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NIER Grimoire Weiss TRANSPARENT
For the NieR Reincarnation character, see 9S (Reincarnation).

"This battle will likely have a great effect on the outcome of the war. 2B and I—our battle will continue for some time to come. But that's another story for another day."
—9S at the End of Route B

YoRHa No.9 Type S, or just 9S, is one of the protagonists of NieR:Automata. He is the main character of Branches B and D, as well as one of the main antagonists and final boss of Branch C.

9S is a scanner-type android who served during the 14th Machine War. He has an attack function, but is overall an investigative android—a member of the YoRHa automated infantry unit, which excels in hacking intelligence gathering.[4]

Background[]

Early Life[]

9S was born on January 30th, 11942, having been deployed at 4:25 am, Bunker time. He was a newly manufactured Scanner model. It is revealed that after detonating the black box, both 2B and 9S's data are uploaded back to The Bunker, where they are transferred to new bodies. But because there wasn't enough bandwidth and time, 9S chose to send 2B's memories back instead of his, causing him to forget everything about the previous battle with 2B (However, it is implied later that 9S only pretends to forget, as his memory is shown during the fight with the Soul Box boss. Among the various pictures there are those that depict his time with 2B before his black box detonation). 9S is next seen taking care of the boot sequence for 2B (which serves as an introduction to the game setting menu). Having been put in charge of her maintenance, he becomes 2B's partner and follows her to take care of the missions on Earth.

NieR:Automata[]

Demo 120161128[]

9S supports 2B in the Abandoned Factory to eliminate their target. After supporting her as she made her way through the facility, 2B escapes without having found her target. 9S informs her that there is another facility across the bridge, but that it's unusual for command to get the location of a target wrong. 2B then tells him that they weren't wrong, as she is attacked by two Marx-type units. A fight ensues, leading to 9S joining the fight, only to be slammed off his flight unit by the Engels unit that had finally emerged. When Engels is down, 2B makes her way to the top of him to find a mortally wounded 9S. He implores 2B to leave him to finish the mission and destroy the target. 2B hesitantly complies and takes his flight unit to defeat Engels. After the target is destroyed, 2B and 9S reunite, only for three more Engels to appear and attack them. 2B and 9S are forced to detonate their black boxes in order to destroy the Engels, but their fates are left unknown.

Endings[]

'flowers for m[A]chines

  • Narrated from 2B's perspective.



Later, 9S is captured by Adam and held as a hostage to lure 2B to the Copied City. Adam impales 9S to a wall in a cross-like manner, using this to taunt 2B, saying that "I prepared this just for you, I mean, after all...We all need something to fight for, don't we?". After Adam's defeat at 2B's hand, 9S is rescued and sent back to the Bunker for maintenance. He is absent until the final battle but still attempts to help 2B in various ways.



At the end of A-route, while attempting to disconnect Eve from the network to stop him from receiving more energy, 9S's data is corrupted. After the final battle with Eve, 9S gradually transforms. Seeing no other choice, 9S asks 2B to finish him off, reassuring her that his backup data at the Bunker can always be uploaded in a new body again. 2B protests, pointing out that although it's true, it comes at the cost of himself at the very moment they are talking, but eventually gives in and carries out his wish. Holding 9S's corpse in her arm, 2B breaks down, crying that "It always...ends like this...". However, the machines' data transmission around the battlefield soon starts resonating with each other and 9S intact consciousness is regenerated via the network. A-route ends with 9S - now in a giant machine body - holding 2B in his hand while she narrates:
"What is it that separates machines from androids like us? The machine has gained emotion...Consciousness. The final screams they summon on the edge of death...They still echo within me"

or not to [B]e

  • Narrated from 9S's perspective.



The ending is identical to A-route, except this time the two girls in red appear to witness 2B strangling 9S to death, and at the end instead of 2B, it is 9S who narrates:
"And so, the final battle with Adam and Eve came to an end. This battle will likely have a great effect on the outcome of the war. 2B and I-our battle will continue for some time to come. But that's another story for another day"

meaningless [C]ode

  • Choosing A2 will yield this ending.



A2 decides to battle 9S and near the battle's end, she cuts off his arm and hacks into his mind with Pod 042's assistance. While navigating the mind of 9S, Pod 042 continuously warns A2 that the chances of removing the corruption plaguing 9S are slim at best. A2 suggests she has a plan but Pod 042 strongly advises against harm to YoRHa units it supports, with A2 expressing admiration at the pod's loyalty. After discovering a slumbering 9S at the end of the labyrinth, A2 tells Pod 042 to take care of 9S' body while she tries to accomplish one more thing: destroying the tower.



