The hit action RPG, NieR: Automata, is finally getting an anime adaptation. An announcement on February 23 during the NieR: Automata 5th Anniversary Live Broadcast confirmed the decision regarding a TV animation production.
The producer has been confirmed to be Aniplex, but the announcement does not specify which animation studio is producing the NieR: Automata anime. Some rumors of anime news leaks have suggested that Studio A-1 Pictures of Sword Art Online and 86 anime fame could be the studio, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
On the official websitea translation of the original Japanese statement claims the following:
NieR: Automata is an action RPG produced by Square Enix and developed by PlatinumGames.
The scene is a distant future where humans head to the moon for the overwhelming power of machine life-forms unleashing aliens. 2B of the newly organized Android unit Yorha will plunge itself into a fierce battle to retake Earth.
Alreadyalong with the lifting of the ban on this information, we have released a newly drawn animation visual and trailer to announce the decision to animate”
Although that’s not much, Aniplex of America also tweeted about the upcoming TV anime production, meaning it will likely get a worldwide release. And given how well the game was received by gamers around the world, this scenario seems plausible.
A brief history of the game
Platinum Games developed the NieR: Automata game. The same developer was responsible for the popular action hack and slash series Bayonetta, which received an anime adaptation in 2013, Bayonetta: Bloody Fate.
However, NieR: Automata is a sequel to Nier, developed by an entirely different studio – Cavia. And Nier is also a spin-off of Cavia’s Drakengard action RPGs, a series with plenty of hack and slash gameplay mechanics.
Square Enix published both Nier and NieR: Automata. Square Enix is known for its best-selling JRPGs, such as the Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy series. Both series have also received anime adaptations, with Dragon Quest: Your Story released in 2019, a 3D CGI anime directed by Takashi Yamazaki (Lupin The Third: The First), Ryuichi Yagi and Makoto Hanafusa.
What is NieR: Automata about?
NieR: Automata presents itself as a Zelda-esque adventure game, but with a much more bizarre, dark and intriguing story. The story is divided into chapters and subchapters, which follow the exploits of the three main characters: 2B, 9S and A2. These androids fight the remnants of a past civilization and alien entities, leaving the main cast questioning their own motivations.
NieR: Automata is set on Earth in AD 11945 and features a post-apocalyptic open world. NieR: Automata seems like the ideal candidate for a TV anime adaptation.
Unfortunately, there are no details about the production studio, main staff, voice cast and release dates. But as soon as we know, we’ll keep you updated on the latest developments regarding this game to anime adaptation. Stay tuned!