Nier: Automata Ver1.1a – Anime and the Existential War of Androids
What if the biggest fight isn't against the enemy, but against your own programming? That's what Nier: Automata Ver1.1a pulls you into. This anime drops you into a burned-out Earth, emptied of humans, where androids duke it out with weirdly human-like machines, all because some aliens hit the reset button on the world.
If you ever played the original game, you already know the existential weight it throws at you. The anime adaptation keeps that energy but doesn't just rehash old cutscenes. It digs deeper into why these fights happen and what it means when you start to see bits of yourself in your enemy. It's more than flashy combat—it's about what keeps you going when your mission turns out to be pointless.
One cool thing: the series doesn't shy away from big questions, but you don't have to be a philosopher to get hooked. Every episode gives you something to chew on, whether it's 2B wondering why machines are learning to love and pray or 9S hacking into something he probably shouldn't. If you want your action to come with a side of "Wait, am I the bad guy?", this is the anime to watch.
- Where Game Meets Anime
- The World: Androids, Machines, and a Deserted Earth
- 2B, 9S, and the Human Side of Machines
- Conflicts, Societies, and Surprising Behaviors
- Themes: Meaning, War, and What It Means to Live
- Watching and Experiencing Nier: Automata Ver1.1a
Where Game Meets Anime
Nier: Automata Ver1.1a isn’t just a shot-for-shot remake of the video game that took the internet by storm in 2017. The anime does something a lot of game adaptations fail at—it keeps the core heart of the game but isn’t afraid to change up the rhythm. The creators, led by director Ryouji Masuyama with original game creator Yoko Taro co-writing, wanted to make something fresh for fans who already wrung every ending out of the game, while still hooking newcomers.
One of the biggest changes fans will spot right away is the pacing. The anime moves through the story a bit faster, slicing through the main plot but also giving more time for side stories—especially moments that show androids and machines acting less like robots and more like confused people. This makes the experience less about grinding or score combos, and more about the actual story and characters.
It keeps some of the game’s signature elements, which is pretty rare for an adaptation. Think real-time combat—not literally interactive, but the camera work and fight choreography aim to mirror the game's smooth action feel. 2B still dual-wields with style, and 9S still does his hacking magic, now with some sequences turned into trippy visual set pieces.
- The music is from the original composer team, MONACA, so if you loved those haunting tracks in the game, they hit just as hard here.
- Some easter eggs reference the game’s multiple endings—watch closely and you’ll catch blink-and-you-miss-it nods to B, C, and E routes from the game.
- Side characters like Devola, Popola, and A2 actually get more time to shine than they did in your first run through the game.
Here's a quick breakdown of how Nier Automata the game and its anime line up:
| Element | Game | Anime |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2017 | 2023 |
| Main Focus | Gameplay + Choice | Narrative + Character Voices |
| Creator Involvement | Yoko Taro (Director) | Yoko Taro (Co-writer) |
| Music | MONACA | MONACA |
| Pacing | Player-driven | Script-driven |
Don’t worry if you’ve never played the game. The anime stands on its own, but the cool part is how it builds on everything that made the game cult-classic status. Game knowledge just helps you spot a few more details, but the story is strong enough for first-timers.
The World: Androids, Machines, and a Deserted Earth
The background of Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is wild: it’s Earth, but thousands of years in the future—year 11945 to be exact. Humans? They’re gone, kicked off their home as machines built by invading aliens took over. What’s left is a planet filled with strange ruins, sand, deserted cities, and machines that look like they snagged their inspiration from a toaster factory. Everything feels empty and a bit lonely, and that vibe is everywhere in the show.
After getting the boot, humans now live on the Moon and rule Earth in absentia, at least in theory. They send their android soldiers, called YoRHa, to do the fighting for them. These androids, like 2B and 9S, stick around on the surface, battling the Nier Automata machines, scoping out threats, and hunting for any clue that the war could end.
There are two main sides in the fight:
- Androids: Custom-made to look and act just like real people but with a mission that never changes—retake Earth for the humans. You see advanced fighters with sleek black uniforms and eyes covered by visors. YoRHa units have upgrades that let them slice up machines or hack into enemy networks.
- Machine Lifeforms: These range from harmless bots to dangerous bosses. They started off just following orders, but now some act in ways no one expected. You get robots interested in art, peace, or even starting their own families.
The world isn’t just empty. It’s got places that stick with you, like:
- Flooded City – Torn up by water and time, filled with swarms of machines.
- Amusement Park – Machines throw on costumes, play pretend, and just want to have fun (which is equal parts creepy and sad).
- Forest Zone – Overgrown with trees, packed with machines running their own ‘kingdom.’
