This article contains a discussion of suicide.
Summary
Nier: Automata Ver1.1afollowed episode #16 with an equally dramatic episode in episode #17, and it was the perfect way to set the stage for the anime’s next act with episode #18 and beyond. Once again, the anime has done a great job of expanding on the material of the original game, and it continues to make it great to watch for old and new fans alike.
InNier: Automata Ver1.1aepisode #17, as A2 recovered from injuries sustained in the previous episode, Pod 042 repaired her damaged memories, making episode #17 a flashback to A2’s time in YoRHa. The events were largely the same as episode #6, but being told from A2’s perspective added a new angle to the drama, and more importantly,Nier: Automata Ver1.1aepisode #17 revealed why A2 turned against YoRHa.
Despite the somber tone, it was the exact sort of episode theNier: Automataanimeneeded, and it left a lot to be excited about for episode #18 and beyond.
What Time Nier: Automata Ver1.1a Episode #18 Releases
As with previous episodes,Nier: Automata Ver1.1astreams exclusively on Crunchyroll, accessed through their app, website, and third-party streaming services like Amazon Prime. Assuming there are no delays,Nier: Automata Ver1.1aepisode #18 will premiere on Friday, August 9 at 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (PST), 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), and 5:00 PM British Standard Time (BST).
What Happened In Nier: Automata Ver1.1a Episode #17?
Produced By A-1 Pictures; Directed By Toshimasa Ishii
InNier: Automata Ver1.1aepisode #17, “bad [J]udgment,” as Pod 042 repaired A2’s damaged memories, she dreamt about her first mission with YoRHa i.e. the events of episode #6. After A2’s squad was shot down on their way to Earth, A2, now the leader by default, tried her best to lead what was left of her squad to destroy a machine server, only for them to be ambushed by an army of machine lifeforms. Fortunately, A2’s group was saved by the Resistance, and despite some initial distrust,the Resistance agreed to help A2’s squad complete their mission.
From there, just like in episode #6, A2’s squad bonded with the Resistance, with A2 growing especially close to Lily and the leader, Rose, and the groups began to see each other as family. Unfortunately, as was originally the case,both A2’s squad and the Resistance were destroyed by machine lifeforms on their way to the server, and it eventually came down to A2 and a single member of her squad to destroy the server.
The machine server defended itself by taking control of some of A2’s allies, and as they fought, it revealed the truth about their mission:A2’s squad was expected to fail so their data could be used to create stronger androids for YoRHa. In addition to that shattering revelation, Rose killed herself as she succumbed to the Logic Virus, and her allies regained control of themselves long enough to ignite their black boxes and destroy the server. A2 swore never to forget what happened, and back in the present, A2 awoke inside Pascal’s sanctuary for machine lifeforms, much to her disgust.
Nier: Automata Reveals the Connection Between 2B & A2
Amidst all the drama inNier: Automata Ver1.1aepisode #17, the episode has finally revealed the connection between 2B and A2. The two characters bear an uncanny resemblance to one another, especially when A2’s hair is short, and since A2’s squad was used to gather data for future YoRHa models,2B likely resembles A2 because A2’s data was used to create 2B. That would be a very minor detail, but it both adds to the world building and makes it more thematic for A2 to have taken 2B’s place, so it still adds a lot to the story, overall.
Nier: Automata Ver1.1a Episode #17 Welcomes A2 To the Spotlight
Nier: Automata Ver1.1aepisode #17 was meant to set up A2’s newfound role as a main character, and it succeeded on all fronts. Even though most of the story was already covered in episode #6, seeing everything from A2’s perspective not only fleshed out both her and the Resistance, butthe events ofNier: Automata Ver1.1aepisode #17 perfectly sold A2 as a tragic figure and explained why she’s the way she is. Episode #17 did a lot to make A2 a character worth being invested in, and that will make her great to watch in future episodes.
All of that will make the ensuing conflict with 9S all the harder to watch. 9S wanting to kill A2 while A2 wants to protect 9S for 2B already promised drama, butA2 having far more depth than previous episodes suggested makes her conflict with 9S even worse, as there’s far more going on than her just being the last person 2B could rely on. It’s sure to make the next arc ofNier: Automata Ver1.1aexciting to watch, and even with knowledge of theNier: Automatagame, there’s no way to know how it will all play out.
Be sure to watchNier: Automata Ver1.1aepisode #18 when it releases on Friday, August 9.
NieR: Automata Ver1.1a
Cast
Based on the video game developed by PlatinumGames and Square Enix, NieR: Automata 1.1a is an adaptation that centers around members of a special android force created by Humanity in the distant future. In the year 5012, with Humanity at the brink of extinction and Earth all but claimed by Alien invaders with Machine Lifeforms, Humanity launches a counterattack to reclaim the planet. 9S, an elite attack unit, is sent to convene with an analysis unit known as 9S to eradicate the threat. But as the two learn about the world and themselves, they ponder the meaning of existence and whether they’re more than just weapons of destruction.
