K.K. Slider
{{short description|Fictional character from the Animal Crossing franchise}}
{{Infobox character
| name = K.K. Slider
| franchise = Animal Crossing
| image = K.K. Slider.png
| image_upright = 0.55
| caption = K.K. Slider as featured in promotional art for Animal Crossing: New Horizons
| first_major = Dōbutsu no Mori (2001)
| voice = Shun Oguri (Dōbutsu no Mori)
| species = Dog
}}
{{Nihongo|Totakeke|とたけけ|Totakeke|lead=yes}}, more commonly known as K.K. Slider or K.K., is a fictional character within the Animal Crossing franchise. One of the franchise's most popular characters,{{cite web|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/91164/6-surprising-facts-about-nintendos-animal-crossing|title=6 Surprising Facts About Nintendo's Animal Crossing|last=Lambie|first=Ryan|work=Mental Floss|date=January 22, 2018|access-date=February 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404040749/http://mentalfloss.com/article/91164/6-surprising-facts-about-nintendos-animal-crossing|archive-date=April 4, 2019|url-status=live}} he debuted in the title Animal Crossing, and has appeared in every installment since. K.K.'s main role is as a folk rock (according to the game) musician who performs to the townsfolk, through live performances and purchasable in-game albums. He is based on Nintendo video game voice actor and composer Kazumi Totaka – his Japanese nickname "Totakeke" being a contraction of "Totaka K." – and has been said to be an animal caricature of Totaka.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/05/profile_kazumi_totaka_-_the_man_behind_animal_crossings_k_k_slider|title=Profile: Kazumi Totaka - The Man Behind Animal Crossing's K.K. Slider|last=Jackson|first=Kai|work=Nintendo Life|date=May 8, 2013|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203084933/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/05/profile_kazumi_totaka_the_man_behind_animal_crossings_kk_slider|archive-date=February 3, 2019|url-status=live}}
K.K. Slider has also appeared outside of Animal Crossing several times, such as a costume for the player's Mii fighter in the crossover fighting games Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/features/592441-undertale-sans-smash-ultimate-mii-costumes-fighters|title=The Undertale Sans skin and other Smash Ultimate Mii costumes that should be actual fighters|date=September 9, 2019|website=GameRevolution|first=David|last=Lozada|access-date=November 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108024606/https://www.gamerevolution.com/features/592441-undertale-sans-smash-ultimate-mii-costumes-fighters|archive-date=November 8, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/06/kk_slider_hat_and_outfit_confirmed_as_dlc_for_super_smash_bros|title=K.K. Slider Hat and Outfit Confirmed as DLC for Super Smash Bros.|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|work=Nintendo Life|date=June 1, 2015|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108024607/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/06/kk_slider_hat_and_outfit_confirmed_as_dlc_for_super_smash_bros|archive-date=November 8, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://dotesports.com/fgc/news/here-are-all-the-mii-fighter-costumes-available-in-super-smash-bros-ultimate|title=Here are all the Mii Fighter costumes available in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|last=Newell|first=Adam|work=Dot Esports|date=December 6, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117165016/https://dotesports.com/fgc/news/here-are-all-the-mii-fighter-costumes-available-in-super-smash-bros-ultimate|archive-date=January 17, 2019|url-status=live}}
Concept and creation
K.K. Slider was created for the 2001 video game Doubutsu no Mori for the Nintendo 64, later released on the GameCube as Animal Crossing. K.K. Slider is based on the composer Kazumi Totaka. His music was composed by various members of the compositional staff across the series; some songs were composed because some members were skilled in a specific genre, while others were composed so they could challenge themselves.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/lifestyle/animal-crossing-composer-new-horizons-music-interview-9390953/ |title=Inside 'Animal Crossing' Composer Kazumi Totaka's Meticulous Process |magazine=Billboard |last=Ginsberg |first=Gab |date=May 27, 2020 |access-date=January 14, 2024}}
Appearances
