View source for Nekopara

{{short description|2014 visual novel series}}
{{Expand Japanese|topic=vg|ネコぱら|date=December 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Nekopara
| image = Nekopara Vol. 1 Cover.jpg
| caption = ''Nekopara Vol. 1'' cover art
| ja_kanji = ネコぱら
| ja_romaji = 
| genre = <!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
}}
{{Infobox video game series
| child=yes
| title                  = 
| image                  = 
| caption                = 
| genre                  = [[Eroge]], [[Visual novel]]
| developer              = NEKO WORKs
| publisher              = [[Sekai Project]] (Windows)<br />CFK (PS4, Switch)
| platforms              = {{Unbulleted list|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[PlayStation 4]]}}
| creator                = Sayori
| first release version  = ''Nekopara Vol. 1''
| first release date     = December 29, 2014
| latest release version = ''Nekopara Vol. 4''
| latest release date    = November 27, 2020
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = ova
| director        = Hayashi Hiroki
| producer        = Ankou<br />Takashi Nakanishi
| writer          = Yūta Kikuchi
| music           = Yūgo Maeda
| studio          = ixtl<br />[[Felix Film]]
| released        = December 22, 2017
| runtime         = 58 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| title           = 
| author          = 
| illustrator     = Tam-U
| publisher       = [[ASCII Media Works]]
| publisher_en    = {{English anime licensee|NA=[[Sekai Project]]}}
| demographic     = ''[[Seinen manga|Seinen]]''
| imprint         = 
| magazine        = [[Dengeki G's Comic]]
| magazine_en     = 
| published       = 
| first           = May 30, 2018
| last            = 
| volumes         = 
| volume_list     = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = ona
| title           = Nekopara Extra
| director        = Yasutaka Yamamoto
| producer        = Ankou<br />Takashi Nakanishi
| writer          = [[Gō Zappa]]
| music           = Yūgo Maeda
| studio          = anchor{{efn|ixtl renamed to anchor in between productions.}}<br />Felix Film
| released        = July 27, 2018
| runtime         = 21 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| title           = 
| director        = Yasutaka Yamamoto
| producer        = 
| writer          = Gō Zappa
| music           = Akiyuki Tateyama
| studio          = Felix Film
| licensee        = [[Crunchyroll]]<br>{{English anime licensee|[[South Asia|SA]]/[[Southeast Asia|SEA]]|[[Muse Communication]]}}
| network         = [[AT-X (company)|AT-X]], [[Tokyo MX]], [[Nippon BS Broadcasting|BS11]]
| network_en      = {{English anime network|SEA=[[Aniplus Asia]]}}
| first           = January 9, 2020
| last            = March 26, 2020
| episodes        = 12
| episode_list    = List of Nekopara episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}

{{Nihongo|'''''Nekopara'''''|ネコぱら|lead=yes}}, taglined '''''Cats Paradise''''', is a series of [[Eroge|adult]] [[visual novel]]s developed by NEKO WORKs and published by [[Sekai Project]]. The first game in the series, ''Nekopara Vol. 1'', was released in December 2014, taking place in a world where humans live alongside [[catgirl]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=INTRODUCTION {{!}} ネコぱら公式サイト |url=https://nekopara.com/en/introduction_en |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=nekopara.com |language=ja}}</ref> The series follows Kashou Minaduki and Shigure Minaduki, siblings who have a family of catgirls named Chocola, Vanilla, Azuki, Maple, Coconut, and Cinnamon. It is centered around work life at Kashou's [[pâtisserie]] and home life at Shigure's family house.

An all-ages anime [[OVA]] adaptation was released on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] in December 2017; it became one of the top earners in Steam in December 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://store.steampowered.com/sale/2017_top_new_releases/|title=Top New Releases of 2017|access-date=2018-01-03|archive-date=2021-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414123420/https://store.steampowered.com/sale/2017_top_new_releases/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

An [[anime]] television series adaptation by [[Felix Film]] premiered from January to March 2020. The anime is licensed in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Ireland]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Mexico]], [[Brazil]], [[Chile]], [[Peru]] and [[Colombia]] by [[Funimation]].<ref name="funi"/> NEKO WORKs announced on November 29, 2021 that a new title for the series, ''After: La Vraie Famille'' was in development.<ref name="np5ann" />

