Before this video, I couldn't put into words why I felt so much for these two or why their relationship worked for me as a romantic one. You hit the nail on the head EXACTLY. Great job. Thanks so much 🙏

It's funny how only 2B ever calls 9S Nines through the whole game. It's almost like she gave him the nickname somewhere before.

I came away with the impression 9S still loves 2B even after learning the whole truth. His anger seemed directed towards the lies and deceptions that put them in this endless cycle of conflict. He's still mourning for 2B well after her death. The game also gave plenty of information to 9S to understand 2B cared deeply for him as well. 2B carried out her true duty as 2E, but it was very clear she cared deeply for 9S and could not stand to see him suffer or be mistreated, showing more distress seeing Adam briefly torture 9S than her own horrifying last moments, which ended in relief from a final glance at 9S.

When 2B died I was literally in denial till the last scene in the entire game. I loved her so much I couldn't accept that she was dead ;-;

This is why ending E is the best ending possible for them... people call it bittersweet, but it was the most optimistic and fulfilling thing I've seen in a while.

I don't get the hate 9s gets. He gets called a Beta or Annoying in some forums I visited. To me he's one of the most well written video game character. He has a heartwarming and gripping personality and he's an android. I just love his interaction with 2b and the others that I ended up looking forward to what he has to say next. It's amazing to see how such a sunshine of a character evolve into a hate-driven machine (non pun intended) because of the circumstances he's put into. And I also have to give props to the English VA. He gave 9s life with his outstanding performance.

I do agree this is a love story. Their relationship is one of the biggest parts of this game. By the end when 9S completely goes insane, I just wanted to hug him. The fact that the only person he has felt this connected to had the mission was to kill him. It broke me to tears by the end of the game and I have never cried to a video game before. Call me cringy but I love this game.

I cried when I went to the flooded city and stumbled upon 2B's message for 9S: "9S, the time I spent with you it was like memories of pure light." the message in and of itself is kinda generic but for someone like 2B, who doesn't like to show her emotions for the reasons you mentioned, but the way she says it, you can feel all of her love toward 9S. i feel like that romeo and juliet recreation is/was kinda foreshadowing their relationship. Beautiful yet tragic. I love this game so much. I hope that with ending E, they are finally together again, hopefully going around looking for T-shirts that 9S can gift her. And I'm crying again.

This is the game where all the characters you love go mad, And you go mad with them

I always thought the reason 9S was "enjoying" killing the 2B models was linked to androids being programmed to find pleasure in battle. (It's explained in one of Jackass' quest lines). It would also kind of explain how 2B kills 9S kinda intimately. Perhaps it's the only way they know how to express their feelings. For them, combat is quite strongly linked to desire / maybe love.

To be honest at the moment were he said "Dont worry 2B I'll kill you." People usually saw that as "I'll kill you because I hate you." But what I think the creator wanted us to hear is not "I'll kill you." but the "Dont worry 2B." The reason is the only way for 2B to be happy is to die. So what 9S did was kill her because he loved her and didn't want her to suffer any longer. Thats why in the end when he puts one of the dead 2B hands on his cheek I think its because he feels happy that shes dead.

"Sheesh, why is she the one screaming emotions are prohibited yet so emotional over the death of someone she just met? This is stupid, the game is too anime nonsense, i'm out!" - lots of people on Route A without knowing what's awaiting them.

