Animal Crossing: New Horizons features over 400 villagers that can move to your island. While each of these animals has a unique look and home, they're united by one of eight personalities. The New Horizons personality types include Sisterly, Smug, Lazy, Peppy, Normal, Snooty, Jock, and Cranky.
Cranky villagers are male animals who tend to get annoyed far more easily than their neighbors. Though they're generally not up-to-date on the latest trends, they do enjoy gossiping about other villagers. They open up to you over time as you get to know them better. There are over 60 Cranky villagers in the Animal Crossing series, so which ones should you invite to your island?
Updated on August 8, 2023, by Casey Foot: When it comes to perfecting your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, choosing which villagers to invite can be just as important as terraforming the landscape or picking which items to decorate with. With eight different personality types, you’ll want to have a variety among your villagers. And though Cranky villagers might not warm up to you immediately, they’ll be loyal friends when they do.
18 Knox
Since debuting in Animal Crossing: City Folk, Knox has appeared in every game in the series, where he has consistently resembled a medieval knight. His name, Knox, might be a reference to Fort Knox, an army base in the US, which stores a large amount of gold and is known for its security.
In New Horizons, Knox dons a red cavalier shirt with a golden knight’s helmet, and his feet are similarly golden. His favorite saying is "A chicken's coop is its castle,” and this is true for his house interior, which is grandiose and filled with golden furniture, including, weirdly, multiple golden caskets. Knox’s Cranky personality type is perfect for a loyal knight, and he’s a great villager choice for anyone with a fantasy or historical-themed island.
17 Hopper
Hopper has appeared in every entry in the Animal Crossing series as well as the movie, where he can be seen fishing to no avail. Hopper’s appearance makes him look outwardly Cranky, as he has piercing red eyes and striking yellow eyebrows, a characteristic he shares with Rockhopper and Macaroni penguins.
Funnily enough, his Pocket Camp biography mentions his red eyes, saying that “he's tried eye drops, and no, they don't help.” Perhaps his eye troubles are the source of his crankiness. Though, even if it’s not, it sure doesn’t help.
16 Dobie
Dobie first appeared as an islander in Animal Forest e+, where he had the Lazy personality type; however, he reappeared as a Cranky villager in the Animal Crossing: New Leaf Welcome amiibo update. Dobie’s appearance with visible wrinkles on his face, alongside his favorite saying, "Old longings never truly fade,” helps to create his old, grumpy wolf persona.
Dobie’s house in New Horizons even suggests that he is a detective, as he has a whiteboard with scattered papers in front of it, as if he’s trying to crack a case, as well as a desk with a typewriter to type up his findings. Agent K.K. plays from Dobie’s phonograph, lending even more credence to the theory that he’s emulating an old-school detective, which fits perfectly with his Cranky demeanor.
15 Murphy
Murphy was featured in the Animal Crossing titles for the Nintendo GameCube but then disappeared from the series for a while. He finally resurfaced as part of Animal Crossing: New Leaf's Welcome amiibo update. He was also found in the data for Happy Home Designer, though clearly never used.
This adorable little bear cub villager shows his Cranky personality with his heavy-set brows that make it look as though he is often frowning. However, Murphy is regularly smiling and pleasant, which makes him a rather deceptive Cranky villager.
14 Rolf
Rolf is a Cranky villager that certainly looks the part with his rather frowny face. Despite not being a Jock personality type, Rolf has an interest in fitness and can often be found working out. His catchphrase of "grrrolf" appears to be a mixture of his own name and the phrase "grrr" to show displeasure or aggression.
This albino tiger villager has appeared in every title so far and, interestingly, isn't the only white tiger to feature in the game. A female tiger by the name of Bianca also appears, but she actually resembles a snow leopard more than a tiger. Rolf is one of a kind, after all.
13 Kabuki
Kabuki has appeared in every game in the series so far; he lives up to his namesake with his striking appearance that pays homage to the traditional Japanese theater style. His Japanese theme continues in his home decor and his default Lavender Robe outfit.
His catchphrase of "meooo-OH" is both a play on the word "meow," being the noise a cat makes, and the sound made by Japanese actors during Kabuki performances when they adopt the Mie pose. Kabuki's appearance is unlike any other cat villager, with distinct theming that's hard to resist adding to your island.
12 Octavian
Octavian is one of the rare octopus villagers, of which there are only five in total. He first appeared in Animal Forest and was the only octopus until Marina was added in Animal Forest e+.
He appears to be based on the Pacific Red Octopus, which is worrying as this is also the kind of octopus you could catch in earlier Animal Crossing titles. Octavian is one of the few Cranky villagers who actually looks cranky, with his frown being a permanent fixture on his face.
11 Wolfgang
Wolfgang has appeared in every single Animal Crossing title to date. Though, like other Cranky villagers, he is a bit of a technophobe, Wolfgang is actually a cool character with a stylish side, as shown in his new default flight jacket outfit.
