Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 3 – Quick Summary
In NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Episode 3, “break ti[M]e,” Lily allowed 2B and 9S to enter the resistance’s camp. There, they met Jackass, a scientist/information broker who desperately wanted to disassemble even a portion of 9S. It came as no surprise that 9S politely declined. 2B and 9S needed to investigate an abnormality in the desert, and Jackass went with them. Has Jackass figured out 2B and 9S aren’t there to help them? What will she do? And what’s blocking 2B and 9S’s communications?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 3
Jackass sounded so excited! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I’m not the first to note this, but doesn’t Jackass remind you of Hange Zoe from Attack on Titan? Of course, Hange is human, and Jackass is an android. But otherwise, their personalities are similar.
I bring Jackass up because she gave me my favorite quote of this episode. She, 2B, and 9S pursued a machine lifeform that had showed up, seen his fellow lifeforms dead in the sand, exclaimed (14:14), “Death. Run. Scared,” and ran for its life. Intrigued (more like screaming with delight), Jackass demanded they followed it.
They lost it, but suddenly, it came around the corner and almost walked into them. Saying it had made a mistake, it turned and ran off.
Shocked, Jackass said (15:42), “It just said ‘Oh, a mistake.’ My gusto is starting to overflow!”
She even imitated the machine lifeform’s tone and cadence when she said, “Oh, a mistake.”
I like Jackass’s attitude!
Favorite Moment from NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 3
Well, that’s an obvious allusion! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Realism is Tricky
The plucky resistance camp is a tope I’ve never liked, especially in the presence of an organized, superior opposing force. Why wouldn’t that superior force just stomp the base? If they don’t, why not? That’s the kind of thing that bothers me. In this case, it wasn’t fatal. But I’m curious if any of you thought about the same thing.
Despite that, the show has still captured my imagination. And no more than in my favorite moment.
Down in the cavern, they saw machine lifeforms mimicking human behaviors – especially human romantic and reproductive behaviors. 9S warned 2B not to even listen to them. He manifested his word and attacked, 2B right behind him.
Interestingly, 9S seemed to be in command. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
The machine lifeform that Jackass had been so keen to investigate showed up and warned the others. They immediately began repeating “This. Cannot. Continue.” Suddenly, hundreds of machine lifeforms flooded the area. They swarmed up the supports to a huge, sagging, circular structure above them.
After a few moments, the astonished 2B and 9S watched the thing seem to give birth to an android frame. The muscles and skin flashed into place amid swirling red light. After a moment, its form became clear. It was a male human-like android.
Delivery: Allusions are Cool
9S opened fire with his pod, but the new android deflected the attack with its shield. Then it seemed to ask why they had attacked it with bullets. Fearing the thing was evolving right in front of them, 9S attacked with his sword. He and 2B skewered it from front and back.
They studied its fallen form. It was clear neither of them knew what to make of this. They’d never seen an android like it. Then things got weird.
Or should I say, more weird?
One of the fallen android’s ribs cracked outward, through its skin (20:09). Another android, almost identical to the first, emerged – born, apparently, from the other’s rib. It picked up its apparently dead brethren.
9S and 2B wasted no time attacking the new android. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Recognize the Biblical reference? Was the first android Adam, and the second Eve, born of Adam’s rib? That’s an interesting literary reference right there. It makes me wonder: who are these machine lifeforms? Why are they imitating human behaviors that have no direct meaning for them? Why do the androids on the surface look human, when the machine lifeforms might be more technically efficient? And why are 2B and 9S and the other YoRHa designed as humans?
At this stage, those are exactly the kinds of questions a well-written work will generate. Those kinds of questions keep me invested in the story. They keep me coming back for answers! Which makes it particularly disappointing that episode 4 and onward will be delayed! Fingers crossed it will be a short delay.
What did you think of Jackass wanting to disassemble 9S? What were your favorite moments in this episode? Feel free to share in the comments!
NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 3: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: NieR:Automata Ver1.1a – Episode 3 discussion
- RABUJOI: NieR: Automata Ver 1.1a – 03 – This Cannot Continue
- Random Curiosity: NieR Automata – 03
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 1: or not to [B]e
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 2: city e[S]cape
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 3: break ti[M]e
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 4: a mountain too [H]igh
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 5: mave[R]ick
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 6: [L]one wolf
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 7: [Q]uestionable actions
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 8: aji wo [K]utta ?
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 9: hun[G]ry for knowledge
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1.a Episode 10: over[Z]ealous
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 11: head[Y] battle
- NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 12: flowers for m[A]chines
I liked how they handled the “human machine” fight. Jackass is good too — they seem to have given her an expanded role in contrast to the game, where she just stands around near the desert area and gives you combat challenges (she is still crazy though.) Too bad they have to put the series on hold for a while, but I’ll be waiting for its return.
I’m going to wait until this season (at least) is over before I play the game, because seeing these things for the first time in the anime is a lot of fun.
That said, it’s nice to hear that having played the game, you’re still enjoying the anime.
Yeah, it’s a huge bummer that the series is going on hold. I need to figure out what I’m going to review instead. I don’t want to skip a day. What I might do is pick a throw-back series, then hope it’ll fill in when The Eminence in Shadow ends after 20 episodes. At least, that’s the last number I saw.
Might I suggest The Fire Hunter? It’s a really good atmospheric post-apoc fantasy with a unique throwback look and a LOT of grizzled veteran talent behind it. I’m hooked after two episodes!
I watched the first episode. Then I watched the second. I just finished the third. It’s like Studio Ghibli decided to mash up the best parts of Fire Force and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress! Especially with the iron trucks. They gave me a strong Koutetsujou vibe in all the right ways.
I hadn’t noticed this in any of my pre-season research. I might have missed it entirely! Thanks for the suggestion!