Arden Cafe [Visual Novel]
![Arden Cafe [Visual Novel]](https://images.castingcall.club/project_images/image-1336245-Untitled458_20260730011540.png)
Project Overview
Arden Cafe is an original visual novel that is inspired by Nekopara (the catboy one specifically) and other otome/visual novel games.
The story follows Amber, the mayor of Arden, as she spends her day off managing a one-day catboy maid café alongside her friends. What starts as them goofing around and shooting the shit quickly devolves into fashion debates, questionable schedules, romantic mishaps, and the general chaos that follows this cast around.
This is a small passion project being developed by one person as a gift for my friends. As such, the game contains a lot of inside jokes, self-indulgent moments, and characters we've spent years developing together. At the moment, I don't have any plans to publicly release the project. I'm just looking for actors who'd like to help bring these characters to life and make the experience even more special for the people it's meant for.
The scope of the voice acting will only span the opening scene and a few short "free time" scenes. It would also be wonderful if anyone interested in auditioning has Discord for convenience.
If you've read this all, thank you for checking out the project, even if you have no plans on joining <33
Voice Actor
Amber is the protagonist of the VN. In this game, she has the role of the cafe manager.
She is generally cheerful, organized, and tends to take the lead (either by others seeking her leadership or through her own will). Despite her responsible role, she's also playful and enjoys teasing the people around her. She often switches between the straight man and the instigator in the cast's antics.
As this is a game parodying Nekopara and general otome game tropes, she will be involved in scenes involving lighthearted flirting/romantic tension with the other characters, particularly Ren (her partner.)
Her voice should sound friendly, approachable, and confident! She should also be able to shift into a more sincere tone of voice for more heartfelt moments.
- female young adult
(Proud/Smug) Of course! I inherited this cafe from my late grandfather. I have to manage it properly.
(Playfully accusing/exasperated) Don’t give me those puppy eyes, Ruby. You know what you did.
(Soft/Teasing) Then how about this? Is this enough romantic tension for you?
Voice Actor
Ruby is the cafe's cashier and Amber's secretary outside of the cafe setting. She is practical, level-headed, and usually the most reasonable person. She serves as the cast's primary straight man, reacting to the increasingly absurd antics of everyone around her. While she is often exasperated by the others, her own sarcastic and dry humor will show itself from time to time.
Ruby rarely raises her voice and is generally quite monotone, and as such, most of her lines should sound a bit deadpan. Generally, she should sound calm, grounded, and intelligent in her lines. She should be the most understated in terms of delivery since she's the least expressive/exaggerated of the cast.
- female young adult
(Dry) Terrible emergency, wasn't it, Manager?
(Resigned) If you feed his ego any further, he'll start designing summer outfits.
(Starts professionally but gradually becomes more exasperated) You've scheduled training, shift rotations, a maid etiquette guide, and…Contingency plans [Amber Reply] ...And I assume it was absolutely necessary to plan for ‘evil green-haired dolls,’ ‘illusory houses,’ ‘Japan’s hottest warlords,’ and ‘Mikel tantrums.’
Voice Actor
Mikel is one of the cafe's maids. He is a perfectionist who has taken the challenge of being maids for a day to heart. He is fully determined to not only fulfill his role, but also to be the best maid that Arden has ever seen.
When discussing his work, his usual theatrics melt away. He becomes completely absorbed, speaking with genuine passion and barely acknowledging the world around him. These moments should feel less arrogant and more like someone happily rambling about the thing they love.
He should generally sound very self-assured and elegant to the point of being cocky/haughty. Many of his lines are phrased as insults or are intentionally provocative, but they're rarely actually malicious or hostile.
- male young adult
(Matter-of-fact/Disappointed) You gave us ill-fitting, generic excuses for uniforms. I thought you, of all people, would have some taste, Tweety.
(Focused/Analytical) I could have made fitted sleeves work on Lio, of course. But it felt so uninspired. Too close to his usual attire. Not to mention... it would've been a waste not to show off his arms.
(Amused/Teasing) I didn't think you had it in you, Ren. Someone's already chasing special treatment.
Voice Actor
Ren is one of the cafe's maids. He is quiet, observant, and can be relatively awkward at times. He can be very blunt, but he tends to only speak when he has something worthwhile to say.
Ren has a few romantic scenes with Amber, his partner.
Though he isn't very outspoken, he isn't a shy character. Instead of being bashful, he's rather detached or difficult to read: sometimes almost alien but never uncaring. Even in his romantic scenes, he rarely sounds flustered.
Ren is a soft-spoken character. He should have a gentle and reserved voice. Ren should sound thoughtful rather than timid, and while he isn't particularly expressive, subtle shifts in tone should clearly communicate his emotions. While his voice would be on the mid to high end, it should still be masculine.
- male young adult
(Dry) I think that last one is sensible, actually.
(Gentle) Hmm…You can nap if you want. [Pause] Yeah. I’ll make sure the others don’t disturb you.
(Serious/Confused) The…Romantic tension. There’s no mention of it in the etiquette section.
Voice Actor
Lio is one of the cafe's maids. As the eldest of the group, he becomes a source of comfort for much of the cast. He often acts as a kind of older brother towards Mikel and Ren.
As the crown prince of Lysandros, he carries himself with quiet grace and impeccable manners. He is kind, patient, and deeply empathetic, Lio has an instinct to care for the people around him. He often prioritizes others over himself without a second thought.
Lio has a warm, gentle voice that naturally puts others at ease. Lio should sound mature, composed, and sincere. While he is polite and posh-sounding, he shouldn't sound stiff or overly formal.
- male young adult
- british
(Warm/Bashful) You’re much too kind, Amber.
(Quiet/Concern) He... didn't really. He lost a lot of sleep.
(Concern) The plants were looking a little thirsty. [Amber reply] (Amusement/Gentle teasing) Perhaps not. Though I don't imagine the flowers particularly care about titles.
![[production crew casting] zenithman m/l/v & zenithman tachyon](https://images.castingcall.club/project_images/image-1275151-IMG_7839.webp)
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