Personally my feelings about 9S and 2B are bittersweet. There is a novella dealing with the "FIRST" time 2B and 9S meet each other. The end result for their first time is that 9S figures out 2B's mission and almost kills her but the commander helped 2B survive. What I believed happen is that 9S, after gaining enough memories to connect the dots on his own about 2B decides that he doesn't care about it. 1) He's been alone for far too long, we know he has been lonely. 2) He loves 2B 3) He also opts to keep the secret of humanity to himself, for the reason that 2B would kill him right there and then thus resetting him and his memories. But he also does subconsciously want revenge on her for killing and taking away his memories. When 2B dies, I believe he's in pain for his love dying and for not killing her himself. In fact the **** is love, kill, kiss, hate, fuck, hold. All those words combined since he feels that way about 2B who also shares strong feelings for him. Two big indicators are the "Wandering Couple" sidequest and the Weapon stories of their starter weapons that are parallels of 2B's and 9S's relationship. Also right after 2B dies we see 9S sink into insanity since his reason for living (previously humans, but moreso 2B) is gone. The reason why 2B is fighting so hard to kill all machines and A2 is because he doesn't want to forget his memories of 2B before he completes his revenge. That's why he continually stabs the 2B clone (or rather 2E) for taking away his memory and also the system that controls 2E. 9S fights desperately to keep his memories that have been taken away from him which is bittersweet on it's own. 2B herself though, was happy that she died since it would finally end the cycle of killing. This relationship feels so strong because they can't be together but are constantly together at the same time. Here's also some extra info from the recent concerts: www.reddit.com/r/nier/comments/6729ys/spoilers_new_2b9s_information_from_nier_concert/

Remember that side quest, when an android couple trying to run away from The Resistance because they feel violence does not suit their life? It turned out it was just a ploy. The woman android had been resetting her partner's memories many times she lost count. That's quite a clue of what is about to unfold between 2B and 9S

Remember the theme park mission with robot Romeo and Juliet killing each other? Yeah. Yoko Taro was being subtle by not being the least bit subtle. There are hints like this throughout the game.

9S was a brilliant character. Seeing him turn from a happy-go-lucky Android to a cold blooded hateful killing machine was just so heartbreaking. 2B’s death fucking destroyed me and I felt even more terrible watching 9S snap at that moment.

the scene when 9s finds 2b's ship and her last recording is truly heartbreaking ....

Haaah...seriously when 2B died I...just finished the scene and quit the game until I picked it up 5 days later after I had finally gotten over it, the whole relationship between 2B and 9S felt very captiviting to me, it started with "aw that's cute" until it just hurt me because of how tragic it is God, this is just so beautiful TwT

I love that yoko made two endings for after ending E one where there live out together after 2B reactivates 9S and one where she can’t reactivate him and chooses to shut herself down because she can’t live without him as it shows without a doubt how 2B truly feels about 9S as she cannot live in a world without him.

People dont give enough credit to 9S english voice actor. Amazing performance specially after 2B’s death.

What I think is really messed up is that during the time trial quest with jackass she discovers that androids experience the similar human emotion of love with they fight. So when 2b had to choke 9s would it be right to say that she had to suffer both the enjoyment and frustration of killing 9s? (not to say that's why she killed him in somewhat sexual manner) That would be truly sad, to experience love or happiness when you do what you hate the most.

Nothing says "I love you" quite like a good old fashion throttling.

Her mission ended in failure. She failed as an E type. She’s now a defective product that can’t even justify her own operating costs. 2B widened her eyes in shock, her head covered in a shower of blood. 9S, having sliced his own throat, slowly fell over. She cradled his body in her arms, her own screams of ‘Why?!’ sounding distant to even herself. “Don’t apologize. Instead…” Even with his rough breathing, 9S was smiling. “Next time...don’t hesitate...to kill me. Because we….will meet again.” “I promise you.” That I won’t hesitate to kill you. The next time, or the time after that. Not because of her mission, but because that’s what 9S wanted. To grant his wish of meeting again...she’ll kill him. -Memory Thorn

Nice summary. I'm surprised you didn't use the tightened hand grip, which also appeared after he died "the first time" (on the space station after she discovered he had wiped his memory). There was a pretty heavy symbolism there. There also were many more references to "it always ends like this", indicating she's been through a never ending cycle. Further on the side mission, with what was eventually found out to be a 2E unit, which upon discovering that she had killed her friends "over and over" went mad might have been cool to reference. I'm also a bit surprised that you didn't put the true ending in there for discussion, and what you believe they'd do now that they achieved freedom from that pre-programmed software command.

I thought you were a bigger KZfaqr watching this video. Then I scrolled down for the comments and saw that you have less than 500 subscriptions. WHUT?! It's made with so much care and love and the soundquality is great too. How aren't you well known yet?

