NieR: Automata Ver1.1a premiered this past weekend, and now that viewers have a better clue where the story is headed, they will be glad to know exactly how long it will take for it to end, as the Crunchyroll anime was given a 24-episode count.
Since its announcement, the NieR: Automata anime adaptation caught the eye of fans of the game due to the involvement of creator Yoko Taro in successfully adapting his own complex story. Taro paired up with Ryouji Masuyama for this Aniplex production. The reception to the first entry ranged from very positive to somewhat mixed, with NieR: Automata Ver1.1a's CGI being called out by some.
Nevertheless, as far as the plot goes, Sugoi LITE reports that NieR: Automata Ver1.1a will be broadcast in 2 “Cours” or parts. The total number of episodes comes in at 24, although it wasn’t confirmed if there will be a cutoff point. Considering the NieR: Automata anime has embraced the multiple endings of the game from the get-go, how many entries it will feature and whether these will be split into two parts could prove crucial to the plot.
If NieR: Automata Ver1.1a goes on a straight 24-episode run, the series would reach its ending towards the beginning of the summer. However, those familiar with the video game's story know there are plenty of perfect moments where the anime could mark the aforementioned 2 Cours split. At the moment, the NieR: Automata anime is available on Crunchyroll in Japanese with English subtitles with no information on when localized dubs could become available.
Overall, the debut episode, titled “Or not to [B]e," practically recreates the game’s first mission with great detail. Nevertheless, some fans were quick to point out how it’s already possible to tell what kind of changes Taro will be introducing to change NieR: Automata's story arc. Taro himself has said that the anime will not be a perfect adaption, and there will be differences compared to the 2017 Platinum Games title, with Chapter 1’s funny closing bit being a standout.
Among the things to look out for is the possibility that new characters like Lily could shape NieR Automata Ver1.1a significantly, with even die-hard fans not knowing if Taro is aiming for an adaptation or continuation of the original NieR: Automata.
NieR: Automata Ver1.1a is currently available on Crunchyroll.
Source: SugoiLITE | Twitter