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Nier: Automata Ver1.1a

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Nier: Automata Ver1.1a
Key visual featuring YoRHa No.2 Type B
Created by
Anime television series
Directed byRyōji Masuyama
Produced by
  • Miho Matsumoto
  • Tomoko Fujimura
Written by
Music byMonaca
StudioA-1 Pictures
Licensed by
Original networkTokyo MX, GYT, GTV, BS11
Original run January 8, 2023 – September 27, 2024
Episodes24 (List of episodes)
icon Anime and manga portal

Nier: Automata Ver1.1a[b] is a Japanese anime television series directed by Ryōji Masuyama, co-written by Masuyama and Yoko Taro, and composed by music studio Monaca. Based on the 2017 action role-playing game Nier: Automata developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix, the anime is produced by A-1 Pictures. Set in the far future during a proxy war between alien-created Machine Lifeforms and human-crafted androids, the story primarily focuses on 2B and 9S, soldiers for the elite YoRHa combat force who become involved with the latest conflict against the Machine Lifeforms.

Yoko, who directed and co-wrote the original game, collaborated with Masuyama on adapting the story into a form that would work in an anime. Monaca, who worked on the game's music, returned to both arrange earlier pieces and create original music. The opening and ending themes were provided respectively by Aimer and Amazarashi. The game's original Japanese and English cast reprised their roles. The series was announced in a 5th anniversary livestream, and was broadcast from January to July 2023. Its broadcast had been twice delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting production. A second cours aired from July to September 2024.

Premise

[edit]
See also: Nier: Automata

Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is set in the year 11945 on a post-apocalyptic Earth abandoned by humanity. Earth has been occupied by aliens, who fight using an army of Machine Lifeforms. Androids, created by humans, fight against the Machine Lifeforms, with the conflict turning into a prolonged proxy war. The latest addition to the android forces is YoRHa, an elite android fighting force based in the orbital Bunker and communicating directly with the Council of Humanity on the Moon.[2] YoRHa models 2B and 9S are sent down as part of a reconnaissance force to investigate local Machine behaviour and aid local Resistance forces. During their time on Earth, 2B and 9S suppress hostile Machine Lifeforms, coming into contact with other characters who exist on the world. These include the local Resistance leader Lily; Devola and Popola, a pair of ancient android twins; Pascal, the pacifist leader of a non-hostile Machine collective; Adam and Eve, twin humanoid avatars of the Machine Network; A2, a rogue YoRHa member; and Emil, a being around whom Pascal formed his village.

Characters

[edit]
YoRHa No.2 Type B (ヨルハ二号B型, Yoruha Ni-gō B-gata)
Voiced by: Yui Ishikawa[3] (Japanese); Kira Buckland[4] (English)
Commonly called 2B, is a YoRHa squadron "Battler" combat model. She is defined by her cool and taciturn personality. She is also known as "2E", an "executioner" model created to kill other androids.[5][6]
YoRHa No.9 Type S (ヨルハ九号S型, Yoruha Kyū-gō S-gata)
Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae[3] (Japanese); Kyle McCarley[4] (English)
Commonly called 9S and informally "Nines", is a YoRHa squadron "Scanner" reconnaissance model known for his outgoing personality and curiosity about the world and the Machine Lifeforms.[5][6]
Pod 042 (ポッド042, Poddo 042) and Pod 153 (ポッド153, Poddo 153)
Voiced by: Hiroki Yasumoto (Pod 042), Kaoru Akiyama (Pod 153)[3] (Japanese); D. C. Douglas (Pod 042), Abby Trott (Pod 153)[4] (English)
Floating box-like devices which support the YoRHa forces. While initially robotic, the two also develop distinct personality and become attached to their charges.[5][6]
YoRHa Type A No.2 (ヨルハA型二号, Yoruha A-gata ni-gō)
Voiced by: Ayaka Suwa[7] (Japanese); Cherami Leigh[4] (English)
Commonly called A2, is a YoRHa prototype. Initially sent as part of a disposable test run on a mission to destroy a Machine server at Ka'ala, she survives and pursues a vendetta against both YoRHa and the Machine Lifeforms.[5][6]
Commander (司令官, Shireikan)
Voiced by: Chiaki Kanou[8] (Japanese); Colleen O'Shaughnessey[4] (English)
2B and 9S's superior officer. She is the leader of the YoRHa forces based in the orbital Bunker.[5][6]
Operator 6O (オペレーター6O, Operētā 6O) and Operator 21O (オペレーター21O, Operētā 21O)
Voiced by: Keiko Isobe (Operator 6O), Meari Hatsumi (Operator 21O)[8] (Japanese); Cassandra Lee Morris (Operator 6O), Connor Kelly-Eiding (Operator 21O)[4] (English)
Two of the Operators who act as contacts at the Bunker for 2B and 9S respectively. They have contrasting personalities; while Operator 6O is friendly and wants to bond with 2B, Operator 21O is cold and focused on the mission over 9S's attempts to socialise with her.[5][6]
Lily (リリィ, Rirī)
Voiced by: Atsumi Tanezaki[9] (Japanese); Erica Mendez[4] (English)
The leader of the local android Resistance. Initially mistrustful of YoRHa, she provides information and support. She is also a former acquaintance of A2, having served with her during their first mission.[10] Lily was previously featured in additional material related to Nier Automata, and fills a similar role to game character Anemone.[5][10]
Adam (アダム, Adamu) and Eve (イヴ, Ivu)
Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa (Adam), Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Eve)[11] (Japanese); Greg Chun (Adam), Ray Chase (Eve)[4] (English)
Twin humanoid Machine Lifeforms which manage the Network. While Adam appears more mature and is fascinated with humanity, Eve is more playful and devoted to his brother.[5][6]
Pascal (パスカル, Pasukaru)
Voiced by: Aoi Yūki[12] (Japanese); Alexis Tipton[4] (English)
The pacifist leader of a Machine Lifeform village which disconnected from the Machine Network and isolate themselves from the war.[5][6]
Devola (デボル, Deboru) and Popola (ポポル, Poporu)
Voiced by: Ryoko Shiraishi[13] (Japanese); Eden Riegel[14] (English)
Twin androids of an ancient model series. Due to a devastating incident caused by another pair of their models, Devola and Popola suffer discrimination from other androids and are assigned dangerous jobs.[5][6]
Emil (エミール, Emīru)
A being around whom Pascal formed his village after contact with Emil broke him from the Network.[2] Emil was originally a human before being modified into a weapon and surviving on Earth for thousands of years.[5][6]