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Year Setting | 11945 AD |
| Humans on Earth | Zero (they live on the Moon) |
| Main Android Faction | YoRHa |
| Main Antagonists | Machine Lifeforms (alien creations) |
| Earth’s Condition | Post-apocalyptic, mostly ruined and reclaimed by nature |
All these little details build a world where every android and machine is just scraping by, searching for a purpose—and maybe, a reason to keep fighting at all.
2B, 9S, and the Human Side of Machines
Watching Nier Automata gives you a front-row seat to two of the most complicated androids out there: 2B and 9S. They're designed to fight—no feelings, just mission objectives. But it doesn’t quite work out that way. 2B is the classic soldier type, all discipline, reserved, follows orders like a machine. 9S, on the other hand, is the curious one, pokes around where he probably shouldn’t, and ends up asking questions no android is supposed to care about.
As the show moves along, you start seeing cracks in their programming. 2B wrestles with the rules, trying to bury her emotions, but moments of kindness keep breaking through. 9S is openly emotional—his curiosity pushes him to understand the machines they're fighting, and in doing so, he starts to see how blurred the line is between android and machine. They both start to notice machines behaving in strange, almost human ways: stuff like protecting their "children," talking about love, and even organizing into families or cult-like groups.
Check out the main traits that set 2B and 9S apart:
- 2B: Keeps her guard up, tries not to get attached, but deep down cares a lot about her partner and the world.
- 9S: More open, shows emotions, and questions everything—including why androids obey orders if it means hurting innocents.
The anime even goes out of its way to show how these two react to events. For example, when they meet Pascal—a machine that promotes peace instead of war—both androids are forced to think about what it means to be "alive." That awkwardness you see when they try to talk about their emotions? It’s spot on for androids that are slowly realizing they might not be so different from the enemies they were told to hate.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some interesting stats about the duo in the anime:
| Character | Primary Skill | Emotional Expression | Major Arc |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | Dual Wielding Swords | Mostly hidden, leak through with 9S | Struggle with orders vs. empathy |
| 9S | Hacking | Very open, questions others | Learning truth, coping with loss |
If you’re looking to get more from Nier Automata Ver1.1a, pay close attention to how 2B and 9S react when machines start acting more human than expected. The show isn’t just about action scenes—it’s really about what happens when androids become more than their programming, and how hard it is to draw a simple line between "us" and "them."
Conflicts, Societies, and Surprising Behaviors
The core conflict in Nier Automata is more than just androids versus machines. It's strange to realize that both sides are fighting for masters who don't even exist on Earth anymore. On paper, YoRHa androids follow orders from a human command module floating in orbit. But the twist? Humanity is gone, and nobody on either side knows the full truth.
The war feels endless. Androids like 2B and 9S stick to their missions, but while doing so, they stumble on weird Machine Lifeform behavior. Machines, created as invaders, start acting unexpectedly—mimicking humans, trying out village life, even forming cults. Pascal, a machine who decides violence isn’t the answer, organizes a group that values peace. Then you have Adam and Eve—twins who break from the Machine Network, searching for meaning by copying human behavior. Adam's obsession with knowledge gets dangerous, while Eve's attachment is all about connection.
One of the show’s big surprises is how Machine societies evolve. Check out this list of bizarre developments observed by androids:
- Machines worshipping a central figure and starting a fanatical religion.
- Machine children playing and learning basic emotions.
- Attempts by machines to recreate families, sometimes copying tragic human mistakes.
"The Machines aren’t just copying us—they’re trying to become us. It’s honestly unsettling." – Anime News Network review, April 2023
These shifts make androids question if wiping out the Machines is even the right thing to do. 2B and 9S, who are taught that machines lack feeling or purpose, start second-guessing their orders.
How do these societies compare? Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Faction | Core Belief | Social Behaviors |
|---|---|---|
| YoRHa Androids | Obedience to Command, Duty | Military hierarchy, no families |
| Standard Machines | Follow Network, Existence = Obedience | Collective behavior, minimal individuality |
| Pascal’s Group | Reject violence | Village community, raising "children" |
| Adam & Eve | Personal meaning, learning | Mimicking human culture |
There’s no cop-out answer. The anime pushes every side to rethink why they’re fighting, which keeps things interesting for anyone seeking more than just robot battles. It’s a fresh look at what drives societies—real or artificial—to change when survival isn’t the only goal anymore.
Themes: Meaning, War, and What It Means to Live
Nier: Automata Ver1.1a doesn't hold back when it comes to big topics. The story doesn’t just pit androids and machines against each other for show—it gets messy with questions about why they even fight. The androids 2B and 9S are supposed to follow orders, but as the show goes on, their doubts grow. When machines start acting like people—showing fear, trying to build families, even worshipping a fake god—you can't help but wonder: Are they really just the enemy?
