Nintendo is often associated with sunny, vibrant mascots — its public goal even emphasizes putting “smiles on the faces of everyone we touch.” Yet the company’s roster isn’t all pastel and sunshine: across its franchises there are plenty of characters who channel goth aesthetics, from mall-goth to gothic lolita to witchy noir. For Fangsgiving, we’re spotlighting Nintendo’s most delightfully dark characters (yes, that includes cartoony dogs and Waluigi).
Muffy, Cherry, and Roscoe from Animal Crossing
Animal Crossing’s villagers occasionally embrace the nocturnal aesthetic. Muffy, the black sheep, is practically gothic lolita incarnate — her home and furnishings lean heavily toward black, and her little quips read like they belong in a gothic diary. Cherry, a dog villager, rocks a spiderweb tee and matching umbrella that scream mall-goth energy. Roscoe the horse goes punk-goth, filling his space with dark décor and even a skull-themed retro radio — the sort of tasteful bleakness every in-game goth covets.
Agitha from The Legend of Zelda
Agitha occupies a whimsical corner of goth style — think “quirky gothic.” Debuting in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (a title with decidedly twilight-tinged vibes), she favors delicate parasols and bug-themed curios that nod to gothic lolita fashion. Her fascination with Wolf Link in certain scenarios leans into a flirtation with the darker side of Hyrule’s lore, making her a colorful but undeniably goth-leaning presence.
Lash and Adder from Advance Wars
In the Advance Wars universe, commanders aligned with the Black Hole faction often exude brooding theatricality. Lash is a vicious, delightfully unhinged tactician; Adder layers black and purple with ostentatious flair and the theatrical bravado of someone intentionally cultivating a menacing persona. Both read as stylishly sinister — iconic antagonists who wear their darkness like armor. (Tabitha from Advance Wars: Days of Ruin also deserves a nod for her particularly bleak tone.)
Annie from Splatoon
Annie’s arc across the Splatoon games is a rare on-screen goth evolution: she begins as a neon-clad raver with bright, saturated hair, then discovers gothic metal and gradually adopts a more introspective, monochrome palette. By Splatoon 3 she favors black leather and muted tones, a subtle but clear shift toward a reflective, goth-adjacent persona.
Tharja from Fire Emblem
Among Fire Emblem’s many dark-leaning figures, Tharja stands out as a canonical gothic archetype: a brooding dark mage whose manner and dialogue emphasize obsession, melancholy, and a flirtation with taboo themes. She’s practically the poster child for the player who wants a mysterious, gothic love interest in a fantasy tactical RPG.
Waluigi (Vampire)
Waluigi’s vampire get-up may play for laughs, but it’s also an embrace of gothic theatrics that fits his persona better than a simple gag. While Wario sometimes dons similar costumes, Waluigi’s long, lanky silhouette and melodramatic flair make his vampiric turns feel like a lifestyle choice — the ultimate campy goth icon in the Mario universe.
Ashley from WarioWare
Ashley is a tiny but unmistakable witch: long black hair, a skull-shaped brooch, and a perpetually moody temperament. Her imp companion and brooding, deadpan demeanor place her squarely in the “Wednesday-coded” camp — witchy, aloof, and deliciously gothic.
Gothita, Gothitelle, and Gothorita from Pokémon
This evolution line is a playful, on-the-nose tribute to gothic lolita aesthetics — the species names even wink at “goth.” Designed during the Black & White era, Gothita and its evolutions favor frilled, doll-like silhouettes and dark motifs. Despite their appearance, they’re Psychic-type Pokémon, and Gothorita is often referred to in fandom circles as the “Witch of Punishment” — a fittingly dramatic title.
Honorable Mention: Bayonetta
Though Bayonetta originates outside Nintendo, her visibility on Nintendo platforms and in Super Smash Bros. earns her an honorable mention. She’s the ultimate goth-tinged witch: glamorous, dangerous, and unapologetically dark, the sort of character many fans equate with high-camp gothic cool.
Source: Polygon
