Classic cat behavior.