Animal Crossing Marshal Guide: How to Get & Befriend Him

Okay, let's talk about Marshal. You know, that smug little squirrel with the permanent side-eye who somehow became everyone's dream villager? I'll be honest - when I first saw him on a mystery island, I nearly passed over him. "Just another squirrel," I thought. Big mistake. After having him on my island for eight months now, I get why people obsess over Animal Crossing Marshal.

This isn't some fluffy fan piece though. We're diving deep into everything that makes Marshal special (and yeah, sometimes annoying). How to get him, what gifts he actually likes, why his house looks like a coffee shop, and whether he's worth the insane hype. I'll even share how he ruined my blue rose garden once. Good times.

Who Exactly is Marshal?

For newcomers, Marshal (JP name: Juri) is a smug squirrel villager introduced in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. His birthday's September 29th, he's 1.5 apples tall (seriously, that's how they measure), and his catchphrase is "sulky". Honestly though? He looks more bored than sulky most days.

His appearance is what hooks people first:

  • That fluffy white tail that looks like a marshmallow
  • Cream-colored fur with subtle brown accents
  • Permanent skeptical expression (resting squirrel face?)
  • Default outfit is a navy letter jacket like a 50s greaser

Personality-wise, he's smug type. That means he'll compliment your outfit while subtly bragging about his own style. "Your shirt is... interesting. I prefer mine though - limited edition!" Classic Marshal.

Personal Take: At first I found his attitude grating. Like dude, I built this island from nothing - show some respect! But over time, his narcissism became weirdly charming. Found him singing bubblegum K.K. by the river yesterday in a raincoat. How can you stay mad?

Getting Marshal on Your Island: Mission Possible?

Getting Animal Crossing Marshal feels like winning the lottery. Took me THREE MONTHS and probably 200 Nook Miles tickets. Here's how it actually works:

Method 1: Mystery Island Tours

When you have an open plot, fly using Nook Miles tickets. Villagers spawn randomly, but:

  • Only smug personalities can appear if you lack one
  • Rarity isn't equal - some species/villagers appear less
Strategy How It Works Success Rate My Experience
Island Hopping Spend Nook Miles on tickets when plot empty 1-2% chance per tour Found him after 127 tries (yes I counted)
Campsite Method Time travel until smug villager visits campsite Higher if you need smug personality Got Raymond accidentally while hunting Marshal. Oops.
Adoption from Friends When Marshal's in boxes on someone's island 100% if you're first to invite Tried this but someone sniped him after waiting 6 hours

Pro Tip: Increase your odds by having NO smug villagers already. The game tries to fill missing personalities. Also, clear your void by visiting islands - apparently unclaimed villagers can fill plots.

Amiibo Cards: The Guaranteed Route

Marshal's Amiibo card (#WA46) bypasses all randomness. Here's the process:

  1. Scan his Amiibo at the Nook Stop terminal
  2. Invite him to your campsite 3 separate days
  3. Build whatever souvenir he requests each visit
  4. Ask him to move in on the 3rd day

You'll need to kick out existing villagers though. He once demanded an ironwood kitchenette - took me two hours to source materials. Worth it? Maybe.

Inside Marshal's Surprisingly Hip Pad

Animal Crossing Marshal has the coolest starter house. It's basically a Brooklyn coffee shop:

Item Type Color Variant Where to Get
Espresso Machine Kitchenware Black/Silver Nook's Cranny
Ironwood Chair Crafting Custom wood DIY Recipe
Café Curtain Wall Wallpaper N/A Saharah
Service Counter Counter Brown Happy Home Paradise

If he moves from another island, he'll have basic wooden furniture instead. Total downgrade. My friend got "starter home Marshal" and was devastated.

Crafting His Dream Home

Once you're besties, you can gift furniture. Here's what works:

  • Anything matching his "elegant" style preference
  • Black/brown/white color schemes
  • Kitchen items (he loves that espresso maker)
  • DO NOT gift fruit or cardboard boxes - he replaced his ironwood table with a peach once. Travesty.

