Background Research on Nekomiya Mana

Today we are discussing Nekomiya Mana.

"Oops, I forgot to introduce myself... I'm Nekomiya Mana, but you can call me Nekomata."

Her name references the well-known Japanese folklore creature, NEKOMATA, a black cat with two tails that transforms into a young woman at night, beguiling and tricking humans. NEKOMATA also has the ability to control other cats. Reflecting this legend, Nekomiya Mana has dark skin, twin tails, and the power to control cats, effectively embodying the mythical NEKOMATA.

Nekomata's design includes a color scheme of red, black, and white with orange accents and mechanical leg guards, reminiscent of a friend's design...

Her twin swords are stored in her leg guards, inspired by the ARX 8 from Full Metal Panic. Her headband resembles a ninja forehead protector, though the significance of its pattern is unknown. Her dual short swords indicate her high mobility and attack frequency. Her skills include high attack counts, mobility, invincibility frames, and high burst damage. Despite her cute exterior, these abilities make her a formidable character.

Nekomata has a barcode-like tattoo on her forehead. If viewed as just a tattoo, it might imply information related to family identity, religious rituals, or even criminal punishment. If seen as a barcode, it could suggest that Nekomata's image or function can be mass-produced. Regardless, this pattern likely relates to her origin and background, which will be revealed in the official content.

Moving on, Nekomata wears a large cat bell around her slender neck. Interestingly, this bell makes no sound, whether in the PV or the game, indicating it is merely decorative. This makes sense, as a ninja appearing and disappearing silently would find a jingling bell quite inconvenient.

Nekomata's sleeves feature a white rope-like decoration, evolved from the traditional Japanese Shinto shimenawa. Fans of anime will recognize shimenawa as a common element in works involving the supernatural. However, Zenless Zone Zero's art team added a twist: they deconstructed the shimenawa, replacing the classic hemp material with a fluffy modern composite, giving it a light feel that matches Nekomata's agile character without losing the shimenawa's essence. Such design techniques, blending, deconstructing, and reinterpreting classic elements, are prevalent throughout Zenless Zone Zero. It seems like miHoYo's art team might be alchemists!

Nekomata's abdomen has two cross-shaped patterns, resembling the German Iron Cross. However, considering her Japanese cultural background, incorporating German military elements seems inappropriate. More plausible explanations are that these patterns either represent the four-leaf clover for luck or are derived from the Templar cross. The Templars aimed to protect Christians, but were later persecuted and disbanded, mirroring the experiences of Nekomata's group, the Akayabashi gang. Similar cross patterns also appear in the anime "The Cat Returns," hinting at a connection.

Nekomata's lower abdomen features a white pattern resembling a torii gate, though it includes an extra tail and dot. If anyone knows the significance, please share with comments!

Her black stockings have a pattern and a string of letters. The pattern resembles the Akechi family crest, but the letters "TSUBAKI" suggest it represents the camellia flower. This could hint at Nekomata's lineage.

From these details, we see that Nekomata has many symbolic decorations, such as the forehead tattoo, abdomen pattern, and stocking crest. Each seems to point to her origins, but based on the current PV and second test storyline, we only know that a faction once took her in, with no details about her past. These symbols likely indicate that Nekomata grew up or served in various factions, suggesting she has been wandering since a young age. Her playful demeanor might conceal feelings of abandonment and loss. Hopefully, she finds a true sense of home at Cunning Hares.