UNIQLO Opens Up Shop In ‘Animal Crossing’ With Real & In-Game Clothing

By Mikelle Leow, 16 Apr 2021

Image via UNIQLO / PR Times

Can you believe it’s been a year since the world was first forced to stay indoors and turned to Animal Crossing: New Horizons for a mental escape? It turns out that life in the game is still good, and it is even getting an island-sized UNIQLO store that Tom Nook is surely gaining a large share of.

Yes, the Japanese everyday fashion retailer is joining the beloved simulation game, and it’s going all out in this undertaking. This month, it will launch a whole selection of men’s, women’s, and children’s T-shirts and accessories as part of a collaboration with Nintendo video game. Not only that, Animal Crossing: New Horizons players will be able to download free in-game versions of those tees for their avatars and villagers.

The new Animal Crossing-themed collection sports familiar characters like business tycoon Tom Nook, pop star K.K. Slider, and constellation expert Celeste.

Some of the items take on the appearance of souvenirs, with tees and accessories emblazoned with DAL Airlines branding. Worth mentioning is the silly two-way towel of Gulliver, the ever-drunk sailor, being unconscious onshore on the front, with the airline logo at the back.

It’s still unclear when the range will be available in countries outside of Japan, though it is believed that some Asian markets will be able to get their hands on it from May 24.

To coincide with the launch, the Japanese casual wear brand will also be opening a ‘UNIQLO Island’ in the game on April 29, which is when the collection will debut in Japan. Its Dream Address for touring the island will be announced at a later date, but you can have a short preview of it in the promotional video below.