==Gameplay==
''Nekopara'' is a [[visual novel]] series, so the majority of the gameplay consists of the player reading the game's story. ''Nekopara'' does not offer choices to the player throughout gameplay, and the player has no influence over the story. The games are fully voiced (except for the protagonist) and utilize a system called "E-mote" that allows the in-game characters to be animated, instead of stationary [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet the Catgirls of Sekai Project's Visual Novel Nekopara Vol 1.|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2014/12/29/meet-the-catgirls-of-sekai-projects-visual-novel-nekopara-vol-1/|publisher=Silicon Era|date=December 29, 2014|access-date=April 22, 2015|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180241/http://www.siliconera.com/2014/12/29/meet-the-catgirls-of-sekai-projects-visual-novel-nekopara-vol-1/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Nekopara Vol. 0'' added a new feature where the player can click on characters in-game, to "pet" them. The characters will react in different ways depending on where the player pets them.

==Plot==
===Vol. 0===
This prequel to Vol. 1 provides a look at a day in the life of Shigure and the six catgirls in the family house. There is little to no involvement of the previous protagonist Kashou Minaduki.

===Vol. 1===
Kashou Minaduki is an aspiring chef who moves away from home to open his own [[confection]] shop. While he is unpacking in his new shop, he discovers that two of his family catgirls, Chocola and Vanilla, came along with him by hiding in cardboard boxes. After the two catgirls convince Kashou to let them stay and live with him, the three of them work together to run his shop, ''La Soleil''. During the story, Kashou receives a couple of visits from his younger sister Shigure and the other four catgirls owned by their family.

===Vol. 2===
Shigure and the other four catgirls, Maple, Cinnamon, Coconut and Azuki, begin working at ''La Soleil''. This volume focuses primarily on the contentious relationship between Coconut and Azuki, who struggle to find their place at the shop.

===Vol. 3===
The story of ''La Soleil'' continues. This volume focuses primarily on the strong relationship between Maple and Cinnamon, as Maple tries to make a dream come true.

===Vol. 4===
''La Soleil'' and the Minaduki family prepare to enter the Christmas season. This volume focuses primarily on Kashou and figuring out what baking truly means to him so he can do his mentor proud and earn the approval of his father.

===Extra===
Taking place six months before Vol 1, this game focuses on the Minaduki household back when Chocola and Vanilla were kittens struggling to adapt to the family.

==Characters==
;{{Nihongo|{{va|Kashou Minaduki}}|水無月 嘉祥|Minazuki Kashou}}
:{{voiced by|[[Shinnosuke Tachibana]] (OVA, TV series),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekoparaova.com/character_01.html|title=Character: Minaduki Kashou|website=Nekopara OVA|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref><ref name="staff-cast"/> unvoiced in visual novels|Seth Magill (TV series only)}}
: Kashou is the protagonist of most of the visual novel games in the series. Kashou comes from a family with a long line of chefs, and decides to move away from home and open his own [[pâtisserie]] (pastry shop) despite his parents' wishes. It is revealed that Kashou studied abroad in France and sought to honor his mentor by focusing his baking talents towards Western-style confections, naming his pâtisserie ''La Soleil'' after his mentor's own pâtisserie.

;{{Nihongo|{{va|Shigure Minaduki}}|水無月 時雨|Minazuki Shigure}}
:{{voiced by|Mai Nagai<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekoparaova.com/character_04.html|title=Character: Minaduki Shigure|website=Nekopara OVA|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> (credited as Emi Sakura in visual novels);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_07.html|title=水無月 時雨|website=Nekopara|access-date=July 3, 2018|language=ja|archive-date=November 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122175913/http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_07.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Mao Ichimichi|M.A.O]] (TV series)<ref name="staff-cast"/>|Emily Fajardo (TV series only)}}
:Kashou's younger sister. She appears to have romantic feelings for Kashou in an incestuous way. She and her older brother are the owners of the Minaduki family catgirls.