Interestingly, in the German version of the series, it is Kyle who is called "Wolfgang" instead. Wolfgang's name could allude to the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or possibly the famed breakfast chef Wolfgang Puck, as his picture quote in Wild World was "I could eat you for breakfast, short stack!"
10 Bruce
First debuting in New Leaf, Bruce remains the only Cranky deer in the Animal Crossing series, so he's a great choice if you like deer and this personality type. He has teal fur, gold horns, and big droopy eyes. Additionally, he calls his friends “gruff,” likely a nod to the fable The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
The interior of Bruce’s home is decorated with graffiti, a black telephone booth, and a basketball net. Combined with his default clothing of an After-School Jacket, this gives Bruce a delinquent vibe and the feeling that he is a teenager.
9 Fang
This wolf has shown up for every single Animal Crossing game except for Wild World. He has silver fur and large yellow eyes. Fang’s name is likely inspired by the Jack London novel White Fang, or it could instead be a reference to his sharp teeth. This is reaffirmed by his catchphrase, “cha-chomp.”
Fang’s house is cozy, featuring a grandfather clock and a fireplace. He wears a sweater to keep with the comfortable, warm vibes. Interestingly, his Japanese name is "Siberia," likely alluding to the fact he is supposed to be a Siberian Wolf/Gray Wolf.
8 Cyd
Cyd is a red elephant with purple accents first introduced in New Horizons before being added to the spin-off mobile title Pocket Camp. Cyd is a total punk, sporting his Dragon Jacket and having “rockin’” as his catchphrase. His room is covered in skull flooring and wallpaper.
His house interior additionally features a vibrant red drum set that Cyd might use when making music in his favorite genre, especially as music is his hobby. Keeping with his punk style, he could be a reference to Sid Vicious, famous for being the bassist in the band Sex Pistols.
7 Roscoe
Roscoe was introduced in the Japanese exclusive Animal Forest+ and returned in many of the games thereafter. He is a black horse with the initial catchphrase of “nay,” referencing both his Cranky personality and the sound his species makes.
Roscoe’s home is full of dark brown items, including an electric guitar, a sofa, and a bed. He likes to keep it cool and serious, with his appearance giving him an aloof, cool guy kind of style, and he even has an interest in music to take his rock persona even further.
6 Static
Static is purple and has a light green lightning bolt on his head, which alludes to his name. His initial catchphrase is “krzzt,” and he likes to keep his home dark with electric guitars and a black workbench, continuing his theme of loving all things electric. Like Cyd, he uses the skull flooring.
This electric squirrel has been fortunate enough to appear in every title of the series so far and has an interest in music, which is fitting considering the number of guitars in his home.
5 Chief
This golden wolf has appeared in every single Animal Crossing game to date, though many fans mistakenly believe him to be a fox due to his coloring. He is characterized by his boredom, largely emphasized via his catchphrase of “harrumph.”
Though Chief has cycled through many homes throughout the series, his abode in New Horizons is set up like a market with a rug that displays several items in the center. However, it's not your usual market, as it's surrounded by graffiti and appears to be set in a back alley. Where did he get that ring, anyway?
4 Apollo
Apollo is a classic bald eagle with an Independence Day birthday, which nods to his species being the national bird of the United States. He has appeared in every single Animal Crossing game and even showed up in the Animal Crossing movie.
This Cranky villager uses the phrase “pah” and keeps his home modern. There is white wood paneling, a stone floor, a sitting area, and a pool table to relax after a long day on the island. He also dons a stylish aviator jacket, making him resemble a pilot.
3 Butch
Butch is a dog with the coloration of a Rottweiler. He has shown up in every single Animal Crossing game and uses the phrase "ROOOOOWF," which merges together the dog sounds "woof" and "ruff."
Butch is big on racecars, hence the reason he keeps one inside his home. He also styles his room with a few construction items and road flooring to keep up the theme. He features on the cover of K.K. Country, which is fitting as he has an interest in music. Based on appearance alone, Butch doesn't immediately seem to be Cranky, making him one of the cutest villagers of this type.
2 Tom
Tom's name could come from the term "tomcat" for male cats, or more likely, it alludes to the well-known character of Tom from Tom and Jerry based on his blue and white coloring. Tom has appeared in every Animal Crossing game outside of Wild World.
He has blue fur and large yellow eyes, uses the phrase "me-YOWZA," and is all about chillin' out. Like Butch, Tom is a racecar fan and has decorated his house like a garage. He has three cars inside of it that sit on top of paint-splattered flooring. Perhaps Tom and Butch could have a race someday if you had them both on your island.
1 Camofrog
Camofrog is an Animal Crossing veteran who first showed up in Animal Forest and has stuck around ever since. He's big on nature and uses the phrase "ten-hut," which references his camo pattern being synonymous with the army. Interestingly, Camofrog is actually named "Full Metal" in Japan.
Camofrog's home features camo flooring and jungle walls to suit his own appearance. The theme appears rather outdoorsy and is continued through the use of a tree standee and various wood furniture. Additionally, this Cranky little frog has an interest in music, so you'll often find him singing — if you can see him, that is.