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NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 8: Favorites

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NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 8 – Quick Summary

In NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Episode 8, “aji wo [K]utta ?,” 2B and 9S reported their sighting of A2 to the Commander. The Commander flatly declined to answer 9S’s questions about A2. Instead, she ordered 2B and 9S to locate and “investigate” A2. 2B and 9S began their search with Lily. 2B could immediately tell that Lily’s answers were evasive. Can 2B figure out why? Will 9S discover why the Commander wouldn’t answer his questions? And why did Jackass go fishing – in a bikini?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 8

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 8: Jackass is an explosive fisherman

I have to admit I’m curious where she even found a bikini. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

I did not expect a beach episode in NieR:Automata. Okay, it’s not really a beach episode, but Jackass decided to go fishing in a bikini. That’s close enough for me.

Jackass tried to fish the conventional way — with a rod, hook, and lure. She even hooked a fish! But she used too flimsy a line, and it snapped. So, she did what any patient, experienced fisherman would do.

She threw a grenade into the water.

Jackass looked really happy to see the fish flying through the air! She caught it just as 2B arrived, which seemed to give Jackass an idea. Remember how much she likes data? Remember how often she wanted to disassemble 9S? Well, she had a related idea about 2B.

Jackass explained that the fish’s oils were toxic to android nervous systems. She also explained how humans used to eat fish.

“It’s quite intriguing so I’d definitely like you to eat it,” Jackass said to 2B (13:03). “Though you might die.”

Fortunately for us, 2B did not fall for her nonsense.

Favorite Moment from NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 8

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 8: 6O was delighted with 2B modeling the flower

One of 6O’s dreams came true. She was delighted. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: The Last Episode for A While

I’m a little bummed: apparently, this is the last episode we’re going to get of NieR:Automata Ver1.1a for quite a while, according to this Reddit post. My next post for this series will probably be the episode guide. If more episodes come out, I’ll take a look at how the studio packages them. Then I’ll either start a new season or finish this one. I’m disappointed, because I had really gotten into this show! Even before Jackass rocked a bikini, though that just added an extra level of bummed-ness.

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 8: We'll have to wait to learn more about Jackass's backstory

Looks like we’ll have to wait some time before learning any more about Jackass’s backstory. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Operation 6O got her wish in this episode. Well, almost, but she still seemed more than pleased with the outcome. Remember in episode 7, where 6O said she really wanted to see a Lunar Tear in 2B’s hair? Well, 2B remembered. She and 9S were searching for Jackass when 2B saw one of the flowers on a muddy embankment. She asked her Pod to retrieve it for her.

When 2B called and showed her the flower, 6O seemed overwhelmed. 2B’s gesture seemed to touch her; she said she would treasure it forever. 6O decided to push her luck. She said she would love to see such a beautiful flower in the hair of such a beautiful android.

Actually, she put her hands together and begged.

Delivery: 6O’s Innocent Delight

2B sighed as if she were put out. 6O was so excited that she brought her hands to her mouth. Instead of placing it in her hair, though, 2B tucked it into her armor about her left breast. She explained it would fall out of her hair too easily.

Was 6O disappointed? Judging by her squeal and the hearts in her eyes, no. Put another way: she was ecstatic.

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 8: 9S wore the Lunar Tear

2B was practical enough to put the flower in her armor. She was not too practical to say no to wearing it. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

“Just as I thought,” she said, rising from her chair and drawing curious looks from the other operators (10:11). “It looks really good on you, 2B!”

Then she realized how much attention she attracted and sat back down.

I chose not moment not because of its humor, which worked for me. I chose it for the contrast it offered. 2B and 9S have seen a lot of destruction. They’re soldiers in what looks like a never ending war. Seeing 6O so obviously delighted at the sight of 2B wearing a flower felt hopeful and poignant at the same time. I still feel like the narrative is setting up something terrible for 6O, or maybe the entire Bunker. Until that happens (if it happens!), I’ll continue to build an emotional bond with 6O and her affection for 2B and all things beautiful.

While I can.

What did you think of 9S’s discovery at the end? What were your favorite moments in the episode? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

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6 thoughts on “NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Episode 8: Favorites

  1. You know what? I’ve held this one for too long. I’m taking the seasonal break week to get caught up with NieR. Gotta make the move until the anime comes back, because Spring is a packed season and there’s no way I’d have the time to watch 8 eps of it then.

