The highly-anticipated NieR: Automata Ver1.1a anime adaptation is now confirmed to premiere on Crunchyroll within the first week of 2023, despite very few actual teasers being shown.
A NieR: Automata anime was announced in February, confirming several rumors claiming Yoko Taro was co-writing his masterpiece’s port to animation. However, since that announcement, Taro has stated the series will feature a few changes compared to the 2017 title. The anime will be an A-1 Pictures and Aniplex production, and its release comes at a relatively good time for the franchise, just three months after a very successful NieR: Automata launch on the Nintendo Switch revived the game’s popularity.
In a report from The Verge, Crunchyroll revealed NieR: Automata Ver1.1a will premiere in January 2023, though no exact episode count was given for the series' first season at this stage. That aura of mystery is likely intended, as all the trailers and teasers posted online so far have been cryptic about the show’s direction, mostly confirming which characters will be featured on it. The previews have also given away a few glimpses at the gorgeous art style and designs, though the latest Crunchyroll trailer doesn't even feature that.
Among the standout elements confirmed so far for NieR: Automata Ver1.1a is that both Yui Ishikawa and Natsuki Hana will be reprising their voice-acting roles as 2B and 9s, respectively. This casting had been announced when the character models were showcased. Keeping up with franchise tradition, NieR: Automata teasers are codenamed “Promotion Files,” with the numbers 003, 004, and 005 dedicated to Commander White, Pascal, Adam and Eve, and 006 featuring Lily, a newish face for the anime.
A2 was the last character reveal repacked as “Promotion File 007” last week, but 006 is the one that has many fans thinking this anime could be a NieR: Automata continuation instead of a straight-up adaptation. After all, one of the most well-known traits about the game is that NieR: Automata contains 26 different endings, meaning Taro could use the anime to explore further alternative storylines, as suggested by the “Ver1.1a” suffix on the title.
NieR: Automata has sold over 7 million copies worldwide, which suggests this anime is geared toward fans of the NieR saga. However, A-1 Pictures' experience with Sword Art Online or Persona and Granblue Fantasy adaptations suggests NieR: Automata Ver1.1a could be one of the best anime on Crunchyroll to keep in mind for 2023.
NieR: Automata Ver1.1a will premiere on Crunchyroll in January 2023.
Source: The Verge
