Nerv UI

NERV UI — Operations Console Aesthetic

Build web interfaces that feel like they were designed by engineers inside NERV — not by graphic designers outside it. This is the total visual identity of a fictional military-scientific organization: CRT terminals, tactical maps, neural sync diagnostics, contamination scanners, and access control panels. Every screen assumes the operator already knows what they're looking at.

The screen is off until data demands it. Black void is the default state.

Design Tokens

Color Palette

:root {
  /* Void — the screen is OFF until data appears */
  --void:             #000000;  /* True black — primary background */
  --void-warm:        #0A0A08;  /* Slightly warm black for panels */
  --void-panel:       #111110;  /* Raised surface (rare) */

  /* NERV Orange — headers, labels, institutional text */
  --nerv-orange:      #FF9830;  /* Primary labeling color — high contrast */
  --nerv-orange-dim:  #D08028;  /* Secondary labels */
  --nerv-orange-hot:  #FFCC50;  /* Highlighted/active labels */

  /* Nominal Green — data readouts, "system OK" — full phosphor intensity */
  --data-green:       #50FF50;  /* Primary data color */
  --data-green-dim:   #30BB30;  /* Secondary data */
  --data-green-faint: rgba(80, 255, 80, 0.1);  /* Table row hover */

  /* Cyan — wireframes, maps, spatial data */
  --wire-cyan:        #20F0FF;  /* Wireframe lines */
  --wire-cyan-dim:    #10A8B8;  /* Construction lines */
  --wire-cyan-glow:   rgba(32, 240, 255, 0.15);  /* Subtle glow */

  /* Alert Red — warnings, refusals, critical states */
  --alert-red:        #FF4840;  /* Primary alert */
  --alert-red-dim:    #CC3028;  /* Background alert panels */
  --alert-red-hot:    #FF6858;  /* Flashing/urgent */
  --alert-red-fill:   rgba(255, 72, 64, 0.18);  /* Alert zone background */

  /* Thermal spectrum — for degradation/heatmap states */
  --thermal-yellow:   #FFE820;
  --thermal-magenta:  #F030C0;
  --thermal-blue:     #3060F0;
  --thermal-purple:   #A030E0;

  /* Neutral — secondary text, rules */
  --steel:            #E0E0D8;  /* Primary readable text */
  --steel-dim:        #9A9A90;  /* Muted annotations */
  --steel-faint:      rgba(224, 224, 216, 0.08);  /* Grid lines */
}

Rules:

• Background is ALWAYS true black or near-black. Never gray, never navy.
• Orange is for labels and headers only — never data values.
• Green is for data and nominal status — numbers, readouts, "OK" states.
• Cyan is for spatial/structural — wireframes, maps, grids, containment lines.
• Red is for alerts and refusals only — never decoration.
• Colors exist in isolation. They don't blend, gradient, or harmonize. Each serves one function.
• Phosphor-bright, not muted. These are CRT colors — they glow. If it looks dim against black, bump it up. Readability always beats subtlety.
• When a system is under stress, colors invade each other's space — red bleeds into green zones, thermal spectrum replaces orderly color coding.

Typography

:root {
  --font-sys:    'IBM Plex Mono', 'Courier New', monospace;   /* Primary — everything */
  --font-label:  'Bebas Neue', 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif;    /* Institutional labels */
  --font-stamp:  'Bebas Neue', 'Impact', sans-serif;          /* REFUSED / WARNING stamps */
  --font-kanji:  'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif;                  /* Japanese institutional text */
}

<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=IBM+Plex+Mono:wght@400;500;700&family=Bebas+Neue&family=Noto+Sans+JP:wght@400;700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">

Monospace dominates everything. Bebas Neue is ONLY for large institutional labels and status stamps. The UI assumes fixed-width alignment is load-bearing — columns must align perfectly.

Type Scale

CRT / Scanline Texture Layer

Every NERV screen has a CRT texture. This is non-negotiable.

