Nier: Automata Ver1.1a

Nier: Automata Ver1.1a

Company type	Anime television series
Industry	Animation, Entertainment
Founded	2023 (2023)
Founder	Ryōji Masuyama, Yoko Taro
Headquarters	Tokyo , Japan
Key people	Ryōji Masuyama (director, co-writer), Yoko Taro (original creator, co-writer), Monaca (music composer)
Products	Anime series
Parent	A-1 Pictures

Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is a Japanese anime series directed by Ryōji Masuyama, who also co-wrote the script alongside Yoko Taro, with music composed by Monaca. The anime adapts the 2017 action role-playing game Nier: Automata, developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix, and is produced by A-1 Pictures. Set in a far-future proxy war between alien-created Machine Lifeforms and androids engineered by humans, the narrative follows elite YoRHa soldiers 2B and 9S as they navigate this conflict.

Yoko Taro, who directed and co-wrote the original game, partnered with Masuyama to reimagine the story for the anime format. Monaca returned to arrange both new compositions and pieces from previous works. The series features opening and ending themes performed by Aimer and Amazarashi. Both the Japanese and English voice actors reprised their roles for the adaptation. Announced during the game's fifth anniversary livestream, the show premiered from January to July 2023 after delays linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. A second cour aired from July through September 2024.

Premise

Set in the year 11945, Nier: Automata Ver1.1a unfolds on a post-apocalyptic Earth abandoned by humans and now dominated by alien forces deploying Machine Lifeforms. Androids created by humanity wage a prolonged proxy war against these Machines. The elite YoRHa android squad operates from an orbital Bunker that communicates with the Council of Humanity located on the Moon. Models 2B and 9S are deployed for reconnaissance missions and to support the local Resistance. Their battles against hostile Machines introduce them to significant characters such as Lily, leader of the Resistance; Devola and Popola, ancient android twins; Pascal, who leads a pacifist Machine community; Adam and Eve, humanoid avatars representing the Machine Network; A2, a rogue YoRHa operative; and Emil, a pivotal figure around whom Pascal’s village formed.

Characters

Referred to as 2B, she is a YoRHa "Battler" combat android characterized by her composed and reserved demeanor. Also known as "2E", she functions as an executioner model tasked with eliminating other androids.

Known as 9S or "Nines", this YoRHa "Scanner" unit specializes in reconnaissance and exhibits a strong curiosity about both the world and Machine Lifeforms.

and

Floating support units assigned to YoRHa operatives that develop unique personalities and form bonds with their operators.

Identified as A2, she is a YoRHa prototype who survives a mission intended as disposable and seeks vengeance against both YoRHa command and Machine Lifeforms.

The commanding officer overseeing 2B and 9S, directing YoRHa operations from the orbital Bunker.

and

Operators based at the Bunker serving as liaisons for 2B and 9S; 6O is approachable and friendly, while 21O adopts a more mission-driven attitude.

The head of the local android Resistance who provides intelligence support, previously connected with A2.

and

Twin humanoid Machine Lifeforms managing the Network; Adam is intrigued by humanity whereas Eve displays playful loyalty.

Leader of a pacifist Machine Lifeform village that has severed ties with the Network, advocating for peace.

and

Ancient-model twin androids subjected to prejudice due to historical incidents involving their models, assigned to dangerous tasks.

A central figure around whom Pascal’s village was established after being disconnected from the Network. Originally human but transformed into a weapon, Emil has survived on Earth for thousands of years.

Production

Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is an adaptation of Nier Automata, a 2017 action role-playing game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix. Serving as a sequel to the 2010 title Nier and part of the Drakengard franchise, the game earned both critical acclaim and commercial success. The anime series was produced by A-1 Pictures, directed by Ryōji Masuyama, who also handled series composition alongside the original creator Yoko Taro. Character design and animation direction were led by Jun Nagai, with Hirofumi Sakagami overseeing art direction. Each episode concludes with puppet performances crafted by Moge.

