They say that rulers are simply figureheads, the faces of their respective nations, while their governments, generals, management and countless agencies make the real decisions. This is certainly the case in the fictional land of Planeptune. Goddess CPU Neptune may be the face of this great nation, but those who know her personally know that it’s her younger sister, CPU Candidate Nepgear, that gets stuff done.
On This Page
Conception
While celebrated artist Tsunako is usually credited with the art and character designs of the Neptunia series, it should be noted that some characters had input from other creators. After some design complications which briefly stalled the design stage of the original Hyperdimension Neptunia game, series creator Naoki Mizuno stepped in to create a new group of main characters for Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 in response to the Japanese moe subculture trend, especially the concept of the ‘younger sister’.
The younger sister characters, like Nepgear, are still inexperienced, and not fully grown compared to their older sisters. One of the reasons behind creating such heroines was that I wanted to depict the younger sisters’ adorable efforts to grow strong and mature enough to save their older sisters and Gamindustri.
Due to Nepgear being the younger sister of Neptune and thus representing a handheld console instead of a home console like her sister, Nepgear’s name is derived from the Sega Game Gear. Unlike Neptune, the console which Nepgear represents has rarely been disputed. Any similarity to the technology manufacturer Netgear is entirely coincidental.
Her design features aspects which both mirror and oppose those of Neptune. Nepgear’s colour scheme, for example, matches that of Neptune almost entirely. However, where Neptune has short hair which grows incredibly long when she transforms into ‘HDD’ form, Nepgear retains realistically long hair in both forms. Also in her transformed state, Nepgear’s plugsuit is usually white as opposed to Neptune’s black suit. Nepgear also has alternative styles of plugsuit, including some resembling bikinis.
Story: Neptune’s Shadow
Nepgear was born during the events of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1 after an optional event, simply called “The Birth of Nepgear” which is acquired after acquisition of certain items and Planeptune’s shares reaching 50%. With the nation of Planeptune’s shares reaching new heights, thanks to Neptune’s efforts, a new Planeptune CPU was born. As the second Planeptune CPU to exist in the same dimension and era as another, Nepgear is given the title of ‘CPU Candidate’.
Nepgear would ascend to the role of protagonist in Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2, its remake Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation, and later follow-up Neptunia: Sisters Vs Sisters. By the end of Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 and its remake, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2, Nepgear becomes a bit more assertive by pushing Neptune to do her own work for once. Neptune preferred the pushover Nepgear but realises that her little sister is growing up. Though she’s gotten more confident since then, Nepgear still pampers her sister far too much.
Relationships
Nepgear and Neptune have a very close sisterly bond. Neptune has put effort into making herself a “cool older sister” for Nepgear. Nepgear has also never been disappointed by Neptune despite Neptune’s lack of dedication to her work as a CPU. Nepgear looks up to Neptune and they spend a lot of time together. Nepgear hates it when anything harmful happens to her sister and works tirelessly to watch her back, but tends to spoil her in the process.
Neptune is not the only CPU who cherishes Nepgear as a sister. Vert considers Nepgear to be her sister after giving her a CPU Memory to restore her powers, however Nepgear knows Neptune is her true sister. Vert visits Planeptune often simply to see Nepgear in the hope that their relationship will grow. While Vert craves a younger sister like Nepgear more than anything, she has gradually come to accept this can never be and has recently suggested the pair try a more intimate relationship rather than a sisterly one. Nepgear is still young and naive in the ways of intimacy and tries to shun Vert’s advances.
Nepgear’s and Uni’s relationship is very similar to Neptune’s and Noire’s only slightly friendlier. While at first, Uni blamed Nepgear for the capture of the CPUs, she eventually got over this and challenged Nepgear to a duel which Uni lost. Uni would then lose her confidence but would regain her spirit after Nepgear pushed for an alliance. The pair would soon realise how much they had in common and would become best friends. In the Gamicademi dimension, their strong friendship would grow into romance and the two would become lovers.
Nepgear is close to both of the Lowee twins, but moreso to the softer-spoken Rom. Rom looks up to Nepgear, even calling her “Miss Nepgear” out of respect. Rom would have been happy to form an alliance with Nepgear far earlier in their adventure, however the stubborn Ram talked her out of it. In Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory, Rom still looks up to Nepgear and trusts her enough to shield her from things she finds scary.
When Neptune isn’t around, two of her closest friends will usually step in to support Nepgear with tougher missions. Compa and Nepgear are very close as Compa gives Nepgear her nickname “Ge-Ge”. Compa would also defend her whenever IF gets a little pushy. IF puts great trust in Nepgear and helps her gain her confidence back when Nepgear first started her adventure. IF is responsible for Nepgear being able to use her HDD form after placing her faith in her via an intimate moment. IF serves as a guardian to Nepgear for the first part of her adventure.
Histoire entrusts Nepgear with the mission to recover shares from ASIC and save the CPUs captive in Gamindustri Graveyard. Nepgear is worried about disappointing her since she failed when the CPUs first went to the graveyard. Histoire blames herself instead of Nepgear since she knew the mission was very risky. Nepgear trusts Histoire and does her best not to disappoint. Histoire trusts Nepgear to do more work compared to Neptune. Nepgear views Histoire as a mother figure.
Legacy
In the official Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 site popularity poll, Nepgear took third place just behind Neptune who claimed second place; This makes Nepgear the most popular CPU Candidate. Though Neptune retains the most appearances as protagonist or joint-protagonist, Nepgear appears as the protagonist in three major installments of the series, including the more recent entry, Neptunia: Sisters Vs Sisters.
Like Neptune, Nepgear would also make several cameo appearances in other Compile Heart and Idea Factory properties, as well as collaborative events in other games. Such appearances include Touch Shot! Love Application, Adventure Quiz Kingdom, High School DxD New Fight, Million Arthur, AngeVierge, SHOWMAKER, Azur Lane: Crosswave, Sangoku Taisen Smash!, and Artery Gear.
