The pandemic isn’t over, and its effects are still being felt in the anime industry. According to a new announcement from its production committee, the NieR Automata anime is delayed. The delay is due in part to COVID-19 infections in Japan, which have risen lately. As a result, the scheduling for more episodes has been suspended until further notice.
The announcement that the NieR Automata anime is delayed said that the renewed spread of COVID-19 has impacted the series’ production schedule. Thus the committee decided to postpone the broadcast of future episodes. Episode 3 aired as scheduled on January 22, 2023, but episode 4 and beyond are officially postponed. Starting on January 28, 2023, viewers in Japan will be able to catch a rerun of the first three episodes of the show. The production committee will announce schedules for the remaining episodes “in the near future” via official channels. The committee also apologized to viewers for the inconvenience and thanked them for their understanding. In a flourish keeping with creator Yoko Taro’s sense of humor, the announcement is credited to the “Council of Humanity,” which is the official name of the anime production committee. In NieR Automata, the forces of YoRHa and the Android Resistance fight in the name of the Council of Humanity, which is based on the moon.
Formally titled NieR Automata Ver1.1a, the NieR Automata anime is an adaptation of the game. Like the game, it tells the story of YoRHa androids 2B, 9S, and A2, fighting a war against Machine Lifeforms in an attempt to retake earth for humankind. The anime incorporates some additional content from the Yoko Taro’s YoRHa stage play (which inspired the game), as well as a manga spin-off Pearl Harbor Descent Record. These additions include characters like the Resistance android Lily.
The NieR Automata anime is delayed until further notice. Viewers outside Japan can watch the existing three episodes on services like Crunchyroll. The game is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