K.K. Slider was first introduced in the franchise's debut title Doubutsu no Mori for the Nintendo 64, later released on GameCube as Animal Crossing . His role within the game is as a guitarist who performs songs for the player and townsfolk only at a certain time and day each week and, once finished, gives the player a virtual copy of the song that can be played on a radio in their home.{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/animal-crossing-characters-tom-nook|title=K.K. Slider - Top 20 Animal Crossing characters|work=UGO.com|access-date=February 20, 2019|date=December 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609172308/http://www.ugo.com/games/animal-crossing-characters-kk-slider|archive-date=June 9, 2012|url-status=dead}} This role remains virtually the same throughout every main series Animal Crossing title with minor changes, up until Animal Crossing: New Leaf, in which he also takes the role of a DJ under the pseudonym DJ KK.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/2013/04/29/meet-four-of-animal-crossing-new-leafs-characters/|title=Meet Four Of Animal Crossing: New Leaf's Characters|first=Ishaan|last=Sahdev|work=Siliconera|date=April 29, 2013|access-date=February 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108024608/https://www.siliconera.com/2013/04/29/meet-four-of-animal-crossing-new-leafs-characters/|archive-date=November 8, 2019|url-status=live}} He also appears in Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, Amiibo Festival, Pocket Camp, and New Horizons. In New Horizons, he appears after the player's island has a three-star rating.{{Cite news |last=Lynn |first=Lottie |date=2020-04-20 |title=Animal Crossing K.K. Slider: how to unlock K.K. Slider concert, get K.K. songs and the complete K.K. song list in New Horizons explained |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/animal-crossing-k-k-slider-unlock-first-concert-get-k-k-songs-complete-song-list-new-horizons-7018 |access-date=2022-06-19 |archive-date=2023-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806103751/https://www.eurogamer.net/animal-crossing-k-k-slider-unlock-first-concert-get-k-k-songs-complete-song-list-new-horizons-7018 |url-status=live }} Four new K.K. songs were added in New Horizons, with 12 additional songs being added in the game's 2.0 update.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Julia |date=2021-11-08 |title=Animal Crossing: New Horizons K.K. Slider song list, music guide |url=https://www.polygon.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-switch-acnh-guide/22770283/k-k-slider-song-list-music-how-to-get-titles-request-unlock-stereo-speakers-how-to-play |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510115308/https://www.polygon.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-switch-acnh-guide/22770283/k-k-slider-song-list-music-how-to-get-titles-request-unlock-stereo-speakers-how-to-play |url-status=live }} In the Happy Home Paradise DLC, DJ KK will appear on the main archipelago once the player has constructed thirty homes and designed all five facilities.{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2021-11-29 |title=Animal Crossing Happy Home Paradise's 'ending' is a vibey New Leaf callback |url=https://www.polygon.com/22807574/animal-crossing-new-horizons-happy-home-paradise-ending |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806103750/https://www.polygon.com/22807574/animal-crossing-new-horizons-happy-home-paradise-ending |url-status=live }} A concert related to his appearance in the DLC was held in October 2022.{{Cite web |last=Justin |date=2022-10-13 |title=Watch Animal Crossing's DJ K.K Concert Performance At Nintendo Live 2022 With Isabelle & More! (Recording) |url=https://animalcrossingworld.com/2022/10/watch-animal-crossings-dj-k-k-concert-performance-at-nintendo-live-2022-with-isabelle-more-recording/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=Animal Crossing World |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601194034/https://animalcrossingworld.com/2022/10/watch-animal-crossings-dj-k-k-concert-performance-at-nintendo-live-2022-with-isabelle-more-recording/ |url-status=live }} K.K. Slider has also received a costume that can be worn by Mii Fighters in the crossover fighting games Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, as well as his own amiibo.{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-07-jelly-deals-3-for-2-on-amiibo-while-stock-lasts-today|title=Jelly Deals: 3 for 2 on amiibo while stock lasts today|first=Jamie|last=Wallace|newspaper=Eurogamer.net |date=November 7, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108024607/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-07-jelly-deals-3-for-2-on-amiibo-while-stock-lasts-today|archive-date=November 8, 2019|url-status=dead}}
