Examining NieR : Automata Ver1.1a : A Review
Credit : CRUNCHYROLL
The original NieR, a curious offshoot born from a discarded ending of Yoko Taro's Drakengard, was a beautiful anomaly. Its clunky mechanics belied a profound narrative, a genre-bending RPG that, despite commercial indifference, resonated deeply with a select audience. That this niche title could blossom into a 15-year franchise is a testament to Yoko Taro's singular vision, a success story undeniably amplified by the collaboration with Square Enix and Platinum Games on NieR:Automata.
The unexpected ascent of NieR:Automata, amassing nine million sales and spawning a multimedia empire of concerts and collaborations, transformed a cult classic into a mainstream phenomenon. Seven years post-release, its enduring reputation and continued availability on new platforms have drawn in waves of new players. In an era where anime enjoys unprecedented global popularity, an adaptation seemed a logical, even inevitable, next step. Yet, NieR:Automata Ver1.1adid not achieve the resounding success its pedigree might have suggested. This begs the question: why did an anime adapting such a beloved and thematically rich game, particularly one that cleverly intertwined interactivity with its narrative, fall somewhat short of expectations?
On paper, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a possessed all the necessary ingredients for triumph. The core narrative, mirroring the game, follows the androids 2B and 9S in their seemingly endless war against alien-created machines on a long-abandoned Earth. Humanity has retreated to the moon, entrusting their robotic creations to reclaim their home. The initial premise presents a familiar sci-fi conflict, yet beneath the surface lies a profound exploration of identity and purpose. The crude, seemingly emotionless machines stand in stark contrast to the elegant androids. Yet, a pervasive sense of futility hangs over the conflict. After a millennium of relentless fighting, the question of purpose lingers: what is the meaning of existence for those who remain, both android and machine?
This existential quandary is not for 2B and 9S to resolve; their programming dictates perpetual combat. Even death offers no true respite, as their memories can be uploaded and transferred to new bodies. The game's brilliance lay in its nuanced exploration of the dichotomy between androids and robots, subtly challenging the very definition of humanity. If machines can build societies and exhibit emergent behaviors, are they not, in their own way, as "human" as their creators, despite their mechanical forms?
The anime adaptation, under the direction of Masuyama Ryoji at A-1 Pictures, wisely chose not to simply replicate the game's narrative beat for beat. Recognizing the distinct strengths of the animated medium, the series boldly diverged from the source material early on. While the first episode faithfully retold the game's gripping prologue, the second episode offered a poignant, entirely original story told from the perspective of the very machines passively observed by 9S in the game. This expansion, transforming a fleeting moment into a melancholic narrative, humanized the robots almost immediately, achieving an understanding that in the game required multiple playthroughs and a deeper investment.
This philosophy of expanding the NieR universe is central to the anime's identity. Beyond the games themselves lies a wealth of short stories and stage plays, penned by Yoko Taro and others, that delve deeper into the lore and the emotional landscape of this world. NieR:Automata Ver1.1a directly integrates elements from the YoRHa Boys and YoRHa Girls stage plays, providing audiences with a broader understanding of the androids' seemingly Sisyphean struggle. These side stories, conceived even before NieR:Automata's announcement and subsequently refined through numerous performances, find a compelling new life within the anime, justifying its existence as more than a mere adaptation.
These niche performances, now largely inaccessible save for expensive Blu-ray recordings, offer perspectives that might feel jarring within the interactive framework of a game. Yet, within the anime, they resonate deeply, adding layers of emotional weight that amplify the story's tragic core and make its eventual conclusions all the more devastating. The questions posed by these expanded narratives—what do we, as beings, hold dear in our final moments?—are profound and justify the creative liberties taken by the adaptation. Numerous other instances of narrative expansion and experimentation demonstrate the anime's commitment to not just adapting but actively exploring new facets of this beloved story, utilizing the unique storytelling capabilities of animation in ways that would feel cumbersome in a gaming context. Coupled with moments of genuinely striking animation, the anime offered a compelling experience for both dedicated fans and newcomers alike, presenting a distinct visual interpretation that, while differing from Akihiko Yoshida's iconic game designs, possessed its own thrilling aesthetic.
However, despite these creative successes, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a seemed to falter in capturing the widespread attention it deserved, even among its core fanbase. The critical factor appears to be momentum, or rather, its significant disruption. In the contemporary anime landscape, fueled by global reach and social media fervor, hype is a crucial driver of success. Viral manga can generate significant interest even before airing, guaranteeing revenue through international licensing and creating a fertile ground for merchandising and organic word-of-mouth marketing. Series like Dandadan exemplify how online buzz, social media engagement, and consistent weekly releases can propel a popular manga adaptation to stratospheric heights. Even without such viral momentum, reliable production and consistent availability are paramount. Dandadan, for instance, benefited from a production schedule that allowed the talented team at Science Saru the necessary time to deliver a high-quality series, further aided by Netflix's decision to globally simulcast it, a departure from their previous binge-release model for anime outside of Japan.
In stark contrast, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a was plagued by significant production delays. Merely three weeks into its initial broadcast, the series was forced into hiatus. The final four episodes of its initial twelve-episode run were not broadcast until six months later, in late July. The full 24-episode arc concluded almost two years after its premiere, following another year-long gap between the first and second halves. These protracted delays severely hampered the series' ability to build and maintain audience engagement. This was compounded by reports of inconsistent animation quality in the initial broadcasts, issues that were reportedly addressed in later streaming and home video releases. Notably, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a was not the only Aniplex-produced anime to experience delays during its premiere season, and while COVID-19 was often cited as a contributing factor, by 2023, the anime industry had largely adapted to the pandemic's impact.
The underlying reality is that the anime industry has long grappled with challenging production cycles, a situation exacerbated in recent years by issues such as low pay and excessively demanding production timelines that push animators to their limits, leading to talent attrition. While some efforts have been made to improve compensation and working conditions, structural issues persist, challenging even experienced animators. In the case of NieR:Automata Ver1.1a, these production woes effectively stifled its momentum before it had a fair chance to resonate with a wider audience. An anime based on one of the most critically acclaimed and beloved games of recent years should have been a resounding success. Instead, production mismanagement cast a shadow over its broadcast, deterring many viewers before they could fully appreciate its unique qualities. Now, with the series available in its entirety, free from the constraints of its painful release schedule and with many of the initial errors addressed, viewers will discover a compelling adaptation that offers a distinct visual interpretation and an intriguing expansion of the original game's rich narrative. It remains a poignant disappointment that these qualities were obscured for many due to the challenges faced during its initial broadcast.
