REVIEW: NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 24 – “the [E]nd of YoRHa Alternative [E]den”

Having reached the top of the tower, all that remains is for A2 (Ayaka Suwa) and 9S (Natsuki Hanae) to clash. But is that how NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 24 “the [E]nd of YoRHa Alternative [E]den” will choose to end? Or can a different path still be forged? Some surprises lie ahead in this series finale.

Everything that lives is designed to end. One of the first lines uttered in NieR Automata sets the tone of the series. Even as one of its leads soars through the sky to assault an enemy base, the ever-present blending of philosophy and questions is woven into that opening moment. As the series has moved forward, that balance has endured, bringing something exciting and emotionally deep. NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 24 manages to maintain that balance till its final moments.

Opening the finale is a brief exchange between pods 042 (Hiroki Yasumoto, Megalobox) and 153 (Kaoru Akiyama). The two support units acknowledge their primary mission and how things are not progressing as intended. Changes that should not be possible have occurred, and answers cannot be given as to why. As 042 observes, though, perhaps not all questions have an answer.

This acknowledgment of uncertainty pulls in a vital component of the NieR franchise. While it presents many questions to its fans, it rarely gives clear-cut answers. Rather than preach to the viewer, NieR Automata has always been more than willing to come to their conclusions about the scenarios it presents. Whether or not any answer can be found to the events unfolding is not what the episode seeks to do. Whatever answers exist, if truly any, will lie solely with the viewer.

After this opening, NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 24 returns to the tower as A2 and 9S prepare to face off. Before the swords clash, we get a fantastic pair of interwoven monologues as each explores what has brought them to this point and why they will face the other. The pair’s roles have now fully reversed from their first meeting.

As A2 seeks to preserve the world where she found love, support, and family, 9S aims to break the world where all the lies, deception, and pain he has known exist. The contrast in perspective is delivered through measured voice work that helps build up the moment’s intensity until the talking ends, and we see the pair of androids lunge at each other.

The following duel is easily the most visually engaging that A-1 Pictures has delivered throughout this series. Fantastic camera work keeps the viewer in the middle of all the action. As the perspective zips around the fight, the combatants push themselves harder than previous encounters have showcased. Due to the virus in 9S disabling his restraint parameters, the android can push himself to new heights at the cost of self-damage. This forces A2 to match her foe, turning on her Berserker Mode.

Just as it seems like A2 has won, 9S uses a lapse in her defense to hack into her system, taking her into an arena he is far better suited to. Once inside A2’s programming, 9S begins to taunt her with her failings in an attempt to break her will.

The intensity in NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 24 only increases, despite the absence of physical threat. As 9S marches out the memories of those A2 failed to protect during her original mission, his desperate need to break her comes into focus. It’s not about A2 and what she’s done. It’s about justifying what 9S is doing now.

He sees her and all the pain she carries, but she isn’t drowning in the same self-destructive cycle he is. How? If she isn’t breaking, is he wrong to do so? 9S’ every attack now feels like a desperate need to justify his rage by projecting it onto A2. 9S doesn’t realize that she was there once and has since moved beyond it.

What saves A2 from drowning in the misery 9S assaults her with is the voice of Lily (Atsumi Tanezaki, My Hero Academia). Whether they are words from her memories or the actual presence of her friend, Lily’s pleas to A2 grant her the strength to weather the emotional torrent 9S assails her with. A timely counterhack by Pod 042 allows her to escape her digital prison.

The power of this moment is delivered beautifully. How A2 ultimately transcends her emotional conflict with 9S is brought to life through a gorgeous mix of visual and audible elements. One of the most striking elements of the moment is the choice to use the opening theme during this sequence. As A2’s past is one of the more significant expanded elements of the series, it’s a great choice to use the most recognizable new piece of music to accompany it here.

Another wonderful tidbit that’s worked into this moment is Lily’s exact words to A2. Sharp-eared fans will recognize them as the same words Emil calls out to Kaine in NieR Replicant to bring her back, too. This lovely callback is the best type that a franchise can work in. It is emotionally impactful if you get it, but it does not harm the moment if you don’t.

Once free, A2 decides to take a risky step to restore 9S to his pre-virus self. As she does, 042 and 153 leave her to work, carrying 9S’ body. At this moment, we also learn the final use of the tower. Visited by the projection of the young girl again, A2 learns that the tower will serve as an arc, taking the data from the machines into space and perhaps a new home. While she is invited to join them, we never hear her answer as the tower crumbles around her.

At this point, the credits begin to roll on NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 24. However, things are quickly rewound, and the voices of 042 and 153 come in once more to assess the situation. It is revealed that the final phase of Project YoRHa is for the Pods to wipe out all traces of the various YoRHa units. However, now that the time has come, 042 refuses to destroy the data of 2B, 9S, and A2. Instead, he wishes to restore them, giving them another chance to break the previous cycles they were bound to.

While this choice is also made in the post credits moments of the game, NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 24 expands upon 042’s tribulations in bringing it about. While his epic confrontation with various other Pods would be an enjoyable moment on its own, what makes it even better is how it’s worked into the story fans will be familiar with.

In the original game, 042 is seen heavily damaged in the post-credits scene and comments about how he was damaged launching a suicide attack. The attack, however, is never shown in the game. We get to see it here for the first time. Whether or not the battle shown here is what was originally conceived, it nonetheless gives the moment a feeling of belonging, like it’s not so much an additional scene but an element that was edited out of the original cut but always belonged.

As the leading trio are set to resume their lives, NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 24 draws to a close. However, before it does, it leaves fans with one last mystery. As the episode pans away one last time, a stranger is shown fading away from the scene. Long-time fans of creator Yoko Taro’s work will recognize the character as Accord.

Originally appearing in the fantasy series Drakengard, which Nier spins out from, Accord was never seen in either of the original NieR games, though she is referenced in NieR Replicant. Whether or not the choice to include her here is simply a cameo or a hint at something new coming is unknown, but it will undoubtedly leave fans buzzing for some time.

NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 24 delivers a fantastic finale to its tale. Like the best parts of the episodes that preceded it, this final entry manages to deliver what it needs to from its source material while putting a few new twists in place as well. Everything one could ask from an adaptation.

NieR Automata Ver. 1.1a Episode 24 is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.