Lyle

Lyle (ホンマさん) is the insurance agent that appears in both and. He is a blue speckled river otter with large whiskers and a hunched appearance. He works as an insurance agent in Wild World, selling insurance and giving refunds on forged paintings and other misfortunes. In City Folk and beyond, he works for the Happy Room Academy.

In Animal Crossing: Wild World
Lyle makes his first appearance in working as an insurance salesman. He appears every Saturday outside the player's house for issue a survey. He will follow the player quite persistently if his request is not met.

The survey will initiate a form "health insurance policy" once completed. By paying 3,000 Bells the player will receive insurance.

Insurance grants 100 Bells in the mail for each misfortune. Misfortunes include tripping, being stung by bees, or receiving counterfeit paintings (the latter after his second visit). The 100 Bells bonus can only be received once per day. A further payment of 6,000 Bells on the following Saturday will result in the player receiving compensation of 100 Bells if they buy a counterfeit painting, but only if the painting itself is presented to Lyle himself.

Normal villagers sometimes warn of a health insurance scam operating in the area, which is most likely a reference to Lyle. Some Jock villagers talk about "muscle insurance".

A common rumor is that Lyle has ties and even works with Redd, though this is not confirmed in game.

Lyle will also appear at The Roost from 12:00 PM to 1:30 P.M. on a Sunday.

In Animal Crossing: City Folk
Lyle appears to have a more respectable job in, working in the Happy Room Academy Headquarters in the city. He will mention how much he hates his new job, and frequently talks of his old, "high-flying" lifestyle. He seems to be calmer, possibly to fit in with his new 'happy' job and only makes a reference to 'bustin' his chops' once, if the player refuses to join the HRA. When talked to, his persistent nature leads him to continue talking with the player until they agree to join the Happy Room Academy. If the player's house becomes the model room, he states (if they decide to discuss the model room with him, not the eval) that he is trying to love his new job. An advert for the HRA, with his picture on it, can be seen in the bus, behind Kapp'n's seat.

He makes no reference to his past lifestyle in other than his frequent complaints and mentions of his old office when the player first talks to him. He does not talk about Redd or Crazy Redd's, which is located nearby, which leads many to speculate that he was caught for fraud, and has to work for the HRA which explains why he does not enjoy his work. Also he does not appear at the roost anymore.

At the Happy Room Academy Headquarters, the player can also speak with Lyle in order to find out their current "HRA evaluation" or stop the weekly flow of evaluation letters.

It is suggested that he used to be a grave-digger or fossil hunter, because if the player's house becomes the model room and has a particularly valuable fossil in it, Lyle will say that he used to dig up bones in 'the yard.. not the backyard, the other yard...', implying that it was a graveyard he used to dig in.

Lyle constantly jumps to the word 'Bang'. When the player asks about their latest evaluation, he will tell the player how many points they've earned for their house. (This will also be mentioned in a letter the player receives after evaluation day.) Towards the end of the conversation he will say 'You got ideas? Good. Great. Wonderful. Bang.'

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Lyle returns to the in. He works with Tom Nook in his real estate agency, Nook's Homes. He is in charge of the Happy Home Academy aspect of the business and seems to enjoy his job more than he did in Animal Crossing: City Folk. He is more all-around pleasant, although he still makes a few side complaints about his co-workers being annoying. Every so often, when the player comes to ask about his/her home evaluation, the player is given the option of asking Lyle, "What's new?". If this option is selected, Lyle will proceed to tell the player about his interactions with other store owners on main street, such as Leif and the Able Sisters.

Lyle also appears on a Happy Home Academy advertisement that occasionally is displayed on the Video Screen public works project.

In Animal Crossing: The Movie
Lyle makes a small appearance in. He is seen in the background of the fireworks festival when K. K. Slider is singing on stage. He wears the same suit as his appearance in. He does not talk and makes no other appearance in the film.

Trivia

 * When riding the bus to the city, you can see a poster of Lyle talking on the back of Kapp'n's seat. This is most likely an ad for the HRA.
 * When asking about the model room in, and he says your room is featured, he will say "Lyle's starting to love this job! Look at him dance!"
 * He often praises the HRA team for dedication, though sometimes questions them in.
 * When the Video Screen Public Works Project is done, Lyle appears in one of the advertisements.