The TRUTH about Animal Crossing's Tom Nook 

Can we just mention that in the first game, the player moved to a new town with NO MONEY AND NO PLAN, and Tom Nook was like "well I mean, you're a total idiot, but you also can't go without a place to live, sooo have a home and you can pay back whenever. and like if you need money I'll give you a job too, nbd" Like what kind of "videogame villain" would do that, set you up on the fly without even knowing you despite the fact that you're clearly a loose cannon that makes awful life decisions? That's a hero in my eyes.

Imagine if people were like Tom nook in real life. "Oh, you need a house? Sure. All you have to do is pay me back whenever you want and collect some bugs"

"I was so depressed that even the kind words of my friends used to hurt me"-Actual line from Animal Crossing game.

Apparently a villager in New Lead actually states that Tom Nook was an Orphan, which explains why he specifically donates to the orphanage and another reason he’s so happy to teach kids how to take care of themselves financially.

Me as a kid: This guy wants me to pay him all of this money, gives me work when I'd rather be fishing, complains when I'm late, and gets upset if I don't wear the stupid uniform! He's evil! Me as an adult: This guy will loan me the money to buy a house, give me a job, happily pawn my garbage even if he can't resell it, teach me the ins and outs of my new town, and never hound me to repay the loan or even charge interest? He's a saint!

Tom Nook: "They aren't related to me" Also Tom Nook: "They're my nephews" so which is it?

The fact that Redd was voted to be most misunderstood character means we live in a society

Look all I'm sayin is, if I just gave a guy a house with zero interest AND job that's in walking distance of it. If he can't come in on time and with a uniform I'm sending eviction papers.

So basically, Tom Nook is an animal crossing mentor version of Gordon Ramsay. (Harsh but to teach and actually is a nice guy)

Plot twist: Redd bribed Nintendo Power to switch his and Nook’s places in the lists.

"Redd is misunderstood." Literally anyone who's ever been sold fake art by Redd: Am I a joke to you?

Tom Nook just seems like a dude who's been disillusioned with life and just wants to be someone his nephews are proud of.

Everybody asks "Who's Nook?" but nobodsy asks "How's Nook?"

Let’s not forget that the debt doesn’t have a time limit so you can literally disappear for 60 years and your kneecaps will still be in tact.

Fun fact: the reason tom nooks shop is so leaf themed is because tanuki can transform leafs into things which makes SO MUCH SENSE

tom is literally so adorable i couldn’t stop laughing at his remarks at the player not paying bills and not having uniform on lmaooo how could anyone hate him?

The reason we don't have paintings in New Horizons is because Redd scammed Tom Nook. Nook isn't going to let the person who ruined him onto the island HE runs.

Well, almost everyone in the "first" animal crossing was rude

I mean, Tom Nook isn't rude, He's just running a business, and does his job. He wants you to have a good impression on your new city. He's mad/evil (for some people) Because they just don't follow the rules.

New Horizons is my first Animal Crossing game so when Timmy and Tommy called him “fearless leader” I was immediately suspicious. Now I can’t shake it. I love learning about him though.

"Tom has a really nice singing voice" Tom: "baboywenoyaneboym

See there was this image i saw that is even more accurate Tom Nook: Pros: Tom Nook Cons: Tom Nook

Headcanon: Tom asked Sable out when they were kids but Sable just didn’t understand because she thought of him as a brother

Someone needs to put together a full chronological story of Tom Nook’s life and struggles and make it into a full animated video

Tom nook: you don’t need your mother to change you, do you?! Orphans:

Hurray! I’m not the only one! Tom Nook is the classic “Japanese honest businessman”, with a strong sense of community and commitment to good ethics. Red is the “Japanese dishonest businessman” who only cares for profit and self gain. They’re meant to be two sides of the same coin, so to speak.

Tom Nook has always been one of my favorite Animal Crossing characters. Glad to see he's finally getting some love.

My Optimistic Side: "Tom is NOT a bad person! He's a good person who bad things have happened to." My Pessimistic Side: "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't, I suppose." *(gives Redd the stink-eye)*

His depression after coming back from his hard life in the city could be why he says in NH that his favorite song is K.K. Lament. Sometimes when you are feeling down a sad song can really help.

Let's be honest, a lot of the people in the game cube version were really mean. Tom was mild compared to some of them.

Tom Nook is my favorite character. He's the most patient and real down to earth guy in town.

I understand why people dislike Tom Nook, but labeling him as a "villain" is taking it too far!

Tom nook sees the the player as young (and according to the audience the game was made for) completely unaware of responsibility and took it as his responsibility to educate you and to keep you from making the same mistakes he made... He's a tough love kind of guy...

Imagine if there were a version of Animal Crossing where Red actually became successful through his schemes and he was the one running the show.ಠ︵ಠ Thank you Tom Nook for coming out on top.