Every time I hear a song from Nier, see a clip of gameplay, a screenshot or anything related to this game, I'm reminded how goddamn amazing this game is and I immediately want to play it again. Damn I wish I could replay it again for the first time to experience it again.

love games with romance in them

I think 9S wanted to kill 2B, not out of hatred but out of empathy, knowing the mental stress that she had to endure from killing him over and over again...but who knows. to know what they feel and think is still really hard to discern.

I never thought Adam was asking if 9S wanted to fuck 2B. I was engrossed in the story and paid attention to the conversation. With nothing but text there is nothing to distract me. The entire scene is based off Adam's viewpoints of anger and hate. Kill was the only four letter word that was applicable.

This makes much more sense if you have read the weapons stories for both Virtuous and Cruel weapons.

The relationship between 2B and 9S is one of the most heart rending parts of the game. Thanks for your videos. You're clearing story points up for me, and adding to he story.

I am still rather heartbroken...... This game hurts me sometimes. However, I can't stop thinking about it, nor do I want to.

All the while playing this game after ending b, I kept thinking how in a more forgiving time these 2 would be like teenagers enjoying their time with each other. The dialogue between 9S and 2B in the shopping center is just heart breaking. Makes me want to create a world where lovers won't have to kill each other, even if they are androids.

Oh my god.. I just realizes that the hole on the castle at 0:45 is heart shaped.. MADE ME SHIP THESE TWO BUTTS MORE. Taro u sly.

Well lets just wish for Yoko Taro's sadistic ways not get to our beloved ship. A happy ending is it too much to ask Taro? ಥ_ಥ

omg THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!!!! I finished Ending A, Ending B, and began my way to Ending C. I was in denial after 2B's death that I STOPPED playing this game. I absolutely LOVE and ADORE this game with my heart, and to have seen this, even with so much spoilers ahead of me, makes me want to continue the game back again and have different perspective on 9S's and A2's journey, with this final events. This have made my mind at ease. This game has won my whole heart and soul, that I will most likely play it again and again. And that is a lot to say. After this, 2B's suffering has ended and can stop killing 9S over and over again. I cannot wait for another one like this. I really hope they make a sequel for this, and have they 3 of them together, after having the Bunker destroyed and having a different system operating them. I will wait till that time come. 2Bx9S is my number one ship right now and it will never disappear. I will continue to love this game forever. again, THANK YOU!

They were each other's biggest source of pain but also the only thing keeping them alive and going. Ain't this shakespearean af.

When 2B had the logic virus and you had to limp her to the shopping center I didn’t even consider that she could 100% die at that moment. When 9S saw 2B getting stabbed I literally stood out of my chair and freaked the fuck out. I couldn’t accept that she was fr dead. At least ending E made me feel better.

This should have more views that the ones it actually has. Your video made me goosebumps from HOW WELL DONE it is made. The script. the background footage, music... all connected to make me love these 2 even more. I cried at the end. not gonna lie. Good fucking job!! Subscribed for the AMAZING WORK!! keep it up!!!

After all is said and done, I think the line of "2B, I'm going to kill you now!" isn't one out of hatred, but the combination of 9S' deterioration and his love for 2B making him perform some sort of "mercy killing". Even tho 2B is already dead, in his mind, him "killing" 2B is putting her out of her misery, having to kill 9S, a person she cares about, over and over and over and over again.

This is an awesome analysis. I never considered that the "**** 2B" could be anything other than "fuck" (shows where my brain is at, I suppose). I'd also like to add that in a sidequest for Jackass, she discovers that androids feel a euphoric, possibly romantic or sexual rush from violence. Makes them better soldiers. I always thought that was why 2B's position looks so sexual when she kills 9S in ending A/B, but I didn't connect that to the bigger picture, namely how that perpetuates their love/hate relationship, and how, to a YoRHa android, killing another android may feel very much like fucking them. Man, this game is beautifully messed up.

Holy crap...so 2B was basically distancing herself from 9s because she didn't want to let herself be close to what she couldn't have (friendship)?