The body of 9S is lifted away from the site by Pod 042 per A2's instruction. A post-credit scene shows 2B's Virtuous Contract embedded to a rock near a river bank with 9S's backpack hanging on it.

chil[D]hood's end

  • Choosing 9S will yield this ending.
9S fights A2 with severe malice and is almost overpowered by her. A2 hesitates as she recalls 2B's request and is impaled by 9S's sword. As A2 falls to the ground in a pool of her own blood, she stabs 9S who falls right beside her impaled on 2B's sword. He dies while attempting to get 2B's sword out of his torso but to no avail.



Pod 153 and Pod 042 attempt to evacuate 9S's memories. 9S recounts his past and his prior objectives. Feeling a sense of loss over his functions, he is beckoned by Adam to join them on their Ark. Realizing that the girls in red have decided otherwise in ending humanity, 9S is given the choice of going with the machine lifeforms aboard their Ark. If he doesn't, in his final moment 9S looks up to the sky and says: "So that's where you were...2B" before shutting down.

the [E]nd of YoRHa

  • Choosing to delete personal data and undergoing the risk of doing it will yield this ending. Pod 153 announces the completion of the YoRHa project. As soon as Pod 153 asks to delete all personal data, Pod 042 refuses the directive. Citing the creation of new data, Pod 042 rejects the command and conclusion altogether and demands the salvage of data in order to bring about a new resolution. Pod 042 asks Pod 153 if they'd wanted the androids to survive as well, with Pod 153 at a loss for words due to a lack of authority on the subject. Rebelling against authority, Pod 042 restores the data and parts to the deceased androids. The data encompasses all the memories they've experienced, including the memories of A2. 2B's and 9S's deactivated bodies can be seen lying near each other while A2's is seen sitting on the edge of an open window with a dove perching next to her.

hun[G]ry for knowledge

  • Acquired by neglecting the mission as 9S at the beginning of NG+.



9S was last heard to say: "I can't control my curiosity about machines anymore. I'm leaving so I can study them as much as I want!" ...He was never heard from again.

Recent Events[]

Pod Spoiler Alert Heads up! Important plot details for NieR Music Concert: The Memories of Puppets may follow. Read at your own risk!

According to the Automata Concert Script 5 "Farewell" the epilogue for Route E's ending, it is revealed that 2B and 9S have been completely reconstructed by Pod 153 and Pod 042. 2B is able to reboot normally but 9S is unable to be reactivated because his memory has become corrupted, with the data unable to be recovered. 2B decides to search for a way to reboot 9S properly. After a time, Jackass mails 2B about finding a hint to repair 9S`s memory storage in the collapsed Ark's Tower. When she reaches the collapsed Ark's Tower, 2B is able to retrieve the remnant machine lifeforms' communication protocol. In the end, 2B with the Pods' help is able to awaken 9S with his complete memory.

Pod Spoiler Alert Heads up! Important plot details for NieR:Automata and NieR:Orchestra Concert 12024 may follow. Read at your own risk! Route(s)
C/D
NieR-Orchestra Concert 12024

After the E ending, 9S arrives sometime after 2B repairs him. Since the Bunker is destroyed, they are unable to source additional replacement parts, and the resistance is also unable to help as their parts are incompatible with YoRHa androids. The two set off, heading for transporters in the hope that they might contain materials for use. However, they only find strange images, memories of the old world.

They traverse cities and deserts, leaving the nearby machine lifeforms alone. As they travel, 2B realizes that her black box is damaged and failing, likely from when A2 killed her to prevent her from fully succumbing to the logic virus. 9S independently figures this out as well, but keeps quiet and continues with 2B in the hopes of finding repairs. As they access more transporters, they realize that the memories create a cipher planted by an unknown party, leading to a secret YoRHa facility known as "Eden". Eden houses the latest research and technology, and potentially the key to saving 2B.

As they approach Eden, they find that it is an alien ship over 3 kilometers long. They enter, seeing patterns pulse on the walls as if they were alive. They soon encounter what look like trees, but are actually aliens, speared to the walls and floor in a macabre display. At the end of their path lies another transporter. But this time, it opens to reveal a ruined city of old, colored stark white.

