NEKOPARA After

NEKOPARA After, a visual novel developed by NEKO WORKs and published by Sekai Project, marks a new chapter in the popular NEKOPARA series. Initially announced at Anime Expo 2022, the game was released in 2025, with its availability on the Sekai Project Shop starting from June 12 and on Steam from June 30 of that year. The Steam release experienced a delay, having been postponed from its original May 23 date due to a prolonged review process by Valve. The narrative of NEKOPARA After is presented as a "what-if" scenario and is not considered canon to the main series storyline. It introduces a new character, a catgirl named Fraise. The story begins when Beignet, recognizing the talent of the protagonist Kashou Minaduki in running his patisserie, "La Soleil," decides to close her own shop in France and entrusts Fraise to his care. Fraise quickly develops feelings for Kashou but finds herself bewildered by the six other catgirls already in his life. Seeking guidance, she turns to Kashou's younger sister, Shigure, who also harbors a secret love for her brother. This sets up the central conflict of the game: a "battle between catgirl and girl." Fraise believes that the relationship between siblings is of utmost importance, while Shigure prioritizes the happiness of her catgirls. Motivated by a desire for the other to find happiness with Kashou, their complex dynamic unfolds. As a visual novel, the gameplay of NEKOPARA After focuses on its narrative, presented through text and character sprites. The game features the beautiful artwork and designs of the series' creator, Sayori, and animated character sprites that bring the cast to life. It includes full Japanese voice acting for all characters except the protagonist, with text options available in English, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese. A CG gallery mode is also included, allowing players to view artwork from the game. The opening theme song for the game is titled “Contrail” and is sung by Ceui. The developers have noted that the game contains mature themes, such as sexually suggestive swimwear and implied incest, which may not be suitable for all audiences. NEKO WORKs, the developer, is the studio behind the entire NEKOPARA series, a franchise of adult visual novels that began in 2014. The series is set in a world where humans coexist with catgirls and has garnered a significant following, selling millions of copies worldwide. Sekai Project, the publisher, is known for localizing and publishing Japanese games for a Western audience. The NEKOPARA series has expanded beyond visual novels to include an anime OVA, an anime television series, and spin-off games. Upon its release, NEKOPARA After received "Very Positive" reviews on Steam. The game is currently only available for Windows PC, with no plans announced for release on other platforms.