;{{Nihongo|{{va|Chocola}}|ショコラ|Shokora}}
:{{voiced by|Maki Tomonaga<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekoparaova.com/character_02.html|title=Character: Chocola|website=Nekopara OVA|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> (credited as Himari in visual novels);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_01.html|title=ショコラ|website=Nekopara|access-date=July 3, 2018|language=ja|archive-date=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102024605/http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_01.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Yuki Yagi]] (TV series)<ref name="staff-cast"/>|[[Bryn Apprill]] (TV series only)}}
:Chocola is a cheerful and energetic brown-haired catgirls; she is often described as "happy go lucky" and always describes herself in the third person. She is Vanilla's twin sister and moved in with Kashou after he started his own business.

;{{Nihongo|{{va|Vanilla}}|バニラ|Banira}}
:{{voiced by|[[Yuka Inokuchi]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekoparaova.com/character_03.html|title=Character: Vanilla|website=Nekopara OVA|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> (credited as Amu Nakamura in visual novels);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_02.html|title=バニラ|website=Nekopara|access-date=July 3, 2018|language=ja|archive-date=November 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109212338/http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_02.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Iori Saeki]] (TV series)<ref name="staff-cast"/>|[[Natalie Hoover]] (TV series only)}}
: Vanilla is a calm and quiet white-haired catgirl. She rarely expresses her emotions, making her a somewhat of a ''[[wikt:kuudere|kūdere]]'' character. She loves her twin sister Chocola, and often follows her anywhere she goes. She and Chocola are the youngest of the Minaduki family catgirls throughout most of the series.

;{{Nihongo|{{va|Coconut}}|ココナツ|Kokonatsu}}
:{{voiced by|Ryōko Tezuka (visual novels)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_06.html|title=ココナツ|website=Nekopara|access-date=July 3, 2018|language=ja|archive-date=November 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111214659/http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_06.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> (credited as Megumi Tateishi in the OVA);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekoparaova.com/character_08.html|title=Character: Coconut|website=Nekopara OVA|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> Marin Mizutani (TV series)<ref name="staff-cast"/>|[[Morgan Garrett|Morgan Lauré]] (TV series only)}}
: Coconut is the third youngest of the Minaduki family catgirls. Other characters praise her for her "cool" personality, but she wishes she were cute rather than cool. She suffers from low self-esteem because of her klutziness and self-proclaimed lack of skills. She also tries to do more than she can to seem more like an older sister, as well as to not seem to burden Kashou and the other catgirls. She has [[heterochromia]], with her right eye being yellow and left eye being blue. She is a [[Maine Coon]].

;{{Nihongo|{{va|Azuki}}|アズキ|}}
:{{voiced by|[[Mia Naruse]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_05.html|title=アズキ|website=Nekopara|access-date=July 3, 2018|language=ja|archive-date=November 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109212325/http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_05.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekoparaova.com/character_05.html|title=Character: Azuki|website=Nekopara OVA|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> [[Shiori Izawa]] (TV series)<ref name="staff-cast"/>| [[Luci Christian]] (TV series only)}}
: Azuki is the oldest of the Minaduki family catgirls. Despite being the oldest, she is also the shortest and has a mischievous personality. However, she lives up to being the eldest catgirl by effortlessly managing and leading her sisters as they work in Kashou's pâtisserie. She also has a [[tsundere]] personality, acting sarcastic and tough to hide her real emotions towards everyone. She is a [[Munchkin cat]].

;{{Nihongo|{{va|Maple}}|メイプル|Meipuru}}
:{{voiced by|Airi Ishihara (credited as Yui Ogura in visual novels);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_03.html|title=メイプル|website=Nekopara|access-date=July 3, 2018|language=ja|archive-date=October 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025172634/http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_03.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekoparaova.com/character_06.html|title=Character: Maple|website=Nekopara OVA|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref><!-- Note: The page [[Yui Ogura]] is for the idol Yui Ogura (小倉 唯). Maple is voiced by a different Yui Ogura, spelled (小倉結衣).  --> [[Miku Itō]] (TV series)<ref name="staff-cast"/>|[[Anastasia Muñoz]], [[Jad Saxton]] (Young Maple) (TV series only)}}
: Maple is the second oldest of the Minaduki family catgirls. She has an independent/mature personality, as well as a hint of [[tsundere]] given that she is typically dishonest with herself. She enjoying visiting cafes to try different food and drinks. She aspires to be a singer but is held back by her own lack of self-confidence as well as the prospect that she will only ever make it big because she is a catgirl. She is an [[American Curl]].

