Tom Nook (たぬきち Tanukichi, a Tanuki) is a character who plays the most important role in all of the games. He is termed a raccoon in the western versions of the game but a tanuki in the Japanese version. In all games leading to New Leaf, he is the manager of the town shop. 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 New Leaf and New Horizons. 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. In New Horizons, Nook acts as the head of Nook Incorporated. He acts as the leader on the island, acting as task giver and island upgrader.