History VideoGame / NekoAtsume

* CatsAreMagic:Hermeowne, a black cat with a witch hat and cape. Her memento is a bottle of magic powder (probably catnip), that when used, summons cats to an empty yard.

* CatsAreMagic: A 2017 update introduces Hermeowne, a black cat with a witch hat and cape. Her memento is a bottle of magic powder, that when used, summons cats to an empty yard.

The success of the game has led to a large variety of [[http://www.bpnavi.jp/kuji/item/1369 official merchandise]], a [[http://denshi-birz.com/kingen-nekoatsume/ companion webcomic]], as well as [[https://store.line.me/stickershop/product/1134810/en official stickers/stamps]] for use with the LINE messenger app. There is also a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iDst3nfY30 live-action movie]], ''Neko Atsume no Ie'', set to be released in April 2017.

** "Macchiato", an Italian word meaning "stained" or "spotted".

** Gozer is named after the main antagonist from ''[[Film/Ghostbusters1984 Ghostbusters]]''. His personality is even described as "sore loser"!

* MeaningfulName: Many of the cat's default names are based on some aspect of their appearance or personality - some are obvious, like "Snowball" and "Patches" (an all white cat, and a [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin white cat with orange patches]]), but others not quite so obvious, like "Ganache" (a chocolate coloured cat - ganache a glaze, icing, sauce, or filling for pastries made from chocolate and cream).

* MeaningfulName: Many of the cat's default names are based on some aspect of their appearance or personality.

* PlayEveryDay: The game offers a daily password with each new day. Registering it will give you a small bonus of fish. For every five days of daily passwords that you collect, you'll get a free can of food.

* VideoGameCaringPotential: The entire point of the game, really - especially if you go out of your way to give the cats the nicest food and toys.

* AmbiguousGender: All of the cats look alike, and most have gender-neutral names, so it's usually difficult to tell. (Although if you're aware of cat genetics, the calicoes and tortoiseshells are female, and the orange ones are most likely male.[[note]]This all has to do with the gene for orange colouring being located on the X chromosome. More precisely, the calico/tortiseshell pattern is caused by something called "X-inactivation", an interaction that only occurs in mammals with two X chromosomes - in this case, with one X having an orange gene, and the other X lacking it, causing a mix of colours to be expressed. This almost always means it can only happen in females (sperm/egg glitches can produce males with an extra X, but this is extremely rare). On the other hand, orange cats are ''usually'' male, because the male only needs to have an orange gene on his single X for the the gene to fully express itself - a female would need to have it on ''both'' of her X's to be fully orange, which doesn't happen so often.[[/note]])

* AmbiguousGender: All of the cats look alike, and most have gender-neutral names, so it's usually difficult to tell. (Although if you're aware of cat genetics, the calicoes and tortoiseshells are female.[[note]]More precisely, the calico/tortiseshell pattern is caused by something called "X-inactivation", an interaction that only occurs in mammals with two X chromosomes. This usually means female, but rare genetic conditions occasionally produce males with an extra X.[[/note]])

** Tubbs can be annoying, as he regularly shows up to eat all of the food you have put out, and no food means no cats will come. You can force him to leave immediately by replacing the food, but if you leave it and let him stay until he decides to leave on his own, he will leave you a very generous amount fish as a gift.

The success of the game has led to a large variety of [[http://www.bpnavi.jp/kuji/item/1369 official merchandise]], a [[http://denshi-birz.com/kingen-nekoatsume/ companion webcomic]], as well as [[https://store.line.me/stickershop/product/1134810/en official stickers/stamps]] for use with the LINE messenger app. There is also a [[http://kotaku.com/cat-collecting-game-neko-atsume-gets-a-live-action-movi-1788697125 live-action movie]] currently in development for Japanese audiences.

* BrilliantBuyLazy: "Lazy" Misty has a power level of 160.

* CatNinja: Whiteshadow, who randomly pops into the background in the yards and depending on the model is either "Scouting" or "Espionage".

* PolarOppositeTwins: Macchiato and Melange. They're identical lynx point cats with Macchiato being a seal lynx while Melange is a blue lynx. Their personalities are also total opposites: Macchiato has a high power level with a "Sourpuss" personality while Melange is "Calm" with a low power level. Even their mementos are opposites types of collars: Macchiato gifts a leather choker and Melange will gift a cotton scarf.

** The various cats include tabbies, calicos, and a calico tabby.
** There's also tortoiseshells, tabbies, and tortoiseshell tabbies.