Even four years after the fact, NieR: Automata has stuck with me at a core level. There's a part of me that's glad that I never finished NieR before it because I would have died a second emotional death during the secret last quest, sooner than I did when I finished it after the fact. Even just watching your video has me questioning whether I could weather another playthrough, and that's completely profound for a video game. It's games as art on a level not seen since Shadow of the Colossus.

Funny thing. 0:45 - No one, even his operator, called 9S 'Nines' through the game. Except for 2B. Come to think of it, wasn't she the one who knew him too well, and gave him this pet-name?

Very good video! i think you're the only one who reviews the depth of the game more of that would be nice

Peahnuts! Dude, if you didn't know about them already, you have to read the short stories Memory Cage and Memory Thorn. They're from either the art book or guide book and they flesh out 2B and 9S's relationship quite nicely.

I cried with 9S's story ending, when Adam calls him to the light and you (the player) can either choose to go with him or to stay made my heart beat so fast, such an emotional experience while playing a video game

The voice actors actually streamed this game together, and will occasionally interact as the characters. As a fan it’s fun to watch, if not a little long.

This game is way more than a love story. Its just absolute art. The game makes you think as if you were reading a philosophical masterpiece

More than a love story is an existencialism story, its deep thanks to 9s.

Fun fact: Apparently the English voice actors recorded their lines in separate sessions (which is common) so the VA for 9S actually had no idea 2B's final uttered word was going to be "Nines". That painful yelp he lets out immediately before delivering his line came out organically. I'm guessing that was the sound of his heart being shattered recorded in stereo...

they're so CUUUUUTE

"Emotions are prohibited" That prohibited? Nahhh, no one's stopping curious 9S and his waifu 2B from having an Android love story. I need a sequel for these two. (Insert A2) Scripts: Also in the scripts, there are like 5 different endings as well. One of them, the concert scripts read that 2B really loved 9S by becoming frozen in place, just sitting there holding (or looking) at the dead body of 9S. In the good ending, 9S was successfully rebooted, with the Black box possibly recovering his data. They finally reunite with the narration; Even if this world is full of curses Even if this world punishes us We will continue to resist everything within that spiral. By singing words of prayer Repeating prayers, one of the scripts, wherein 2B called 9S Nines finally. 9S knows that 2B was assigned to kill him, that he askedd her to kill him again when they meet when he messes up again, not giving a damn about shit. The script goes as follows; 9S: The towns, amusement parks, and oceans ... we saw together ... I'll never forget them ... Pod 153 (narration): His eyes no longer hold any light within them. 9S: Thank you ... for being with me, 2B ... (The sound of a heartbeat stopping, and a flatline's beep.) (9S breathes his final breath.) (2B moans in grief.) 2B: I ... I ... 2B: Nines ... I'm sorry ... I'm so sorry ... (Everyone raises their heads.) Skipping lines since it's long "Even if the pain of killing 9S is the sin I must bear" "Even if the joy of meeting 2B is my reason to live" "I'll still resist" "I'll keep fighting" "Even if that means going against God." END. The script proves to us that 9S and 2B loves each other dearly, and that they each have a burden to carry. And they're ready to resist and fight their burdens just to spend much time together. I want a sequel, a redemption game for 2B and 9S's relationship (Ending E and the scripts are proof that the game might get a sequel. Who knoes *A beautiful love story indeed.*

"Your the chatty one, figure it out" *OOOF*

There goes my heart in shambles.....

If you read 9S unit data under INTEL, you will find content describing 9S "shows unusually deep affection" towards 2B

This game was so tragic and amazing

I just spoiled it for myself, i never cared much about spoilers but this...

this video really touched me. AMAZINGLY EXPLAINED.

I didnt care for 9s during playthrough a But after I played as him and got context I realized how great of a character he is

It took me many gameplays of the first ending, to understand, that 2b (2E) had killed 9S and been with him many times because at first, I was like this is a very short time for her to build those emotions to him, and after watching this video (the part of Adam and 9S conversation) which I didn't read in my play through and I feel bad that I did not now, but anyhow, that part I have never read since I usually skim over the text, but that itself nailed it for me because I felt there is romantic love between the two, but I couldn't put my finger on it 100% until now, great video - and I hope you would do the same for the new game as well. Peace!