;{{Nihongo|{{va|Cinnamon}}|シナモン|Shinamon}}
:{{voiced by|[[Tae Okajima]] (OVA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekoparaova.com/character_07.html|title=Character: Cinnamon|website=Nekopara OVA|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> (credited as Uyu Arisaka in the visual novels);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_04.html|title=シナモン|website=Nekopara|access-date=July 3, 2018|language=ja|archive-date=November 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109211056/http://nekopara.com/page_ch/ch_04.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Yuri Noguchi]]  (TV series)<ref name="staff-cast"/>|[[Kristen McGuire]] (TV series only)}}
: Cinnamon is the third oldest of the Minaduki family catgirls. She frequently interprets things in a sexual manner and ends up becoming aroused. She has purple hair, and she has the largest bust size of all the catgirls. She is closest to Maple and thus aspires to be by her side to support her life decisions. She is a [[Scottish Fold]].

;{{Nihongo|{{va|Cacao}}|カカオ|Kakao}}
:{{voiced by|[[Yuuka Morishima]] (TV series only)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nekopara-anime.com/ja/character/#/cacao|title=Character: Cacao|website=TV Anime Nekopara|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref>|Tabitha Ray (TV series only)}}
: Cacao is the youngest of the Minaduki family catgirls. She is a character who debuted in the animated series. She has mint green hair and always wears a hat. She was formerly a homeless catgirl before being brought into the Minaduki household by Chocola.

;{{Nihongo|{{va|Beignet}}|ベニエ|Benie}}
:<!-- Need VA; can't find a reliable source online.
Would prefer more information on Beignet as well. -->
:First appearing in Volume 4, Beignet is a pastry chef who lives in France. She is the mentor of Kashou.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-22 |title=『ネコぱらVol.4 ネコとパティシエのノエル』レビュー。ネコちゃんたちと過ごす聖ニャる夜に期待したい！ - ファミ通.com |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202012/22211725.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2024-04-05 |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222063955/https://www.famitsu.com/news/202012/22211725.html }}</ref>

;{{Nihongo|{{va|Fraise}}|フレーズ|Furēzu}}
:Voiced by: [[Nozomi Yamamoto]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-11 |title=PS4/Switch『ネコぱらVol.4ネコとパティシエのノエル』12月22日に発売決定。ニンテンドーeショップにて予約販売開始 {{!}} ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202012/11211075.html |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=ファミ通.com |language=ja}}</ref>
:First appearing in Volume 4, Fraise lives with Beignet in France and helps manage her patisserie.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-22 |title=『ネコぱらVol.4 ネコとパティシエのノエル』レビュー。ネコちゃんたちと過ごす聖ニャる夜に期待したい！ - ファミ通.com |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202012/22211725.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2024-04-05 |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222063955/https://www.famitsu.com/news/202012/22211725.html }}</ref>  She has pink hair and is usually depicted wearing a light-blue dress with white stripes.