/* Scanline overlay — apply to body or main container */
.crt-overlay {
  position: relative;
}
.crt-overlay::after {
  content: '';
  position: fixed;
  inset: 0;
  background: repeating-linear-gradient(
    0deg,
    transparent,
    transparent 2px,
    rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06) 2px,
    rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06) 4px
  );
  pointer-events: none;
  z-index: 9999;
}

/* CRT vignette — darkened edges */
.crt-vignette::before {
  content: '';
  position: fixed;
  inset: 0;
  background: radial-gradient(
    ellipse at center,
    transparent 60%,
    rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35) 100%
  );
  pointer-events: none;
  z-index: 9998;
}

/* Phosphor flicker (subtle) */
@keyframes phosphor {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 1; }
  50% { opacity: 0.97; }
}
.crt-flicker {
  animation: phosphor 0.08s infinite;
}

/* Reduced motion: kill flicker, keep scanlines */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .crt-flicker { animation: none !important; }
}

Grid Systems

Hex Grid Scanner

For detection/anomaly displays — a regular hexagonal mesh where individual cells light up.

.hex-grid {
  --hex-size: 40px;
  --hex-gap: 4px;
  --hex-color: var(--wire-cyan-dim);
  --hex-alert: var(--alert-red);
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, var(--hex-size));
  gap: var(--hex-gap);
  position: relative;
}

.hex-cell {
  width: var(--hex-size);
  height: calc(var(--hex-size) * 1.1547);
  clip-path: polygon(50% 0%, 100% 25%, 100% 75%, 50% 100%, 0% 75%, 0% 25%);
  background: var(--void-panel);
  border: 1px solid var(--hex-color);
  transition: background 0.3s, box-shadow 0.3s;
}
.hex-cell.alert {
  background: var(--alert-red-fill);
  border-color: var(--alert-red);
  box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(232, 48, 32, 0.4);
}
.hex-cell.nominal {
  background: rgba(48, 200, 48, 0.06);
  border-color: var(--data-green-dim);
}

Measurement Grid Overlay

Crosshair markers, scale bars, and registration marks.

.measurement-overlay {
  position: relative;
}
.measurement-overlay::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background-image:
    /* Major grid */
    linear-gradient(var(--steel-faint) 1px, transparent 1px),
    linear-gradient(90deg, var(--steel-faint) 1px, transparent 1px);
  background-size: 80px 80px;
  pointer-events: none;
  z-index: 1;
}

/* Crosshair registration mark */
.crosshair {
  position: absolute;
  width: 24px;
  height: 24px;
}
.crosshair::before,
.crosshair::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  background: var(--data-green);
}
.crosshair::before {
  width: 1px; height: 100%;
  left: 50%; top: 0;
}
.crosshair::after {
  width: 100%; height: 1px;
  top: 50%; left: 0;
}

/* Scale bar */
.scale-bar {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.5rem;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.5rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
}
.scale-bar::before {
  content: '';
  width: 60px;
  height: 1px;
  background: var(--nerv-orange);
}

Axis Scale (Y-axis ruler)

.y-axis {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: space-between;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.5rem;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  padding: 0 0.5rem;
  border-right: 1px solid var(--nerv-orange-dim);
}
.y-axis .tick {
  position: relative;
}
.y-axis .tick::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  right: -0.5rem;
  top: 50%;
  width: 6px;
  height: 1px;
  background: var(--nerv-orange);
}

Components

Data Table (Column-Aligned Terminal)

.nerv-table {
  width: 100%;
  border-collapse: collapse;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.8125rem;
}
.nerv-table th {
  font-size: 0.625rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-align: left;
  padding: 0.5rem 0.8rem;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--nerv-orange-dim);
  font-weight: 400;
}
.nerv-table td {
  padding: 0.4rem 0.8rem;
  color: var(--data-green);
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(48, 200, 48, 0.06);
  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
}
.nerv-table td.label {
  color: var(--nerv-orange-dim);
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  font-size: 0.6875rem;
}
.nerv-table tr:hover td {
  background: var(--data-green-faint);
}
/* Alert row */
.nerv-table tr.alert td {
  color: var(--alert-red);
  background: var(--alert-red-fill);
}

Command/Response Block

The from/to/command structured header with a giant status stamp.

