Oddities

Overview

Oddities are sentient supernatural beings that live alongside humans and Espers in the city of Hethereau. Unlike the broader category of supernatural phenomena found throughout the city, Oddities are specifically living, thinking creatures with their own personalities, desires, and goals. They come in a wide variety of shapes and forms, from creatures with TV-shaped heads to robotic butlers with curious eating habits. Some hold down jobs, others cause mischief in the streets, and many are simply trying to go about their daily lives in a city that was built for humans.

The presence of Oddities is one of the defining features of life in Hethereau. They are not hidden away or confined to the shadows. Instead, they move through the same streets, ride the same trains, and shop at the same stores as everyone else. Their integration into urban society is imperfect and sometimes messy, but it reflects the game's central theme: the supernatural and the mundane are not separate worlds in Hethereau. They overlap constantly, and the people who live there have learned to accept that as normal.

Oddities vs Anomalies

The distinction between Oddities and Anomalies is important. Anomalies are a broader category of supernatural phenomena that defy common sense. They can be entities, objects, locations, or even abstract concepts. A cursed alleyway, a weather pattern that loops endlessly, or a piece of furniture that moves on its own could all be classified as anomalies. Anomalies range from harmless curiosities to life-threatening dangers, and investigating them is the primary job of Appraisers and the Bureau of Anomaly Control.

Oddities, by contrast, are the sentient creatures within the supernatural ecosystem. They are alive, they think, and they have agency. An Oddity can choose to cooperate with humans, cause trouble, or simply mind its own business. This autonomy is what separates them from anomalies in general. Some Oddities are peaceful and contribute positively to society, while others are more disruptive. The Bureau tracks both categories, but the approach to managing them differs. Anomalies are typically contained or neutralized. Oddities, because they are sentient beings, are managed through legal and social systems instead.

Society and Coexistence

Walking through Hethereau, it is common to encounter Oddities going about their routines. On one side of a street, a chaotic chase after a troublesome Oddity called Danzaburou might be unfolding, while at the other end, a vacationing silver-gloved robotic Butler chats amiably with the owner of a second-hand electronics shop. At the train station, an Esper commuter snaps his fingers to clean his work suit, oblivious to the Oddity sitting two seats over. These small details paint a picture of a city where the supernatural is thoroughly woven into everyday life.

Not all Oddities hold formal positions in society. Some are officially recognized as citizens by the Bureau of Anomaly Control, while others exist on the margins without documentation. Street-level Oddities can be found trying to make a living across the city in various ways, from running small errands to causing low-level mischief that keeps local authorities busy. The spectrum of behavior among Oddities mirrors that of the human population: some are model citizens, some are nuisances, and most fall somewhere in between.

Resident Permits

To legally reside in Hethereau, Oddities must obtain resident permits from the Bureau of Anomaly Control. In the Bureau's main hall, hopeful Oddities can be seen queuing up for their permits, going through what appears to be a formal registration process. The system treats Oddities as recognized members of society rather than threats to be contained. In exchange for legal standing, the Bureau maintains records of supernatural residents and their locations within the city.

The permit system creates a clear divide between licensed and unlicensed Oddities. Those with permits enjoy official recognition and the protections that come with it. Those without permits live outside the system, operating in the gaps between bureaucratic oversight. Whether unlicensed Oddities face active enforcement or simply exist unnoticed depends on the situation. The tension between documented and undocumented supernatural residents is part of the broader social fabric of Hethereau, where the rules governing the coexistence of humans and Oddities are still being figured out.

Known Oddities

Taygedo

The most well-known Oddity in the game is Taygedo, a gentle and harmless creature who works at the Eibon Antique Shop as the resident restorer. Taygedo has a TV-shaped head that displays a dog's face on its screen, a small humanoid body with squirrel-like proportions, and communicates almost exclusively by repeating his own name, similar to how certain creatures speak in the Pokemon franchise.

Taygedo's Place in Society

Despite being fully aware of his position at the bottom of Eibon's social food chain, Taygedo occasionally entertains small schemes and ideas of his own, though these plans are typically turned down by the rest of the crew. His role as a restorer is no joke, however. Taygedo has won the title of "Eibon's Best Restorer" three times, a testament to his genuine skill with antique restoration. His talent makes him a valued member of the shop, and the other staff members respect his abilities even if they do not always take his suggestions seriously.

Taygedo's personal life has also become a point of interest among fans. He harbors a secret crush on a character named Miss Tako, who is set to move away from Hethereau with her guarantor. The resulting "romance crisis" storyline explores how the lovestruck Oddity tries to express his feelings before it is too late. This subplot gives Taygedo emotional depth beyond his role as the shop's comic relief and highlights how Oddities experience the same personal struggles as anyone else in the city.

Danzaburou

Danzaburou is another Oddity referenced in the game's world. Known primarily as a troublemaker, Danzaburou is associated with chaotic chases through the streets of Hethereau. The event known as "Danzaburou's Revenge" is one of several major Anomaly containment operations in which Espers like Nanally have participated. While detailed information about Danzaburou's appearance and motivations remains limited, the character represents the more disruptive side of Oddity behavior, serving as a contrast to the harmless and cooperative Taygedo.

Role in the Story

Oddities play a significant role in establishing the tone and atmosphere of Neverness to Everness. Their presence reminds players that Hethereau is not simply a city with a supernatural problem to be solved. It is a city where the supernatural is permanent, embedded in the social order, and managed through a combination of bureaucracy, personal relationships, and occasionally brute force. The Oddities players meet throughout the game range from endearing companions to frustrating obstacles, and their stories contribute to the layered narrative that makes Hethereau feel like a lived-in place.

As an Appraiser working out of Eibon, the player interacts with Oddities regularly. Some of these interactions are tied to the main story, while others surface through side quests and daily encounters scattered across the city. The game treats Oddities with the same mix of humor, warmth, and occasional danger that defines its approach to the supernatural world as a whole.