Headscratchers / Nekopara

• So nekos are supposed to mature like cats, right? Why? They look more human than cat. And they were genetically engineered. So unless the scientists where sick in the head or the technology of the Nekopara universe isn't that advanced, there is no other logical explanation for this to happen. I mean, that can also be combined into fridge horror if you imagine that a neko's body and mind develops at the fraction of the time as a human's one. Just imagine the pain and confusion they must be in until they can comprehend what is going on.
  • On a related note, does any neko holds hatred that humans has created them and then effectively treats them as disguised slaves? I mean, they can be bought and sold and with enough training, they can become anything the owner wants to. I can imagine that some sick owners will abuse their own nekos and treat them as actual slaves, regardless what the law says.
    • Yeah, probably. But the same could be said of children being mistreated by their parents while said parents hide their crimes from the law. As to being slaves there is a degree of dystopia to the setting. The bells for example; despite being sapient beings catgirls are required to earn and carry a license just to walk around freely without their owners. That said they clearly do have some protections, as early in Vol.1 when Chocola and Vanilla are making it look like Kashou is refusing to buy toiletries for them when they live with him those overhearing this (and not realising that the cats aren't even supposed to be there) consider reporting him for catgirl abuse.
    • Yeah... But since they have a slave like status, maybe the law isn't actually concerned about the treatment of nekos, unless it could threaten a rebellion of some form from them. So I assume that "catgirl abuse" is more about literally whipping them to work and other obvious slave-like treatment rather than not buying your neko something they want. And the reason Kashou gives in is because he might be not aware that the law doesn't give a shit about it. Or considering how Vanilla later on the game was ready to torture him out of jealousy, he was worried that she would frame him for being abusive towards her and possibly her sister. I mean, the police officer at the end was more concerned about the bell rather than Vanilla and Chocola being worried about Kashou being ill and possibly dying if he doesn't go to a hospital.
  • The setting never went into detail as to how (or why) the species were created, just that they were so we don't have a lot to speculate on. As to mental development going by Extra they seem to manage. Their minds mature as fast as cats do despite being more complex and they seem broadly comfortable with this.
    • The why is probably because of scientists who weren't bothered by petty things such as "morality" and "ethics". They did it because they wanted and could to. Not because they should've. And corruption. Or since they could be bought, maybe it was a job given by the Japanese government to develop an ethical way to make a slave species and the scientists came up with nekos. And they figured that it was easier to play genetical lego than getting a ton of programmers and engineers to make a sentient robot that looks cute.
    • Given the general tone of the series I doubt it's that dark. Besides which a species that gets easily distracted and needs a lot of affection to even stick around would be an odd choice to splice with humans to make slaves.
    • Maybe. Especially that dog-human "Uw U" hybrids (I don't know how a human with dog ears and tail is called) is more likely to obey your commands. But even still it reminds me of slavery in the way that they can't go whenever they please without some permit that says "This neko is loyal enough to not escape from his/her owner unsupervised". Not to mention that they're sold just like slaves. But that might be because I want to think too hard about a hentai game (ETHUN)
• Humans having catgirl lovers is apparently so common that there’s even a word for them, Catpanions. How many catboys in-universe despise humans like Kashou for taking away all the good catgirls that they would normally have kids with? How often do catboy-on-human crimes occur due to this?
  • Probably lot enough to be a large issue. While it isn't mentioned anywhere, I assume that to neko guys are rightfully pissed off at humans as they get into a polymerous relationship with multiple neko girls. And Kashou has to worry even more if it's viewed as offensive to date with multiple neko girls who are sisters.
  • You're assuming catboys don't fall for their owners as well. Given how strongly the catgirls latched on to Kashou it wouldn't surprise me if the species is rather endangered by a lack of reproduction for this very reason. Then again mating to have kids might be a different matter; while normal cats relationships with their owners are obviously non-sexual they do usually mean far more to them than their sexual partners do. A male and female cat will breed then quite possibly never see each other again while both will return to snuggle up to their humans every night. Mates serve a purpose, those they live with, be they cat r human, are family. Something similar might occur here, where catgirls and catboys often become catpanions to their owners if so inclined but, when they feel like becoming parents, find some member of their species to breed with once and leave it at that.
    • Maybe you're right. But that sounds quite depressing, and I wouldn't be surprised if nekos are (justifiably) angry at humans for creating them, then letting them being near extinction because humans can't stop not having romantic relationships with them. Unless they're all chill with it, somehow.
    • In fairness every one of Kashou's relationships with the catgirls was initiated by them, not him (he has no real objections but still, it's not his idea). It seems they really don't mind the idea of being with humans.
    • They might be the expectation rather than the rule. But if they're the rule, then I'm (ETHUN) curious about why this is it.
• Catgirls' tongues are mentioned as being like those of a cat. As anyone whose every been licked by a cat could tell you those things are rough. On the skin of your arm or something, no biggie. On more...sensitive areas...do I have spell out the problem here?
  • Well, Kashou might be into it.
• Exactly, how much rights to catgirls have? There's laws that says that neko abuse is illegal, but what counts as neko abuse? Simply not fulfilling their desires, or is it something more serious like physical abuse (such as beating them)? And how strict the Japanese government is with these laws?

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