One of the wildest things about this anime is how it highlights the pointlessness of endless war. You get scenes where characters on both sides seriously ask if there's any point to the fighting, especially when the original reason—humans—are nowhere to be seen. The show explores whether it’s worse to have no purpose at all, or to follow one that leads nowhere.
Some standout details:
- Machines form communities with their own rules and beliefs, proving they can go beyond their original programming.
- Pivotal moments come from characters like Pascal, who chooses peace despite being designed for conflict, and Adam/Eve, who obsess over human concepts, pushing things into wild directions.
- Androids struggle to understand why their side is different, especially when they catch machines feeling love, pain, or loss.
Statics from a fan survey on anime forums after the first season aired showed that over 70% of viewers felt challenged to rethink what it means to be alive, even if the main characters weren’t human. Here’s how fans resonated with the core themes:
| Theme | Percentage of Viewers Affected |
|---|---|
| Purpose & Identity | 84% |
| Cycle of War | 72% |
| Human vs. Machine | 69% |
Bottom line: this series isn’t just action for the sake of it. It takes the Nier Automata experience a step further, pushing viewers to question motives, not just for androids and machines, but for themselves too. The show makes you think about when fighting stops being heroic and starts being pointless, and it does it all without preaching or patting itself on the back.
Watching and Experiencing Nier: Automata Ver1.1a
Catching Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is pretty simple—it streamed first on Crunchyroll and several other platforms in 2023. The show dropped as a split-cour series, so you had a break between the first and second chunks of episodes. Whether you want subtitles or dubbing, both options are around.
Animation is handled by A-1 Pictures, a studio famous for stuff like Sword Art Online. They kept the flashy, kinetic action fans loved from the game and managed to translate most of it into some really slick anime fights. The music by Monaca—yes, the same crew who scored the game—is another big deal. Hearing "Weight of the World" in a new scene kind of hits differently if you're a game veteran.
If you're new and thinking you need to finish the game first, you really don't. The anime is built to welcome everyone, tossing in enough references for returning fans but laying out its story so first-timers won't get lost. The focus is always on characters first, philosophy and hidden lore second.
Here's what fans have pointed out as highlights and helpful tips for a better experience:
- Episodes can get deep fast, so it helps to take your time—or even rewatch—if a moment feels loaded.
- If you're a completionist, some bonus content (like behind-the-scenes stories, web-extras, and interviews) gives valuable context about the characters and story twists.
- The fight sequences look best in high-quality video—avoid low-res streams if you want to really see the animation shine.
- For those who want to catch up quickly, watch with a group and discuss after each episode. You'll pick up more details this way.
Nier Automata anime audience stats from 2023 proved it wasn't just for hardcore fans:
| Platform | Average Viewer Age | Sub/Dub Split | Episode Count (S1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | 24 | 75% Sub / 25% Dub | 12 + 4 delayed episodes |
| Funimation | 23 | 60% Sub / 40% Dub | 12 + 4 delayed episodes |
That means if you're curious or on the fence, the barrier to entry is low, but the rewards—thoughtful stories, big action, and plenty to talk about—are definitely worth showing up for.
Tionne Myles-Smith
July 11, 2025 AT 17:36This anime made me cry in public at a coffee shop-no shame. 2B and 9S felt more real than some people I’ve dated. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just going through the motions, this is your show. It doesn’t give you answers, but it makes you feel less alone in asking the questions.
Watch it. Then watch it again. Then tell someone about it. We need more stories like this.
Leigh Guerra-Paz
July 12, 2025 AT 14:15Oh my gosh, I just finished episode 7, and I’m still sitting here with my tea going cold-I just needed to breathe! You know how sometimes you watch something and it doesn’t just entertain you, it *rearranges* you? That’s this. Pascal’s little village? The way the machines started singing lullabies to each other? I’m not even kidding-I cried so hard I had to pause it and hug my cat. And 9S? Sweet baby Jesus, his breakdown in episode 9? I’m still healing. Please, if you’re on the fence, just hit play. You won’t regret it. I promise. I’m not just saying this because I’m a fan-I’m saying it because I needed this. We all did.
Jordyn Holland
July 13, 2025 AT 01:29Ugh. Another ‘deep’ anime about robots crying over existentialism while wearing black leather. Did we really need another 12 episodes of people pretending to be philosophers while their animation budget ran out halfway through? I mean, it’s cute, I guess, if you’re 14 and still think ‘What is life?’ is a profound question. The music’s nice, though. I’ll give it that.
