REVIEW: ‘NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a’ Episode 16 — “broken [W]ings”

With the destruction of the Bunker, YoRHa has effectively been destroyed. As the only remaining uninfected units, 2B (Yui Ishikawa) and 9S (Natsuki Hanae) flee their homes, hoping to return to Earth, where they can regroup and figure out what to do next. But the situation won’t be that accommodating in NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 16 “broken [W]ing.”

Before the series returns to its unfolding narrative, we see a sequence of short clips accompanied by some narration by 2B. The emotional moments that make up this brief aside from the story take a minute to explore 2B’s deeper feelings towards her companion and her regrets for what she’s done. This opening sets up the viewer for the emotional roller coaster the rest of the episode delivers.

When NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 16 finishes with 2B’s internal musings. We see her and 9S flying through the sky, clouds rushing by under them. To viewers new to the franchise, this moment is going to look weird. The choice of how to visually present the clouds as they pass by will likely look lackluster. This moment is clearly mimicking the visuals of the original game, recreating the scrolling style of the game during flight sequences.

While it’s conceptually interesting to approach the visuals in this way, it chooses to take the wrong elements from its source material. This ends up minimizing its impact on both old and new viewers. It’s a callback that detracts from viewers not in the know and doesn’t add anything meaningful for those who do recognize why the choice was made.

It’s not long before the duo is intercepted by other YoRHa units. Unfortunately, these units are infected with the same virus that ran rampant through the rest of their comrades. Outnumbered and outgunned, 2B tells 9S to give her control of his flight unit so she can coordinate their actions. 9S agrees, only to realize too late what 2B’s plan is. She sends 9S away from the battle while steering her craft back at the enemy to cover his escape. This ends 8S spiraling away, screaming for 2B not to send him away.

The battle between 2B and her opponents is brief and brutal. Our protagonist soon finds her flight unit dismantled by her enemies. If they weren’t all unhinged by the virus, the fight would probably go even worse for her. Some viewers may be annoyed with how poorly 2B performs in this battle. After all, she was knocking off YoRHa units left and right in the last episode.

Such evaluations overlook a key element, though. All of 2B’s advantages over her counterparts as an E Type model aren’t in play in the mid-air clash. Here, her flight unit is just like theirs, and they have so many more than her.

As the battle reaches its apex, Pod 042 (Hiroki Yasumoto, Metallic Rouge) detects an energy spike in their enemies’  black box signatures, indicating an imminent and massive explosion. Saved at the last second by the timely return of 9S, the pair escape the worst of the explosion but are separated in their plummet back to earth.

The entire presentation of this moment is masterful. The madness of the YoRHa units as they prepare to self-destruct, the desperation of 2B and 9S as they struggle to survive, and the magnitude of the explosion that culminates the moment all sear this scene into the viewer’s mind.

Following 2B,  NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 16 sees her on the ground, missing one of her arms and showing signs of viral infection. Not wanting to risk spreading the infection to other androids, she resolves to find an isolated location, intending to die quietly alone. However, rampant machine lifeforms appear, leaving a few more obstacles for her to fight before she can pursue her quiet ending.

Meanwhile, 9S wakes up in the desert. Managing to locate 2B’s black box signal, he rushes out to save her, only to be confronted by two massive, caterpillar-like machines. While their sheer size makes them far too much for him to fight head-on, a hack of one quickly sets the pair against each other until only one remains.

Jumping back to 2B, NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 16 follows her as she struggles to keep moving towards her final objective. As she stumbles and staggers, Pod continues to update her on the level of viral contamination, as well as state when her individual systems are coming under viral attack. These declarations on the part of her support unit successfully build tension in the viewer, as they function like a timer counting down to the end.

Once across a familiar-looking bridge, 2B is once more confronted by mad YoRHa units. Barely able to lift her sword, it seems her end has arrived. However, she is given a slight reprieve when A2 (Ayaka Suwa) arrives and dispatches the attackers.

In 2B’s final moments, she asks A2 to protect the things she loves as she offers her the trademark sword she always carries. As A2 takes the sword, it’s revealed that the weapon also serves as an external memory drive, passing all of 2B’s memories onto A2.

Cutting away from the duo, the audience sees 9S arrive. As he runs across the rickety bridge to reach his friend, he looks on in horror to see 2B’s sword protruding from her back, with A2’s hand on the hilt. Noticing her partner’s return as the life fades from her eyes, 2B’s last word is “Nines.” The nickname 9S had often wanted her to call him by. The shock of seeing her die sends 9S into a mad frenzy, vowing to kill A2.

The impact of 2B’s death on 9S is not under sold by the visuals when this happens. As we see 9S clawing at his face, he repeatedly swears to kill A2 for what she’s done, string and struggling to process his loss. His rage also comes through in the voice acting as well as Hanae brings the android’s shattered mental state and unbridled hostility to life. Before he can make good on his threat, a giant tower of unknown origin ripes through the solid, plunging like a dagger into the sky. The resulting earthquake sends 9S tumbling into the ravine below him.

NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 16 does a fantastic job of delivering arguably the most emotional moment in the narrative. The death of 2B and the pain it ignites in 9S set the stage for the final act to play out, as the frequently hinted at A2 finally prepares to take the stage.

NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 16 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.