Archive.00: Synopsis

NieR:Automata (2017)

In the year 5012 AD, Earth was abruptly invaded by extraterrestrial beings and their terrifying creations—weapons known as “machine lifeforms.” Overwhelmed by the enemy’s sheer force, humanity was driven off the planet and forced to retreat to the Moon. To reclaim their lost home, mankind organized a Resistance composed of androids. Following millennia of bitter stalemate, humanity deployed a new weapon: “YoRHa,” an army of automated infantry androids.

NieR:Automata depicts the final phase of this “14th Machine War.” The narrative centers on three key figures: 2B (YoRHa No. 2 Type B), an all-purpose battle android forbidden from expressing emotion; 9S (YoRHa No. 9 Type S), an expressive Scanner unit endowed with exceptional analytical capabilities and curiosity; and A2 (YoRHa Type A No. 2), an older experimental prototype that predates the official YoRHa line, currently living in hiding after deserting the organization.

2B and 9S are partnered to carry out missions to eliminate machine lifeforms across Earth. In the course of their investigations, however, they encounter extraordinary units that have developed self-awareness, emotion, and high intelligence—namely, Adam and Eve—as well as a pacifist faction led by Pascal, who seeks non-violence and has established an independent machine community. In truth, the machine lifeforms on Earth had already driven their alien creators to extinction, evolving independently by imitating human language, culture, and social structures. Through repeated encounters and skirmishes, 2B and 9S defeat Eve, who has succumbed to madness, granting the forces of humanity a momentary victory.

However, circumstances take a drastic turn during a large-scale descent operation aimed at launching a major counter-offensive. A mass outbreak of an unknown logic virus occurs, infecting and corrupting the entire YoRHa force, including the Bunker—YoRHa’s orbital headquarters. Incurably infected, 2B encounters A2 just before her system is completely overtaken. She entrusts A2 with her memory data and sword, asking A2 to deliver a mercy kill. 9S witnesses 2B’s death from afar, and, consumed by despair and a burning hatred for A2, begins a tragic descent into mental degradation.

Sometime later, a colossal machine structure known as “the Tower” emerges from the Earth’s surface. Driven by their respective motives, the remaining 9S and A2 venture into its depths. During their exploration, the cruel truth behind Project YoRHa is unveiled: the Council of Humanity on the Moon is a complete fiction, fabricated solely to disguise the fact that humanity had already gone extinct long ago. YoRHa itself was designed as a disposable asset, created to maintain android morale by hiding humanity’s extinction. Furthermore, the Black Boxes powering YoRHa units were constructed using repurposed machine lifeform cores, and the entire system was designed to cycle infinitely—covering up the truth through periodic viral infection and the eventual self-destruction of headquarters.

At the apex of the Tower, a now-deranged 9S and A2, who carries on 2B’s legacy, engage in a violent duel to the death. After a grueling battle that leaves both units incapacitated, the Tower launches into deep space, carrying the memories and data of the machine lifeforms. Finally, Tactical Support Units Pod 042 and Pod 153—who have long observed and assisted the androids—defy their programmed orders to purge all remaining data. Exercising their own free will, they choose to reconstruct and repair the memory data of 2B, 9S, and A2. Amidst a bleak and tragic downfall, the story closes with a faint glimmer of hope for a new beginning.