The Unveiling of YoRHa's Hidden Secrets: NieR Automata Ver11a Exposed

Highlights

NieR Automata Ver1.1a includes references to the fan-made mod, "The Copied City," hinting at Yoko Taro's ability to surprise players with uncanny familiarity.

2B is fully cognizant of the possibility of humanity's complete extinction, and she persists in battling the extraterrestrial beings as their champion, notwithstanding Adam's acknowledgement that their foes perished centuries ago.

Adam's insatiable craving for knowledge and longing to attain a state of being human manifest as an unhealthy fixation, cruelty, and confrontation, whereas Eve embodies empathy and companionship, ultimately culminating in his own downfall.

Warning: The content below contains spoilers for episodes 9 to 12 of NieR Automata Ver1.1a, which is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

In the previous episodes, 9S's strong curiosity led him into a carefully planned trap by Adam. Mistakenly thinking that he was A2, 9S followed him. However, 9S is not the only one craving answers. At the same time, 2B receives a message from Pod informing her that he is unable to establish communication. As previously shown, Adam named himself (along with his clone, Eve) after the first two humans according to Biblical texts. However, there is more to the human experience than just religion, and both 9S and Adam are about to discover that.

The Uncanny Familiarity

NieR Automata Ver1.1a always intended to tell its story in its own unique way, and Yoko Taro never fails to surprise us. Last year, an "undisclosed" area in NieR Automata gained popularity online. It was rumored that within the Copied City, there was a hidden door leading to a Church interior. Fans speculated for weeks about its authenticity, with some claiming to have already discovered it. However, it was eventually revealed to be a complex mod.

Interestingly, Yoko Taro himself took notice of this. In episode 9, when 2B confronts Adam in the Copied City, she enters a room that strongly resembles the Cathedral seen in the mod. Furthermore, there are statues resembling humans from the past, which Pod identifies as being made of sodium chloride. These statues represent individuals who fell victim to White Chlorination Syndrome, with some bearing a striking resemblance to the original Nier, Devola, and Popola. In the mod released last year, players could find a deceased Yonah in a similar manner to these "statues."

Although this concept might leave many androids puzzled, it is strongly indicated that 2B is already cognizant of the possibility of humanity's extinction, as evident from Adam's proposition. However, despite this awareness, she continues to fight on their behalf. The reason is simple: the aliens still need to be vanquished. Nevertheless, Adam's unquenchable thirst for knowledge led him to the revelation that their sworn adversaries had perished centuries ago.

The Mechanical Hive Mind

: Nevertheless, the notion that this would terminate the conflict purely exists in a hypothetical realm. The core of the human experience is intricately entwined within it, and Adam's fixation on "becoming human" encompasses the darker aspects as well. While compassion and companionship are integral facets of humanity, the thirst for knowledge and capacity for cruelty also define our nature, and in this regard, Adam truly excels. In stark contrast, Eve simply yearns to be in Adam's presence. This dynamic reaches its culmination when Eve valiantly shields Adam from 2B's assault, ultimately sacrificing her own life. Overwhelmed by grief, the cycle of conflict intensifies even further.

9S's innocence led to his capture and torture, ultimately saved by 2B's vigilance. However, this results in their most challenging confrontation yet. Previous episodes revealed that the machine lifeforms function through a collective network, akin to a hive mind. Hence, if corruption seeps in, the entire system crumbles. This explains why Pascal and his community disconnected. Overwhelmed by sorrow, Adam's fury spreads throughout the machine network, causing them to transform into a cult-like entity. Just like humans, grief can lead to fixation and, in extreme cases, collective obsession or cult-like behavior. Driven by their shared anger and obsession with "becoming Eve," the machines lure 2B, hoping to assimilate her. Meanwhile, Adam, their supposed "god," takes the spotlight, seeking revenge against the androids. Interestingly, Adam seems oblivious to his influence over the rest of the machine network, showcasing the power of one individual's actions on many others. Ultimately, Adam does, in a twisted turn of events, truly "become human."

Wait A Second...

There's one intriguing aspect that immediately caught the attention of viewers after the airing of the final episode: Adam unexpectedly becomes a prominent boss in NieR Re[in]carnation. To provide some context, the Re[in]carnation storyline unfolds within a realm called "The Cage," which houses the accumulated memories of humanity spanning countless eras. Yet, it remains uncertain whether these memories originate from diverse dimensions or a singular timeline in the distant past. Interestingly, there are hostile crow-like adversaries encountered throughout the narrative, suggesting the existence of an entrance beyond The Cage. A Reddit user proposed a fascinating speculation that Adam may have somehow infiltrated The Cage, and his metamorphosis symbolizes a "visual representation of a virus." Should this theory hold true, it implies that future episodes will delve deeper into the connection between Re[in]carnation and the wider NieR universe.

Not only the audience, but 9S himself also has unanswered questions. In the after credits of episode 12, two mysterious girls dressed in red appear, encouraging him to uncover the "truth" about YoRHa, while simultaneously withholding too much information. While players of the game may know what this "truth" entails, there are still unknown aspects. For instance, who was the other "9S" that appeared in the recording he found? Perhaps Yoko Taro intends to convey a message, urging us to explore beyond the game and delve into the books and supplementary material. So, what exactly is the truth about YoRHa?