Tom Nook is a raccoon in the western versions of the game and a tanuki in the Japanese version. He is a special character who is featured in all the Animal Crossing games since he is a vital part of the series. He owns the town shop, which is very small at the start of the game but expands as the game progresses . After the final expansion, Nookington's, he will employ his "nephews" Timmy and Tommy who work on the second floor in every Animal Crossing series game except Animal Crossing: New Leaf. However in New Leaf Nook has taken his interest in real estate to a whole new level, opening Nook's Homes whilst Timmy and Tommy run the town shop.