Nier: Automata Ver1.1a
Nier: Automata Ver1.1a (Japanese: ニーア オートマタ Ver1.1a, Hepburn: Nīa Ōtomata Ver1.1a) is a 2023 anime television series based on the action role-playing game Nier: Automata developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix. The series is produced by A-1 Pictures and began airing in January 2023, commemorating the sixth anniversary of the video game.
| Nier: Automata Ver1.1a | |
Key visual featuring YoRHa No.2 Type B | |
| ニーア オートマタ Ver1.1a (Nia Otomata Ver1.1a) | |
|---|---|
| Created by | |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Ryouji Masuyama |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by |
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| Music by | MONACA |
| Studio | A-1 Pictures |
| Licensed by | Aniplex of America[a] |
| Original network | Tokyo MX, GYT, GTV, BS11 |
| Original run | January 8, 2023 – present |
| Episodes | 5 |
Characters
- YoRHa No.2 Type B (2B)
- Voiced by: Yui Ishikawa[2]
- Reprising her role of the protagonist, Ishikawa mentions that the story retains a depressive theme faithful to the original game. Her impression of 2B changed after five years of working in the title and enjoyed her dynamic with Natsuki Hanae due to the bond they share.[3]
- YoRHa No.9 Type S (9S)
- Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae[2]
- Hanae found the anime unique for displaying a different take on the characters' handling when compared to the original game.[4]
- Pod 042 (ポッド042, Poddo 042)
- Voiced by: Hiroki Yasumoto[2]
- Pod 153 (ポッド153, Poddo 153)
- Voiced by: Kaoru Akiyama[2]
- Commander (司令官, Shireikan)
- Voiced by: Chiaki Kanou[5]
- Operator 60 (オペレーター60, Operētā 60)
- Voiced by: Keiko Isobe[5]
- Operator 210 (オペレーター210, Operētā 210)
- Voiced by: Meari Hatsumi[5]
- Pascal (パスカル, Pasukaru)
- Voiced by: Aoi Yūki[6]
- Adam (アダム, Adamu)
- Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa[7]
- Eve (イヴ, Ivu)
- Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki[7]
- Lily (リリィ, Rirī)
- Voiced by: Atsumi Tanezaki[8]
- YoRHa Type A No.2 (A2)
- Voiced by: Ayaka Suwa[9]
Production
The series was announced during the fifth anniversary livestream of Nier: Automata.[10] It is directed by Ryouji Masuyama and animated by A-1 Pictures, with Masuyama and Yoko Taro writing the screenplay, Jun Nakai designing the characters and serving as chief animation director, and MONACA composing the music.[11][12] The series premiered on January 8, 2023, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[13][14]
The opening theme song is "Escalate" by Aimer, while the ending theme song is "Antinomy" (アンチノミー, Anchinomī) by Amazarashi.[15] Aimer was inspired by the narrative's androids who act human-like to perform her song which also has the idea of tragedy.[16] Meanwhile, Yoko Taro used the ending theme to create a video about how Machine Lifeforms keep being used as tools for war in an endless cycle.[17] Each episode features a puppet play focusing on a certain alternate ending from the game.
On January 21, it was announced that the series would be on a hiatus following Episode 3 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] It returned on February 18.[19]
Episode list
| No. | Title [20] | Directed by [20] | Written by [20] | Storyboarded by [20] | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Or not to [B]e" | Ryouji Masuyama | Ryouji Masuyama | Ryouji Masuyama | January 8, 2023 | |
| YoRHa android soldier 2B is sent on a mission to destroy a Goliath-class Machine lifeform. However, the rest of her unit is destroyed en route, leaving her the sole survivor. Landing at an abandoned factory, 2B fights her way through multiple machines before meeting with 9S, another android specializing in reconnaissance and electronic warfare. They both scout the factory searching for the Goliath until it activates as a massive, building sized Machine. 9S attempts to hack the Goliath but is severely damaged in the process. Angered, 2B destroys the Goliath but is left stranded on top of its remains with 9S as they are surrounded by three more Goliaths. Realizing there is no chance for escape, 2B and 9S self destruct their black boxes, destroying the Goliaths and the factory along with themselves. Some time later, 2B is revived in a new body at the Bunker, YoRHa's orbital headquarters, with her data having been backed up right before her destruction. She reunites with 9S, and finds out to her dismay that 9S prioritized backing up her data first, so he has lost all of his memories shortly after they first met. Alternate Ending: While 9S is explaining how black boxes work, 2B accidentally touches her black box against his, triggering a chain reaction that destroys the Bunker. (Similar to Ending U: deb[U]nked[21]). | ||||||
| 2 | "city e[S]cape" | Satsuki Takahashi | Ryouji Masuyama | Ryouji Masuyama | January 15, 2023 | |