💞9$ & 2B ALWAYS AND FOREVER💞

best game of the year

2B is Mikasa ?! damn..

Tell me a relationship that is deeper than this one, in any form of media (games, movies, books...), I'll wait.

I heard somewhere that in the French version the asterisks for "you really want to **** 2B" is long enough to fit fuck in French and not so much kill. I haven't seen it myself but it might be worth looking into the original vs translation for that part

Wow so glad I watched this, that made 9S' line about killing 2B now when he is fighting like 10 of them so much more weighty and relevant. Yeesh.

Amazing video on covering the romantic side of nier automata, but I think it’s an even more wonderful game cos it is about so much more than just love. A few of the machines are actually named after well known philosophers, and there’s a whole side to the game abt philosophy and the purpose of life…. This game rlly deserves to be at the top in terms of plot for me

2Bs death is scarred into my brain. What a moment

Fuck, that fot me straight into the feels... This game is one of a kind...

Yes! I definitely love how this was put together. There's quite a number of people out there who are denying the fact that this game is love story based (even if they know that there's hints of romance throughout the game) but in all honesty for me this will and always is a lovely albeit bitter tragic love story

Just finished the game and wow...I didn't realise I would actually shed a few tears during ending C. I was always sort of dissapointed in B when I couldn't play as 2B cause she was always my favourite characters. But once C came around, I was like "YES MORE 2B". It was cool seeing you switch between 2B and 9S over and over. But when 2B got infected, I was like "nonononononononnonononononono". Once she died and I was playing as A2, I wasn't too hurt, but still shocked. But as I thought about it nearing the desert as A2, I genuinly shed a tear and over the course of the game, especially seeing 2B in 9S memories and A2 showing respect for 2B by copying her hairstyle and using her weapons, seeing how emotional she was, I cried even more. The game was soo good and I am definitely going to be playing the next game.

I love how you only knew Adam meant "kill" when talking about 2B and 9S's feelings towards her because of a side quest your not obligated to complete for Jackass. It also sheds light on why he relished killing 2B in the tower so much. When pent up 9S is trapped in a room full of hot 2B's, it makes sense that he'd become overwelmed with this horrible sense of lust which in this world, would equate to blood lust.

Another thing to notice, 2B tends to show a lot of emotions when either her or 9S is about to die.

The last videogame that made me cry like this was Undertale pacifist route. You should know then how good this game is.

9S is a handsome shouta along with THICC 2B oneeschan

It never once occurred to me that 9S wasn’t just mad that A2 killed 2B but, because he wasn’t the one who got to do it

If i were 2B at this point i litterally would have been happy when A2 stabbed me, cause for real who wants a life of repeatingly killing your best friend or potentially boyfriend/girlfriend? Also she always has to built a new relationship while not going to close, cause with emotions, killing this person isnt easyer then without. I would hate myself so much for beeing designed to kill a android over and over which i do like or even more. Idk if 2B was happy or sad bout her death but im pretty sure i would be happy. I would've comitted suicide eventually, idk destroy all my data so i cant get revived, cause i know i could not live with my life andthe way how i got designed... So or so at the end no one of those 3 androids has a sense in life anymore, cause all 3 know (E ending) that there is no humanity to protect and like A2 said in the fight gainst 9S androids are designed to server for humanity, but there is NONE. So why would they even want to live? I mean its very kind of the Pod to revive there Data and repair their bodys, but for what? 2B and 9S have there relationship yes, but still there brains there bodys, there arms, there everything is designed on serving for smth that never existed for them! So idk if my brain was designed on serving for smth that doesnt exists, i wouldnt see a point in living, so why should they have any points? Maybe i just got all wrong but im pretty sure i know what im talking about. Still im happy that 2B isnt dead, cause i really liked her, was so painful to watch her getting stabbed by A2, and like Peahnuts said the moment where she calls 9S finally Nines, i just needed to start crying... I know the end makes no sense if u compare to the rest of the text where i said i would be happy if i was 2B, but me as a person who loved playing this game, it was really painful to watch my favorite Char, by far, dying by one of my second most loved chars; A2. Im sorry for any cancer i may caused with my grammar and spelling, but im just a german potatoe so i hope its okay ^^ PS: Its a bit weird; 9S says 2 2B that his friends call him "Nines", but he doesnt have any friends right? Cause im pretty sure he says at the beginning smth like "I usually work alone" so how can there be others who would know him so good that they could call him Nines? Is it just a name he thought out for his own and just wants 2B to call him that way? Or is there any NPC i missed who actually calls him Nines? PPS: Btw i think those **** doesnt just stand for "fuck" and "kill", not much sense in grammar wise but smth like "love" or "hate" would also fit if we looked from 9S perspective and not from a grammar one ^^ Even though my first thought was "fuck" and i instantly had a intresting picture of it in my head and that was kinda cringy o.O Should i go to a doctor?

