Nier: Automata Ver1.1a Review: Anime Adaptation of a Masterpiece Game

Nier: Automata Ver1.1a Review: A Stunning Anime Adaptation of a Masterpiece Game

Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is a 2023 anime series based on the 2017 action role-playing game Nier: Automata developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix. The anime is directed by Ryouji Masuyama, co-written by Masuyama and Yoko Taro, and composed by music studio Monaca. The anime is produced by A-1 Pictures and licensed by Aniplex of America.

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The anime follows the same story as the game, but with some changes and additions to fit the medium and the audience. The anime is set in the year 11945 on a post-apocalyptic Earth abandoned by humanity, where androids created by humans fight against machine lifeforms created by aliens in a prolonged proxy war. The main characters are 2B and 9S, two elite android soldiers of the YoRHa combat force, who are sent to Earth to investigate and destroy the enemy machines.

The Story

The story of Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is divided into four main arcs, each corresponding to a different ending of the game. The first arc focuses on 2B and 9S's initial mission on Earth, where they encounter various characters and factions, such as the Resistance, a group of androids who live in a camp; Pascal, a pacifist machine leader who runs a village; Adam and Eve, two humanoid avatars of the machine network; and A2, a rogue YoRHa android who has a mysterious connection to 2B.

The second arc explores 9S's perspective of the events, revealing more details and secrets about the machines, YoRHa, and the Council of Humanity. The third arc shifts to A2's point of view, as she joins forces with Pascal and his village to protect them from a machine attack. The fourth arc culminates in a final confrontation between 2B, 9S, A2, and the machine network, where the truth about the war and their existence is revealed.

The story of Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is complex, emotional, and philosophical, exploring themes such as identity, free will, morality, loyalty, love, and death. The anime does a great job of adapting the game's narrative, adding more scenes and dialogues to flesh out the characters and their relationships, as well as expanding on some of the lore and backstory of the world. The anime also incorporates some of the game's gameplay elements into the animation, such as hacking sequences, bullet hell segments, and multiple endings.

 The Animation

The animation of Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is stunning, capturing the beauty and desolation of the game's world. The anime uses a mix of 2D and 3D animation, creating a dynamic and fluid visual style that suits the action-packed scenes. The character designs are faithful to the game's original art style, with some minor changes to make them more expressive and animated. The anime also recreates some of the game's iconic locations and set pieces, such as the City Ruins, the Amusement Park, the Forest Kingdom, and the Copied City.

The anime also showcases some impressive fight scenes between the androids and the machines, featuring smooth choreography, creative camera angles, and spectacular effects. The anime also pays homage to some of the game's memorable boss battles, such as the Goliath-class machines, Simone Beauvoir, Grun (the flying fortress), Eve (the final boss), and Emil (the secret boss). The anime also adds some new enemies and scenarios to spice up the action.

The Music

The music of Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is one of its strongest aspects, as it is composed by Monaca, who also worked on the game's soundtrack. The anime features both original music and arrangements of some of the game's songs, creating a diverse and immersive musical experience that enhances the mood and atmosphere of each scene. The music ranges from haunting vocals to epic orchestral pieces to catchy electronic tunes, reflecting the different tones and emotions of the story.

The anime also uses some of the game's vocal tracks as its opening and ending themes. The opening theme is "Cage" by Aimer, a powerful rock song that expresses 2B's inner conflict and determination. The ending theme is "Inochi ni Fusawashii" by Amazarashi (Life Appropriate), a melancholic ballad that reflects on 9S's tragic fate and his feelings for 2B.

The Verdict

Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is a brilliant anime adaptation of a masterpiece game, delivering a captivating and moving story, stunning animation, and amazing music. The anime is faithful to the game's vision, while also adding its own flair and creativity to make it stand out as its own work. The anime is a must-watch for fans of the game, as well as for anyone who enjoys sci-fi, fantasy, action, and drama. Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is a rare example of an anime that surpasses its source material, and deserves to be praised as one of the best anime of 2023.