==Release history==
{{Video game timeline
| 2014 = ''Vol. 1''
| 2015 = ''Vol. 0''
| 2016 = ''Vol. 2''
| 2017 = ''Vol. 3''
| 2018 = ''Extra''
| 2020 = ''Vol. 4''
}}
''Nekopara Vol. 1'', was released in two versions: an uncensored adult version that includes explicit sex scenes and nudity, and a censored all ages version where the explicit content is removed.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Sex Games That Steam Censors|url=http://kotaku.com/the-sex-games-that-steam-censors-1680718912|publisher=[[Kotaku]]|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=April 22, 2015}}</ref> Volume 1 received a release date of December 30, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Catgirl visual novel Nekopara out today on Steam|url=http://www.destructoid.com/catgirl-visual-novel-nekopara-out-today-on-steam-285506.phtml|publisher=[[Destructoid]]|date=December 29, 2014|access-date=April 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-12/sekai-project-adds-nekopara-vol-1-visual-novel-to-steam-greenlight/.80922|title=Sekai Project Adds Nekopara Vol. 1 Visual Novel to Steam Greenlight|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 12, 2014|access-date=April 22, 2015}}</ref>  An all ages [[fan disc]] titled ''Nekopara Vol. 0'' was released on August 17, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=【ダウンロード版】ネコぱらvol.0～水無月ネコたちの日常！|url=https://nekoworks.booth.pm/items/127420|publisher=Neko Works|date=August 15, 2015|access-date=August 15, 2015|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022040418/https://nekoworks.booth.pm/items/127420|archive-date=October 22, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NEKOPARA Vol. 0 on Steam|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/385800/|publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]]|date=August 12, 2015|access-date=August 12, 2015}}</ref>  ''Nekopara Vol. 2'' was released on February 20, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=NEKOPARA Vol. 2 on Steam|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/420110/|publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]]|date=February 12, 2016|access-date=February 12, 2016}}</ref> ''Nekopara Vol. 3'' was originally scheduled to release on April 28, 2017,<ref>{{cite tweet|user=sekaiproject|number=816715509890744335|title=NEKOPARA Vol 3 Trailer!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmtUVUQWt5g|date=January 5, 2017|accessdate=April 11, 2017}}</ref> but it ended up being delayed to May 26, 2017.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=nekopara_pr|number=851259325678993408|date=April 9, 2017|title=Notice of Delay for the Release of NekoPara Vol. 3|accessdate=April 10, 2017}}</ref> Shortly after Volume 3 was released, NEKO WORKs announced that Volume 4 was "coming soon".<ref>{{cite web|title=Nekopara Vol. 4 Announced by Neko Works|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/05/29/nekopara-vol-4-announced-by-neko-works/259002/|publisher=Hardcore Gamer|date=May 29, 2017|access-date=May 30, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20181109235028/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/05/29/nekopara-vol-4-announced-by-neko-works/259002/|archive-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref> It was later revealed that Volume 4: ''Neko to Patisserie no Noel'' was scheduled for November 27, 2020.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=nekopara_pr|author=NEKO WORKs@Official|date=September 10, 2020|number=1303906857874944001|script-title=ja:ネコぱらvol.4　ネコとパティシェのノエル SteamページとOPムービーを公開しました！ 2020年11月27日　パッケージ版＆DL版発売予定！ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1406990/NEKOPARA_Vol_4/|access-date=September 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name="np5ann" />

''Nekopara'' was ported and released on [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Nintendo Switch]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nekopara coming to PS4, Switch|url=https://gematsu.com/2018/01/nekopara-coming-ps4-switch|publisher=Gematsu|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref>

A spin-off game, ''NEKOPALIVE'', was released on Steam on June 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/469990/NEKOPALIVE/|title=NEKOPALIVE|website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]|access-date=December 4, 2017}}</ref>

Another spin-off game, ''Nekopara – Catboys Paradise'', which originally began as an April Fools' joke in 2019, was released for PC, iOS, and Android devices<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chlo |date=2021-03-31 |title=Nekopara "Catboys Paradise" announced for PC and Mobile Platforms |url=https://otomekitten.com/2021/03/31/nekopara-catboys-paradise-announced-for-pc-and-mobile-platforms/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Otome Kitten |language=en}}</ref> on July 15, 2021. The game featured four fully-voiced characters with multiple routes for each character, along with subtitles in Japanese, English, and both Traditional and Simplified Chinese.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chlo |date=2021-07-07 |title=Otome Game Nekopara – Catboys Paradise Releases July 15! |url=https://otomekitten.com/2021/07/06/otome-game-nekopara-catboys-paradise-releases-july-15/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Otome Kitten |language=en}}</ref>

A mini visual novel based on the childhood of Chocola and Vanilla and the other Minaduki catgirls was confirmed to be produced after reaching the $800 000 stretch goal on the ''Nekopara OVA'' Kickstarter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sekaiproject/nekopara-anime-ova/posts/1803030|title=Update #13 - Mini VN Stretch Goal REACHED!|website=Kickstarter|author=Sekai Project|date=February 10, 2017|access-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref> It was later announced that the title would be ''Nekopara Extra'', and was released on July 27, 2018.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=sayori_nw|number=1015735599351779328|date=July 7, 2018|title=ネコぱらExtra ゲームとアニメが発表されました！7月27日steamで配信予定です！|access-date=July 7, 2018}}</ref>