.command-block {
  border-top: 2px solid var(--nerv-orange);
  padding: 1.5rem;
  position: relative;
  background: var(--void);
}
.command-block .cmd-header {
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.6875rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  line-height: 1.8;
}
.command-block .cmd-header span {
  color: var(--steel);
}
.command-block .cmd-stamp {
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%; right: 2rem;
  transform: translateY(-50%) rotate(-5deg);
  font-family: var(--font-stamp);
  font-size: clamp(3rem, 8vw, 5rem);
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  padding: 0.2em 0.5em;
  border: 4px solid;
}
.cmd-stamp.refused {
  color: var(--alert-red);
  border-color: var(--alert-red);
}
.cmd-stamp.approved {
  color: var(--data-green);
  border-color: var(--data-green);
}
.cmd-stamp.pending {
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  border-color: var(--nerv-orange);
}

<div class="command-block">
  <div class="cmd-header">
    from: <span>BALTHASAR DIRECT CONNECTION NO. 102</span><br>
    to: <span>EVA-01 ENTRY PLUG SYSTEM LINK 2</span><br>
    cmd: <span>ENTRY PLUG EJECT</span>
  </div>
  <div class="cmd-stamp refused">REFUSED</div>
</div>

Alert Banner (Full-Width Warning)

.alert-banner {
  background: var(--alert-red);
  color: var(--void);
  padding: 0.6rem 1.5rem;
  font-family: var(--font-stamp);
  font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 2.5rem);
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-align: center;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}
/* Chevron arrows flanking */
.alert-banner::before { content: '◀ ◀ ◀  '; }
.alert-banner::after  { content: '  ▶ ▶ ▶'; }

/* Pulsing variant */
@keyframes alert-pulse {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 1; }
  50% { opacity: 0.7; }
}
.alert-banner.pulse {
  animation: alert-pulse 1s ease-in-out infinite;
}

Hazard Stripe Pattern

Environmental/signage stripes — red diagonal on black.

.hazard-stripe {
  background: repeating-linear-gradient(
    -45deg,
    var(--alert-red) 0px,
    var(--alert-red) 20px,
    var(--void) 20px,
    var(--void) 40px
  );
  padding: 1rem 2rem;
}
.hazard-stripe .label {
  font-family: var(--font-stamp);
  font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 3rem);
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #FFFFFF;
  text-shadow: 2px 2px 0 var(--void);
}

Institutional Label Block

The NERV subject identification panel — SAMPLE 0001 / PATTERN: BLUE TYPE

.id-block {
  border: 1px solid var(--nerv-orange-dim);
  padding: 0.8rem 1rem;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  background: var(--void);
  max-width: 280px;
}
.id-block .id-title {
  font-family: var(--font-label);
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  text-transform: uppercase;
  margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
}
.id-block .id-row {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  font-size: 0.625rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--steel-dim);
  padding: 0.15rem 0;
}
.id-block .id-row .value {
  color: var(--data-green);
}
.id-block .id-caution {
  margin-top: 0.4rem;
  padding: 0.2rem 0.5rem;
  background: var(--alert-red);
  color: var(--void);
  font-size: 0.5625rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  display: inline-block;
}

<div class="id-block">
  <div class="id-title">REI AYANAMI</div>
  <div class="id-row"><span>AGE</span><span class="value">14</span></div>
  <div class="id-row"><span>SAMPLE</span><span class="value">0001</span></div>
  <div class="id-row"><span>PATTERN</span><span class="value">BLOOD TYPE BLUE</span></div>
  <span class="id-caution">⚠ CAUTION</span>
</div>

Neuron Inventory (Data Cascade)

Dense multi-column data listing like the EVA sync diagnostic.