Following the game's 2017 launch, Aniplex quickly proposed the anime adaptation. Yoko Taro expressed surprise at this initiative since anime adaptations typically act as promotional tie-ins to increase game sales. To animate key frames, A-1 Pictures utilized Square Enix’s CG models from the game, occasionally simplifying character designs for ease of production. The art direction embraced a more vibrant color scheme while preserving the original’s muted aesthetic. The black-and-white presentation in Bunker scenes and opening sequences posed particular difficulties for the art staff. Puppets designed by Moge mirrored the full-scale characters’ distinctive patterns.

Yoko deliberately avoided a straightforward retelling of the game’s story, suggesting narrative modifications tailored for the anime format, which led to extensive discussions with Masuyama and Aniplex. Ultimately, the adaptation struck a balance between faithful recreations and original storytelling. The script development incorporated input from the game’s production team; notably, the debut episode closely follows the game’s tutorial, while subsequent episodes take creative liberties. Storyboards faithfully replicated key in-game cutscenes, supplemented with new sequences to maintain consistent atmosphere and visual cohesion. Yoko remarked that the anime medium allowed for cinematic storytelling beyond what was achievable in the game. Flashbacks referencing events from Nier and Drakengard were introduced, primarily credited to Masuyama’s contributions. Additional background material for A2 was incorporated to enhance audience connection.

The format permitted extended scenes focusing beyond the central characters, requiring voice actors to perform moments originally conveyed solely through text in the game. Returning as protagonist 2B, Yui Ishikawa noted that the narrative retained its melancholic tone and valued her on-screen chemistry with co-star Natsuki Hanae. Hanae emphasized how the anime offered distinct character interpretations compared to the original game. Atsumi Tanezaki shared her enthusiasm and challenges in voicing Lily’s backstory episode. Yoko Taro made cameo appearances portraying two Machine Lifeform roles.

Music

The soundtrack was produced by Monaca, a company that had previously collaborated with Yoko on titles including Nier: Automata. Keiichi Okabe took on roles as composer, arranger, and producer, supported by co-composers and arrangers Keigo Hoashi and Kuniyuki Takahashi. Chorus contributions came from Shotaro Seo, while Yukio Nagasaki served as sound director. Okabe adapted much of the original game score, favoring subtle instrumental pieces without lyrics to complement the storytelling; meanwhile, new compositions were created for scenes recreated with high fidelity.

Throughout its run, the anime features several opening and ending themes. The initial cour’s opening song "Escalate," performed by Aimer, draws thematic inspiration from android characters’ human-like qualities and tragic elements. The ending theme "Antinomy," by Amazarashi, echoes the game's narrative centered on uncovering disturbing realities. Yoko directed a special music video for "Antinomy" employing a puppet show featuring Machine Lifeforms to highlight themes of conflict and hope.

For the second cour, "Black Box," written by Hiromu Akita of Amazarashi and performed by Lisa, serves as the opening theme reflecting 2B’s harsh environment and struggles. The ending theme "Ai to Inori," composed by Okabe with lyrics penned by Yoko and performed by virtual idol group Gems Company, provides a contrasting tone intended to deepen viewers’ immersion within the Nier: Automata world.

Broadcast

The announcement of the series took place during the fifth anniversary livestream event for Nier: Automata in February 2022. Its initial airing began in January during late-night time slots on Tokyo MX, Tochigi Television, Gunma Television, and BS11. Simultaneously, an English-subtitled version was made available through Crunchyroll. Production complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in two postponements. The first delay impacted episode three, shifting its release from January 28 to February 18. The second interruption happened after episode eight, with episodes 9 through 12 broadcast consecutively on July 23. After completing the final four episodes of the first cour, approval was granted for a second cour. This second part premiered on July 5, 2024. Additionally, an English-dubbed edition started streaming on Crunchyroll on March 18, featuring most of the original English voice cast from the game reprising their roles, except for a new actor cast as Lily.

Reception

The series debut received acclaim from Inverse for its ability to welcome new viewers while staying true to the source material. Anime Feminist acknowledged the difficulty inherent in adapting the game's intricate narrative and themes but emphasized Yoko Taro’s involvement as a beneficial factor. The Escapist valued the distinctive narrative style that alternates between main characters' viewpoints rather than concentrating exclusively on 2B and praised Yoko Taro’s creative contribution. Collider lauded the second season's depiction of A2, remarking that it exceeds her representation in the original game.