Production
Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is based on Nier Automata, a 2017 action role-playing game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix. A sequel to the 2010 video game Nier and forming part of the wider Drakengard series, the game was a critical and commercial success.[15][16][17] Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is animated by A-1 Pictures. It is directed by Ryōji Masuyama, who handles series composition with original director Yoko Taro. Jun Nagai is character designer and animation director, and Hirofumi Sakagami is the art director.[18][19] The episodes end with short puppet shows created by Moge.[20]
The concept for an anime adaptation of Nier Automata was proposed by Aniplex in 2017 shortly after the game's release. Yoko was surprised as anime adaptations were often created as a game tie-in to increase sales. Hanae was present during an early discussion with Yoko and the game's producer Yosuke Saito, reacting with disbelief at the plan.[21] When creating the characters, A-1 Pictures was given the CG character models by Square Enix, with the team then creating key frame animations for common expressions and sometimes simplifying the clothing's design and movement to make it manageable. The art design was more colorful, though they kept the established subdued palette.[22] The Bunker scenes and opening animation, which appear to be to black and white, was difficult for the art team as they needed to find a close-enough shade to mimic a black-and-white effect. Commenting on the puppet design, Moge remembered creating the YoRHa puppets with patterns based on the designs on the full-sized characters.[20]
Discussing the story, Yoko commented that simply replicating the game's story in anime form would be boring, so he proposed making several changes to the story to fit the new medium, something Masuyama and Aniplex initially resisted, prompting a prolonged debate between them.[21] It was eventually agreed to balance sections faithful to the game with anime-original content. Masuyama and Yoko worked out the details, though Yoko tried to keep himself at a distance to give the anime team creative freedom. The scenario was worked on over a long period, with Saito commenting that the wishes of the game's production staff were incorporated into the reworked scenario.[22] When planning the series, the first episode was written to mirror the game's opening tutorial section, with the second episode onwards deviating into its own version of events. The number of episodes was decided based on how many it would take to retell the game's story.[20] When creating the storyboards, cutscenes from the game were reproduced very faithfully, then other new scenes added in while trying to regain the original atmosphere and creating a unified visual identity. Yoko commented that the anime's presentation allowed cinematic storytelling in a way the game could not accomplish.[21] During the first season's episodes, flashbacks were included to events from both Nier and Drakengard. Yoko attributed their inclusion to the anime's staff, particularly Masuyama. Yoko also included elements related to A2's backstory that were not conveyed obviously in-game, hoping to deepen the viewers' connection with her.
Due to the format change, there were extended sequences away from the main characters, and the actors had to voice some scenes that were text-only in-game.[22] Reprising her role of the protagonist, Yui Ishikawa mentioned that the story retained a depressive theme faithful to the original game. Her impression of 2B changed after five years of working in the title and she enjoyed her dynamic with Natsuki Hanae due to the bond they share.[24] Hanae found the anime unique for displaying a different take on the characters' handling when compared to the original game.[25] Atsumi Tanezaki was both excited and nervous to be joining the cast, enjoying performing Lily and finding the episode where her backstory was revealed a challenging section to perform.[9] Yoko had a cameo role as two different Machine Lifeform characters.[23]
Music
The music was handled by Monaca, a music production company who had worked with Yoko on multiple projects including Nier: Automata.[15][18] Keiichi Okabe was a composer and arranger, and music producer. Keigo Hoashi and Kuniyuki Takahashi were co-composers and co-arrangers with Okabe. Shotaro Seo provided chorus work.[26] Yukio Nagasaki acted as sound director.[19] Upon being contacted, Okabe was told that he could use and arrange the game's original score, which comforted him as there were high expectations surrounding the anime. The original songs were generally quiet and without lyrics so as not to intrude upon the story, though original music was used when a scene was reproduced accurately.[27]
The anime includes multiple opening and ending theme songs.[28]
