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Lore FAQ

From The Ark: NieR Automata Lore
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NieR Automata has a very complex, multilayered plot and it is normal to have questions after finishing the game. Yoko Taro is known to present things vaguely so that players could find answers themselves.

However, Yoko Taro also likes to publish a lot of various Side Materials after the game to shed some light and comment on different topics as well as extend the lore.

On this page, you can find a list of answers to frequently asked questions and explanations of popular topics.

While everything here is still a subjective opinion, it is a result of months worth of discussions and analysis heavily based on official sources rahter than personal speculations.

That said, you are highly encouraged to read everything yourself and make you own conclusions.

Why does 2Bs skirt explode when she self destructs ?

Androids have specific parts of their clothes dedicated to radiating excess heat. In 2Bs case, the skirt is the piece of clothing used for that purpose, while for 9S it’s his shorts. This is why when they self destruct, those parts are destroyed from the immense heat the android releases.

Parts of 2B's skirt and 9S pants are used for heat radiation and wearing them allows heat to escape
—Yoko Taro, NieR Automata Dinner Talk Show [1]

The skirt is also mentioned in the SINoAlice crossover weapons stories, specifically the Emil Head weapon story, as well as in the 2B (CRUSHER) story.

What happens to A2 after ending [E]

Although she probably simply woke up before 2B, there is no real answer to this question. Yoko Taro has however stated that we are free to think as we like, leaving it up to personal interpretation.

With regards to all such speculation, you're absolutely free to think for yourself and assume whatever you please. I was told to give brief answers, so that's all I can say about this.
—Yoko Taro, Q&A for Dengeki Playstation [2]

A2 was mentioned as being nearly fully repaired in one of the ciphered stories of the strategy guide, so it is likely that she woke up similarly to 2B.

The time when repairs are complete for 9S ... as well as 2B and A2 is near.
—Strategy Guide - Ciphered Story 2 [3]

Are №9/№2/A2 and 2B/9S the same?

While androids with the same model tend to share similar base personalities, their experiences and memories have shaped their self-consciousness data in different ways, resulting in each model being considered a separate “person”.

9S: I am who I am ... because of 2B ..

9S: I have a reason to live ... because of those memories ...

—Precious Things [4]

Them being the same models would however allow them to swap said memory data between each other, though there has not been an example of this.

A2 and 2B have different self-consciousness data. Yes, it would be possible to transfer A2's memory data over to 2B. I was told to give brief answers, so that's all I can say about this.
—Yoko Taro, Q&A for Dengeki Playstation [2]

Additionally, it appears that although they have the same number, according to Yoko Taro №9 and 9S are not even the same model.

Their names are different, which means they're totally different models.
—Yoko Taro, Q&A for Dengeki Playstation [2]

****

YoRHa Cycle

According to the Project YoRHa story, YoRHa gets created with only one goal in mind - giving hope to androids. There are no plans for loops or cycles - as №9, the person responsible for putting the project in motion says:

No.9: It was all just a ruse, telling everyone humans are still alive on the moon, just to give androids the will to fight!

No.9: But that little plan of his was incomplete.

No.9: There was a risk of information leaking out from that satellite base that was meant to manage the human server on the moon.

No.9: That's why I decided to rewrite his plan.

No.9: I rigged the thirteenth base to have a back door that'll open at a certain time.

No.9: The base'll be destroyed by an attack from machine lifeforms, at which point only the server on the moon will be left with transmission capabilities.

(No.9 slowly turns back, his tone sounding like he's just giving a speech.)

No.9: And so, I'll create a "god" on the face of the moon for us androids.

—Project YoRHa [5]

This is further reinforced by the Timeline, which shows that the Bunker starts operating in 11940, and gets destroyed in 11945 - and that’s the one and only time this happens. The Project YoRHa also ends that year, with all data about it erased by the pods.

While [Top Secret] YoRHa Disposal mentions that Backdoor is supposed to be opened when time comes to switch to a newer androids generation, it is not clear what does this mean since all of Project YoRHa data is being removed at the end and said Backdoor was available for machines for a very long time. See Machines/N2 role in YoRHa creation.

Machines/N2 role in YoRHa creation

None. As evidenced in the Project YoRHa, YoRHa gets created “by androids, for androids”. Additionally, according to YoRHa Stage Play, N2 breaks into YoRHa servers during or shortly before Pearl Harbor, and only then discovers the truth about the project - if they didn’t know about it earlier, they couldn’t take any part in creating it.

