Exciting News for Animal Crossing Fans: New Manga Volume Released in the UK
Hey there, fellow gamers! I’ve got some fantastic news for all you Animal Crossing enthusiasts in the UK. Brace yourselves because the fifth volume of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons manga is hitting the shelves today! I know, I know, our American friends have had it since September, but hey, better late than never, right? I even got my pre-ordered copy a whole two weeks early, and let me tell you, it’s the same book, but now it’s officially available. No more feeling like a sneaky pirate for me!
Introducing “Deserted Island Diary”
The subtitle of this AC:NH manga series is “Deserted Island Diary,” and it takes us on a thrilling adventure with four human villagers. We have Coroyuki, the goofy everyman, Benben, the know-it-all who actually knows nothing, Himepoyo, the token girl (or should I say princess?), and Guchan, who is always, and I mean always, asleep. Together, they dive into the exciting world of New Horizons, rubbing shoulders with the beloved Animal Crossing characters we all adore.
Volume 5 follows our heroes as they strive to become more industrious and join Paradise Planning, the setting for the game’s sole paid add-on, Happy Home Paradise. It’s quite an interesting marketing move to promote a DLC that most players didn’t even know existed through a manga tie-in, but hey, it’s all in good fun, right?
Surprising Humor and a New Perspective on Tom Nook
Now, before you dismiss this manga as something too kiddie for your taste, let me tell you, the humor in this series often takes an unexpectedly adult turn. It’s like The Simpsons, where the jokes fly over kids’ heads but leave us adults chuckling. One of the best parts is how the story paints Tom Nook as the only sane person in a world full of ridiculous idiots. It’s a sympathetic backstory I never realized he needed, and it adds a whole new layer of depth to his character.
Unique Interpretations and a Growing Series
The author-illustrator of this manga, Kokonasu Rumba, seems to have the freedom to put her own spin on things, as long as she doesn’t claim her opinions are Nintendo’s canon. And let me tell you, her interpretations of the characters are delightful. For example, she suggests that angling influencer CJ has never caught a fish in his life, which is a terrible slander against one of my favorite characters. But now that she’s pointed it out, I can’t help but see it as a possibility.
If you’re an Anglophone AC:NH fan who hasn’t checked out the manga yet, now is the perfect time to give it a shot. The first five volumes are readily available at most bookstores and comic shops, and the sixth volume is set to release in English next spring (March 12th in the US, April 25th in the UK). Surprisingly, volumes seven and eight have already been released in Japan this year, but we’re still waiting for international publications. Patience, my fellow gamers, patience.
Keeping the Spirit of AC:NH Alive
Even though many Animal Crossing fans haven’t heard of the Deserted Island Diary manga, it’s heartwarming to see the AC:NH universe thrive in various forms of media. It’s a testament to the lasting impact of the game. Sure, the thought of the game winding down can be a tad melancholy for those of us who formed a deep connection with it, but fear not! New Horizons lives on through weekly merch announcements, and we can find solace in the upcoming Animal Crossing Lego sets. So, let’s keep the spirit alive, my friends!