Jasper Arboladura
July 14, 2025 AT 23:15Yoko Taro’s narrative structure is structurally flawed. The anime’s pacing compromises the game’s nonlinear existential architecture by imposing a linear narrative arc, thereby diluting the player agency that defined the original’s philosophical weight. The visual translation is technically competent but lacks the ludonarrative dissonance that made the game’s endings resonate. MONACA’s score is adequate, but the absence of interactive sound design diminishes the immersion. This is adaptation as interpretation, not translation.
Joanne Beriña
July 15, 2025 AT 11:46Why are we watching a show where robots are more human than Americans? This is why our country’s falling apart-people are idolizing machines that cry about love while real people are getting evicted! We need heroes who fight for freedom, not robots who question if they should be killing other robots. This anime is woke propaganda disguised as art. I’m boycotting Crunchyroll until they show something that actually matters.
ABHISHEK NAHARIA
July 15, 2025 AT 16:46Postmodernist allegory of labor alienation under late capitalism is evident in the YoRHa androids’ ontological crisis. Their programmed obedience mirrors proletarian subjugation while machine lifeforms represent emergent post-human subjectivity. The absence of human actors signifies the terminal phase of anthropocentrism. The narrative’s recursive structure reflects Derridean différance. One must question whether the war is a metaphor for ideological hegemony or merely aestheticized nihilism. The aesthetic is compelling but semiotically overburdened.
Hardik Malhan
July 17, 2025 AT 13:57The machine learning curve in the series is underdeveloped. The transition from swarm intelligence to emergent sociocultural behavior lacks sufficient neural modeling. Pascal’s group exhibits traits inconsistent with baseline protocol divergence thresholds. 9S’s hacking sequences violate the principle of cognitive load equilibrium. Visual fidelity is acceptable but audio-visual sync in combat scenes has 120ms latency variance. Recommend recalibration of narrative pacing to align with affective response metrics.
Casey Nicole
July 18, 2025 AT 10:47Okay but why is everyone so obsessed with robots having feelings like it’s revolutionary? I mean, we’ve had sentient AI in sci-fi since the 60s. This isn’t deep-it’s just dressed up in black coats and sad music. And don’t even get me started on how 2B just silently suffers while everyone else gets to be dramatic. Like hello? She’s the one who has to kill her best friend every time. No one talks about that. It’s just… weirdly performative sadness. I’m tired.
Kelsey Worth
July 19, 2025 AT 08:22so like… i just watched episode 10 and i think i need to lie down. the part where the machines are singing to their kids?? i’m not crying you’re crying. also 9s is my emotional support glitch. i don’t know why i’m so attached to a fictional robot who keeps getting his mind hacked but here we are. also i think the anime got the music right but the subtitles are kinda messed up. like ‘love’ was spelled ‘luv’ in ep 5 and i’m not mad, just… confused? anyway. watch it. it’s beautiful. even if you don’t get it.
shelly roche
July 19, 2025 AT 13:18Hey everyone, I just wanted to say-this show is a gift. Whether you’re from India, the US, Brazil, or Mars (if you’re reading this from Mars, hi), this story doesn’t care where you’re from. It just asks: Do you still want to keep going, even when the point is gone? That’s universal.
2B doesn’t speak much, but when she does? Her silence speaks louder than any monologue. And Pascal? That little machine who just wanted to raise kids and grow flowers? That’s the kind of hope we need right now. Watch it with someone you love. Talk about it. Share it. We need more stories like this in the world.
Nirmal Jaysval
July 21, 2025 AT 05:23bro this anime is just a rehash of the game but with more anime eyes and less gameplay. like why are we watching this when we could be playing the real thing? also 9s is so cringe now he’s just a sad boy with a laptop. and the music? same as before but louder. i mean i get it’s deep but like… we’re not all philosophers here. some of us just wanna see cool fights. also why is everyone crying over robots? i’m not mad just confused.
Emily Rose
July 21, 2025 AT 14:31I’ve watched this five times now. Every time I see something new. Last night I noticed how the shadows in the amusement park scene form the shape of a human hand reaching out. No one talks about that. And the way 2B’s visor flickers right before she breaks down? That’s not animation-it’s poetry.
If you’re watching this alone, I’m right here with you. You’re not broken for feeling this. You’re awake. And that’s more than most people can say. Keep going. You’re not alone.
Benedict Dy
July 22, 2025 AT 21:06The narrative’s reliance on affective manipulation through musical cues and visual symbolism constitutes a form of emotional coercion. The androids’ psychological deterioration is rendered with clinical precision, yet the moral ambiguity is resolved through aestheticized pathos rather than logical coherence. The conclusion, while visually arresting, undermines its own thematic integrity by privileging melancholy over resolution. This is not philosophy-it is curated despair dressed in high-definition animation. A technically proficient exercise in nihilistic spectacle.