I’ll admit, after he “swindled” me into buying a larger house (I’m still not sure about that; maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention, clicked the wrong dialog option, and just couldn’t go back), I swore I’d never forgive Tom Nook. Nowadays... not only do I forgive him, but I think the tanuki needs a big ol’ hug!

"Don't trust foxes" sounds like a specist to me

People say "oh Tom Nook only cares about money" and like yeah he's running a business what do you expect

I love how people in the game refer to him as their “fearless leader”

“THE AUDACITY!!!!” I’m dying😂

Well, i Love Tom Nook he’s a sweetheart 💙 .. not to mention a real cutie 🥰💕

When I was a kid playing Wild World, I was scared of Tom Nook. Now, I’m an adult with two part-time jobs. Playing New Horizons and seeing Tom again is completely different. I appreciate his kindness and understand that he’s probably doing the financial side while I do leg work for him. I don’t mind people joking about his seemingly pushy nature, but I’ve literally grown up with him. He’s really merciful if you think about it. I do think that the quality of graphics also works in Tom’s favor. The angularness of Wild World made him seem more as a threat visually. However, now he is plush, looks soft and comforting while still being firm. So, yeah. You’re not gonna see me complaining about my home loan. XD

Think about it, without Mr. Nook we wouldn’t be enjoying a nice getaway package during these difficult times

Honestly though, I love both Nook and Redd, for different reasons. Redd is so shady yet you could never complete the museum without his help, there's a possibility that Lyle was working with an unknown third party and they were using Redd, also he's way too ambitious... that said his cruel action helped Nook grow into a saint of a businessman and entrepreneur we see expanding and learning through the games. Where Redd never learns from his mistakes or takes away the bare minimum from them, Nook instead learns and evolves, their character foils. Opposite yet equal. Redd is a toxic individual if you drink up his words without some sort of reservation. Nook though is very upfront and runs things legitimately at the best rates I've ever seen. Because he was burnt by dishonesty and shortcuts, by society's very gears he's been crushed yet he came out stronger and wiser then most could ever dream. He's a fighter and a dreamer even still, though now he knows caution, patience and details. Nook is like a farmer, you reap what you sew. Where as Redd is lazy at least to begin with, his motivation is immediate profit, exploitation of resources, the opposite of Nook though they echo similarly, one is teaching responsibility the other is actively avoiding it.

They need to bring back episodes for New Horizons

One thing that really shows how determined and good Tom Nook is, is when he says he is willing to be seen as a mean person, a villain, he is willing to be called "evil", as long as he is able to pass his knowledge onto the player, Timmy and Tommy.

Crazy Redd: (scams Tom Nook out of all his money) Tom Nook: I am never going to financially recover from this

Don’t say that about Tom! He’s a good friend of mine!

search "The truth behind the able sisters" it's kinda sad tbh 😔 spoiler: Tom Nook had a crush in Sable and Sable liked him back 💓

WOWWW. They actually named Redd the most misunderstood character? That literally makes Tom Nook WAAAAYY more misunderstood.

Tom Nook in New Horizons LITERALLY allows you to pay your first loan in achievements (nook miles). You paid 0 bells for the entire first loan worth 49k. NOOK IS NOT BAD FOLKS.

i've always been part of the "Tom is good" team

12:59 Another thing with Tanuki is that, the Folklore ones, are often depicted with a lot of IOU notes. While these debts may never get paid off, they know who they owe.

I love the subtle story progression in animal crossing. Tom really started out roughing it out in a city, lost it all, got a small shop back in his home town. Then got that shop expanded, got into real-estate, let his pupils run his shop, became a full on real-estate agent with a company. Allowed a seemingly once corrupt man to join his ranks (even inviting that mans family, as we see lotie working with them too), and now he owns a whole corporation. THIS MAN DONATES MOST IF HIS EARNINGS TO CHARITY! Bro, Tom Nook is my hero. Also, it kinda makes sense why crazy redd hasn’t been seen in New Horizons. Tom has seeming banned him from the island to protect the villagers from scammers.

Never thought I'd want Animal Crossing lore, but here we go. This was really neat.

I actually like Tom nook

I like how Nintendo Power tried really hard to avoid saying Redd is a literal scammer.

That ending shout of "THE AUDACITY" is award deserving itself.

So redd stole toms money and his spot as most misunderstood character

I love that nose twitch Tom does 1:39

Now I just want to give Tom Nook a hug, he works so hard and he's such a caring person!

Redd: **maniacally rubs his hands together as Nook's reputation is ruined and he is painted as a hero** Yes yes. The plan is coming together...

Can't wait to get me some "Redd Miles" and see what crazy deserted islands I get sent to to get robbed and abandoned.

It would be cute if Timmy, and Tommy were Tom Nook’s little brothers!

Dude I love how while I was researching on Tom Nook, coincidentally it’s his birthday,, Happy Birthday Tom!! Love you so much💫

The misunderstood one: “villain” The villain: “misunderstood” This is why I don’t talk to people.

