Are you seeking a new workout buddy in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Antonio is ready to keep his nose to the grindstone. The Animal Crossing franchise—published by Nintendo, which has American subsidiaries in Washington—is well-known for its huge cast of unique characters. Villagers in particular are central to the gameplay loop of the series as they offer daily tasks and friendship opportunities. Follow this guide for what you need to know about one of these villagers, Antonio.

Antonio in Animal Crossing

Antonio is a gray anteater villager first introduced in Doubutsu no Mori e+ for the Nintendo Gamecube. Doubutsu no Mori e+, a Japan-exclusive expansion of the Western release of Animal Crossing, debuted 60 new villagers to the series, one of them being this buff anteater. Anteaters are a predominantly female species, featuring 7 females to 3 males. Antonio is currently the sole member of his species to have the jock personality. This means most of his focus and conversations revolve around his fitness routines and dietary practices. The buff anteater’s favorite saying, “Always go for the burn!” indicates his love for sports. His birthday is on October 20, making him a Libra.

While his English name clearly references his species, there is an interesting quirk the name has concerning another villager. Antonio’s Japanese name is Makoto, a fairly normal name often given to boys that can translate to “sincerity” or “honesty.” Given that Western audiences wouldn’t necessarily relate to this name, the translators likely christened him his English name as a pun to reference anteaters. This presented a problem, however, when a new anteater villager in New Leaf emerged, whose Japanese name was Antonio. The name was changed to differentiate the two characters; in the English Animal Crossing titles, we now call this other anteater Olaf. Now that you know more about Antonio, here’s how to acquire him.

How to Get Antonio

There are different methods of acquiring Antonio, though you may turn your nose up to some of them. He can appear at your campsite as a visitor, though the villager that is chosen is random. If he does appear, you can play card games with him and, if you prod him enough, he can join your island as a resident. An alternative way to directly invite him to the campsite is via his Amiibo card. Inside the Resident Services building is a Nook Stop terminal that can be used to scan Amiibo cards or figures. Once at the campsite, he will request specific items to craft for him. This will require 3 days of effort, so don’t expect a shortcut.

Antonio can be sniffed out in other ways. You can try scouting him on a Mystery Island tour, which is initiated through the airport. While he can be found on one of these tours, his appearance will be random, much like the campsite. You can eat through most of your Nook Miles Tickets before finding the athletic anteater. The easiest method that avoids the randomness altogether is to recruit him from another player. Villagers in New Horizons often mull over leaving their islands and heading to new communities. Using the game’s online capabilities, it is easy to visit another player and speak to a villager “in boxes” to convince them to move to your community.

Right On the Nose

Antonio is probably not the most ostentatious member of his species; that award probably goes to Olaf. Despite this, the jock is somewhat popular and ranks around the mid-tier (often higher than Olaf). Anteaters in the game don’t have many distinguishing characteristics and don’t match the popularity of other species like wolves or cats. Of the various personality types in New Horizons, jocks are arguably one of the most one-dimensional. Their constant chatter about working out can make them somewhat boring. However, once you get to know them more personally, they are kind and caring companions. Antonio will be a close friend who can’t keep his nose out of your business.

For More Great Content

Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips and sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play. Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out; explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.