.neuron-cascade {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(200px, 1fr));
  gap: 0 2rem;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.6875rem;
  line-height: 1.6;
}
.neuron-cascade .col-header {
  font-size: 0.5625rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--nerv-orange-dim);
  padding-bottom: 0.3rem;
  margin-bottom: 0.3rem;
}
.neuron-cascade .entry {
  color: var(--data-green);
  padding: 0.1rem 0;
}
.neuron-cascade .entry.alert {
  color: var(--alert-red);
}
.neuron-cascade .entry .tag {
  color: var(--nerv-orange-dim);
  margin-right: 0.5rem;
  font-size: 0.5625rem;
}

System Boot / Diagnostics Block

DOS-style system check readout.

.boot-sequence {
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  color: var(--alert-red);
  line-height: 1.7;
  padding: 1.5rem;
  background: var(--void);
  overflow-x: auto;
}
.boot-sequence .check-ok {
  color: var(--data-green);
}
.boot-sequence .check-ok::after {
  content: ' Check OK';
  color: var(--data-green);
}
.boot-sequence .addr {
  color: var(--steel-dim);
  margin-right: 1em;
  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
}
.boot-sequence .separator {
  border: none;
  border-top: 1px dashed var(--steel-dim);
  margin: 0.5rem 0;
}

Access Panel (Lock/Permission)

.access-panel {
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #1A1A18 0%, #0E0E0C 100%);
  border: 2px solid #333330;
  padding: 2rem;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  text-align: center;
  max-width: 360px;
  position: relative;
}
.access-panel .panel-title {
  font-size: 0.625rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.access-panel .lock-status {
  font-family: var(--font-stamp);
  font-size: 2.5rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  margin: 0.5rem 0;
}
.access-panel .lock-status.locked { color: var(--alert-red); }
.access-panel .lock-status.open { color: var(--data-green); }
.access-panel .waiting {
  font-size: 0.6875rem;
  color: var(--nerv-orange-dim);
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}
/* LED indicator */
.led {
  display: inline-block;
  width: 8px; height: 8px;
  border-radius: 50% !important;
  margin-right: 0.5rem;
}
.led.red { background: var(--alert-red); box-shadow: 0 0 6px var(--alert-red); }
.led.green { background: var(--data-green); box-shadow: 0 0 6px var(--data-green); }
.led.orange { background: var(--nerv-orange); box-shadow: 0 0 6px var(--nerv-orange); }

Tactical Map Overlay

.tac-map {
  position: relative;
  background: var(--void);
  border: 1px solid var(--wire-cyan-dim);
  overflow: hidden;
}
.tac-map .grid-lines {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background-image:
    linear-gradient(var(--wire-cyan-dim) 1px, transparent 1px),
    linear-gradient(90deg, var(--wire-cyan-dim) 1px, transparent 1px);
  background-size: 60px 60px;
  opacity: 0.15;
}
.tac-map .entity {
  position: absolute;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.5625rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 0.2rem 0.5rem;
  border: 1px solid;
}
.entity.friendly {
  color: var(--wire-cyan);
  border-color: var(--wire-cyan);
}
.entity.hostile {
  color: var(--alert-red);
  border-color: var(--alert-red);
  background: var(--alert-red-fill);
}
.entity.unknown {
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  border-color: var(--nerv-orange);
}
/* Position marker (X) */
.tac-marker {
  position: absolute;
  color: var(--wire-cyan);
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 1rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  line-height: 1;
}
/* Kanji badge */
.kanji-badge {
  position: absolute;
  font-family: var(--font-kanji);
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--steel);
  background: var(--void);
  padding: 0.2rem 0.5rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--steel-dim);
}

Thermal Degradation State

When systems are stressed, visuals break down into stepped color blocks.