It was revealed in November 2021, that a new volume called ''After: La Vraie Famille'' was in development.<ref name="np5ann">{{cite web |last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Neko Works Reveals New Nekopara Title, Game Franchise's 5 Million Sales Worldwide|date=5 December 2021 |website=Anime News Network|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-12-05/neko-works-reveals-new-nekopara-title-game-franchise-5-million-sales-worldwide/.180291|access-date=16 February 2022}}</ref>

===Sales===
As of May 2016, the ''Nekopara'' series had sold over 500,000 copies.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=nekopara_pr|number=727796825470558208|date=May 4, 2016|title=ネコぱらシリーズの売り上げが累計50万本突破しました|access-date=April 10, 2017|language=Japanese}}</ref> By April 2017, that number had doubled, surpassing one million copies.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=nekopara_pr|number=848371313076977664|date=April 1, 2017|title=Nekopara series surpassed one million copies total|accessdate=April 2, 2017}}</ref>  One year later, in April 2018, the series had sold over 2 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2018-04-25/nekopara-games-have-sold-2-million-copies/.130754|title=Nekopara Games Have Sold 2 Million Copies|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 25, 2018|access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> {{as of|2020|4|lc=y}}, the series has sold 3 million copies on Steam.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=nekopara_pr|number=1250292035765989377|date=April 15, 2020|title=Nekopara series has been sold over 3 million copies on Steam|access-date=April 18, 2020}}</ref> NEKO WORKs announced on November 29, 2021 that franchise sales have exceeded 5 million.<ref name="np5ann" /> As of April 2024, the series has sold over 6 million units worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=INTRODUCTION |url=https://nekopara.com/en/introduction_en |website=Nekopara.com |publisher=NEKO WORKs |access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref>

==Reception==
Hardcore Gamer gave ''Nekopara Vol. 1'' a positive review, stating that "'' Nekopara'' is a light and fluffy visual novel that fans of catgirls will enjoy," but noted that "some may be put off by the sexual storyline aspect."<ref>{{cite web|title=Review: Nekopara Vol. 1|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/12/29/review-nekopara-vol-1/125709/|publisher=Hardcore Gamer|date=December 29, 2014|access-date=April 22, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20181109235034/https://hardcoregamer.com/2014/12/29/review-nekopara-vol-1/125709/|archive-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref>

In May 2021, ''Nekopara'' was one of five [[isekai]]-oriented anime titles (along with ''[[KonoSuba]]'', ''[[That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime]]'', ''[[Princess Lover!]]'', and ''[[Zombie Land Saga]]'') that were given a limited ban by the Russian government for their depiction of reincarnation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/russia-anime-ban-isekai-reincarnation-suicide/ |title=Russia May Ban Isekai Anime Over Reincarnation Controversy |first=Megan |last=Peters |website=ComicBook.com |date=2021-05-03 |access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref>

== Music ==

=== Background Music ===
''Nekopara''<nowiki/>'s background music was written by Mizuki Shinjin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-19 |title=【バカ売れ!】『ネコぱら』（NEKO WORKs）に迫る!!［第6回］/開発スタッフインタビュー＜後編＞ - TG Smart (2015/05/23 20:00) |url=http://www.tgsmart.jp/article.aspx?a=5565 |access-date=2024-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219081108/http://www.tgsmart.jp/article.aspx?a=5565 |archive-date=December 19, 2021 }}</ref>

=== Opening and Ending Themes ===

* The opening theme for Vol. 1, "Taiyou Paradise," was sung by nao, and the ending theme, "Nekomanma Biyori," was sung by [[Haruka Shimotsuki]].
* The opening theme for Vol. 2, "Doki Doki kokoro Flavor," as well as the ending theme, "100Nyan Power de Yumegokoti" were composed by Team-OZ and sung by [[Yui Sakakibara]].
* The opening theme for Vol. 3, "Nekoichi," as well as the ending theme, "Growing" were composed by Peak A Soul+, written by Sinitiro Yamashita, and sung by Duca.
* The opening theme for Vol. 4, "SWEETxSWEET," as well as the ending theme, "NEGAIGOTO" were composed by Rei Kamiya and Eiji Kawai, and sung by [[Kotoko (musician)|Kotoko]].