He appears in the 2006 film Dōbutsu no Mori. In October 2019, K.K. Slider – in the form of a hologram – opened for a Splatoon concert that took place during Nintendo Live in Tokyo, Japan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/14/20913634/k-k-slider-splatoon-concert|title=Hologram K. K. Slider opened for a Splatoon concert in Japan|first=Julia|last=Lee|date=October 14, 2019|website=Polygon|access-date=November 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014184659/https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/14/20913634/k-k-slider-splatoon-concert|archive-date=October 14, 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://nintendowire.com/news/2019/10/14/grookey-scorbunny-and-sobble-get-the-mascot-costume-treatment/|title=Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble get the mascot costume treatment|date=October 14, 2019|website=Nintendo Wire|access-date=November 8, 2019|first=Tom|last=Brown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108031621/https://nintendowire.com/news/2019/10/14/grookey-scorbunny-and-sobble-get-the-mascot-costume-treatment/|archive-date=November 8, 2019|url-status=live}}
Reception
K.K. Slider has received generally positive reception, with UGO identifying him as the most famous Animal Crossing character in a 2013 article. K.K. Slider came in first place in a 2019 popularity poll by Nintendo in Japan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nafj/chara/kekka/index.html|title=キャラクター人気投票結果発表／上位２０位|website=www.nintendo.co.jp|access-date=2019-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402190541/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nafj/chara/kekka/index.html|archive-date=2019-04-02|url-status=live|language=ja}} Abby Lee Hood of NintendoLife noted him as a breakout character for his music appearing through remixes, social media videos, and TikTok.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/06/feature_2020s_breakout_star_it_has_to_be_animal_crossings_k_k_slider|title=2020's Breakout Star? It Has to be Animal Crossing's K.K. Slider|date=9 June 2020|first=Abby Lee|last=Hood|access-date=2024-06-20|website=Nintendo Life|archive-date=2023-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806103751/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/06/feature_2020s_breakout_star_it_has_to_be_animal_crossings_k_k_slider|url-status=live}} Kotaku writer Nina Corcoran discussed K.K. Slider's influence, noting that he introduced people to new music genres and that he has inspired multiple people to create covers of his music, as well as covers of other songs in K.K. Slider's style.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/k-k-slider-is-the-most-influential-musician-of-our-gen-1837746755|title=K.K. Slider Is The Most Influential Musician Of Our Generation|first=Nina|last=Corcoran|website=Kotaku|date=3 September 2019 |access-date=2019-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108024606/https://kotaku.com/k-k-slider-is-the-most-influential-musician-of-our-gen-1837746755|archive-date=2019-11-08|url-status=live}} Polygon described K.K. Slider as a "fan fave".{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/25/16541408/animal-crossing-pocket-camp-tom-nook-kk-slider-microtransactions|title=Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp trades two fan faves for in-game cash|first=Allegra|last=Frank|date=October 25, 2017|website=Polygon|access-date=November 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026014926/https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/25/16541408/animal-crossing-pocket-camp-tom-nook-kk-slider-microtransactions|archive-date=October 26, 2017|url-status=live}} Cameron Faulkner of The Verge considered K.K. Slider his favorite artist of 2020, talking about how much he appreciated him being a "beam of positivity" during 2020, which he considered a difficult year. He felt that the music didn't resonate with him on 3DS, attributing it to the 3DS' smaller speakers, but found it much better on his TV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/22309885/animal-crossing-new-horizons-nintendo-switch-kk-slider-singing-dog-music-songs|title=My favorite artist of 2020 was Animal Crossing's singing dog|date=17 March 2021|first=Cameron|last=Faulkner|access-date=2024-06-20|website=The Verge|archive-date=2023-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806103748/https://www.theverge.com/22309885/animal-crossing-new-horizons-nintendo-switch-kk-slider-singing-dog-music-songs|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Animal Crossing}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Slider, K.K.}}
Category:Animal Crossing characters
Category:Animal characters in video games
Category:Video game characters introduced in 2001
Category:Musician characters in video games