The Nopon are a race of creatures that have been either neutral NPCs or close allies to the Homs in the Xenoblade Chronicles franchise. These round and fuzzy creatures are known for having huge ears that they use as their arms and hands to grab things, but despite looking like just cuddly bunnies, Nopons actually live as a civilization known for being merchants and researchers.
It is rare to see a Nopon taking up the role of a hero in the frontlines, but in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, players will get the chance to play with not only one, but two Nopons at the same time.
We’ll take a look at the prominent Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Nopon Heroes in the newest Xenoblade game, Riku and Manana, and see how their dynamic plays into the game’s story and combat.
Riku and Manana: Nopons of Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Riku and Manana are the playable Nopon pair that players can recruit to their party as the 7th hero. Unlike the other heroes that can be individually recruited in the party, Riku and Manana come in as a 2-in-1 package, and therefore they also have their own synergy.
As a pair, Riku and Manana are considered as Attackers and they are of the Yumsmith class who specializes in taking advantage of opponents’ weak points and are masters of inflicting debuffs. Their Chain Art is called Noogie Storm which increases everyone’s TP by 8 points.
Riku
Riku was once a mechanic from Keves and is adept at crafting. He uses a gun as his main weapon. Outside of combat, Riku can craft weapons and gems while resting with the party, and can also do some repair work on weapons.
Manana
Manana was once a head chef from her previous colony in Agnus, but despite this, her team up with Riku is tagged as being from Keves. She uses a potlid as her shield and is focused more on defense. Outside of combat, Manana cooks food for the party that can grant temporary boosts.
It is presumed that to be able to recruit Manana and Riku into the party, players must complete their story line. We’ll get to see more of this peerless Nopon duo once Xenoblade Chronicles 3 comes out on the Nintendo Switch this July 29, 2022.
For now, check out our other Xenoblade Chronicles 3 articles:
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Heroes List
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Ouroboros and Interlinking
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass
- How Long to Beat Xenoblade Chronicles 3?
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Classes and Roles (Explained)
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Characters List
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Overview Trailer Features In-Depth Look on Game