/* Stepped gradient — the system losing control */
.thermal-degrade {
  background: linear-gradient(
    135deg,
    var(--thermal-yellow) 0%,
    var(--thermal-yellow) 14%,
    var(--nerv-orange) 14%,
    var(--nerv-orange) 28%,
    var(--alert-red) 28%,
    var(--alert-red) 42%,
    var(--thermal-magenta) 42%,
    var(--thermal-magenta) 57%,
    var(--thermal-purple) 57%,
    var(--thermal-purple) 71%,
    var(--thermal-blue) 71%,
    var(--thermal-blue) 85%,
    #101030 85%,
    #101030 100%
  );
  image-rendering: pixelated;
}

/* Thermal grid — numbered crosshairs over heat */
.thermal-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
  position: relative;
}
.thermal-grid .cell {
  border: 1px solid rgba(200, 200, 192, 0.15);
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  padding: 0.3rem;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.5rem;
  color: var(--steel-dim);
  min-height: 80px;
}

Waveform Display

Oscilloscope-style animated sine waves.

.waveform-container {
  position: relative;
  height: 200px;
  background: var(--void);
  overflow: hidden;
  border: 1px solid var(--wire-cyan-dim);
}
.waveform-container canvas {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
}
/* Timecode readout overlay */
.timecode {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 0.5rem;
  right: 0.5rem;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.5625rem;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
}

Navigation (Minimal)

.nerv-nav {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
  background: var(--void);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--nerv-orange-dim);
  gap: 1.5rem;
}
.nerv-nav .org-mark {
  font-family: var(--font-label);
  font-size: 0.875rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.2em;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  text-transform: uppercase;
}
.nerv-nav a {
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.5625rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--steel-dim);
  text-decoration: none;
}
.nerv-nav a:hover,
.nerv-nav a.active {
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
}

Buttons

.nerv-btn {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.4em;
  padding: 0.5em 1.2em;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.6875rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  border: 1px solid var(--nerv-orange-dim);
  background: transparent;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: all 0.15s;
}
.nerv-btn:hover {
  background: rgba(232, 122, 32, 0.1);
  border-color: var(--nerv-orange);
}
.nerv-btn.primary {
  background: var(--nerv-orange);
  color: var(--void);
  border-color: var(--nerv-orange);
}
.nerv-btn.primary:hover {
  background: var(--nerv-orange-hot);
}
.nerv-btn.danger {
  border-color: var(--alert-red);
  color: var(--alert-red);
}
.nerv-btn.danger:hover {
  background: var(--alert-red-fill);
}

UI States — Escalating Intensity

NERV UIs have 5 visual states that escalate in intensity. The UI literally degrades as severity increases.

/* State classes — apply to containers */
.state-nominal  { /* default — no extra styles */ }
.state-active   { border-color: var(--nerv-orange) !important; }
.state-caution  { border-color: var(--nerv-orange-hot) !important; box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(232, 122, 32, 0.1); }
.state-alert    { background: var(--alert-red-fill) !important; border-color: var(--alert-red) !important; }
.state-critical { animation: critical-flash 0.5s ease-in-out infinite; }

@keyframes critical-flash {
  0%, 100% { background: var(--void); }
  50% { background: var(--alert-red-fill); }
}

Layout

Full-Screen Console

body.nerv-console {
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  background: var(--void);
  color: var(--data-green);
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.8125rem;
  overflow-x: hidden;
  cursor: default;
}

Panel Grid

.console-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(12, 1fr);
  gap: 2px;
  padding: 2px;
  height: 100vh;
}
.console-grid > .panel {
  background: var(--void-warm);
  border: 1px solid var(--steel-faint);
  padding: 1rem;
  overflow: hidden;
  position: relative;
}

Ticker Tape (Running Text)

.ticker {
  overflow: hidden;
  white-space: nowrap;
  background: var(--void);
  border-top: 1px solid var(--nerv-orange-dim);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--nerv-orange-dim);
  padding: 0.3rem 0;
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.5625rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
}
.ticker .scroll {
  display: inline-block;
  animation: ticker-scroll 30s linear infinite;
}
@keyframes ticker-scroll {
  from { transform: translateX(100vw); }
  to   { transform: translateX(-100%); }
}

Image Generation Prompts

When using Nano Banana or other image generators to create assets for this style, use these prompt templates:

Background Textures

NERV operations console CRT screen, [SUBJECT], black void background, 
scanline texture overlay, [COLOR] monochrome data visualization, 
no text, no UI chrome, dark atmospheric, film grain, 1990s anime 
production design quality, Hideaki Anno visual style