| The Council of Humanity addresses YoRHa with a speech explaining that Aliens invaded Earth with an army of Machine Lifeforms in the year 5012, forcing what remains of Humanity to retreat to the Moon and build an army of androids in the form of the Resistance on Earth and YoRHa in space with the intention of retaking the planet. Meanwhile on Earth, a Machine designated PLAO8 begins to develop intelligence and instead of attacking the Resistance, decides to learn to grow flowers. 2B and 9S are assigned to head to Earth to investigate why YoRHa's liaison with the Resistance has gone silent. The Resistance sends a team led by the fighter Lily to recover supplies, only for them to be ambushed by an army of Machines. Lily and her surviving team lure the Machines onto a booby trapped bridge while PLAO8 tries to stop from trampling its flowers. 2B and 9S then arrive and destroy the bridge and the Machines, with PLAO8 being destroyed in the crossfire. Elsewhere, more Machines begin reading old books left behind by Humanity as an ominous cocoon like structure is being built. Alternate Ending: 2B and 9S receive a post card from Yoko Taro asking about the purpose of their OS chips. Curious, 2B removes her own OS chip, inadvertently killing herself. (Similar to Ending T: fa[T]al error[21]). | ||||||
| 3 | "break ti[M]e" | Kōsuke Madoka, Yūki Matsuo | Ryouji Masuyama | Seishirō Nagaya | January 22, 2023 | |
| 2B and 9S are guided to the Resistance Camp, where Lily reveals she is the overall leader of the Resistance. At the Bunker, it is revealed that 2B and 9S weren't sent to Earth to assist the Resistance, but to investigate mysterious behavior by the Machines, and YoRHa intends to use the Resistance as sacrificial pawns. Back on Earth, 2B and 9S mean another Resistance fighter, Jackass, who tells them about strangely behaving Machines in the nearby desert. 2B and 9S have Jackass guide them to the desert, where they are ambushed by a Machine patrol. 9S hacks one of the Machines and witnesses a vision of an ancient desert civilization that the Machines were copying. 2B destroys the Machines, and the group pursues another Machine that has decided to flee. Along the way, they discover the corpse of the YoRHa liaison, as well as a mysterious jamming signal. 2B and 9S trace the signal but accidentally fall into an underground chamber where they find a massive cocoon built out of Machine bodies. The cocoon then ejects a human-like Machine which the androids swiftly kill to stop it from evolving, but a second human-like Machine emerges from the corpse and attacks the pair, causing the chamber to collapse. Alternate Ending: 2B and 9S decide to ride a boar and a moose for fun, but 9S loses control of the moose and accidentally runs over a YoRHa squad. With the YorHa forces destroyed, Earth becomes a "paradise" for the Machines. (Similar to Ending W: broken [W]ings[21]). | ||||||
| 4 | "a mountain too [H]igh" | Ayako Kōno | Yako Morimachi | Kengo Matsumoto, Tetsuya Akutsu | February 19, 2023 | |
| The Machines are shown gaining more intelligence as they increasingly mimic human behavior. At the Resistance camp, 2B and 9S debrief Lily and Jackass on the human-like Machines they encountered, which YoRHa has dubbed "Adam" and "Eve". Jackass muses on the possibility of making peace with the Machines, but 9S flatly rejects the idea. 2B and 9S are then ordered to scout a nearby amusement park to investigate the disappearance of an android soldier. To their surprise, they find the Machines there are not hostile, and advance into a theater. There, they encounter an advanced Machine called the Songstress which attacks them on sight. 9S attempts to hack the Songstress and manages to catch a glimpse of her memories, where she fell in love with another Machine and became obsessed with making herself look beautiful, turning her into the monstrous machine she is now. 2B manages to expose the Songstress' core and destroy her. 9S coldly declares Machines can't feel emotions and then destroys a pair of nonviolent Machines, much to 2B's concern. Alternate Ending: The Commander begins bossing around her subordinates in order to get the Bunker working at full efficiency, causing many of them to desert. With their numbers dwindling, YorHA eventually loses the war against the Machines and all androids are wiped out. (Similar to Ending O: just y[O]u and me[21]). | ||||||
| 5 | "mave[R]ick" | TBA | TBA | TBA | February 26, 2023 | |
| Adam and Eve are shown steadily gaining intelligence as Adam eagerly reads old human books. 2B and 9S are given a mission by Lily to deliver supplies to a village of Machine lifeforms that have developed into a peaceful community and are willing to trade with the Resistance. They head to the village and meets its leader, Pascal, who explains that he and the other Machines in the village have severed themselves from the Machine network and now live peaceful lives. 2B and 9S are intrigued at how the Machines have been able to form a functional, human-like society. They then explore an underground chamber beneath the village, where they find an Emil head. 9S tries to hack it and catches brief glimpses of Emil's memories, and deduces the Emil head is one of many robotic weapons developed by humans to fight the Machines. Pascal explains that the village revere the Emil head, as it was what triggered their desire for self preservation and peace. However, 9S remains conflicted at the idea that Machines can grow beyond their programming. Meanwhile, Adam and Even continue to gain more knowledge, and Adam convinces Eve to refer to him as the older brother. Alternate Ending: 2B and 9S demonstrate their self destruct features, which merely damages their clothing. However, Emil observes this and decides to copy them, detonating his fusion reactor and destroying the planet in the process. (Similar to Ending Y: head[Y] battle[21]). | ||||||
