Like many big video games, whether it be in the open-world sense or the widely-loved kind, video games are a hotspot for theories, and Stardew Valley is no different. There are many questions that have gone unanswered, for example, if the Wizard is Abigail's true father, though this has been accepted as canon by a significant chunk of the fanbase. Other questions tend to arise as simple speculation based on the facts given but don't actually hold that much water as there's no real evidence to prove or disprove the theory. Stardew Valley's 'You Are Dead' theory may be one of the most popular, but it isn't very well-received.
Another theory states that Gunther, the curator of the Museum, might actually be a ghost. Though this idea falls into the latter category, it does explain some of his strange behavior and his fascination with collecting artifacts.
Evidence that Could Mean Gunther is a Ghost
Unlike most NPCs in Stardew Valley, including other adult men of the same caliber like Willy and Gus, players cannot give gifts to Gunther or raise his friendship levels in any way. Even Leo, a strange child who was raised by parrots on Ginger Island, and the Wizard, who watches over the residents of Pelican Town for some odd reason, have likes, dislikes, and heart events. But Gunther is an exception. Outside of donating items to the Museum, players cannot interact with him.
On the same note, players will never find Gunther anywhere but the Museum. He doesn't interact with folks at any festivals or at the Saloon on weekends. He doesn't even seem to have a house in Stardew Valley, nor does he exit the Museum at the end of his workday like most employed folks in the game, leading some to believe he actually lives inside the Museum. One exception to this occasion is when players are given the Rusty Key after donating 60 items, he'll meet the player outside. Also, when players complete the Community Center, he can be seen looking at a bookcase, though he isn't socializing with anyone.
However, Gunther does interact with people, at least inside the Museum. Jas and Vincent mention him outside of the sewer, and they would presumably see him daily when they have lessons with Penny. Also, Mayor Lewis will stop by the Museum on Saturdays at the end of his business tax route. But even if people can see Gunther inside the Museum, that could simply mean his ghost is tied to the building itself.
Some players have taken Gunther's clothes into account. Their quite different from anyone else's modern fashion styles in Stardew Valley, other than characters like the Wizard and Leo, of course. But they're special cases, so perhaps Gunther could be as well. Some have suggested that his clothing is from an older time, looking to be western to some or just an eccentric blue outfit to others, so perhaps this means that he's a ghost from a different time period, but there's no real way to gauge whether attire in Stardew Valley is considered "normal" or not.
However, Gunther does have a fascination with old and ancient items. Of course, this could just be his job—just because Emily works at the Saloon doesn't mean she's obsessed with alcohol. But when players find a new item for the first time, it always says "Gunther can tell you more about this," suggesting he has a knowledge of anything the player might happen across. And the key he offers the player has been locked in the vault for over 100 years. It's unclear why he knows about it or has access to it, but perhaps this points in the direction that Gunther himself is a ghost over 100 years old.
It's worth mentioning that Marlon and Gil at the Adventurer's Guild don't accept gifts either, though Marlon will appear at festivals and Gil will attend the movie theater, so they're at least seen outside of the Guild from time to time interacting with other people.
Fans can likely come up with more evidence against Gunther being a ghost, but others are convinced. Perhaps it boils down to whether or not they believe in ghosts to begin with. After all, the game has been updated several times since this theory came about years ago, and it could've added friendship levels for Gunther. But Stardew Valley is a magical place filled with witches, skeletons, and cursed chickens, and ghosts already exist in the Mines. But even if ghosts are canon in Stardew Valley, the mystery of whether or not Gunther is a ghost will remain unsolved.
Stardew Valley is out now for Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
