Summary
One of the best aspects ofNieR Automata ver1.1a, the anime adaptation of the masterful game, is how it expands on the canon established in the game. Each of the three protagonists YoRHa androids get extendedscenes and backstories, fleshing them out even more than before. The anime truly complements the game for fans of the franchise. One of these special expansions in the anime was YoRHa 2B’s secret mission.
While this aspect of her character was explained in the game, the anime does a better job of showing how far it goes. The caring and kind 2B hides a dark secret unknown to all the other YoRHa soldiers, a direct order from Commander White. Here’s what you need to know about 2B’s true purpose.
YoRHa Android Types
Each One is Born with a Purpose
As an elite-level, organized military force, the YoRHa are created with designated roles that dictate both their tasks in the war against the machines and their abilities. Different designations can be seen in their names. Their letter designates their role while their number is their model number in their respective line. Here are the main YoRHa roles:
Type A (Attacker):These units are designed for close-quarters combat and exceptional fighting skills.After the experimental M squadron was wiped outand the Pod System was created, these units were merged with the Type G to create the Type B units. Notable members includeYoRHa A2.
Type B (Battler):These units are multipurpose combat soldiers. They combine the fighting skills of Type A with the long-range combat of Type G to act as the perfect YoRHa fighters. These units are much more stoic and warlike. These includeYoRHa 2B.
Type E (Executioner):Units made for anti-android combat. These units exist to destroy fellow YoRHa androids that have been incapacitated to prevent them from being compromised by enemy forces or androids that display rogue behaviors. The existence of these units is common knowledge, but their members are disguised under other designations.
Type 0 (Operator):These are the units designated to work in the Bunker due to them not having fighting skills. Their role is to monitor and constantly give command-level intel to YoRHa units on the field. Each one is assigned to a battling android on Earth. They’re made for analysis and intel instead of combat. Notable members includeYoRHa 6OandYoRHa 21O.
Typer S (Scanner):These units are made for scouting and data collection on the field.They possess advanced analytical abilities and hacking for data aggregation. These units are not made for combat, but they can battle machine lifeforms. These units are all male, as it was deemed optimal for team cooperation. Notable members includeYoRHa 9S.
2B’s True Designation
Kind Android, Sinister Purpose
YoRHa 2B is the first protagonist of theNieR Automatagame and anime. She’s one of the many Type B androids deployed on Earth to battle the ever-evolving Machine Lifeforms. She’s partnered with YoRHa 9S, a particularly adept Scanner type. 9S was noted by the Bunker and the Council of Humanity to be especially curious and always looking for knowledge. His hacking skills were on a different level than his Scanner peers.
“Everything that lives is designed to end. We are perpetually trapped…in a never-ending spiral of life and death.”
Hence, 2B’s true designation isYoRHa 2E. She’s anExecutioner Type. She’s been tasked with destroying the 9S model every time he dug too deep into the Project YoRHa data servers and found too much. 9S continuously discovered the truthbehind Project YoRHa and the fate of humanity, a crime penalized with the destruction of body and personal data. Every time 9S came close to discovering the truth, 2E was tasked with destroying him. It’s revealed in supplementary material that 2B/E destroyed 48 9S models before the events of the main story.
It’s later revealed that 2B hated her true mission, and she felt great sorrow every time she had to kill a 9S. This would explain her initial cold demeanor towards him, which gradually turned into deep affection throughout the story. 2B was naturally kind and caring, in contrast to her designation. While 9S had a resentful and hateful personality, in contrast to what Scanner types are supposed to be.
YoRHa androids are prohibited from developing emotions, but the three protagonists ofNieR Automataare clear exceptions to this rule, as2B and A2 developed deep affection for their allies and kindness, while 9S became progressively more hateful as his resentment consumed him. So are operators 6O and 21O, as they each developed romantic love for 2B and parental love for 9S respectively.
NieR: Automata Ver1.1a
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.
