Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Who Is Kapp’n?


There are many wonderful characters in Animal Crossing: New Horizons but more are on their way and one of those is Kapp'n. Long-term players of the franchise will know this face as he has been around the game since the very first instalment but for those new to the game, we have a guide that puts together everything you need to know about him and answers the all-important question - who is Kapp'n?

Read More: Animal Crossing New Horizons is Getting Sea Shanties

Who Is Kapp’n?

Name: Kapp'n
Birthday: July 12th
Occupation: Helmsman, Taxi Driver, Bus Driver and chilled out Turtle

Kapp'n is a character in Animal Crossing that has quite literally been there since the beginning of the franchise. He's a turtle that has held multiple different transport jobs over the years and seems to have enjoyed every single one of them. Kapp'n is always up for a chat and loves throwing the odd compliment your way.

The History of Kapp’n

Kapp'n has been involved in many Animal Crossing games, including making a small appearance in the Happy Home Designer game as a client where you can decorate a house for him.

Animal Crossing

Kapp'n first appears as a Ferry helmsman who transports you to the Island and he transports other visitors to your Island too (but only when using a Game Boy Advance Cable). Your brief encounters with Kapp'n in this game set up a theme that follows him throughout most of the other games and that is that he starts to sing a sea shanty. If you listen carefully to his songs, you will learn about his day-to-day life.

Animal Crossing: Wild World

Animal Crossing Wild World Kapp'n's Taxi
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In the 2005 Nintendo DS instalment, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Kapp'n seems to have traded his sea life in to be a taxi driver. You get a fantastic view of the back of his head as he takes you through a conversation that will determine how your character turns out and the name of your town when you arrive at your destination.

Sometimes you can find him at The Roost where you can engage in a bit of a one-sided conversation with him.

Animal Crossing: City Folk

Kapp'n next appears in the 2008 game for Wii, Animal Crossing: City Folk (also titled Into the City), and his initial role is similar to the one he had in the previous game. He appears at the very beginning as the driver of the bus that is taking you to your destination and he will engage in another conversation that will determine the name of the town you're heading to as well as how your character turns out.

However, that is not the last time you will see him. You will meet Kapp'n any time you want to take a bus into the city and he will engage in conversation with you whenever you board his bus. The topic of conversation will vary each time you enter the bus but they seem to be swayed by which gender your character has.

As with Wild World, you can sometimes find Kapp'n having a rest and a cup of coffee at The Roost.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Kapp'n gets his boat back! The turtle is back where he belongs, on the ocean and enjoying the sea breeze in the 2012 3DS game Animal Crossing: New Leaf. After paying off your first loan, Kapp'n will appear at the dock on your Island and will inform you that a trip with him will cost 1,000 Bell. It's worth it as he will take you to Tortimer's Island, an evergreen paradise where it's always summer and he will even sing a shanty to you on the way there.

On the Island, you can do a variety of different activities and you even get to meet Kapp'n's family too!

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp

Kapp'n even came to the mobile version of the game, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp where he hosted two of his own Garden Events. His first one was held in 2018 and more recently he held one in 2021.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Kapp'n is sailing his way to your Island as part of the November 5th 2021 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons!

Animal Crossing New Horizons Kapp'n chilling on his boat
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I aspire to be as relaxed as Kapp'n


When Kapp'n is at your dock you can pay him 1,000 Bells to take you on a trip to a mysterious island (sound familiar?) The Islands he can take you to can have anything from a different season to having a completely different time of day and of course, he will sing you shanties along the way!

We will update this page as we learn more about Kapp'n's role and arrival.

As well as Kapp'n, there are a ton of new features heading to Animal Crossing: New Horizons including the return of Brewster. Not familiar with that name? We've got a guide that answers the question - who is Brewster? It contains everything you need to know about him! Also, if you want to make the most out of your trip to the beach then we have a guide that can show you how to fish!


For more articles like this, take a look at our Animal Crossing New Horizons and Guides page.