After being released for Microsoft Windows PC and gaming laptops last March, NieR: Automata has been gaining an incredible amount of popularity to gamers worldwide. This is a spin-off game from the Drakengard Series was praised by many critics due to its beautiful environment, one-of-a-kind plotline, majestic soundtrack, and it’s interesting protagonists.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the story revolves around three YoRHa units which are tasked to save the last remnants of humanity. Let’s meet the main protagonists of NieR: Automata:
YoRHa No.2 Type B
YoRHa No.2 Type B or more popularly known as 2B is the main protagonist in the Route A of the game. She is an all-purpose battle android created to fight the machine lifeforms who took over the planet Earth. Deployed as a member of YoRHA’s infantry, she is equipped with several weapons for close quarter combat and can use her Pod support system to attack enemies from a range.
2B was a part of the new line of YoRHa androids created by the YoRHA organization, the last remnants of humans that survived the alien attack and went to the moon. She is given the designation as a cover and the mission to observe one of the new Scanner models, 9S, in action during their operations against the machines.
Cool, calm, and collected, 2B is the ultimate killing machine who has high respect for the chain of commands given to her and rarely asks any questions. She usually expresses sardonic wit at certain situations and can be hot-headed at times.
Throughout the journey, 2B starts to grow closer to 9S and becomes more sociable to him. This leads to her expressing frustration as well as pain due to the true relation she has to 9S.
YoRHa No.9 Type S
YoRHa No.9 Type S (9S) is the protagonist of NieR: Automata of Route B and D, as well as the final boss in Route C. Although he has some attack function, 9S specializes in investigative purposes who excels in hacking-based information collection.
He is a newly manufactured YoRHa scanner android. Programmed to be kind and emotional, 9S is the most human-like YoRHa Android in the game. He is very dedicated and helpful to his partner, 2B, and sometimes prioritizes her safety over his own. As a Scanner, he has a very curious mind toward technology and knowledge as a whole. Due to this nature, 2B was tasked to execute him if ever he discovers the true nature of Project YoRHa.
YoRHa Type A No.2
YoRHa Type A No.2 or A2 is the third protagonist of the game and the final boss of Route D. Unlike 2B and 9S, she is a prototype model YoRHa android, which is used to create the superior models: 2B and 9S.
Three years before the events of the game, she was a member of the first YoRHa squadron that is deployed to Earth as a part of a mission called the “Pearl Harbor.” After these events, she is referred to as the fugitive prototype that remains in the shadows and continuously watches over the actions of 2B and 9S.
Later in the game, A2 reveals to have a more significant role which will lead to 9S knowing the truth behind their mission.