Production

[edit]
Yui Ishikawa
Natsuki Hanae
Kira Buckland
Kyle McCarley
Japanese voice actors Yui Ishikawa (top left) and Natsuki Hanae (top right) reprised their roles of 2B and 9S, respectively alongside with their English counterparts, Kira Buckland (bottom left) and Kyle McCarley (bottom right)

Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is based on Nier Automata, a 2017 action role-playing game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix. A sequel to the 2010 video game Nier and forming part of the wider Drakengard series, the game was a critical and commercial success.[15][16][17] Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is animated by A-1 Pictures. It is directed by Ryōji Masuyama, who handles series composition with original director Yoko Taro. Jun Nagai is character designer and animation director, and Hirofumi Sakagami is the art director.[18][19] The episodes end with short puppet shows created by Moge.[20]

The concept for an anime adaptation of Nier Automata was proposed by Aniplex in 2017 shortly after the game's release.[21] Yoko was surprised as anime adaptations were often created as a game tie-in to increase sales. Hanae was present during an early discussion with Yoko and the game's producer Yosuke Saito, reacting with disbelief at the plan.[22] When creating the characters, A-1 Pictures was given the CG character models by Square Enix, with the team them creating key frame animations for common expressions and sometimes simplifying the clothing's design and movement to make it manageable. The art design was more colorful, though they kept the established subdued palette.[23] The Bunker scenes and opening animation, which appear to be to black and white, was difficult for the art team as they needed to find a close-enough shade to mimic a black-and-white effect. Commenting on the puppet design, Moge remembered creating the YoRHa puppets with patterns based on the designs on the full-sized characters.[20]

Discussing the story, Yoko commented that simply replicating the game's story in anime form would be boring, so he proposed making several changes to the story to fit the new medium, something Masuyama and Aniplex initially resisted, prompting a prolonged debate between them.[22] It was eventually agreed to balance sections faithful to the game with anime-original content. Masuyama and Yoko worked out the details, though Yoko tried to keep himself at a distance to give the anime team creative freedom.[21] The scenario was worked on over a long period, with Saito commenting that the wishes of the game's production staff were incorporated into the reworked scenario.[23] When planning the series, the first episode was written to mirror the game's opening tutorial section, with the second episode onwards deviating into its own version of events. The number of episodes was decided based on how many it would take to retell the game's story.[20] When creating the storyboards, cutscenes from the game were reproduced very faithfully, then other new scenes added in while trying to regain the original atmosphere and creating a unified visual identity. Yoko commented that the anime's presentation allowed cinematic storytelling in a way the game could not accomplish.[22] During the first season's episodes, flashbacks were included to events from both Nier and Drakengard. Yoko attributed their inclusion to the anime's staff, particularly Masuyama. Yoko also included elements related to A2's backstory that were not conveyed obviously in-game, hoping to deepen the viewers' connection with her.[21]