==Adaptations==
===Anime===
{{See also|List of Nekopara episodes}}

====OVA====
In July 2016, Sekai Project announced that it would be running a [[Kickstarter]] campaign to fund an all-ages ''Nekopara'' original video animation adaptation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-07-04/sekai-project-degica-plan-to-launch-kickstarters-for-nekopara-anime-kimi-ga-nozomu-eien-game-remake/.103944|title=Sekai Project, Degica Plan to Launch Kickstarters for NEKOPARA Anime, Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien Game Remake|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=July 4, 2016|access-date=July 5, 2016}}</ref>  The campaign launched in December 2016, and reached its US$100,000 funding goal "mere hours" after launching.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nekopara Anime Kickstarter Funded on First Day|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/12/28/nekopara-anime-kickstarter-funded-on-first-day/241338/|publisher=Hardcore Gamer|date=December 28, 2016|access-date=January 6, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180908093032/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/12/28/nekopara-anime-kickstarter-funded-on-first-day/241338/|archive-date=September 8, 2018}}</ref> The campaign ended on Kickstarter on February 11, 2017, and raised US$963,376 from 9,322 backers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/02/13/nekopara-anime-ova-kickstarter-crushes-goal-with-963k-total|title="Nekopara" Anime OVA Kickstarter Crushes Goal With $963K Total|website=[[Crunchyroll]]|date=February 13, 2017|access-date=February 14, 2017}}</ref> however, was extended in order to reach the final stretch goal. In March 2017, the campaign formally ended on Sekai Project's "slacker backer" service, and raised a total of US$1,049,552.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-03-09/nekopara-ova-crowdfunding-meets-final-goal-in-overtime/.113168|title=Nekopara OVA Crowdfunding Meets Final Goal in Overtime|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=March 9, 2017|access-date=March 10, 2017}}</ref> On December 4, 2017, Sekai Project announced that the OVA would be released on December 26, 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sekaiproject/nekopara-anime-ova/posts/2060881|title=Update #31 Shipping Alert! Shipping Alert!|website=Kickstarter|date=December 4, 2017|access-date=December 4, 2017}}</ref> however, was later moved to December 22, 2017 due to a shipping error by Tokyo Otaku Mode, the company responsible for physical goods.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sekaiproject/nekopara-anime-ova/posts/2076985|title=Digital Keys Going Out to Backers Ahead of Schedule|date=December 22, 2017|website=[[Kickstarter]]|access-date=December 30, 2018|url-access=registration }}</ref>

The opening theme for the OVA is "Baby→Lady LOVE" by [[Ray (musician)|Ray]], while the ending theme is "▲MEW▲△MEW△CAKE" by [[Kotoko (musician)|Kotoko]].

A second OVA, based on the ''Nekopara Extra'' visual novel, was released alongside the visual novel on July 27, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sekaiproject/nekopara-anime-ova/posts/2232640|title=Update #44 Update on NEKOPARA Extra Game and OVA!|website=Kickstarter|date=July 8, 2018|access-date=July 8, 2018}}</ref> The ending theme for ''Nekopara Extra'' is ''Symphony'' by Luce Twinkle Wink☆.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nekoparaova.com/ex/index.html|title=Nekopara OVA|publisher=Neko Works|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref>

