NieR: Automata's game director Yoko Taro confirmed the release window of the game's anime series entitled "NieR: Automata Ver 1.1a" during the Aniplex Online Fest 2022 on Saturday.
The Square Enix and Platinum Games' NieR: Automata anime is set to premiere in January 2023, as per Engadget.
'NieR: Automata Ver 1.1a' Teaser Shows Two of the Three Protagonists
In February, the anime adaptation of the popular open-world RPG was announced, but no details were provided about when it is coming. Now, although we don't have a definitive date yet, we can expect it next year.
Ryoji Masuyama (director of "Blend S," key animator on "Arietty") will be directing "NieR: Automata Ver 1.1a," as per PC Gamer.
During the weekend's Aniplex Online Fest, a pair of teasers were revealed for the anime series. The series is being developed by A-1 Pictures, which previously worked on "Erased," "From the New World," and "Your Lie in April."
The teasers gave the audience a brief look at the game's first two protagonists, 2B (Yui Ishikawa) and 9S (Natsuki Hanae). Surprisingly, the game's third protagonist, A2 (Ayaka Suwa), is not featured in the series.
According to Gizmodo, the anime series will not be a straight adaptation of the game. Taro said that he opted to change some elements of the anime as a full retread wouldn't work. It is also worth noting that he's co-directing the show will Ryouji Masuyama.
The changes in the anime adaptation are perhaps expected as the game has multiple endings, according to Gizmodo.
Taro said that he hopes the players of the game will patronize the anime despite the changes being made to the anime version.
NieR: Automata was released in 2017. It followed the story of 2B and 9S, who are a pair of human-made androids that fight machines from an invading alien force.
As they try to stop the machines, they eventually get connected with A2. When this happened, they found out about their pre-programmed aim, which was to take back Earth for humanity.
Read Also: NieR : Automata Guide: How To Get "Lunar Tear" Trophy And Unlock "Emil's Memories"
Anime Version of NieR: Automata Will Have the Same Premise as the Game
During Aniplex Online Fest, an eight-and-a-half-minute teaser video of "NieR: Automata Ver 1.1a" was shown.
The video contains character trailers for both 2B and 9S, and footage of the voice actors discussing the anime.
The teaser video also shows the conversation between anime director Masuyama and original game director Taro.
According to Taro, "The anime title has the affix 'Ver 1.1a' because the title NieR: Automata was a story we created to be a game, so copying it as is wouldn't make an interesting story for an anime. So I brought up the idea of changing things around."
Despite Taro's announcement that there will be changes in the anime version, the game and the anime will share the same premise of being set on a ruined Earth with an ongoing war between machines and human-made androids.
NieR: Automata is critically acclaimed, with its narrative and music widely praised. The game is said to commercially exceeded Square Enix's expectations.
A franchise of NieR: Automata was eventually considered by the company, with Platinum Games allowed to continue operating as a developer.
Related Article: NieR: Automata Demo Released For PS4; Game Receives Good Reviews