Red Girl A: By hacking into your server, there is something interesting we’ve discovered.

Red Girl B: This is incredibly important, so be sure to listen well.

Red Girl A: The YoRHa squadron were created as experimental weapons.

Red Girl B: Everything was pre-planned by your headquarters, even your unplanned battles and dire circumstances.

—YoRHa Stage Play [6]

What A2 does at the end of C?

She transfers 9S’s virus to herself to cure him, and destroys all of the Ark data.

After many, many battles, 9S’s core data has been corrupted by the virus. “Alert: Severe virus corruption. Probability of successful deletion extremely low.” “...I think I know a way.” “...the idea under consideration is not recommended.” Though the pod’s words were stiff as always, they had a tinge of gentleness to them for the first time. A2 felt something funny bubbling up inside of her and gave the pod a mellow smile. “You’re not so bad, Pod. You know that?”

It felt like ages since the last time she truly smiled. How long has it been?

After transferring the virus from 9S’s core data, she approached the machine lifeform’s server. She heard the voice of children. The data that the machine lifeforms put into the ark with hopes for the future. Just who has the right to kill them? Who has the right to destroy their futures? A2 whispered words of apology.

“I’m sorry…”

Having lost everything, the tower crumbled away.

The sky is close from the top.

“I never quite realized...how beautiful this world is.”

The floor beneath her feet fell apart, and she felt her own consciousness fading.


“I’m coming, everyone...I’m...coming…”

Even to eyes that were stained crimson from the virus, the sky appeared endlessly blue and beautiful.'

—Game Chapters Comments, Ending C [7]

2B and 9S relationship

Read: 2B and 9S Relationship

At which point in the game 9S learned the truth about 2E?

Which ending is canon?

With Yoko Taro it is never known which ending is canon since technically all of them are. Usually people call endings “canon” when they have a story continuation.

In the NieR Automata there are no alternative endings since Ending E is the final one you receive.

Is it C -> E or D -> E?

Strategy Guide Q&A mentions that in the Ending C Ark is also being launched but its content is empty.

Q26. What is it that was launched by the tower at the end? Is it a rocket?
That is the ark that the machine lifeforms launched towards the future. I guess you can call it a rocket in the sense that it uses propulsion to escape the earth’s atmosphere. The contents of the ark differ by route. In ending C, it’s empty (since all the machine lifeforms’ data that were supposed to be on there was destroyed), and in ending D it contains the data of machine lifeforms including Adam and the red girls.
—Strategy Guide Q&A [8]
August 6th: A structure from the "Tower" is launched into space.
—Strategy Guide Timeline [9]
2B (narration): I also heard about how the two of them destroyed some huge "Tower" that had been created by the machine lifeforms.
2B (narration): The rubble from it is still scattered all throughout the city.
—Farewell [10]

Since Ending E follows either Ending C or Ending D, both of them are possible. However Farewell also mentions a possibility of 9S moving inside the Ark, which in the game happens only in the Ending D. That said, 9S was still corrupted for a prolonged time in the Ending C and machines could’ve had time to invite him to the Ark (though this claim is not supported by anything).

In A Long Story, there is no Ending C presented and a story follows ending D with 9S choosing to stay.

Note Fun fact: All of the in-game decisions that were subsequently mentioned in side materials have additional cutscenes/sequences in the game.

Why 9S wanted to kill A2

When 9S got corrupted in Route C?

How 9S learns the truth about 2E

Weapon Stories

Song for a Broken World

Quicktravel and/or Death - What happens with Memory/Body?

Which Pascal decision is canon?

With Yoko Taro it is never known which decision is canon since technically all of them are. Usually, people call decisions “canon” when they have a story continuation.

Erasing his memory, according to the A Long Story and the Timeline.

Note Fun fact: All of the in-game decisions that were subsequently mentioned in side materials have additional cutscenes/sequences in the game.

Who made androids?

Humans made regular androids (like Devola and Popola models) to oversee Project Gestalt (you can find more information about that in the first NieR game, NieR:Gestalt/Replicant).

After the project failure and humanity subsequent demise, the androids were left alone. Then the Earth got attacked by aliens. Some time during the war, androids created Project YoRHa, and by doing so, YoRHa androids.

Notes