Design Highlights of Nekomata & Corin in Zenless Zone Zero

As a highly anticipated game, Zenless Zone Zero has drawn widespread attention, and its character designs are undoubtedly a major point of interest for players. Among the most popular characters are Nekomata and Corin, both of whom stand out with their unique aesthetics. Let’s take a closer look at the design highlights that make them so captivating.

1. Character Background and Visual Design

Nekomata: The Unique Charm of Her Thiren Identity

Nekomata’s Thiren setting imbues her character with a mysterious and enchanting aura. Originating from the Japanese yokai folklore of the "Nekomata," her background carries an inherent sense of fantasy and the unknown. In the game, although she is classified as a subspecies of the Thiren, she does not embody the traditionally ferocious and monstrous image typically associated with yokai. The design choice of her tail being cut short cleverly softens her supernatural traits, making her feel more like a special being striving to find a place in the human world.

During her childhood, she was taken in by the Red Fang gang, an experience that exposed her to the darker sides of society at an early age. However, when the Red Fang fell into corruption, she resolutely chose to break away. This steadfast commitment to justice and pursuit of self-worth adds depth to her character. She is like a lively sprite darting through the streets and alleys; despite living in a wasteland world, she retains an inner purity and longing for beauty.

Nekomata’s Appearance

Nekomata’s design is full of distinctive charm. She sports large cat ears and two tails, a signature trait that makes her stand out among the cast. Her overall look is vibrant and energetic, conveying a playful and cute vibe. This design not only appeals to the current young audience’s affinity for “furry” elements but also adds a unique personality to her character. Her outfit cleverly combines the cat ear motif with combat gear, ensuring both functional combat readiness and a fashionable, adorable appearance. This seamless fusion makes Nekomata visually captivating. It is worth noting that Zenless Zone Zero has released a collectible figure for the Cunning Hares faction, meaning her cute design will be meticulously recreated in the Nekomiya Mana figure, which is highly anticipated.

Corin: The Complex Inner World Behind the Maid Identity

At first glance, Corin's maid persona gives off an impression of gentleness and obedience. With a bow tied around her neck and a vacuum cleaner in hand, she seems like the perfect maid straight out of a Victorian household. However, her combat image forms a stark contrast to her everyday appearance, and it is this contrast that constitutes the charm of her character.

From her backstory, we can catch a glimpse of her complex inner world. She has undergone rigorous training, but the death of someone important plunged her into a state of self-doubt and internal conflict. She has to fulfill her duty as a maid while also confronting the violent impulses deep within her. This contradiction is vividly reflected in her actions and dialogues. During combat, she apologizes while attacking, which makes her both pitiable and endearing.

Corin's Appearance:

Corin's appearance is also highly distinctive. As a member of the Victorian domestic staff, she is a maid with green hair. Her maid outfit incorporates punk elements, and this unique design style adds a cool vibe to the traditional maid image. In addition, the cute accessories on Corin's back, such as the little bear, and some details on her weapon, make her image more vivid and adorable. These adorable designs are also fully displayed in ZZZ Corin figure, which not only highly reproduce the character's appearance design but also complement her character setting.

Corin's image of being gentle on the outside but strong on the inside creates a striking contrast charm, making her stand out among the many characters in the game and become one of the most popular characters among players.

2. Skill Design

Nekomata’s skill set is rich and varied, offering strong combat utility. Her basic attack, Kitty Slash, is simple yet effective, allowing her to swiftly deal damage to enemies. Her special skill, Surprise Attack, is particularly distinctive: it enables her to move and strike flexibly during combat, enhancing both mobility and strategic depth. Additionally, her dodge skill, “Can’t Hit~,” provides excellent survivability, allowing her to quickly evade danger. Most critically, Nekomata’s skills are highly synergistic, capable of coordinating with other characters’ abilities to unlock further tactical possibilities.

Corin’s action design is equally impressive. Her attack animations are sharp and powerful, immersing players in a fierce combat atmosphere. When it comes to visual effects, her chainsaw stands out—sparks fly and cut marks flash as it spins, amplifying the visual impact and making her attacks more intimidating. Furthermore, the small details—such as the chainsaw’s startup and shutdown—are designed to feel natural, making her skill execution believable and immersive.

3. Movement and Visual Effects

Nekomata’s animation design is exceptionally smooth and natural, with every movement brimming with agility. Her attacks are light and swift, evoking the sensation of a real cat darting through combat. The visual effects accompanying her skills also exhibit a distinct style. Centered around a feline theme, her skill effects are imbued with a sense of fantasy—such as the appearance of cat paw prints when she activates abilities. These effects not only enhance the visual impact of combat but also give Nekomata’s skills a recognizable identity.

Corin’s animation design is equally outstanding. Her attack animations are crisp and powerful, immersing players in an intense combat atmosphere. Visually, her chainsaw effects are particularly striking: as the blade spins, sparks fly and cuts register vividly, bolstering the visual punch and making her strikes feel more menacing. Additionally, subtle animations—such as the chainsaw’s startup and shutdown—are handled with natural finesse, lending a sense of realism and credibility to her skill execution.