Reception
Inverse praised the series premiere for being accessible for newcomers and faithful to the original game.[22] On the other hand, Nicholas Dupree and Rebecca Silverman from Anime News Network had mixed feelings about the first episode in regards to it accessibility but felt the animation was appealing despite the skimpy clothing the two leads wear. Meanwhile, Richard Eisenbeis and James Beckett from the same site praised the adaptation due to the production values and how the dynamics between 2B and 9S.[23] Anime Feminist stated that while adapting the plot and themes from the original popular game was too difficult, the inclusion of Yoko Taro as a writer seems to make the overall premise positive.[24] Escapist Magazine found the first episode original for constantly switching between the leads' perspectives rather than relying primarily on 2B alone in order to provide a more unique approach to the story and enjoyed Yoko Taro's inclusion in the anime like Anime Feminist.[25]
Notes
- ^ Through Crunchyroll (formerly known as Funimation).
References
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 29, 2022). "Ani-One Asia Streams NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 24, 2022). "NieR: Automata Anime's Promo Video Reveals Staff, Cast, January 2023 Premiere (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ "TVアニメ『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』9S役・花江夏樹さんインタビュー「ここまで体に馴染んだキャラクターは珍しい」特別な想いのある9Sの魅力を語る！". Animate Times (in Japanese). Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ "TVアニメ『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』2B役・石川由依さんインタビュー【第1回】｜ゲームとの違い、先の読めない展開を楽しんでほしい". Animate Times (in Japanese). Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c Hodgkins, Crystalyn (October 15, 2022). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime Reveals More Cast, Visual, Short Promo Video". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (October 29, 2022). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime's Latest Short Promo Video, Visual Introduce Pascal". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 25, 2022). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime's Latest Short Promo Video, Visual Introduce Adam, Eve". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ Dempsey, Liam (November 26, 2022). "Lily Aims Her Sights at NieR:Automata Ver1.1a TV Anime in Latest Teaser". Crunchyroll. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Romano, Sal (December 8, 2022). "NieR: Automata Ver1.1a TV anime 'Promotion File 007: A2' trailer". Gematsu. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ^ Loo, Egan (February 23, 2022). "NieR:Automata Action RPG Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ Romano, Sal (February 23, 2022). "NieR: Automata Ver1.1a TV anime to begin airing in January 2023; 2B and 9S teaser trailers". Gematsu. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ TVアニメ「NieR:Automata」来年1月放送開始、2B＆9Sのビジュアル・キャラPV公開. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ Leston, Ryan (September 26, 2022). "Nier: Automata Ver1.1a Anime Series Will Arrive in January 2023". IGN. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
- ^ Cayanan, Joanna (December 25, 2022). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime's New Video Reveals More Staff, January 7 Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ Loo, Egan (December 28, 2022). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime's New Video Previews Aimer, amazarashi's Theme Songs". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ "人間の本質を突くアニメ「NieR:Automata Ver1.1a」オープニングテーマはいかにして生まれたのか". Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "Yoko Taro Produced the New NieR Automata Anime Ending". Siliconera. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ Harding, Daryl (January 21, 2023). "NieR:Automata Ver1.1a TV Anime Postponed From Episode 4 Due to COVID-19". Crunchyroll. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime Episode 4 Airs on February 18 After Delay". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Sutōrī | "NieR:Automata Ver1.1a" (Nīa Ōtomata Ver1.1a) Terebi Anime Kōshiki Saito" STORY | 『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』（ニーア オートマタ Ver1.1a）TVアニメ公式サイト [Story｜"NieR:Automata Ver1.1a" (NieR:Automata Ver1.1a) TV Anime Official Website]. nierautomata-anime.com (in Japanese). Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "All Endings - NieR Automata Wiki Guide - IGN". Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "One episode in, the Nier: Automata anime is already a must-watch". Inverse. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "NieR: Automata Ver 1.1A – Episode 1". Anime Feminist. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "The Nier: Automata Anime Fittingly Wrestles with Its Own Existence". Escapist Magazine. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)
- Nier: Automata Ver1.1a (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia