Finally striking out on their own, a young boy or girl boards a train bound for a new life in a small village inhabited by sentient, humanoid animals. But being a spirited youth, the child has forgotten one small detail — finding a place to live — and arrives with nothing but the clothes on their back and 1,000 Bells. On the train, a friendly cat named Rover strikes up a conversation and, learning of the child's predicament, calls ahead to his old friend Tom Nook to arrange some help once they reach the village.