I hope this inspires more heartwarming comics and art with Tom Nook as people realize there is canon material that shows he is a decent guy

Somehow Redd winning the Most Misunderstood Character is a real play about the lore behind the Tanuki and Kitsune.... And Tom Nook's backstory.

I hope episodes return. Or anything that gives character to someone in ACNH.

Dang, now I want Tom Nook as a playable character in smash

He was probably imagined initially as a "villain," but in subsequent entries they realized that they could breathe more life into him, make him a more understandable character. They did a good job of it.

In New Horizons Tom actually "warns" you about Redd at the beginning, before he visits you from now and then. And Redd coming with his ship on the other side of the island, makes everything kinda creepy too... it seems very suspicious... and what Redd does... with the art and on... When I played WildWorld, I first didn't like Tom Nook, because he was kinda strict, but I'm fine with him now, I understand why he reacted that way sometimes For me he is misunderstood too! Redd is the one we should focus on x3

Even though Timmy & Tommy aren’t related to Tom, I think them calling him something like “Uncle Tom” makes sense because sometimes when your parents have really good friends, you call them Aunt or uncle and I think it’s a good way of showing how close the two are to him

"Money can't buy happiness" Tom Nook: *You see, that's where you're wrong-*

I’ve always loved Mr. Nook, however my personal villain is Resetti... He made 8yo me cry in ACWW. My DS ran out of battery so it didn’t save. I then log back on only to be greeted by a screaming mole who’s demanding an apology, which I wrote out at least 5x but for some reason he wouldn’t accept it smh

Nobodies talking about how weird is that a random girl is squishing Tom nooks belly?

I usually say Redd's name the same way Timmy Turners Dad says Dinkleberg

I remember in the Gamecube version Sable expressed she was frustrated with Tom because he sold clothing so cheap, meaning her and her sister got very little back for what they put in. I was actually just playing earlier and read about it. Interestingly enough, when you buy clothing from Tom he remarks about how cheap the price is and that his ability to keep prices low is a secret of the trade, he seems proud of it while Sable feels as though he is taking advantage of her and her sister. To be fair, that would've been in his early days, but still. He is a good guy, but certainly not perfect which is why I like him. A lot of thought was put into him.

Okay I will admit I do follow the “Tom is evil” train... BUT- I mean, anybody who’s ever played Animal Crossing knows Redd is the more evil one. Redd LITERALLY scams you out of your bells.

0:21 This... now this is terror This has scarred me and I may never recover I cannot live in a world where this clip exists

I've got the power

You could’ve titled this video: “What’s up with Tom Nook?”

Anyone else really love Tom Nook? He's such a precious and innocent character and I'm glad he's now the main focus of his own Animal Crossing game.

I imagine Tom didn't want the kids to treat him like a dad, like a family because the last time person who did that was Crazy Redd... who calls everyone cousin. That's a bit of a stretch but eh.

14:03 OK, EVERYBODY GET THE TORCHES AND PITCHFORKS

His business plan to stimulate economy: - give, house, job, and loan with no interest rate - teach that this loan, despite being without time limit, needs to be paid at some point - convince that you want more than you need - repeat until rich Some may call him evil, but really. Imagine that you are broke AF, and there is a person that will put you on a peaceful island just because he trusts you'll repay him with what you'll gather there. "Hi, you want to live on island?... You don't have any money?... No problem!" **after you pay moving fees** "Hi, you want more than just that tent, do you?... I can give you loan to make a house!" "Oh... and BTW could you gather some supplies for me? Thanks."

Timmy and tommy's name in the spanish version of animal crossing is nendo and tendo Imagine naming your kids your divine creators like god and jesus

theres also implications that mythical creatures like tanuki and kitsune are a marginalized group in the animal crossing universe.

Not even the Nintendo Power Awards understand Tom Nook.

People who think he is evil have never paid a loan irl, and dont realize 0 interest is very generous.

TIMMY AND TOMMY ARENT HIS KIDS I THOUGHT HE WAS A SINGLE DAD THE WHOLE TIME

I will say that he was pretty harsh and callous in the earlier games due to still recovering from being conned by Redd. However, as the games progressed, he mellows out more and becomes the benevolent side that the video shows.

Tom nook is a nice guy. He actually had a no money for a little bit that is why he likes money. And a lot of his money goes to a orphanage. So I would say he is a nice guy!

It's So Scary How Tom Nook Is Like The Representative Of Adulthood.

“ Tom nook seems to say “hm” and “yes” a lot.” Me: Hm yes he does tend to do that alot

Sam is Tom Nook in disguise

I gotta say, that intro is the best I’ve seen in years man!

the idea of Lyle, the guy originally known for being a scam artist, essentially being the HOA guy in New Leaf is ridiculously funny to me

uzbekistan is the best🇺🇿🇺🇿🇺🇿🇺🇿🇺🇿🇺🇿💯💯💯💯

Lyle is also in Happy Home Designer. Lyle is Lottie's uncle, and does share some info about his backstory. Worth a look?

13:51 dang, this part gave me chills