Why can’t they live in happiness together!?! My ship 😭

This here is why I LOVVVE this "Game" so much 2 years and I still get excited and emotional when I see a new video that manifests the underlines of the story, my no.1 game I love Nier Automata sooo much thanx for the vid

2B's Death was sad enough to tear up game story is so well written, its was like shadow of the collosus

Probably best vid by a -1000 account I have ever seen, keep it up

YES. I love these babies so much. I just want them to go shopping for t-shirts together. :(

it was so many hints given to you during gameplay, like amnesia sidequest (best quest and song ever) also the wandering couple where female android was reseting his partner endless amounts of times. (That's why 2B was angry after Engels fight where she had hope 9S would remember what happened so he could understand she's caring for him) After some time it came to me how hard it had to be for 2B to do her "job". and for anyone interested there is novela called "The Memory cage" focusing on events taken long before actual Automata.

Goddamn i fucking LOVE THIS GAME AHHHHHH

This theme of forgiving and adoring your tormentor is something that comes up a lot in Japanese fiction and literature, even from before anime and games. One of my favorite short stories from my fifth grade literature textbook was about a fisherman whose father was killed by a shark. He comes across the same shark some years later and decides that it deserves to live on. It's hard to get it right, because one wrong move and it just falls into the category of a toxic relationship. It's more relatable than I'd like to admit, though when my non-Japanese friends ask why we're like that, I never have a good answer.

Another example I heard for the **** word text scene was 'free' 2B. It was in a graphic novel or art book. I don't remember, but 9S wanted to free 2B from the cycle of having to kill him over and over again. It also had some stuff about how 9S tried to hack her before he was killed, but that didn't work either and got a virus or something for attempting it.

amazing video! take that like sir~

excellent video man good work

6:13 Or Love ?

Fantastic video!!! Thanks for making me think in some details of the story I had not noticed (I just finished the main story today xD) I'm definitely replaying the whole game from the start after I get the Platinum!! This video really helped me understand better 2B and 9S realtionship. Thank you again!!

this made me cry

The act of violence and killing each other also has sexual elements put in between 2B and 9S. One could even interpret that violence and sexual conduct were part of the same act for those two. Take note in their positions when killing one another, especially when the death is more personal like when they straddle over the other in the act of killing.

I watched two of your videos and I thought you had like tens of thousands of subs. Really like the ones I've watched; the ending in this one is amazing, man. Subbed.

It brings more depth to the moment they meet again at the bunker, when she pressed her fist with anger after their salute, at first glance it looked like she was angry because he sacrificed his memories for hers but now it is because he made it happen again without realizing and her not having the need. It brings even more depth to the "But i`ll lose you, the you that exists at this very moment" showing that she always hated losing a porsion of 9s, their relationship is far more deeper for 2B becuase she has more memories of him than him of her and she is always losing a part of 9s.

Bro my anger of trying to control 2b’s broken ass on her death walk turned to sadness pretty quick

im spoiling the game for myself so i dont end up emotionally damaged at the end, the last time that happened with a game i cried on the floor. for 5 hours. needless to say my mom didnt want me to play video games for a while after that

I love you for making this

The More I dig into this game's lore, the sadder it gets.

Re-watching this 2 years after playing Automata, since Nier: Replicant is coming out in just a few days now. I'm hoping that game will be as incredible as Automata was, or at least pretty close to it.