Subject Overlays (wireframe/thermal)

[SUBJECT] rendered as [wireframe mesh / thermal heatmap / contour map], 
[cyan/orange/green] lines on pure black background, crosshair 
registration markers, scale bar annotations, scientific instrumentation 
aesthetic, CRT monitor capture, retro digital imaging, high contrast

Alert/Status Graphics

Warning screen, industrial hazard aesthetic, bold [red/orange] 
typography on black, diagonal hazard stripes, institutional signage, 
NERV Evangelion UI style, minimal, stark contrast, Japanese and 
English bilingual text

Hex Grid / Scanner

Hexagonal grid scanner display, [cyan/green] hex mesh on black, 
[red/orange] anomaly glow bleeding through [N] cells, scientific 
monitoring interface, CRT texture, dark atmospheric, clean geometric

Bilingual Labeling

NERV interfaces mix Japanese and English systematically:

/* Japanese institutional badge */
.jp-badge {
  font-family: var(--font-kanji);
  font-size: 0.6875rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--steel);
  writing-mode: horizontal-tb;
  padding: 0.2rem 0.5rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--steel-dim);
  background: var(--void);
}

/* Bilingual label pair */
.bilingual {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 0.15rem;
}
.bilingual .en {
  font-family: var(--font-sys);
  font-size: 0.625rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--nerv-orange);
}
.bilingual .jp {
  font-family: var(--font-kanji);
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  color: var(--steel-dim);
}

Pattern: English for technical/operational labels. Japanese for organizational/institutional labels. Never decorative — every Japanese string should be a real term.

Common terms:

• 作戦行動 (sakusen kōdō) — Operational Action
• 警告 (keikoku) — Warning
• 認証システム (ninshō shisutemu) — Authentication System
• 汚染区域 (osen kuiki) — Contaminated Area
• 緊急 (kinkyū) — Emergency

Anti-Patterns

Accessibility

Contrast is king. These are CRT phosphor colors — they should GLOW against the void. If text looks dim or washed out, you've gone too dark. Err on the side of too bright.

• Orange #FF9830 on black #000: 8.2:1 ✅ (AAA)
• Green #50FF50 on black: 13.8:1 ✅ (AAA)
• Cyan #20F0FF on black: 13.1:1 ✅ (AAA)
• Red #FF4840 on black: 5.9:1 ✅ (AA) — pair with text label for small text
• Steel #E0E0D8 on black: 16.2:1 ✅ (AAA)
• Steel-dim #9A9A90 on black: 7.1:1 ✅ (AAA) — safe for annotations

Scanline overlay must be subtle (≤6% opacity). Heavier scanlines kill readability on small text. The CRT effect is atmosphere, not a readability obstacle.

Vignette must not darken text areas. Keep the clear zone at ≥60% of the viewport.

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .crt-flicker,
  .alert-banner.pulse,
  .state-critical { animation: none !important; }
  .ticker .scroll { animation-duration: 60s; }
}
@media (prefers-contrast: more) {
  :root {
    --nerv-orange: #FFB030;
    --alert-red: #FF6050;
    --data-green: #40FF40;
  }
}

Composition Rules

1. The void is the default. Elements emerge from blackness, not sit on a surface.
2. Color = function. If you can't name why something is orange vs green, it's wrong.
3. Density = authority. More data on screen = more credible. Don't spread things out.
4. Alignment is sacred. Monospaced columns must align. Pixel-level precision.
5. Escalation is visual. As severity increases, the UI literally breaks down — color bleeds, pixelation increases, animation intensifies.
6. Everything is labeled. Scale bars, grid coordinates, sample numbers, pattern types. If it's on screen, it has an identifier.
7. Bilingual is institutional, not decorative. Japanese text means the organization operates in Japanese. It's not wallpaper.
8. The CRT texture is always present. Scanlines, vignette, subtle phosphor flicker. The interface exists on a physical monitor inside the fiction.

Source: TheGreatGildo/nerv-ui — distributed by TomeVault.