Nier: Automata has been one of the most acclaimed and successful sci-fi video games in recent years. Nominated for a wide range of industry awards in 2017 and 2018, the franchise even won lots of fans beyond the realm of videogames for its incredible aesthetic and experimental storytelling.
After its initial success, the story was adapted into various other forms, including light novels and mangas. Many people expected that, eventually, there would be an anime adaptation, and now it has been officially confirmed! We take a look at the Nier: Automata anime series announcement and potential release date.
Nier: Automata Anime Announcement
The Nier Automata Anime was officially launched today, February 23rd, during a 5th Anniversary Livestream event for the videogame franchise.
The official announcement of a Nier Automata anime was followed by the release of a trailer, Twitter account and website:
What is Nier: Automata About?
The Nier: Automata series primarily takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth, where human-made androids fight against machines from another world.
The videogame follows 2B, a calm and calculated combat android taking the form of a woman. She is accompanied by 9S, a scanner android that shows more emotion than the cold 2B. As they fight through the world, they discover more about humanity as it was before, trying to understand the human emotions welling up inside them.
During the videogame playthrough, the story uses different narrative styles. A large proportion of the game involves replaying the same story from different perspectives, with the results changing a little bit each time as more of the motives and background are understood.
Given the nature of the announcement video, we can expect the anime to draw upon both the videogame and its light novel adaptations, which have added some additional depth to the original video game's story.
Related: Halo TV Series: Release Date, Plot, Cast, Trailer & Everything You Need to Know
Nier: Automata Anime Release Date
There has been no confirmation about when we might see the Nier Automata anime. Given that the announcement only states the objective to make a series, it will probably be a few years before we see it on our screens.
Commonly, initial anime announcements are made at least one year in advance of the series being put on the air. Given that there is nothing about staff or anything beyond one drawn visual, it’s likely they are at the very initial stages, so it might be even longer before we see this anime.
Nier: Automata Anime Studio
The biggest piece of news we’ve got is that Aniplex will handle the Nier: Automata anime’s production.
Aniplex is arguably the biggest and most successful anime producer in Japan, having supported hit series such as Demon Slayer, Naruto and Bleach through their many years at the forefront of the industry.
Fans hoping that Nier: Automata gets a serious anime adaptation should take comfort in the fact that such a big producer is at the helm. Of course, attention will now turn to what studio and staff are enlisted on this project.
Related: The Best Upcoming Anime in 2022