Key information
At Brasil Game Show 2026, indie developer Sir Panda Games introduced IdolPet Caretaker, an upcoming visual novel for PC and Android. Set in Japan, the story follows a shelter owner whose animal charges—a rabbit, a cat, and a puppy—transform into humans and aspire to become idols.
Artist Clara Candia cites Uma Musume Pretty Derby as a primary influence for the game's stat-raising mechanics and the caretaker-idol dynamic. Players manage the trio's daily lives, balancing nutrition and exercise to improve performance. Success in rhythm-based live stages depends on these stats and the interpersonal bonds between the characters, requiring players to distribute attention equally.
The game features a scrapbook-inspired aesthetic with toon-shaded 3D character models, which Candia believes offer greater expressive range than 2D sprites. While the current rhythm game interface is optimized for Android, the team plans to redesign the UI for the PC version.
A demo is targeted for the first quarter of 2027, with a full release planned for late 2027. Although initial language support includes English, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese, the developers intend to pursue a Japanese localization, as the game is set in Japan.
