It's worth noting in the Japanese N64 and original GameCube versions, the wishing well was a Shintō shrine, and it just magically gave you the golden axe. (Or maybe it's the shrine's spirit/kami?) So Farley was added as part of the North American localization when they changed it to a well. (For that matter Wisp and Blanca, like many other NPCs, weren’t added until the GameCube versions either, although there was a beta version of Wisp found in the leak of the N64 version's files.)
Thank you for making this, I love hearing about folklore references in this game series! Here's a few other things for you that might be of interest: Wisp (although im not sure if this was what they intended to base him off) sounds very similar to a group of spiritual entities known as 'Will O' the Wisps' in British folklore. These glowing orbs of light would appear at night to lost travellers - particularly over marshy or wooded areas. To follow them would mean either finding your way again or become even more lost and possibly even in danger. Luna - the tapier incharge of the Dream Suite in New Leaf and later appears in dreams in New Horizons (idk of any other appearances those are the only games I've played) is reminiscent of the Baku in Japanese folklore. Children could call out to the Baku after a nightmare to come and eat their dream. However, this was to be used sparingly as if the Baku was not satisfied, they'd eat the good dreams and hopes of the individual too. I heavily doubt that Luna would do the latter though :) There are also villagers in the series that resemble mythical creatures too: Julian is a horse villager that resembles a unicorn, Cephalobot kind of reminds me of a Kracken - a giant squid/octopus that was feared by sailors and Drago resembles a dragon. There are just to name a few! There are so many references to folklore in animal crossing and it's really cool to see videos covering it! Going off your point, it seems that although we're sadly moving away from these ancient tales as we modernise, they're still embedded in our imaginations and cultures worldwide. Thanks again for making this video, it's really brightened my day to watch it! :)
Jack might also have some inspiration from Samhain (pronounced Sow-Wayne), a figure from Celtic (iirc) folklore associated with Halloween. He’s similarly been depicted as a robed pumpkin-head
I think I'm gonna buy one of those boxes...
YES! Use code "DAITON" for $5 off
Serena should've been in New Horizons. I get it she was sassy in City Folk but so were the snowboys and there in New Horizons.
I’d love if blanca was in new horizons because April first/ April fools day is my birthday and I’d would be so cool to have her back in the gamee
It's worth noting in the Japanese N64 and original GameCube versions, the wishing well was a Shintō shrine, and it just magically gave you the golden axe. (Or maybe it's the shrine's spirit/kami?) So Farley was added as part of the North American localization when they changed it to a well. (For that matter Wisp and Blanca, like many other NPCs, weren’t added until the GameCube versions either, although there was a beta version of Wisp found in the leak of the N64 version's files.)
I miss Blanca so much!! I wanna be able to draw her a face again! 😭💜
I do think it's interesting that Blanca was in April Fool's Day in New Leaf but wasn't in New Horizons. Bring my girl back 😭
Especially since they removed the drawing feature, there was no reason NOT to bring her back💔
Thank you for making this, I love hearing about folklore references in this game series!
Here's a few other things for you that might be of interest:
Wisp (although im not sure if this was what they intended to base him off) sounds very similar to a group of spiritual entities known as 'Will O' the Wisps' in British folklore. These glowing orbs of light would appear at night to lost travellers - particularly over marshy or wooded areas. To follow them would mean either finding your way again or become even more lost and possibly even in danger.
Luna - the tapier incharge of the Dream Suite in New Leaf and later appears in dreams in New Horizons (idk of any other appearances those are the only games I've played) is reminiscent of the Baku in Japanese folklore. Children could call out to the Baku after a nightmare to come and eat their dream. However, this was to be used sparingly as if the Baku was not satisfied, they'd eat the good dreams and hopes of the individual too. I heavily doubt that Luna would do the latter though :)
There are also villagers in the series that resemble mythical creatures too: Julian is a horse villager that resembles a unicorn, Cephalobot kind of reminds me of a Kracken - a giant squid/octopus that was feared by sailors and Drago resembles a dragon. There are just to name a few!
There are so many references to folklore in animal crossing and it's really cool to see videos covering it! Going off your point, it seems that although we're sadly moving away from these ancient tales as we modernise, they're still embedded in our imaginations and cultures worldwide.
Thanks again for making this video, it's really brightened my day to watch it! :)
its really frustrating that so many were removed for new horizons, i feel like it stripped so much personality from the games
I wish we had Farley in the other games, he seems like a cool guy
Jack might also have some inspiration from Samhain (pronounced Sow-Wayne), a figure from Celtic (iirc) folklore associated with Halloween. He’s similarly been depicted as a robed pumpkin-head
You're one of the only Animal Crossing RUclipsrs that don't infuriate me. Thank you so much for being so cool. Don't stop!
I love Blanca so much I miss herrrr
Omg I love your new pfp 🥺 and love the Juice cameo
This was a really interesting video!
deadass never seen that gnome before dude. that’s actually a bit crazy
Farley is my favorite npc!
WAKE UP Y'ALL DAITON POSTED!
I thought I had already seen this.
You forgot Tom, Redd and Timmy Tommy
Great now I want mochi 😒🙄