Hyperdimension Neptunia

Hyperdimension Neptunia (超次元ゲイム ネプテューヌ, Chōjigen Geimu Neputeyūnu, lit. "Super Dimensional Game Neptune") is a video game series of role-playing games created and developed by Idea Factory. The series debuted in Japan on August 19, 2010 with the video game of the same name exclusively for the PlayStation 3, later re-released as an enhanced remake under the name Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1 for the PlayStation Vita. Two sequels, Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 and Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory, in addition to the remake titles for both of them and three spin-offs on the PlayStation Vita, have also been released. Another sequel on the PlayStation 4, titled Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory II, was released in 2015. It has also branched off into a manga, light novel and anime media franchise.

A television anime series adaptation, titled Hyperdimension Neptunia: The Animation, began airing in July 2013.

Setting

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: Planeptune, Lastation, Lowee, and Leanbox. Each region is completely different from the others in appearance and atmosphere, with each representing a specific video game console. In the beginning of the story, the four goddesses are fighting each another for "shares" in a war known as the Console War.

Release history

Hyperdimension Neptunia is the first game within the series, with the name originally derived from the scrapped Sega Neptune^[2] which combined the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and Sega 32X into one unit, originally scheduled for release in 1994 or 1995 before the project was dropped after the release of the Sega Saturn.

There are two sequels which have been released under the names Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 and Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory. Another game, titled Hyperdimension Neptunia PP (神次元アイドル ネプテューヌPP, Kamijigen Aidoru Neputyūnu PP),^[3] was released on June 20, 2013 for the PlayStation Vita in Japan and it was released in the west in June 2014 as Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection, developed by Compile Heart, Idea Factory and Tamsoft.

During a streamed interview at Tokyo Game Show 2013, Idea Factory and Compile Heart announced that Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation is currently under development,^[4][5] in addition to another presently unnamed future Neptunia title.^[6] Re;Birth 2 was released on March 20, 2014.^[7] 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.^[8]

On March 16, 2014, two new next-generation games have been announced, titled Hyperdimension Neptunia U (超次元アクション ネプテューヌU) and Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory II (新次元ゲイム ネプテューヌVII).^[9] Hyperdimension Neptunia U is an action game spin-off exclusively for the PlayStation Vita released on August 28, 2014 in Japan, developed by Tamsoft,^[10] whilst Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory II will be a PlayStation 4 title.^[11]

At Tokyo Game Show 2014, an enhanced remake of Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory for the PlayStation Vita, titled Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Century, was announced.^[12][13]

Games

Main series

Spin-offs

Remakes

Other media

Manga

A manga series based on the game titled Choujigen 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 the Famitsu Comic Clear.

A manga series illustrated by Mikage Baku which complements the television animation, titled Hyperdimension 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 of Dengeki Maoh. A spin-off novel of the anime, titled Hyperdimension Neptunia TGS Hono no Futsukakan, was published by MF Bunko J and released May 25, 2013.^[16][17]

Anime

An anime adaptation Hyperdimension Neptunia: The Animation was produced by David Production of Japan and directed by Masahiro Mukai.^[18] Series composition and script writing are done by Shogo Yasukawa and a musical score composed by Hiroaki Tsutsumi, Kenji Kaneko and Masaru Yokoyama. Character designs are done by Hitomi Takechi, based on the original designs by Tsunako along with art direction by Masanobu Nomura and sound direction by Jin Aketagawa. The twelve episode series premiered on Tokyo MX on July 12, 2013 and were later aired on BS11, KBS, Sun TV and tvk. The series was acquired by Funimation for online streaming in North America with English subtitles.^[19] 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) by Afilia Saga.^[20] "Go→Love&Peace" by Ayane is used as the ending theme of episodes 3 and 4, in addition to "Ito" (糸) by Afilia Saga on episode 10.

The television anime series adaptation received a mixed response, with praise for its original story and humour revolving around videogame industry in-jokes, and criticism for its use of melodrama.^[21]

Mobile applications and casual games

An online mobile card game for Android and iOS titled Neptune Collection (ネプテューヌコレクション) was developed by Idea Factory and hosted by GREE starting from February 15, 2013. It is a collectable card game which involves social networking elements.^[22] The game's servers shut down on July 31, 2014.

Alarm clock applications featuring Neptunia characters have also been released for Android and iOS.

References

External links

• Hyperdimension Neptunia (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia