Hyperdimension Neptunia

Hyperdimension Neptunia(超次元ゲイム ネプテューヌ,Chōjigen Geimu Neputyūnu, lit. "Super Dimensional Game Neptune")is a series ofrole-playing video gamesproduced byCompile HeartandIdea Factory, which revolves around andparodiesthe real-lifevideo gaming industryand other forms of Japanese culture. The series has also branched off into amanga,light novelandanimemedia franchise series.
The series debuted in Japan on August 19, 2010, with thevideo game of the same namefor thePlayStation 3, and received sequels:Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2(2011),Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory(2012), andMegadimension Neptunia VII(2015) as the last of the main series. All the main games have been remade (the first three as "Re;Birth") and since then multiple spin-off and crossover games have also been released for various platforms.
An anime television series adaptation, titledHyperdimension Neptunia: The Animation, aired in Japan between July and September 2013. An OVA, titledNepu no Natsuyasumi, was released in July 2019. A second OVA, titledNep Nep Darake no Festival, was released in October 2022, and third OVA, titledHidamari no Little Purple, was released in April 2023.
Games within the series takes place in the world of Gamindustri(ゲイムギョウ界,Geimugyō-kai, a pun on ゲーム業界Gēmu gyōkai, "game industry"), which is divided into four regions/nations which are each ruled by one CPU: Planeptune, Lastation, Lowee, and Leanbox. Each region is completely different from the others in appearance and atmosphere, with each representing a specificvideo game console. Lastation represents thePlayStation, Lowee represents theWii, and Leanbox represents theXbox, while Planeptune represents the cancelledSega Neptune. In the beginning of the story, the four goddesses are fighting each other for "shares" in a war known as the Console War. Shares are the manifestation of the belief citizens put into their goddess, and without shares, a goddess dies. Because some of the games feature time and/or dimension travel there are slight differences in the settings for each title.
Prior to Q3 2009, Compile Heart was conceptualising a new RPG project centred upon character designs byTsunako, with the intention of collaborating with a partner company. This game was originally planned to feature three princess sisters and a protagonist. However, the partnership deal fell out, and as a result the project plans were redesigned and eventually became "Neptunia" close to the end of 2009 following the completion ofTrinity Universe's development. During the early stages of the project, the characters Noire and Blanc were originally coloured red and blue respectively, however their colour schemes were changed to black and white so that they could better fit in with the new game setting and plot.
The release of the first sequel to the original game,Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2, saw the introduction of a reworked game engine and the replacement of various components such as the battle system and dungeons, which were completely rebuilt from scratch.Hyperdimension Neptunia Victorylater built on this, with the parts frommk2which were considered "weak" by the developers removed and improved, eventually settingVictoryas the foundation for the design of future titles within the series. Following Compile Heart's collaboration withDavid Productionto produce theNeptuniatelevision animation series, the developers were able to change their approach to direction and script-writing based on their experience with the anime development staff, which resulted in the changes to the narrative found in theRe;Birthgames on PlayStation Vita.
Hyperdimension Neptuniais the first game within the series, with the name originally derived from the scrappedSega Neptunewhich combined theSega Mega Drive/GenesisandSega 32Xinto one unit, originally scheduled for release in 1994 or 1995 before the project was dropped after the release of theSega Saturn.
There are two sequels which have been released under the namesHyperdimension Neptunia Mk2andHyperdimension Neptunia Victory. Another game, titledHyperdimension Neptunia PP(神次元アイドル ネプテューヌPP,Kamijigen Aidoru Neputyūnu PP),was released on June 20, 2013, for thePlayStation Vitain Japan and it was released in the west in June 2014 asHyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection, developed byCompile Heart,Idea FactoryandTamsoft.
During a streamed interview atTokyo Game Show2013, Idea Factory and Compile Heart announced thatHyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generationwas under development.Re;Birth 2was released on March 20, 2014.Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart(超女神信仰ノワール　激神ブラックハート,Chō Megami Shinkō Nowāru Geki-Shin Burakkuhāto)with Noire as the main character, was released on May 29, 2014.
On March 16, 2014, two new next-generation games were announced, titledHyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed(超次元アクション ネプテューヌU)andMegadimension Neptunia VII(新次元ゲイム ネプテューヌVII).Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashedis an action game spin-off exclusively for the PlayStation Vita released on August 28, 2014, in Japan, developed byTamsoft,whilstMegadimension Neptunia VIIis a main series title for thePlayStation 4.
