Some characters have to wait an extraordinarily long time for their moment in the spotlight, eventually climbing to the role of protagonist after many years of waiting. However, on very rare occasions we find a character who doesn’t simply wait on the sidelines for their time to shine, but finds another path to fame. Today, we meet IF, who not only grew from a supporting character to a protagonist, but also became a brand ambassador of sorts.
On This Page
Conception
Like the majority of Neptunia saga characters, IF, or “Iffy” as she is also affectionately called, is the brainchild of celebrated character artist Tsunako and series creator Naoki Mizuno. In early art and pictures of the first game, IF’s hair would sometimes appear red. IF’s name comes from the official acronym used for Idea Factory, publisher of the Hyperdimension Neptunia games. Much like Compa (Compile Heart), she does not have a name that perfectly matches the company she represents.
Due to the Neptunia series comprising games that feature different universes and dimensions, there are multiple IFs throughout the series, some of them with varying roles in their respective narratives, yet they generally share the same personalities and quirks. Though usually only a supporting playable character, IF would become the protagonist of her own crossover game in 2016, making her the first protagonist in a Neptunia game who is not a Goddess.
Prior to becoming a protagonist herself, IF’s primary role in the games was to act as a mentor-type character for the rookie protagonist (usually Neptune or Nepgear). She is a ‘Maker’-class human character who is known for being a member of the Guild in Planeptune, and will usually introduce the game’s Guild side-quests and act as an early-game party leader.
IF also subtly highlights one of the series’ minor references in the subtext, with IF being a smartphone addict. She has a total of nine phones which are all individually named. IF’s nine phones are titled: Otomate Forte Blue-Green, B Make Sky Blue, IF Neverland Navy, Gene Project Black, Type Zero White, Happy Seed Yellow-Green, Otomate Orange-Pink, and Lupinus Sugar Pink, however the one she uses the most is IF Mate Rose Pink. These are named after subdivisions of Idea Factory.
IF is the first and only character in the series to ever get censored while cursing in Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls, which is ironic since she is one of the most mature characters in the series and rarely curses. In all English-dubbed games in the series, IF is voiced by veteran voice actress Kate Higgins, however she was temporarily replaced by Megan Shipman in FUNimation’s anime adaptation.
Story: A Gust Of Wind That Blows Through Gamindustri
IF appears in every game in the Neptunia series, usually as a supporting character. She is not a Goddess like her CPU friends, however she is capable of growing in power by sharing in a nation’s success (Shares). This makes her human, but as a real-world company representative (Idea Factory) known as a ‘Maker’, she can access some magical and superhuman abilities.
There are countless versions of IF fulfilling a variety of narrative roles across the multiverse of Neptunia, however all share a common career path. IF is a highly competent adventurer, explorer, and combatant. She works for the Guild as a well-connected, high-ranking field agent, completing missions for cash rewards and occasionally intel. She often works alone, but also acknowledges the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
In the alternate, post-apocalyptic version of Gamindustri featured in Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls, IF takes on the role of protagonist and is paired with an amnesiac game-mascot character named Hatsumi “Segami” Sega. IF searches the endless wasteland for fame and fortune, eventually locating the lost Grand Library which holds the history of the world within its shelves.
Inside the library, IF teams up with Segami and the librarian, Histoire, after learning that books are vanishing from the library and chapters of the world’s history are disappearing. Using rifts in the space-time continuum, IF and Segami set out on a journey across time to uncover the truth. Venturing into the past, the pair settle disputes between the CPU Goddesses and their new rivals, the Sega Hard Girls, hoping their efforts may save the dying world in the process.
Relationships
IF’s skill for undercover intelligence gathering and solo Guild missions can lead many to interpret her as something of a ‘lone wolf’, yet this isn’t the case. She can be quite the socialite when required, especially when mentoring other adventurers who she quickly befriends, making her a popular ally. While IF prefers to keep her true feelings to herself (not unlike Noire) she does develop strong feelings for those she respects most of all. She is a lesbian and a secret romantic, but will occasionally let her desires slip out when triggered or startled.
IF develops crushes on several key characters across the series. Chronologically, IF’s first crush was Vert. In the Superdimension, IF is a resident of Planeptune and member of their Guild, yet secretly idolises the CPU Goddess of Leanbox instead. Upon finally meeting, Vert would quickly learn of IF’s affection for her and flirt with her to gain her favour. IF would eventually see through Vert’s façade, seeing her more as a negligent gaming addict than a dedicated ruler worthy of her respect.
In the Hyperdimension reality, following the capture of the CPUs, IF would rescue and mentor Planeptune’s CPU Candidate, Nepgear, until she was ready to lead a rescue mission to save the CPUs. IF would place her faith in Nepgear, granting her a ‘Share’ to boost her power. IF would seal this arrangement by spontaneously kissing Nepgear, much to the latter’s surprise. The pair have maintained a strong bond ever since.
Prior to this, Neptune was the first CPU IF met, while IF is the second ‘Maker’ character Neptune met. Despite large differences in personality, she is one of Neptune’s closest friends. However, IF is generally serious so if Neptune slacks off, she is going to hear about it. The pair have something of a toxic friendship and will often bicker or playfully tease one another.
In the Ultradimension reality, IF was placed in the care of Plutia and Neptune at the age of two and grew up with them. She came to like Plutia, actually referring to her as ‘Plutie’ similar to how Neptune did. However, when she was five years old, she suffered trauma when she saw Plutia transform into Iris Heart and beat up Arfoire. As a result, IF is terrified of Iris Heart and always speaks very carefully around Plutia to avoid angering her.
By far, IF’s closest friend and love interest is Compa, a pairing which represents Idea Factory’s fondness for subsidiary Compile Heart. While Compa would not appear in Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls with the plot following a very different route, IF and Compa are usually inseparable elsewhere in the Neptunia multiverse. While their origin stories may differ from dimension to dimension, Compa and IF are usually childhood friends and present best friends.
Compa and IF have very different personalities, yet they bring out the best in one another. IF often plays the role of a protector to Compa, while Compa sees herself in a similar role, being IF and the party’s medic. IF has been shown to become very defensive of Compa when others act flirtatiously towards her, and is comically obsessed with Compa, and even has photos of Compa sleeping. In the anime’s manga, it is revealed that IF genuinely loves Compa in a romantic sense. She has also stated that her preferred ending would be her marrying Compa.
Legacy
IF has made cameo appearances in a handful of other games. She is available in the Japanese version of Mugen Souls Z as part of a magazine promotion. ‘IF’ can be downloaded and the player can obtain equipment that can allow Peons to dress up to resemble IF. This DLC pack includes IF’s entire outfit, her hairstyle, her face, and a portrait of her.
She appears in a number of collaboration event gachas alongside other characters in the Neptunia franchise in Million Arthur. In Phantasy Star Online 2, IF’s costume based on her appearance in Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls was made available as part of a collaboration. IF also appears as part of the Koe Jigen Game Neptune: Geimugyō-kai no Kibō collaboration with her costume being available for use on a player’s avatar.
In the Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 popularity poll, IF came in 6th place, however her position would rise through the ranks over time, with IF coming in 2nd place in a 2014 character poll, just behind Blanc. IF would also become immensely popular within Idea Factory themselves, with IF promoted to the company’s mascot character. IF appears on the storefront of Idea Factory’s official store website, Iffy’s Online Store, also known as IFI’s Online Store to incorporate the Idea Factory International acronym.
