The following contains spoilers for episode 19 of NieR Automata Ver1.1a, now streaming onCrunchyroll.
9S finally reaches the tower and attempts to get in, after receiving confirmation from his Pod unit that thebuilding acts as a common coordinatefor machine lifeforms. Though upon his approach, he discovers 21O, who had reprogrammed herself into a B-type unit to fight on the front lines. Though because she was connected to The Bunker network, she was also infected and subsequently stabbed herself to avoid hurting him.
Meanwhile, A2 continues to entertain the children at Pascal’s village atLily’s request while they prepare for an attackfrom more machine lifeforms. 9S, realizing that he needs keys to gain entry to the main tower, located two adjacent smaller ones that have them. Though he is met with machine life forms, they’re far from hostile, but he slaughters them anyway in his rage, despite Pod 153’s protests.
Forming Your Own Identity
A2, upon her initial introduction, was made out to be cruel and merciless towards machine lifeforms. However, her relationship with Lily and soft spot towards the machine “children”, imply otherwise. As she had a closefamilial relationship with the Resistance, the machines in Pascal’s village call her “big sister”, which she reluctantly plays the part of. Design wise, A2’s physical appearance is sensual in nature, embodying the “femme fatale” trope, complete with long hair. Upon cutting her hair, her dynamic changes into a more well-rounded character that we see on screen.
When Lily requests A2 for her help, sheplayfully guilt-trips her into agreeing, reminding her that Pascal used his own resources to help her recover, by using A2’s former designation and acting like the “old” Lily. When put side by side, it should be noted how much Lily had changed. She began as the “little sister” of the group, being playfully teased and timid, similar to a standard anime girl trope. What’s more, inYoRHa - Pearl Harbor Descent Record, it’s revealed that Lily is an L-type model - “L” meaning “Lover”.
This implies that her purpose was to provide “stress relief”, among other things, for other androids - and it was Rose that rescued her. But in spite of all that, she’s adapted into her own person - or in her own words, an adult. It can be argued thatLily is a deconstructionof the “cute and innocent” anime girl image that frequently gets sexualized in Japanese media. Her change in attire (from shorts and thigh-highs, to cargo pants) further backs this up.
Continuing To Break The Cycle
Both characters are a prime example of how one’s surroundings and experiences shape who they are. But 9S’s change in personality is a lot more extreme. He began with an idealistic mindset and saw things as black and white. Pledging toYoRHaandliving what he knew best: machines bad, androids good. This matches with his design, having perfectly neat hair and wearing youthful male gothic lolita fashion. But with such a polarized mind, learning and being exposed to something one’s not used to will only be detrimental.
Lily and A2 adapted to their surroundings, yet 9S refuses and obsesses over it. In the OP for this season, there’s a fight scene between 9S and A2, but the former’s hair is disheveled - a far cry from his previous appearance. What’s ironic is that though he too underwent changes due to his surroundings, he retains ablack/white morality, no matter what his consciousness may say to him.
9S seems all too eager to go in for the kill, but with an approaching attack on Pascals village, would this be anopportunity to redeem himselfif he learns of it somehow? Or will he remain unaware of what’s around him and fall deeper into the abyss.
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.
