REVIEW: ‘NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a’ Episode 18 — “chil[D]hood’s end”

With A2’s (Ayaka Suwa) past fully in focus thanks to the last episode, NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 18, “chil[D]hood’s end,” follows the new protagonist as she has her notions of what machine lifeforms are capable of being challenged. We also catch up some with 9S (Natsuki Hanae) as he awakens at the Resistance Camp and struggles to come to terms with his recent loss.

Opening with A2’s continuing recovery at Pascal’s village, the android is soon caught up on current events, though she finds little about it to her liking. Despite her hatred of machines, she is unwilling to kill Pascal (Aoi Yûki) or the others, seeing as how they have taken care of her. While this willingness to see past her pre-existing prejudices speaks to her rational nature, NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 18 doesn’t push the character’s acceptance too far. She is clearly uncomfortable around the machines as she fights to reconcile the reality of the village with her personal beliefs.

This hesitancy is important for A2’s character. While the audience may like her to be able to simply set aside decades of bloodlust and hate due to one act of kindness, it’s never so easy. What she is able to do here is nothing short of miraculous; there is no need to push it further. Allowing A2’s development to take work helps build empathy for the character. As the audience watches her grow, they will bond and come to cheer for her as she makes progress. An important connection to foster if the battles ahead are to hit as they should.

After the opening credits roll, NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 18 jumps to 9S as he comes back online after his fall two episodes ago. As he opens his eyes, he is greeted by the concerned presence of the twin androids Devola and Popla (both voiced by Ryôko Shiraishi, Tekken 8). The series does a great job of recreating 9S’s awakening from the game. The camera’s POV delivers the twins in their familiar pose as they greet 9S. Thanks to the continued use of the same voice cast, even the delivery of lines and feelings rings true from the androids.

While catching 9S up on current developments is at the core of this moment, we also get a hint at the twin’s motivations for their diligent work in helping 9S and other androids who have suffered. Referring to it as their “atonement”, the pair offer no deeper explanation, but it’s clear that something significant happened in the past that the duo is desperate to make up for.

Returning to the machine village, NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 18 delivers a brief moment of calm as A2 observes life in the village. As the lovely and simple tones of “Treasured Times” play in the background, the audience sees a series of shots play out, showcasing everything from the silly to heartwarming. Fans of the game will recognize some of these moments as they pertain to side missions they participated in.

The mellow energy of the sequence feels wonderful after all the pain and struggle of recent events. While the audience is sure to appreciate the simple joy on display, A2 is eager to leave the village so she can get back to trashing hostile machine lifeforms. However, as she leaves, her body ceases to function, causing her to collapse.

We return briefly to 9S to learn that he has slipped away from the Resistance Camp without anyone knowing. While his pod insists he returns to complete maintenance, 9S ignores the warning and begins to run. It doesn’t seem like he has anywhere specific he is heading to. Rather, he is fleeing everything that that has gone on recently. This irrational flight provides the first symptoms of a growing problem for the beleaguered android.

The animation does a lot of work for 9S every time he appears. The pain festering at his core is projected excellently. The tension of his movements and the emotional displays on his face never fail to remind the audience of the android’s worsening condition. It works to set high expectations for what we will see from the character as his story continues.

NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 18 returns to the village to find A2 has become completely immobilized due to a faulty filtration unit. While she lays on a bed, unable to do anything but speak, she is forced to watch as some of the machine children attempt to mend her wounds. How the children go about their ministrations is hilarious. Their misinterpretation of simple treatments makes for a fun moment. A2’s poor handling of the situation augments the joke nicely. Luckily, Padcal arrives to shoo the kids away before A2 finds herself lit on fire.

Pascal’s arrival brings the tone of the episode back to the serious as he talks to A2 about the children and all that he has tried to teach them. From intellectual pursuits to emotional understanding, Padcal has tried to broaden the children’s minds past the point of being robotic soldiers. He has even tried to instill in them a sense of fear. He hopes that this understanding will help them move cautiously through life and avoid unnecessary danger.

However, there is a sadness that grows throughout this moment. As Pascal talks about his lessons and about how his observations of A2 lends him to trust her with his village, somber music slowly grows in the background, seeming to foreshadow a sadness tied up in these thoughts and intentions. The shift is incredibly subtle and well-executed. The audience is likely to not even realize when it occurs but carry it with them as they walk away.

As A2 awaits a replacement filter, the children give her a tour of the village. Loaded into a makeshift cart, the kids push her around as they talk in the disjointed manner of children. Topics like play, family, and being alone are all touched on here. This moment continues to endear A2 to the audience as she struggles with her own feelings and the wild moods of the children.

Things get even more emotional for the android as her conversation is abruptly interrupted by the appearance of Lily (Atsumi Tanezaki). Shocked to learn that her old compatriot is still alive, the two have an emotional reunion before Lily takes A2 back to the camp for repairs. Once back at the camp, Devola and Popola replace the filer, restoring A2’s mobility. As they are thanked for all of their work, the twins look clearly uncomfortable with the praise. Their subtle discomfort feels misplaced, likely speaking to the same problem they are seeking atonement for.

Now alone, A2 learns about Lily, her role as leader, and how it brought her into a truce with Pascal’s village. Hearing Lily talk about Rose and the responsibilities her friend left her brings lots of emotion. As the bitter-sweetness of her memories colors Lily’s voice, the viewer feels a sense of relief coming from the character. As A2 is the only other survivor of their shared mission that claimed Rose’s life, it’s likely Lily hasn’t spoken about it to anyone. Getting to share those memories, even though they are sad ones, feels infused with warmth by the delivery of them.

NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 18’s final visit with 9S sees him decide on his path going forward. After rejecting the opportunity to mourn for 2B, 9S declares he will kill them all. All the machines and A2 are equally guilty in his eyes. Rather than process and accept his loss, he has decided that others must suffer as he is. The seething anger in his voice as he gazes up at the mysterious white tower ends the episode on a painful note. The jovial 9S of early episodes feels truly gone now. In his place, a being of nothing but pain and hate.

NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 18 packs a tremendous amount of emotion into its run time. The shifts between joy and sadness are eloquently handled, allowing each to breathe and be felt. The mirrored journies of the two protagonists, as they move in opposite directions from each other, create a complex work that bears repeated viewings to fully appreciate.

NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 18 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.