Neko Parent

Neko Parents are the parents of calico kittens in the Bowser's Fury campaign of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. Three different Neko Parents appear throughout Lake Lapcat, with one being found near each of the three Giga Bells. When Mario first encounters one, it is shown crying because its kittens have gone missing. The Neko Parent by the Lakeside Giga Bell has one kitten, the Neko Parent by the Ruins Giga Bell has three, and the Neko Parent by the Wasteland Giga Bell has five. Similarly to the mission "Li'l Penguin Lost" in Super Mario 64, Mario must find the calico kittens within the Neko Parent's region and carry each one back to it. A counter over the Neko Parent's head signifies how many kittens are left to be returned. For each kitten other than the last that is returned to its Neko Parent, Mario earns three coins, and after returning the last kitten, he earns a Cat Shine as a reward. Afterwards, the Neko Parent can be seen smiling and purring with its kittens instead of crying. If Mario leaves the area and returns, both the Neko Parent and its kittens will disappear, except for the group by the Wasteland Giga Bell, which will remain permanently. If Mario or Bowser Jr. attack an Neko Parent, it does not take damage, and confetti appears instead.

Like their kittens, Neko Parents become corrupted while Fury Bowser is active, and attack Mario if he approaches them.