    1. Go for it! At the very least, you’ll see some great scenery. I haven’t played the game, but I hope to change that soon, so I can’t advise you on whether this is a faithful adaptation or not. If you watch it, I’d love to hear about your reaction!

  2. I know it’s wishful thinking and I’m rather ignorant to the business models, but I wish they would make fewer anime series per season.

    – Less of a strain for the production staffs (particularly with Covid still very much a factor)
    – More time to focus on and digest series. More digestion = better reviews
    – Less chance of missing out on worthwhile series
    – Higher overall production quality
    – Better physical/mental health for staffs

    Sadly, the anime industry is not immune to the predominant (and false) economic philosophy that markets and revenue can, and must, grow and expand every quarter and every year without fail. In virtually all cases it is shortsighted, unsustainable, and harmful.

    1. For me, the physical/mental health situation is the worst. I don’t have any idea what I can do about it, because not watching anime won’t help.

      Less chance of missing out is a real thing, too, especially when you factor in how hard it can be to find some series after they vanish. I was trying to find The Girl Who Leapt Through Space for months until I found a copy on eBay. Then when it arrived, I realized it had been produced in Malaysia. I doubt the studio and animators saw a dime of that purchase.

      In terms of the false idea of expansion: my wife and I were talking about that the other day. It’s literally impossible to expand infinitely in a finite space — even an economic space. And the techniques used to drive larger market share, like adding ingredients to produce a near-addiction, are not healthy in the near, mid, or long term. You nailed it — it’s shortsighted and overall just bad.

      Sad thing is, in the US at least, we have the idea that the people are the ultimate authority. We’re supposed to use our folksy wisdom to rein in politicians and business folks who want to destroy us and our world. Trouble is… well, if you watch the news, you what the trouble is.

      It all comes down to the incentives we build into our economy. We can change behaviors by changing regulations and the economic mechanisms. Which is why you seem those so zealously guarded by those politicians and business folks!

  3. The entire scene with them stepping into the water was beautiful.

    So, their superior reports to a higher superior, one which forbids her from helping her subordinates as much as she wishes to. Considering how fast they caught 9S’s hacking, I doubt they’re human either.

    The room 9S found, or was led to, is interesting. Decorated with artwork that clearly depicts 2B and 9S, despite how they just barely encountered A2 in the last episode. And it ranges from childlike drawings to a masterpiece painting, as if these were made by someone as they were growing up, or possibly all at once by several individuals at various ages. If there are several, that would explain how “A2” is able to be first in one direction, relative to 9S, and then another, first to one side, then somewhere in front, then dashing around behind him. But if not, if there is only A2, and only one A2, then something else very strange is going on, in addition to everything else. I mean, how and when could anyone have painted that painting of 2B and 9S standing in the water, when they just barely experienced that moment for themselves? And what’s with that space-warping effect as A2 was coming straight at 9S?

    And to top things off, the scene at the end with Adam’s little brother, finally noticing that Adam is not back from “the playground,” whatever that means, and apparently no longer connected to their network either. I have to wonder how all of these threads are supposed to intersect.

    If this is the last episode for awhile, that would be unfortunate, but it might also have become unavoidable. I imagine they’re having to improvise a great deal due to how their broadcasting schedule was interrupted. I’ve been wondering how they would handle that in the long term, especially since the next crop of anime is due to take up all of the broadcasting slots which would naturally be vacated. But I’m unsure of exactly how it all works, considering how *many* anime were broadcasted this season. It was well above average, I think, so couldn’t there be any other available slots, anywhere? Hm.

    Patience is a virtue that we must often exercise in our appreciation of a good story.

    1. The show’s done a great job of making me curious about what’s going on on the moon! And about why the Commander is so often denied the resources she needs to capitalize on advantages or protect her troops.

      That room was like a question grenade, with every piece of shrapnel a different question! The scene sent my imagination careening off in all directions. I think you brought up most of the same questions I did. What made it more powerful was my trust that the writers know what they’re doing — what we saw had a purpose. I’m looking forward to figuring out what it was!

      I’m still trying to figure out where Adam and Eve fit into things. That last scene was masterfully done, at least in terms of making me want to know more.

      It’s sad to think of how COVID is still affecting populations. I don’t know the state of vaccinations in Japan, but where I am, I’ve had all the shots I can, and I’ve been out and about for a while without catching it again. Fingers crossed things stay that way. I’m even resigned to the idea I’ll be getting a booster every year. I don’t know why it’s worse in Japan.

      Yeah, patience is a virtue. Might be my least favorite one!

Please let me know what you think!

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