Steam Community :: roli

2.5 hrs on record (1.8 hrs at review time)

NEKO-NIN exHeart tells the story of Haruki, our main character who is a seemingly normal high-school boy with nothing going on for him other than his lack of voice because who the heck voices visual novel main characters.

We are taught some background story about these so called "Demi-Humans", a race born from the ongoing conflict in the world who possess unique strength and abilities. Since the start of time, society has always been enveloped in war and suffering. From different ideologies to cultural barriers, it's in our nature to seek agreement with others, even if it means instigating chaos. This visual novel wastes no time throwing you into the depths of human psychology regarding how history is meant to repeat itself thanks to society's ignorance.

Yura and Tama belong to this Demi-Human race, a pair of ninja catgirls who now serve under our beloved Haruki thanks to his royal lineage. If one likes the use of ninja and cat gimmicks on cute anime girls, you won't be too disappointed by their actions. I would like to talk about each of these characters separately to understand their role in the story to come.
First, I would like to talk about Tama, because her name would come first if they were arranged alphabetically. Tama is introduced as the younger of the two, a bit of an airhead and too laid back for her own good. She breaks the boundaries introduced at the start of the story by not acting as respectful towards her lord as one would expect her to, even going as far as calling him her older brother rather than master. Most people would think that this was done to pander to the otaku fanbase, but I would like to present a better explanation for Tama's behavior and actions.

Tama is a good example of a cunning and scheming character, her motivations are clouded by her clumsy demeanor. We are led to believe that Tama is just a girl we should take care of and protect as if she were our little sister, the truth is that we are being deceived by her true intentions.

As Niccolò Machiavelli once said when describing the ideal prince "he must be discreet enough to know how to avoid the infamy of those vices that would deprive him of his government". Tama's government or kingdom refers to her relationship with Haruki, she will do anything to keep him under her grasp and maintain her true goals hidden away from him. She keeps up her innocent and carefree persona to gain the favor of her subjects, while remaining a ruthless shinobi as shown by her aptitude to use a plethora of Fuuma Ninjutsu. Yes indeed, Tama has certainly mastered the beast's nature to blend in as a helpless catgirl, demonstrating the sharp mind of a fox but also the strength and bravery of a lion, Tama is what one should aspire as a shinobi of the Fuuma clan.

Our second catgirl is named Yura, she's the older sister of the two and doesn't seem as laid-back as Tama. She is presented as a hardworking and energetic ninja who always tries her best and doesn't let anything hold her back. Unlike Tama, Yura doesn't possess any hidden malicious intents. However, Yura is by no means a defenseless girl. We are shown that Yura isn't as capable as her sister when it comes to ninjutsu techniques, but she makes up by always trying her best even if she fails to reach her goals.

Now that I have explained both sister's role in the story, I'd like to further develop Haruki's relationship with both. Although Haruki seems lost and intimidated by the sudden surprises, he wastes no time welcoming them to his life and adapting to the circumstances. He is shown to care for both of her new subjects but is smart enough to not give them everything they desire, he understands how to keep his kingdom under his control by showing compassion but not weakness. "For love is held by the tie of obligation, which, because men are a sorry breed, is broken on every whisper of private interest; but fear is bound by the apprehension of punishment which never relaxes its grasp".

i just really like cute girls and ninjas and had nothing to do while waiting for my water to boil

Posted 10 November, 2018. Last edited 10 November, 2018.

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