Here's my tin-foil hat gamer theory:

Ever wonder why you're the only human in Animal Crossing? What if... you're not? (Thread)

First, let's talk about Tom Nook.

Tom is based on the raccoon dog, also known as a tanuki. In Japan, there's a lot of lore surrounding the tanuki and that some of them are yokai known as bake-danuki.

Bake-danuki are known to be shape-shifters and that they can disguise themselves as anything, even humans. Supposedly, some bake-danuki end up living as humans, fully assimilating into our cities.

Bake-danuki can also create illusions by making leaves appear as any other object as well. Hence why all the items in Animal Crossing are represented as leaves.

But does that mean all the items in Animal Crossing are illusions created by Tom Nook and Company? What if... yes.

But if so, how come you, a human, is able to use the tanuki leaves? That's because you're a tanuki who's been living as a human for so long that you've forgotten who you are!

And Tom Nook has been rehabilitating you by reminding you how to use your powers.

BUT THAT'S JUST A THEORY! A GAME THEORYYYYYY!