Due to the format change, there were extended sequences away from the main characters, and the actors had to voice some scenes that were text-only in-game.[23] Reprising her role of the protagonist, Yui Ishikawa mentioned that the story retained a depressive theme faithful to the original game. Her impression of 2B changed after five years of working in the title and she enjoyed her dynamic with Natsuki Hanae due to the bond they share.[24] Hanae found the anime unique for displaying a different take on the characters' handling when compared to the original game.[25] Atsumi Tanezaki was both excited and nervous to be joining the cast, enjoying performing Lily and finding the episode where her backstory was revealed a challenging section to perform.[9] Yoko had a cameo role as two different Machine Lifeform characters.[21]

Music

[edit]

The music was handled by Monaca, a music production company who had worked with Yoko on multiple projects including Nier: Automata.[15][18] Keiichi Okabe was a composer and arranger, and music producer. Keigo Hoashi and Kuniyuki Takahashi were co-composers and co-arrangers with Okabe. Shotaro Seo provided chorus work.[26] Yukio Nagasaki acted as sound director.[19] Upon being contacted, Okabe was told that he could use and arrange the game's original score, which comforted him as there were high expectations surrounding the anime. The original songs were generally quiet and without lyrics so as not to intrude upon the story, though original music was used when a scene was reproduced accurately.[27]

The anime includes multiple opening and ending theme songs.[28] The first cours' opening theme song is "Escalate" performed by Aimer. Aimer was inspired by the narrative's androids who act human-like to perform her song which also has the idea of tragedy.[29] The first cours' ending theme song is "Antinomy" performed by Amazarashi. Amazarashi, who had worked with Yoko before on a promotional song for the game, wrote the song based around the game's narrative theme of uncovering truths that are the opposite of beliefs.[30] Yoko directed a special music video, featuring a puppet show retelling the game's story using Machine Lifeforms. Yoko described the theme as fighting in a world without parents and finding hope even in repeated battles.[31]

The second cours' opening theme song is "Black Box", written by Hiromu Akita of Amazarashi and performed by Lisa. Lisa, who was a fan of the game and had been excited for the series, described herself as "singing her heart out" to portray the song's emotions. Akita also commented that Lisa had portrayed the harsh world and struggles of 2B.[32] The second cours' ending theme song is "Ai to Inori", written by Okabe with lyrics by Yoko and performed by virtual idol group Gems Company. Okabe wanted a theme that was different from previous theme songs in the anime, describing "Ai to Inori" as a theme which would immerse viewers in the world of Nier: Automata.[33]

Broadcast

[edit]
See also: List of Nier: Automata Ver1.1a episodes

The series was announced during the fifth anniversary livestream of Nier: Automata in February 2022.[34] It began its broadcast on January during the late night time slot on Tokyo MX, Tochigi Television, Gunma Television, and BS11.[35] An English-subtitled version was simulcast on Crunchyroll.[36] The broadcast was twice delayed due to production issues caused resurgence in the COVID-19 pandemic.[35][37] The first began with the third episode and lasted from January 28 to February 18.[37] The second began following the eighth episode,[35] and episodes 9–12 were broadcast back to back on July 23.[38] After the broadcast of the final four episodes of the first cours, production on a second cours was announced to be green-lit.[39] The second cours premiered on July 5, 2024.[40][41][42] An English dubbed version began streaming through Crunchyroll on March 18.[4] The game's English cast reprised their roles, with the only new cast member being Lily's English actor.[43]

Reception

[edit]

Inverse praised the series premiere for being accessible for newcomers and faithful to the original game.[44] 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.[45] The Escapist 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's inclusion in the anime.[46] Collider praised how the second season handled A2's character, claiming her portrayal is superior to the original media.[47]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Through Crunchyroll LLC
  2. ^ Stylized as NieR:Automata Ver1.1a