Cracking Marshal's Friendship Code

Marshal's smug personality means he's tough to impress. Here's how friendship levels work:

Friendship Level Requirements Rewards Time Investment
Level 1-2 Daily conversations Random clothing gifts 3-4 days
Level 3-4 Gift valued 750+ bells Requests DIY help 1-2 weeks
Level 5-6 Perfect gifts + mail Gives his photo 3-6 weeks

Gift Guide: What Actually Works

After gifting him 200+ items, here's what Marshal genuinely loves:

  • Apparel: Tailcoats, detective coats, any expensive-looking jackets (he's vain)
  • Furniture: Antique mini table, fancy tea set, grand piano (overachiever)
  • Wall/Floor: Café curtain wall, wooden-knot flooring
  • Universal Wins: Iron wall lamps (wrapped), assessed fossils

He HATES athletic gear and kiddie furniture. Gave him a baseball shirt once - he sold it immediately. Rude.

Broke Player Hack: Give wrapped foreign fruit daily. +1 friendship point, costs nothing. Won't get his photo fast though.

Daily Life with Animal Crossing Marshal

Marshal sticks to a surprisingly predictable routine:

Time Activity Location
6 AM - 9 AM Watering flowers near his house Residential area
10 AM - 12 PM Singing near plaza Town square
1 PM - 4 PM Snacking under trees Orchard area
5 PM - 9 PM Reading at café Museum or player's home

His hobbies are music and nature. You'll catch him singing more than any villager I know. Annoying at 7 AM? Absolutely. Adorable? Unfortunately yes.

Catchphrases and Nicknames

His default "sulky" gets old fast. Change it by:

  1. Complain to Isabelle about speech (resets phrase)
  2. Wait for him to approach with a new phrase request

He calls me "muffin" now. I let him because it's ridiculous coming from a squirrel.

Why Everyone Loves Animal Crossing Marshal

Beyond aesthetics, Marshal stands out because:

  • Personality Balance: Smug types are less polarizing than jocks or peppies
  • Visual Appeal: His design pops against green landscapes
  • House Aesthetic: Fits modern island themes perfectly
  • Photo Hunt: His framed photo is highly coveted

But let's be real - his popularity became a self-fulfilling prophecy. When something's rare, people want it more. Is he overrated? Maybe. Do I still adore him? ...Yes.

Marshal vs. Other Popular Smugs

How Animal Crossing Marshal compares:

Villager Popularity House Style Unique Trait
Marshal #1 Smug Modern café Singing frequency
Raymond #2 Smug Office theme Heterochromia eyes
Julian #5 Smug Space bedroom Unicorn design

Honestly? Julian's cooler house wins for me. But Marshal's expressions are unbeatable.

Marshal Amiibo Card: Everything You Need to Know

The WA46 Amiibo card prices fluctuate wildly:

  • Retail price during reprints: $5.99 USD
  • Resale market average (2023): $22-40 USD
  • Counterfeit risk: High on eBay/Etsy

To spot fakes:

  1. Check NFC chip thickness (real cards are thicker)
  2. Look for trademark ® symbol near Nintendo logo
  3. Compare coloring - fakes often have washed-out art

Annoyance: Bought a "discounted" Marshal card that turned out fake. Seller disappeared. Learned my lesson - now I only buy from reputable game stores.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marshal

Is Animal Crossing Marshal rare?

Statistically yes, with over 400 villagers. Smug personality only has 35 options, and Marshal's among the rarest 5. But rarity is artificial - Amiibo cards guarantee him.

Why does Marshal look angry?

He's not angry - that's just his resting squirrel face! His default expression resembles a smirk or mild annoyance. It's become iconic among fans.

What's the best way to get Marshal's photo?

Gift wrapped iron wall lamps daily. Each gives +3 friendship points. Takes 2-3 weeks consistently. Fossil method works too but lamps are cheaper.

Can Marshal wear custom designs?

Absolutely. Hang them in Able Sisters. He favors elegant designs - avoid silly patterns. Mine wears a tiny tuxedo I made. Ridiculously cute.

Does Marshal get along with other villagers?

He clashes occasionally with jocks (like Dom) but adores normal types (Maple, Fauna). Saw him arguing with Agnes about fashion once. Typical.

Final Thoughts on Animal Crossing Marshal

Would I recommend hunting for Marshal? Well... it depends. If you like smug villagers and coffee aesthetics? 100%. But if you prefer lazy or sisterly types, maybe pass. He's not perfect - sometimes I wish he'd stop commenting on my "simple" outfits. But finding him singing in the rain wearing the tiny umbrella hat I gave him? Moments like that make the hunt worth it.

At the end of the day, Animal Crossing Marshal embodies what makes this game special. He's not just pixels - he's a sassy little squirrel who waters your flowers, mails you passive-aggressive notes, and becomes part of your island family. Sulky attitude and all.

Leave a Comments

Recommended Article