For fighter info, see Isabelle (SSBU).
Isabelle
Isabelle.png
Isabelle Winter.png

Symbol of the Animal Crossing series.

Official artwork of Isabelle from Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival.

Universe Animal Crossing
Debut Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012)
Smash Bros. appearances SSB4
Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)
Console/platform of origin Nintendo 3DS
Species Dog (Shih Tzu)
Gender Female
Article on Nookipedia Isabelle

Isabelle (しずえ, Shizue) is a major character from the Animal Crossing series. Since her debut in Animal Crossing: New Leaf as the player's secretary, Isabelle's popularity has resulted in her becoming a mascot of the Animal Crossing series, much like Tom Nook and K.K. Slider.

After making cameos in Super Smash Bros. 4 as a trophy, an Assist Trophy, a Smash Tour item and a Mii Costume, Isabelle transitioned into a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

OriginEdit

 
Isabelle, as she appears in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Tortimer has retired from the position of mayor. Upon moving into the town, the player becomes the subsequent mayor, and Isabelle will begin assisting them as their secretary. Despite being slightly naive and occasionally scatterbrained, Isabelle is nevertheless eager and hardworking.

As the secretary, Isabelle aids the player in signing ordinances into law, making preparations for public works projects, and officiating various ceremonies. On numerous holidays throughout the year, Isabelle appears in the town plaza, giving out holiday-themed items to players who speak with her.

Due to her characterization, Isabelle gained a considerable amount of popularity, to the point that she quickly became a mascot of the Animal Crossing series alongside long-time fan favorites Tom Nook and K.K. Slider. In regard to promotional material, the Animal Crossing series' official Twitter account is portrayed as Isabelle's personal account;[1][2][3] however, Tom Nook substituted for her for a few months to promote Animal Crossing: New Horizons.[4] Isabelle's popularity also resulted in her debuting as a playable character, albeit outside of her home series, in Mario Kart 8 via the Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8 downloadable content pack.[5]

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Isabelle is Tom Nook's assistant for Nook Inc. Unlike in New Leaf, the player must meet certain requirements in order for her to appear. Specifically, the player must help Timmy and Tommy establish a Nook's Cranny, invite three villagers to reside on their deserted island, and then complete a number of tasks issued by Tom Nook in order to make the island properly hospitable for the three invited villagers.

Upon meeting these criteria, Tom Nook will announce that Resident Services would undergo reconstruction. The day after construction is completed, Isabelle will join Nook during his daily island announcement, and proceeds to share the role of conducting civic duties with him at the renovated Resident Services. Isabelle maintains her service in evaluating the town and its residents, whereas Nook handles infrastructural work. Isabelle can also reset any villager's clothing, catchphrase, and if Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise is installed their interior. Since version 2.0, Isabelle is also able to enact ordinances as done previously in New Leaf.

In Super Smash Bros. 4Edit

Isabelle briefly appears in the game's first reveal trailer from E3 2013, where she is shown speaking with Rosie as Villager runs by. She also cameos in Villager's character poster.

As an Assist TrophyEdit

 
Isabelle throwing fruit to Ryu in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

Isabelle appears as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. 4. When summoned, she will stay in place and toss healing fruit to whoever summoned her. While it is possible for opponents to intercept the fruit, only the summoner has the advantage of only having to touch the fruit to heal; opponents will have to actively grab them with the shield or attack buttons.

Isabelle cannot be attacked, though she will flinch if opponents get close. If the summoner is KO'd while she is still active, Isabelle will hunch over with a dismayed expression until the summoner returns. Conversely, she will cheer if the summoner scores a KO.

In Smash TourEdit

Isabelle also appears as an item in Smash Tour. When selected, all stat-boosting items near the player grow to their maximum size.

As a costumeEdit

 
Isabelle alongside a Mii Gunner dressed as her.

Isabelle is the basis for a paid downloadable Mii Costume. Although the Isabelle Hat can be worn by any type of Mii Fighter, only Mii Gunners can wear the Isabelle Outfit. While worn, the Mii Gunner uses a Party Popper instead of their standard arm cannon.

TrophiesEdit

Isabelle's standard trophy can be obtained in both versions of Super Smash Bros. 4, and in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U it is part of the Animal Crossing: New Leaf Trophy Box. However, the trophy of her wearing her winter attire is only available in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

 
Isabelle's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Isabelle
  Isabelle is the mayor's highly capable secretary. She can be forgetful sometimes, but you can always count on her for information about the town. She wears her hair up in a bun that makes her look like a shih tzu. Mostly because she is one! She also has a twin brother named Digby.
  Isabelle's the mayor's secretary, and you couldn't ask for someone more on the ball! Well...maybe you could, but she's still full of useful info about life in the town. With her fringe and tied-up hair, she looks just like a shih-tzu! That's because she is one. And so is her twin brother, Digby.
 : Animal Crossing: New Leaf (06/2013)
 
Isabelle (Sweater)'s trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Isabelle (Sweater)
  The green check she wears in warmer months suits her perfectly, but when the cold hits, her mustard-yellow cardigan is just too stylish for words. It may make you long for the spring months, though. Hot or cold—nothing makes Isabelle feel under the weather!
  The green chequered vest she wears in warmer months suits her to a T, but when the cold hits, her mustard-yellow cardie is just too stylish for words. That said, it might make you long for spring and all its vibrant beauty! Of course, Isabelle doesn't mind. Hot or cold, she's always a ray of sunshine!

In Super Smash Bros. UltimateEdit

As a playable characterEdit

Main article: Isabelle (SSBU)
 
Isabelle, as she appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Isabelle appears as a newcomer in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. She was revealed during the Nintendo Direct on September 13th, 2018 alongside a teaser for the then-unnamed Animal Crossing: New Horizons.[6] Although Isabelle shares several moves with Villager, such as Pocket,[7] the overwhelming majority of her respective versions have minute aesthetic and/or mechanical differences, such as her version of Balloon Trip.[8] When coupled with her other moves being unique to her, her slightly different physique and her somewhat different attributes, Isabelle functions as a semi-clone of Villager.[7][8]

As a costumeEdit

The Isabelle Mii Costume reappears, albeit as unlockable content instead of downloadable content.

SpiritEdit

GalleryEdit

Names in other languagesEdit

Language Name
  Japanese しずえ, Shizue
  English Isabelle
  French Marie
  German Melinda
  Spanish Canela
  Italian Fuffi
  Chinese 西施惠, Shizue
  Korean 여울, Yeoul
  Dutch Isabelle
  Russian Изабель
  Portuguese Isabelle

TriviaEdit

  • Isabelle is the fourth summonable character to become playable in a later installment, following Charizard, Little Mac, and Dark Samus.
    • Like Little Mac and Dark Samus, she was an Assist Trophy prior to gaining this distinction.
  • Isabelle speaks in Animalese during her reveal trailer. As dialogue in Animalese is actually produced via an intentionally distorted text to speech synthesizer, her voiced dialogue is different across all versions of her reveal trailer, with each one matching the text boxes in each language.
  • Due to debuting in November 2012, Isabelle is the newest Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. 4.
  • Pears are the only fruit Isabelle throws to not be featured in her trophy in Super Smash Bros. 4.
  • Isabelle and Villager are the only playable characters in the Super Smash Bros. series whose Japanese names are written entirely in hiragana, as opposed to katakana or kanji.

ReferencesEdit