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 29, 2022). "Ani-One Asia Streams NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Keyword (in Japanese). Nier: Automata Ver1.1a website. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c 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.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mateo, Alex (March 15, 2023). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime Reveals English Dub Cast, March 18 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Taro, Yoko (November 5, 2020). NieR: Automata World Guide Volume 1: City Ruins Survey Report. Dark Horse Books. ISBN 978-1-5067-1031-0.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Taro, Yoko (December 17, 2020). NieR: Automata World Guide Volume 2. Dark Horse Books. ISBN 978-1-5067-1575-9.
  7. ^ Romano, Sal (December 8, 2022). "NieR: Automata Ver1.1a TV anime 'Promotion File 007: A2' trailer". Gematsu. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  8. ^ a b 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.
  9. ^ a b TVアニメ『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』リリィ役・種﨑敦美さんインタビュー｜「すごく美しいのにものすごく怖いと思いました」. Animate Times (in Japanese). March 17, 2023. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Maltbie, Benjamin (January 23, 2023). "Who Is Lily in the NieR Automata Anime?". Siliconera. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ デボル/ポポル (in Japanese). Nier: Automata Ver1.1a website. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  14. ^ "STAFF/CAST". NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Official USA Website. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Khan, Imran (January 1, 2019). "Talking To Yoko Taro, PlatinumGames' Takahisa Taura, And Composer Keiichi Okabe About Life, Death, And Opportunity". Game Informer. Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  16. ^ Matulef, Jeffery (August 15, 2017). "Nier director Yoko Taro saved PlatinumGames, according to Hideki Kamiya". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on January 22, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  17. ^ NieRシリーズの全世界販売本数が「NieR:Automata」700万本，「NieR Replicant」150万本を突破 [Worldwide sales of NieR series surpass 7 million copies of "NieR: Automata" and 1.5 million copies of "NieR Replicant"]. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). November 25, 2022. Archived from the original on November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Romano, Sal (February 23, 2022). "NieR: Automata Ver1.1a TV anime to begin airing in January 2023; 2B and 9S teaser trailers". Gematsu. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Cayanan, Joanna (December 25, 2022). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime's New Video Reveals More Staff, January 7 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  20. ^ a b c 冬アニメ「NieR:Automata」人形劇、2Bのホクロ、9Sの膝小僧…制作の裏側満載の公式“Q＆A”まとめ. AnimeAnime (in Japanese). February 18, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d アニメ『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』の見どころを齊藤陽介氏、ヨコオタロウ氏、田浦貴久氏が語る。一挙放送前にサークルをクラッシュしそうな2Bフェイスに“9S●●事件”と自由な発言が飛び交いまくる. Famitsu (in Japanese). July 22, 2023. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c Aniplex (September 23, 2022). 『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』in Aniplex Online Fest (Video). YouTube.
  23. ^ a b c Aniplex (December 28, 2022). NieR:Automata Ver1.1a / SPECIAL PROGRAM (Video). YouTube. Event occurs at 11:15.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ "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.
  26. ^ TVアニメ『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』 (in Japanese). Monaca. January 8, 2023. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  27. ^ Sakai, Mari (April 19, 2023). 『NieR Replicant』『NieR:Automata』からTVアニメ『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』まで、音楽の歴史を振り返る。音楽：MONACA（岡部啓一、帆足圭吾、高橋邦幸）. LisAni! (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  28. ^ アニメ「NieR:Automata Ver1.1a」，Aimerさんが歌うOPテーマ「escalate」のダウンロード＆ストリーミング配信開始。ノンクレジットオープニング映像も公開. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). January 7, 2021. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  29. ^ "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). March 1, 2023. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  30. ^ Ventura, Francesco (March 15, 2023). "Interview: amazarashi on Their Ending Theme for NieR:Automata Ver1.1a". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  31. ^ アニメ「NieR:Automata Ver1.1a」のED曲「アンチノミー」のMV「仮説人形劇 アンチノミー」トレーラーが公開. Game Watch Impress (in Japanese). January 27, 2023. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  32. ^ アニメ「NieR:Automata Ver1.1a」赤い少女の声から始まるPV、OPはLiSA. Natalie (in Japanese). May 28, 2024. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  33. ^ 『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』第2クールEDテーマが、GEMS COMPANY「灰ト祈リ」（作詞・ヨコオタロウ／作曲・岡部啓一）に決定！　アーティスト陣よりコメントも到着！. Animate Times (in Japanese). June 27, 2024. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  34. ^ Loo, Egan (February 23, 2022). "NieR:Automata Action RPG Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  35. ^ a b c Loo, Egan (March 18, 2023). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime Delays Episodes 9 & Beyond Due to COVID-19". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  36. ^ Hazra, Adriana (January 16, 2023). "Crunchyroll Simulcasts NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a, The Fire Hunter, 5 More Anime in India". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  37. ^ a b "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime Episode 4 Airs on February 18 After Delay". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  38. ^ "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime Airs Episodes 9-12 on July 23 (Updated)". Anime News Network. June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  39. ^ Loo, Egan (July 23, 2023). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime Gets 2nd Cours". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  40. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (February 24, 2024). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime's 2nd Part to Air This Year". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  41. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (May 28, 2024). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime's New Video Reveals 2nd Part's July Debut, LiSA's Opening Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  42. ^ Loo, Egan (June 11, 2024). "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime's 2nd Part Premieres on July 5". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  43. ^ Jenni, Lada (March 15, 2023). "NieR Automata Anime English Dub Voice Actors Include Game's Cast". Siliconera. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  44. ^ "One episode in, the Nier: Automata anime is already a must-watch". Inverse. January 9, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  45. ^ "NieR: Automata Ver 1.1A – Episode 1". Anime Feminist. January 8, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  46. ^ "The Nier: Automata Anime Fittingly Wrestles with Its Own Existence". The Escapist. January 10, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  47. ^ "'NieR:Automata's Anime Adapts This Character Even Better Than the Game". Collider. August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
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