AtTokyo Game Show2014, an enhanced remake ofHyperdimension Neptunia Victoryfor thePlayStation Vita, titledHyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Century, was announced.
Remade asHyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1released in 2013,Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1 Plusin 2018, andNeptunia re★Versein 2020.
The second game in the series. It introduced gameplay mechanics, new characters, and interpretations of the previous ones, which became a mainstay in the series. The game's plot tackles more about the major consequences ofvideo game piracy, albeit presented in ablack-and-whitemanner. It was later remade asHyperdimension Neptunia Re; Birth 2: Sisters Generationwhich was initially released in 2014 for PlayStation Vita and Steam.
The third game in the series, which mainly takes in an alternate dimension and is based around gaming culture around the early generations until thesixth-generation era of gaming. It received an enhanced version for the PlayStation Vita and Steam asHyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generationwhich was initially released in 2014.
The first game in the series for PlayStation 4 released worldwide in 2016. The game's plot is slightly inspired by the shift fromthe seventh generation of consolesto the8th generation, as well as the history of theSega Dreamcast. The game received a remake, framed as a retelling of the True Ending route, in 2017 asMegadimension Neptunia VIIRwhich featured new cutscenes with VR support. Released on the same platforms as the original (except for the Nintendo Switch).
An idol-raising simulator game with rhythm and dating sim elements. It is the first game in the series to be on the PlayStation Vita and was the only game in the series to not receive a port to PCs.
An online mobile card game forAndroidandiOSdeveloped by Idea Factory and hosted byGREEstarting from February 15, 2013. It is acollectible card gamewhich involves social networking elements.The game's servers shut down on July 31, 2014.
Turn-basedtactical role-playing game which utilizes a battle grid.
Dynasty Warriors-type real-time action game.
Multiplayer action game.
Crossover RPG with theSega Hard Girlsfranchise.
Action RPG based on a fictional MMORPG within the series universe.
Interaction/Card game released in Japan for Android and iOS. The localized version was released exclusively for iOS and featured less characters and updates compared to the Japanese version.
Free-to-play card battle game,and the firstNeptuniagame to not be released outside Japan. The game's support was terminated on August 8, 2018.Though it wasn't released outside Japan, the English version ofNeptunia Virtual Starsgives this game the name "Nep-Nep★Connect: Chaos Champloo" when referring to characters that debuted in this game in game's collectible card list.
2D side-scrolling action game. First title in the series to be developed outside Japan,and the firstNeptuniatitle that was released on aNintendoplatform.
2D anime bullet hell game. For the Neptunia series, this title is a number of firsts: first exclusively on PC, the first released worldwide on the same day, and the first to be developed by Idea Factory International, and the first game to be published by Idea Factory in Japan instead of Compile Heart. It was ported toPlayStation 5alongsideNeptunia re★Verse.
A hack 'n' slash game with rhythm elements that tackles and parodies culture around social media, featuring variousVtubers. The first game in the series not to receive an English dub due to the amount of guest Vtubers present.
Crossover with theSenran Kaguraseries. The second game in the series not to receive an English dub.
Rail shootergame exclusive to PC developed by Frontier Works.
Action RPG starring the candidates. For the first time, the character models have been remade from scratch. It was released in Japan on April 21, 2022, for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.A Western version has been released in January 2023, adding PC via Steam to platforms.It also released forXbox OneandXbox Series X/Son May 21, 2024.This is the first game to have an English dub since the release ofSuper Neptunia RPG, and the first to release onXboxplatforms.
RPG spin-off starring the alternate universe adult Neptune for PS5, PS4, and Switch.First released in 2023 in Japan, it launched worldwide in May 14, 2024.Xbox Series X/Sversion also planned to release in 2024.
Amotorcycleaction game, known in Japanese asNeptunia VS Titan Dogoo. It was released in Japan for PS5, PS4, and Switch on June 27, 2024, and was released worldwide on January 28, 2025.
A manga series based on the game titledChoujigen Game Neptune: Megami Tsuushin(超次元ゲイム ネプテューヌ ~めがみつうしん~)began serialisation in November 2010 within theFamitsu Comic Clear.
A manga series illustrated by Mikage Baku which complements the television animation, titledHyperdimension Neptunia: The Animation – Hello New World(超次元ゲイム ネプテューヌ THE ANIMATION はろーにゅーわーるど), began serialisation within the June 2013 issue ofDengeki Maoh. A spin-off novel of the anime, titledHyperdimension Neptunia TGS Hono no Futsukakan, was published by MF Bunko J and released May 25, 2013.
