Avid Animal Crossing gamer and content creator known as @churip_ccc on X recently revealed that their “Adult Island” in Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be ending its five-year-long run as one of the most infamous islands in the game after being removed by Nintendo. Far from being bitter about it, the town’s creator apologized to the company and thanked them for keeping the sketchy island alive and kicking for such a long time.
Post translation:
Actually, just a day before the update,
The Dream Address for the Adult Island was deleted by Nintendo.
To Nintendo, I apologize from the bottom of my heart.
Or rather, thank you for turning a blind eye for more than five years.
To everyone who visited the island,
And to all the streamers who showcased it in their videos,
Thank you so much.
At this point, it’s a given that when a game allows for enough creative freedom, there’s always going to be at least one gamer who uses that freedom to make something absolutely cursed. Animal Crossing: New Horizon’s “adult island” falls right under that category, and while there’s probably many other similar creations hidden throughout the game, this one has managed to become a top tourist spot among Japanese fans of the cozy life simulator (that are also over 18 years old).
The town was created only a few months after the game launched in 2020, and it didn’t take long for it to rise to popularity, with many domestic YouTubers and live streamers showcasing it in their videos. While many found the island hilarious, others praised it for its high quality and level of detail, as well as its “subtle worldview that completely destroys the ethos of the original game.”
The first thing you see when you step off the plane and enter the infamous island is a muryou annaijo (無料案内所), roughly translating to “free information center” in English. While this doesn’t sound so bad at first glance, the “free information centers” in Japan usually stand for counters where you can get “free information” on the more deluxe, risqué or sketchy night life spots such as hostess and girls bars, strip clubs, and even brothels. And when visiting the Animal Crossing Adults’ Island, you might just need one, because the town is full of places that offer sketchy services, even having its own Edo-era inspired red-light district, sexy “exhibitions” of biological rarities and adult shops selling schoolgirl-inspired cosplays and toys. Other places visitors can enjoy on the island are the love hotel with giant statues of Michelangelo’s David surrounded by palm trees that perfectly emphasize the famous sculpture’s appendage, alongside numerous pachinko parlors, smoking areas, “natural herb” vending stands, and gentlemen’s saunas.
You also have the chance to visit the homes of the island’s workers, which also feature interesting details that show us a peek into the daily life of its inhabitants. For example, Tom Nook’s room in the “community dormitory” has slight feminine touches to suggest that he’s been bringing in ladies after work, while Blathers’ room is littered with used tissues and has numerous photos of Isabelle on the bedside. Violet, on the other hand, lives in the big red-light district and works as the “legendary” oiran, a high-ranking prostitute from the Edo Era. Her private suite is located just above the multi-brothel-in-pachinko-parlor-in-strip-club. Of course, the island is not just filled with luxury, as most of the town is littered with trash and has many abandoned buildings, hinting that many of its dwellers have been living on the streets.
Unfortunately, the infamous island can now only be experienced through numerous Japanese YouTube videos and livestreams that documented its bustling streets and sketchy activities happening in the back alleys.
