NieR Automata Ver1.1a Episode 23: The Cycle of Love and Hatred

Key Takeaways

Differences in ideology among androids, machine lifeforms, and humans can lead to conflict and war.
A2 and 9S experience a cycle of hatred and revenge, but A2 learns the importance of hope and companionship.
Zinnia created YoRHa to give androids purpose, but No. 9’s discovery of humanity’s extinction led to destruction of YoRHa.

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours invested in various virtual worlds, I must say that NieR: Automata has undeniably left an indelible mark on my gaming journey. The intricate narrative and character development have kept me riveted from start to finish, much like how A2 and 9S were drawn into the labyrinthine web of secrets and lies surrounding YoRHa.

The following contains spoilers for episode 23 of NieR Automata Ver1.1a, now streaming on Crunchyroll.

As a devoted fan, I find myself recounting an extraordinary sequence of events: Devola and Popola faithfully carry out their mission, meeting their end at the hands of A2, as she marches toward the final tower. In my journey, I’m confronted by numerous iterations of 2B, pushing me to my limits. Simultaneously, A2 unearths hidden YoRHA secrets, and the Red Girls find themselves at odds with one another.

Initially, there appears a brief sighting of the authentic 9S model known as Zinnia, along with hints towards an additional tale called “YoRHa Boys“. Following his arm’s loss, 9S fastens a corrupted version of 2B onto the stump. Thereafter, he and A2 engage in their conclusive encounter.

To Become Human Is To Lose Oneself

NieR Automata Ver1.1a Episode 23: The Cycle of Love and Hatred

The Red Entities, similar to androids and artificial life-forms, yearned for humanity. As they got closer, however, conflicts arose more frequently. It’s the diverse beliefs among people that separate us, which can result in debates, negotiations, or in severe instances, conflict.

In a familiar predicament, the Red Duo find themselves at an impasse: One yearns for continued conflict, while another suggests venturing out into uncharted territories to seek fresh possibilities. This scenario often plays out in two distinct personalities, or as the “two wolves within you” parable goes, there are those who feed on drama and turbulence, contrasted by those seeking growth and self-improvement. The pursuit of excitement serves as a means to ward off monotony, with the Red Duo frequently discussing their shared goal: “enjoyment”. A sense of purpose adds significance to life; boredom, on the other hand, is empty and devoid of substance.

9S and A2 are similarly impacted by this predicament, as they each respond differently to identical situations. When 9S loses 2B, he becomes consumed with vengeance, seemingly losing all rational thought. His singular goal thenceforth is revenge. On the other hand, A2 also swears vengeance against the machine lifeforms and leaves YoRha. Yet, over time, she finds new camaraderie and develops a more open perspective, recognizing that there’s still hope and beauty in this harsh world. She listens, and when she loses her remaining allies, she decides to rescue 9S and halt the cycle of animosity.

Inside Project YoRHa

In a brief flashback scene in the anime, characters Zinnia (the founder of YoRha), No. 9, No. 2, and N. 10 make an appearance. Despite these moments being fleeting, it’s important to note that their story is derived from the source material, “YoRHa Boys.” In this tale, Zinnia was a compassionate android who observed androids losing hope. To restore their spirits, he devised a deception: humans were said to have survived and established a lunar base, where they built new models of androids using machine cores.

In the end, Zinnia aspired for the androids to experience a sense of reason for their struggle. However, No.9 – an inquisitive model – uncovered that humans were no longer alive, which sent him into a frenzy. He murdered Zinnia and installed a backdoor in the shelter, intending for its destruction. The surviving androids would remain oblivious to the truth, continuing their fight instead. But No. 2 eliminated him soon after, triggering a cycle of mortality between them.

It seems likely that this is what 9S observed when he was within the tower. Interestingly, while Number 9 desired destruction and YoRHa brought about it, so that everyone could live in blissful ignorance, 9S himself didn’t want to lose 2B, who was one of YoRha’s most powerful soldiers.

2024-10-02 21:34

Key Takeaways

To Become Human Is To Lose Oneself

Inside Project YoRHa

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