An anime adaptation,Hyperdimension Neptunia: The Animation, was produced byDavid Productionof Japan and directed byMasahiro Mukai.Series composition and script writing are done by Shōgo Yasukawa and a musical score composed byHiroaki Tsutsumi, Kenji Kaneko andMasaru Yokoyama. Character designs are done by Hitomi Takechi, based on the original designs byTsunakoalong with art direction by Masanobu Nomura and sound direction by Jin Aketagawa. The twelve-episode series aired onTokyo MXon July 12, 2013, and were later aired onBS11,KBS,Sun TVandtvkthen finished on September 27, 2013. The series was acquired byFunimationfor online streaming in North America with both the English dub and the original Japanese dub with English subtitles.The opening theme is "Dimension tripper!!!!" by nao and the ending theme is "Neptune☆Sagashite"(ネプテューヌ☆サガして)byAfilia Saga."Go→Love&Peace" byAyaneis used as the ending theme of episodes 3 and 4, in addition to "Ito"(糸, literally "yarn")by Afilia Saga on episode 10. It was broadcast within the United States onFunimation Channel.
A neworiginal video animation(OVA) titledNepu no Natsuyasumiwas announced to be in production. Returning staff members include Masahiro Mukai as director, Hitomi Takechi as character designer, and Shōgo Yasukawa as scriptwriter, with animation by studioOkuruto Noboru.It premiered on July 8, 2019.A second OVA titledNep Nep Darake no Festivalwas bundled with "Dimensional Traveler Neptune Generator Unit ver." 1/7 scale figure, which was released on December 15, 2021. A third OVA titledHidamari no Little Purplewas bundled with the "Neptune Little Purple ver." 1/7-scale figure, which was released on July 3, 2022.
The anime television series adaptation received a mixed response, with praise for its original story and humor revolving around video game industry in-jokes, and criticism for its use of melodrama.
Most of the original soundtracks created for theNeptuniaseries were composed by Kenji Kaneko, with additional composers forMegadimension Neptunia VIIand later games.The first, titledHyperdimension Neptunia Sound Track CD, was released on August 19, 2010, and was bundled with a Japanese Limited Edition of the game.The soundtrack for the second game contained 13 tracks and was released in Japan with the limited edition on August 18, 2011.It was later repackaged with the western limited release on February 28, 2012, which featured 18 tracks and was titledHyperdimension Neptunia mk2: Sounds of Gamindustri.The soundtrack forHyperdimension Neptunia Victorywas released on August 30, 2012, with the Japanese Limited Edition and contained 16 tracks.Similar to the second game, the soundtrack was released overseas with the Limited Edition of the game with 24 tracks, titledHyperdimension Neptunia Victory Sounds of that other Gamindustri.The Megadimension VII soundtrack,MEGADIMENSION NEPTUNIA VII Dream Edition DG-ROM, was included with the Japanese Dream Edition and released in a 50 track, 3 disc format on April 23, 2015.Its overseas release,MEGADIMENSION NEPTUNIA Official Soundtrackwas included exclusively with the Limited Edition online, containing only 45 tracks over 2 discs.The soundtrack for4 Goddesses Onlinewas released on February 9, 2017 with the Royal Edition of the game.
For each title in theRe;Birthseries, the soundtracks were re-released following each game's initial release, usually with a few additional or missing tracks.Re;Birth 2's soundtrack, titledHyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: SISTERS GENERATION ~ "Sisters' Melodies" Soundtrack CDwas released exclusively on Idea Factory International's website with the Limited Edition of the game and contained 19 tracks from the game.Compile Heart and Idea Factory International later made theRe;Birthseries available for the PC on the Steam platform, in whichDLCincluded digital releases of the soundtrack for each game.
In addition to the game soundtracks, there have beenCD singlereleases for the opening and ending themes for each game. The voice actresses for each character have also released individual singles, in which they perform original in-character songs. Various Drama CD series have also been released in which voice actors perform original episodes.The anime series also released singles for the opening and ending themes, alongside a drama CD and 7 special "Animation Processor" discs, which contained a variety of different audio media including songs, voice actor commentary, and drama episodes.
A compilation of the main vocal tracks from each game (including character songs) was released as a 5 disc series on August 27, 2014.
Alarm clock applications and mobile skins/themes featuringNeptuniacharacters have also been released for Android and iOS.