====Television anime====
During the [[Comiket]] 95 event, it was announced that an [[anime]] television series adaptation was in production.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-12-28/nekopara-visual-novel-gets-tv-anime/.141447 |title=Nekopara Visual Novel Gets TV Anime |date=December 28, 2018 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=December 28, 2018 }}</ref> The series is animated by [[Felix Film]] and directed by Yasutaka Yamamoto, with [[Gō Zappa]] handling series composition, Yuichi Hirano designing the characters, and Akiyuki Tateyama composing the music.<ref name="staff-cast">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-06-29/neko-works-reveals-nekopara-tv-anime-details-nekopara-vol-4-game-title/.148426|title=Neko Works Reveals Nekopara TV Anime Details, Nekopara Vol. 4 Game Title|date=June 29, 2019|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 29, 2019}}</ref>  The first episode of the television anime premiered at [[Anime Expo]] 2019 on July 6, 2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-05-25/anime-expo-hosts-capcom-yoshinori-ono-nekopara-sayori-nekopara-tv-anime-premiere/.147115|title=Anime Expo Hosts Capcom's Yoshinori Ono, Nekopara's Sayori, Nekopara TV Anime Premiere|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|date=May 25, 2019|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 25, 2019}}</ref> and the first two episodes aired at a special event in Tokyo on December 24, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nekopara-anime.com/ja/news/detail.php?id=1078742|script-title=ja:第1話・第2話☆クリスマスイヴ先行上映会のお知らせ|date=November 29, 2019|website=Nekopara Anime Official Website|access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref> The series premiered on January 9, 2020 through March 26, 2020 on [[AT-X (company)|AT-X]], [[Tokyo MX]], and [[Nippon BS Broadcasting|BS11]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2019-11-10/nekopara-tv-anime-premieres-in-january-2020/.153119|title=Nekopara TV Anime Premieres in January 2020|date=November 10, 2019|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> The opening theme for the anime is "Shiny Happy Days" by [[Yuki Yagi]], [[Iori Saeki]], [[Shiori Izawa]], [[Miku Itō]], [[Yuri Noguchi]], and Marin Mizutani, and the ending theme is {{nihongo|"Yōdamari no Kaori"|陽だまりの香り}} by Yagi and Saeki.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-11-29/nekopara-tv-anime-promo-video-reveals-january-9-debut-theme-songs/.153810|title=Nekopara TV Anime's Promo Video Reveals January 9 Debut, Theme Songs|date=November 29, 2019|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 29, 2019}}</ref> The series has aired for 12 episodes.<ref name="ep">{{cite web|url=https://nekopara-anime.com/ja/product/detail.php?id=1017384|script-title=ja:TVアニメ「ネコぱら」Blu-ray BOX|website=Nekopara Anime Official Website|access-date=January 9, 2020}}</ref> [[Funimation]] acquired the series for distribution in North America, the British Isles, and Australasia, streaming the series on [[FunimationNow]], [[Wakanim]] and [[AnimeLab]], and produced an English dub for the series.<ref name="funi">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-01-03/funimation-to-stream-nekopara-bofuri-anime/.155032|title=Funimation to Stream Nekopara, BOFURI Anime|date=January 3, 2020|last=Mateo|first=Alex|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref> The series simulcasts in Southeast Asia on [[Aniplus Asia]]. The series released to Blu-Ray by Funimation on May 18, 2021.

===Manga===
A manga adaptation illustrated by Tam-U is currently being published in ''[[Dengeki G's Comic]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Catgirl-Themed Visual Novel "Nekopara" Gets a Manga Makeover|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/12/30-1/catgirl-themed-visual-novel-nekopara-gets-a-manga-makeover|publisher=[[Crunchyroll]]|date=December 30, 2017|access-date=January 3, 2018|archive-date=September 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922031059/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/12/30-1/catgirl-themed-visual-novel-nekopara-gets-a-manga-makeover|url-status=dead}}</ref> The manga began serialisation in the July issue of ''Dengeki G's Comic'' on May 30, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-04-15/manga-briefs-roundup-march-2018/.129658|title=Manga Briefs Roundup: March 2018|last=Ressler|first=Karen|date=April 15, 2018|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=April 19, 2018}}</ref> During [[Anime Expo]] 2018, Sekai Project announced that they would release the manga in English digitally, with the first chapter scheduled for release in August 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-07-07/sekai-project-adds-nekopara-extra-6-other-games/.133977|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|title=Sekai Project Adds NEKOPARA Extra, 6 Other Games|date=July 7, 2018|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 12, 2018}}</ref>

===Mobile games===
In 2019, a mobile game adaptation of the series, ''Nekoparaiten!'', was announced; its release was planned to take place in 2020. Its creators described ''Nekoparaiten!'' as a "romance simulation" game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2019/07/nekoparaiten-announced-for-smartphones|title=Nekoparaiten! announced for smartphones|date=2019-07-04|website=Gematsu|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-11}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|https://nekowork.com}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{official website|http://nekoparaova.com|Official OVA website}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{official website|https://nekopara-anime.com|Official television anime website}}
* {{vndb|4488|producer}}
* {{anime News Network|ova|20691}}

{{Felix Film}}

[[Category:2014 video games]]
[[Category:2020 anime television series debuts]]
[[Category:ASCII Media Works manga]]
[[Category:Crunchyroll anime]]
[[Category:Felix Film]]
[[Category:Manga based on video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:Seinen manga]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Visual novels]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Works banned in Russia]]
[[Category:Sekai Project games]]