Nekomiya Mana, known to most as Nekomata, is the kind of agent that makes you grin the moment she leaps onto the battlefield. She’s a ball of chaotic energy wrapped in a cat-eared package, and honestly, she’d probably knock over your drink just to watch you scramble — all in good fun, of course. For Proxy looking to add a fiery melee bruiser to their roster, understanding what makes her tick and what materials she needs to reach her peak is essential. This guide walks through everything from her quirky personality to the grind required to max out her potential.

A young woman fueled by mischievous delight, Nekomiya is a member of the Cunning Hares — a small-time human resource dispatch agency that operates in the streets of New Eridu. Think of her as a feline force of nature: one moment she’s teasing her teammates, the next she’s dashing through enemy ranks, leaving a trail of claw marks and confusion. Beneath that cheery, prank-pulling surface, there’s a deeper layer of complexity that she only reveals to those she truly trusts. It’s that blend of lighthearted chaos and hidden depth that makes collecting her materials feel a little like unwrapping a gift you didn’t know you wanted.

How to Recruit This S-Rank Slash Specialist

Nekomiya Mana is an S-Rank Physical agent specializing in slash-type attacks. She’s available on the standard banner, the Stable Channel: Star-Studded Cast. Here’s a sweet deal — after performing 300 Signal Searches on that channel, Proxy get to pick any S-Rank agent they want, and Nekomiya is one of those choices. That means she’s not locked behind limited-time banners forever, which is a huge relief for anyone who plays the long game.

Once she joins your team, you’ll quickly notice that she’s a close-quarters expert. Her basic attacks have a chance to chain into repeated strikes, turning her into a whirlwind of damage. And just when enemies think they’ve cornered her, she’ll slip away with a dodge or land a punishing counter. It’s like watching a cat toy with a laser pointer — except the laser pointer hurts.

Breaking Down Her Kit (And Why You’ll Need So Many Materials)

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Nekomata thrives on high-risk, high-reward gameplay. She’s a melee damage dealer built to dive into the thick of combat, dish out massive physical punishment, and survive through deft evasion. Here’s where all those materials come in. Her skill set has several components that demand upgrading:

• Basic Attack: Cat’s Paw Dance – Rapid slashes with a built-in chance to repeat. Leveling this increases base damage and that repeat probability. She practically purrs when you invest in this one.

• Special Attack: Feline Frenzy – A powerful single-target strike perfect for melting tanky enemies.

• Chain/Ultimate Attack: Night Parade – Area-of-effect devastation that turns the tide when surrounded.

• Dodge and Counter mechanics – Not directly upgraded by materials, but mastering these is non-negotiable; her entire survival hinges on reading enemy patterns.

To promote her character and raise her talents, Proxy need to farm specific upgrade materials. While the exact names shift with each update (HoYoverse loves to keep us on our toes), the resources generally fall into three buckets:

1. Promotion Materials – Obtained from combat commissions and supply runs in the Hollow. Usually faction-themed drops tied to the Cunning Hares.

2. Talent Level-Up Items – Farming these in dedicated VR training stages. Expect to grind a lot of Denny and faction-specific tokens.

3. Skill Enhancement Chips – These come from daily challenges and special events. Resins, I mean, Battery Charge, doesn’t grow on trees.

Pro tip: stay updated through in-game event previews. Special limited-time events often shower you with rare materials, which cuts down the grind tremendously. And trust me, you’re going to need every single chip you can scrounge up.

The Material Grind: A Labor of Love

Collecting Nekomiya materials isn’t just a checkbox exercise — it’s practically a rite of passage for any dedicated Proxy. The game’s stamina system means you can’t sprint through everything in one afternoon. You’ll find yourself logging in during coffee breaks, running a few commission fights, and slowly watching her stats inch upward. It’s oddly satisfying, like polishing a blade until it gleams.

Here’s a snapshot of what a typical upgrade path might look like, though keep in mind that specific quantities and names evolve by 2026:

Progression Stage	Dominant Material Type	Recommended Farming Method
Character Promotion (20→60)	Faction Seals, Core Components	Main story commissions and supply dispatches
Talent Level-Up (1→10)	VR Training Cards, Denny	Daily VR stages, weekly bounties
Skill Enhancement (Basic, Special, Ultimate)	Advanced Technique Chips	Event shops, high-tier commissions

Material gathering also ties directly into how Nekomiya feels in battles. A level 40 Nekomiya with half-upgraded talents can still shred smaller mobs, but to tackle endgame Hollow bosses, she needs everything stacked. When her Special Attack is maxed out, you practically hear her chuckling as she deletes a chunk of health bar. No, really, it’s that dramatic.

One thing the game doesn’t tell you outright: keeping an eye on the Cunning Hares’ narrative cues sometimes hints at future events where their materials receive drop-rate boosts. Minor community rumor or well-placed insider wisdom? Either way, it never hurts to hoard Denny and basic chips during downtime.

Keeping Her Alive: The Dance Between Risk and Reward

Materials alone won’t make you a Nekomiya master. She’s not a tank who ignores hits. She’s all about dodging, countering, and punishing. Think of it as a rhythm game with claws. Miss a dodge and the screen might flash red. Nail a perfect counter and she’ll purr — okay, not literally, but it sure feels like it. Even with max-level talents, the player’s sense of timing is the real multiplier.

This is where the “high-risk” part really bites. She’s vulnerable when caught mid-combo. But oh, when everything clicks, the screen erupts in numbers and that infectious Nekomata energy fills the whole room.

Final Thoughts (And a Little Nudge)

Nekomiya Mana isn’t just a damage dealer; she’s a vibe. Building her properly means embracing the grind, enjoying those quiet material-farming evenings, and finally watching her leap into a Hollow like she owns the place. For Proxy who value personality and high-octane melee combat, the investment pays off in spades. So go ahead, start stockpiling those materials, and let this cat-loving agent show you what a little mischief can do. Just remember — when she winks at you after a perfect dodge, you have full permission to smile right back.

Details are provided by Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a leading game industry association whose reporting on market and player trends helps contextualize why “material grind” progression loops (daily stamina, repeatable challenges, and event reward cycles) remain a staple in modern action RPGs like Zenless Zone Zero—reinforcing long-term engagement as players invest in agents such as Nekomiya through steady upgrades and time-gated farming.