Welcome, Island Representatives! Ever wondered how your dream villager squad stacks up against global opinion? Our massive annual Animal Crossing Villagers Poll has concluded, and the results are both expected and wildly surprising. This isn't just another list—it's a deep dive into the collective psyche of the ACNH fandom, backed by hard numbers and real player stories.
Methodology: How We Ran the Animal Crossing Villagers Poll
To ensure fairness and statistical significance, our poll ran for six weeks across our platform and partnered Discord servers. Voters were asked to rate each villager they have personal experience with on a scale of 1 (Would never invite) to 5 (Dreamie!). We then calculated an adjusted weighted score that factors in total votes and rating distribution to prevent new or rare villagers from being unfairly penalized. The final dataset includes 52,789 individual submissions, making this one of the largest community-driven villager analyses available.
The Big Reveal: 2024 Villager Tier List Results
Based on the aggregated scores, we've categorized all villagers into six classic tiers: S (Elite), A (Excellent), B (Great), C (Good), D (Average), and F (Niche). Below are the standout residents in each category.
- Raymond (Cat, Smug) 98.7%
- Marshal (Squirrel, Smug) 97.2%
- Judy (Cub, Snooty) 96.5%
- Shino (Deer, Peppy) 95.8%
- Ione (Squirrel, Normal) 94.9%
- Sherb (Goat, Lazy) 93.1%
- Ankha (Cat, Snooty) 92.4%
- Dom (Sheep, Jock) 91.5%
- Sasha (Rabbit, Lazy) 90.8%
- Molly (Duck, Normal) 90.2%
- Barold (Cub, Lazy) 18.3%
- Jambette (Frog, Normal) 22.1%
- Beardo (Bear, Smug) 25.6%
- Rodney (Hamster, Smug) 27.4%
- Hippeux (Hippo, Smug) 29.7%
Exclusive Interview: A Top-Tier Player's Perspective
We sat down with Maya (@CrossingCraft on Twitter), a veteran player with over 2000 hours in New Horizons, to get her take on the poll results.
"Seeing Raymond and Marshal at the top is no surprise—their design and 'smug' personality dialogue are a killer combo. But I'm thrilled Shino and Ione from the 2.0 update ranked so high. It shows the community embraces new characters when they have compelling designs and charm. What's heartbreaking is the F-Tier. Players often judge based on initial looks. Barold, for instance, has a unique 'techy' house interior that's amazing for a certain island theme. I wish more players would look beyond first impressions."
Deep Dive Analysis: Why Do Some Villagers Consistently Win Polls?
The data reveals clear patterns. Smug and Normal personality types dominate the upper tiers, suggesting players prefer villagers with more nuanced, friendly dialogue. Visually, villagers with unique color palettes (like Judy's pastel galaxy fur) or distinctive features (Raymond's heterochromia, Ankha's Egyptian theme) score extremely high. There's also a significant correlation between a villager's appearance in popular social media content (memes, fan art) and their poll performance—a testament to the community's cultural influence.
The "Underrated Gems" – Villagers That Deserve More Love
Our data analysis flagged several villagers whose in-game charm far outstrips their poll numbers. Pudge (Lazy Cub), for example, has adorable mismatched shirt and a love for snacks, yet languishes in mid-tier. Cobb (Jock Pig), with his mad scientist house, is a thematic goldmine. We advocate for giving these "B-Tier" villagers a chance—they might become your new favorite.
Participate in the Ongoing Discussion!
The poll is closed, but the conversation isn't. Rate this article, share your thoughts in the comments, and let us know who YOUR personal S-Tier is!
The Evolution of Villager Popularity: A Historical Comparison
Comparing our 2024 data with polls from the New Leaf era reveals fascinating shifts. While iconic characters like Bob and Goldie remain beloved, the introduction of personality sub-types and vastly expanded customization in New Horizons has elevated villagers with more specific aesthetic appeal. The meteoric rise of Raymond, a new villager introduced in NH, underscores how a fresh design can instantly capture the community's heart...
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Statistical Anomalies and Surprises
Our data scientists noted several intriguing outliers. For instance, despite the general preference for "cute" species like cats and squirrels, one octopus villager—Marina—consistently breaks into the A-Tier. Her consistent high rating across all age demographics suggests a universal appeal that transcends typical genre preferences...
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Building Your Island Around Poll Data: A Strategic Guide
Should you use this tier list to pick your villagers? Absolutely, but with nuance. While S-Tier villagers guarantee broad appeal and fantastic dialogue, don't sleep on the unique atmosphere a themed island with lower-tier villagers can create. A horror-themed island might be perfectly complemented by the unsettling (and thus low-rated) Lucky (Mummy Dog) or Coco (Gyroid Rabbit)...
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