NieR Automata Ver1.1a Episode 20: Anger, Denial, and Emil

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NieR Automata Ver1.1a Episode 20: Anger, Denial, and Emil

Key Takeaways

  • 9S discovers android cores are similar to machine cores, blurring the line between them.
  • Facing new knowledge, will 9S adapt or deny the truth about the destruction of humanity?
  • 9S’s obsession with 2B comes to a head as he battles the Logic Virus, showing potential dark motives.

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of profound unease as I watch the events unfold in NieR Automata Ver1.1a. The revelation that machine cores are almost identical to android cores has left me reeling, much like how I felt when I found out that my favorite NPC was actually just a glorified script in Skyrim.

The following contains spoilers for episode 20 of NieR Automata Ver1.1a, now streaming on Crunchyroll.

As a machine army advances, it falls on A2 to guard the fortress and support Pascal. Despite winning the battle, their success is brief as a sudden airborne ambush wipes out most of the village’s children. In the aftermath, A2 and Pascal evacuate the remaining villagers to the Rebel base while they confront an advancing Goliath.

9S arrives at another tower and finds a machine resembling Emil from NieR: Replicant, revealing that YoRHa units share almost the same foundation as machine lifeforms. At this moment, his deep longing for 2B becomes evident.

The Existential Truth

NieR Automata Ver1.1a Episode 20: Anger, Denial, and Emil

9S, throughout the series, has consistently distinguished himself from mechanical lifeforms, viewing them as less intelligent and mercilessly eliminating them. However, in a surprising twist, he realizes that these machines are more connected than it initially seemed. To many viewers, androids and robots are essentially identical types of entities, making them fundamentally the same. This mirrors human behavior in real life where people often separate themselves from those they perceive as adversaries, or in most cases, those they’ve been taught to despise.

One common instance is the way children learn about different nations, based on where they were born. If the country they hail from has a strained relationship with another, their history lessons often depict the other as the antagonist, thereby subtly fostering animosity towards people they’ve never met. While it may be simpler to perceive good and evil parties, this oversimplification is not always accurate.

9S can be described as a child who’s been heavily influenced or brainwashed. Although he did show signs of a change in his beliefs during his time in Pascal’s village, his hostility towards artificial lifeforms has persisted. The revelation from his hacking revealed an even more profound truth: machine cores and android cores are one and the same, particularly those belonging to YoRHa units. These can be likened to the heart, sustaining their existence. This discovery underscores a chilling fact – despite our differences, we share a fundamental similarity beneath the surface, which is a challenging truth for someone who was brought up with different beliefs to confront.

Erasing History

NieR Automata Ver1.1a Episode 20: Anger, Denial, and Emil

Previously, characters 9S and 2B discovered a tree containing Emil’s head. Upon investigating, they found fragments of human existence, but were forced out and warned by their Pod that such knowledge was forbidden. This suggests that although Emil appears stationary, he is still living. Unfortunately, during an attack on Pascal’s village, the tree where Emil resided caught fire. Consequently, one might infer that the final traces of humanity on Earth have been annihilated. Additionally, 9S’s reluctance to assimilate with this newfound information supports this theory.

When faced with fresh information, it often presents a real-life quandary: Will you embrace the knowledge and adjust accordingly, or will you react angrily and resist? Opting for acceptance is ideal, but denial can unfortunately be just as common. As we observe the dynamic between 9S and A2, there seems to be a reflective pattern emerging. A2 is prepared to safeguard her new companions, while 9S is poised to annihilate them. This mirrors each other’s attitudes in some way.

Redemption or Damnation?

NieR Automata Ver1.1a Episode 20: Anger, Denial, and Emil

As the final confrontation approaches, there’s a strong desire for a tranquil resolution. However, Pod 042 notices that 9S is showing signs of being overtaken by the Logic Virus. Following an unexpected discussion about android central processors, in a burst of anger, he recklessly slays a distorted figure resembling 2B, declaring his fixation as the sole entity in her life. Is this merely an outburst fueled by rage and virus influence, or has 9S harbored these feelings all along?

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2024-09-21 20:35