K.K. Slider

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K.K. Slider
Animal Crossing character
K.K. Slider.png
K.K. Slider as featured in promotional art for Animal Crossing: New Horizons
First appearance
Voiced byShun Oguri (Dōbutsu no Mori)
In-universe information
Full nameTotakeke Slider
SpeciesDog
GenderMale
OccupationMusician
BreedJack Russell Terrier

Totakeke (Japanese: とたけけ, Hepburn: Totakeke), more commonly known as K.K. Slider or K.K., is a fictional character within the Animal Crossing franchise. One of the franchise's most popular characters,[1] he debuted in the title Animal Crossing, and has appeared in every installment since. K.K.'s main role is as a musician who performs to the townsfolk, through live performances and purchasable in-game albums. He is based on Nintendo video game voice actor and composer Kazumi Totaka – his Japanese name "Totakeke" being a contraction of "Totaka K." – and has been said to be an animal caricature of Totaka.[2]

K.K. Slider has also appeared outside of Animal Crossing several times, such as a costume for the player's Mii fighter in the crossover fighting games Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.[3][4][5]

Appearances and role in the series[]

K.K. Slider was first introduced in the franchise's debut title Dōbutsu no Mori for the Nintendo 64 in Japan. His role within the game is as a guitarist who performs songs for the player and townsfolk if requested, and, once finished, gives the player a virtual copy of the song that can be played on a radio in their home.[6] This role remains virtually the same throughout every main series Animal Crossing title with minor changes, up until Animal Crossing: New Leaf, in which he also takes the role of a DJ under the pseudonym DJ K.K.[7] He also has minor roles in Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, Amiibo Festival with an amiibo figurine, Pocket Camp, New Horizons,[8] and in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. K.K. Slider also opened for a Splatoon concert in Japan in the form of a hologram,[9] and appeared at Nintendo Live in Tokyo.[10] K.K. Slider has also received a costume for the player's Mii Fighter in the crossover fighting games Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,[3][4][5] as well as his own amiibo.[11]

Animal Crossing: New Horizons[]

K.K. Slider will appear in the game after the player receives a three star rating in their island. After that, K.K. Slider will appear every Saturday (unless there is a special event) and accept requests for his songs. The first time the player listens to one of his songs, K.K. Slider will slide that song into their pockets - however only one song is received per week. Players can also select their own mood, let K.K. Slider pick his own song or type in the song they want.[12]

Reception[]

UGO.com named him the second best Animal Crossing character.[6] On separate occasions, Kotaku considered the character to be one of the "most awesome video game dog companions"[13] and described him as "the most influential musician of our generation".[14] Nintendo Life wanted K.K. Slider to appear in the then-upcoming video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons.[15] Polygon described K.K. Slider as a "fan fave".[16] Thegamer ranked K.K. Slider as their favorite Animal Crossing character and said that "We love K.K. for so many things, including his laid-back persona, boppin' music, and his overall groovy vibes."[17] Softonic.com listed K.K. Slider as one of the "10 coolest dogs in video games".[18] K.K. Slider came in first place in a "popularity poll" by Nintendo Japan.[19] Cameron Faulkner of The Verge stated that K.K. Slider was his favorite artist of 2020.[20] Abby Lee Hood of Nintendo Life observed K.K. Slider was a breakout character for his music appearing through remixes, social media videos and TikTok.[21]

References[]

  1. ^ Lambie, Ryan (January 22, 2018). "6 Surprising Facts About Nintendo's Animal Crossing". Mental Floss. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  2. ^ Jackson, Kai (May 8, 2013). "Profile: Kazumi Totaka - The Man Behind Animal Crossing's K.K. Slider". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "The Undertale Sans skin and other Smash Ultimate Mii costumes that should be actual fighters". GameRevolution. September 9, 2019. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Whitehead, Thomas (June 1, 2015). "K.K. Slider Hat and Outfit Confirmed as DLC for Super Smash Bros". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Newell, Adam (December 6, 2018). "Here are all the Mii Fighter costumes available in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on January 17, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "K.K. Slider - Top 20 Animal Crossing characters". UGO.com. December 9, 2009. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  7. ^ Ishaan (April 29, 2013). "Meet Four Of Animal Crossing: New Leaf's Characters". Siliconera. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  8. ^ https://www.polygon.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-switch-acnh-guide/2020/4/3/21207226/k-k-slider-song-list-music-how-to-get-titles-request-unlock-stereo-speakers-how-to-play
  9. ^ Lee, Julia (October 14, 2019). "Hologram K. K. Slider opened for a Splatoon concert in Japan". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  10. ^ "Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble get the mascot costume treatment". Nintendo Wire. October 14, 2019. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  11. ^ Wallace, Jamie (November 7, 2017). "Jelly Deals: 3 for 2 on amiibo while stock lasts today". Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  12. ^ "K.K. Slider secret songs - Animal Crossing: New Horizons". www.nookfriends.com. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  13. ^ Vas, Gergo (March 5, 2013). "The Most Awesome Video Game Dog Companions". Kotaku. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  14. ^ Corcoran, Nina. "K.K. Slider Is The Most Influential Musician Of Our Generation". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  15. ^ "Feature: 10 Things We'd Like To See In Animal Crossing On The Switch". Nintendo Life. May 6, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  16. ^ Frank, Allegra (October 25, 2017). "Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp trades two fan faves for in-game cash". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  17. ^ "Animal Crossing: The 10 Best Special Characters, Ranked". TheGamer. September 14, 2019. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  18. ^ "10 coolest dogs in video games". Softonic. Archived from the original on 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  19. ^ "キャラクター人気投票結果発表／上位２０位". www.nintendo.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  20. ^ https://www.theverge.com/22309885/animal-crossing-new-horizons-nintendo-switch-kk-slider-singing-dog-music-songs
  21. ^ https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/06/feature_2020s_breakout_star_it_has_to_be_animal_crossings_k_k_slider
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