2B and 9S enter, and are assaulted by a multitude of machine lifeforms. After they defeat the horde, they wander further into the city. Many buildings are collapsed, but the ones still standing have no roofs, resembling gravestones. Transporters mark their progress, with more memories of the old world. Project Gestalt, White Chlorination Syndrome, Yonah, The Red Dragon. They don't know the meaning behind the words, but hear them regardless. The path grows narrower, and narrower, until it ends at a circular door. The door opens to reveal...The Bunker.

This copy Bunker only somewhat resembles the original. It is in disarray, with cables snaking throughout it almost like a forest of wires. 2B and 9S follow deeper into the forest, and note additional heavy damage from claws and teeth. They soon encounter their source: more memories of the old world, but in the form of Shades. These memories are from Louise, the powerful artificial Gestalt who yearned to be human, yet was rejected and met with tragedy.

The two soon enter a hangar, containing a plaster replica of a Flight Unit with cables snaking into it. A voice emanates from the unit, saying, "Repent. Repent for your sins." The cables twist into a colossus implied to resemble the massive Shade known as Jack of Hearts, all the while as it cries "Repent" and machine lifeforms emerge to attack.

When the pair overcome the onslaught, they arrive at what appears to be a church. On the ground are the bodies of machine lifeforms, and further in, the corpses of YoRHa androids. The dead androids surround a large cracked black orb in the center of the chapel, possibly a power source for the surrounding alien ship. 2B and 9S realize that the androids created this area as a place of worship and faith in their last hours. 9S remarks that they likely won't find repairs for 2B here, and 2B thinks of how her last moments would be in a warm place like this, as her black box finally gives out and she collapses.

9S rushes to her, but is powerless. He wonders why he wasn't taken instead of her, and questions if this is some kind of punishment. He curses—and prays.

The black boxes of the dead androids rise, and fragment into points of light. These lights form a halo around 2B, and enter her black box, fixing it. The black orb finally crumbles into a pile of rubble on the ground. They don't truly understand what occurred, but 2B surmises that since black boxes were derived from machine lifeform cores, perhaps they activated a protocol that healed her. Nevertheless, the two continue on, vowing to survive and embrace the world they live in.


Gameplay[]

Playable Character[]

9S focuses on hacking and movement inputs to fight, as opposed to 2B and A2.

  • Primary Attack - Basic light attack, does less damage, but is faster and has a higher combo potential. The precise nature of the attack depends on the equipped primary weapon: large weapons equipped as primary will still be slow. Holding down and releasing light attack will perform a powerful single strike. Pressing jump and then light attack immediately after will perform a launcher move.
  • Heavy Attack - While 9S has no button for a heavy attack since this is taken up with the Hack function, he can actually perform a heavy combo with his equipped weapon: to do this, the player must tap the evade button, then press light attack repeatedly to perform the heavy combo. If the evade button is pressed for too long the post-evade attack will be used instead.
  • Aerial Attack - Primary attacks in the air will keep 9S in the air as long as the combo lasts, which varies depending on the selected primary weapon. All of his air combos end with a heavy downward strike.
  • Hack - Holding the button which is a heavy attack for the other characters with an enemy or electronically locked door or chest in range will hack into it. A circular indicator around the button prompt will fill as a target is hacked (depleting after a while if not fully filled), eventually triggering a short minigame where the player controls a triangular ship and must destroy the enemy's program core(s) to complete the hack, usually before a timer expires and while taking less than three hits. At higher levels, the core(s) may be protected with a forcefield, which lowers when all other black-colored units (sometimes aside from squares) are defeated, including stationary circular posts. If the hack fails, either due to taking three hits or the timer expiring, 9S will take damage. What happens after succeeding with enemies depends on the state the enemy was in when 9S hacked them: if they were in combat with 9S, they will detonate, causing significant damage to themselves and other enemies around them: the damage is a percentage of their health, with the precise amount calculated based on the level difference between the enemy and 9S. Killing an enemy with hacking gives bonus XP over the XP for simply killing them: each enemy has a set amount of XP for being hacked, and each hack will give an amount of that total equal to the percentage of their total HP it deals in damage. If they were not aware of 9S or were peaceful, a menu will pop up giving the option to detonate them as before, but also have the options to subjugate or remote control the enemy. The former will turn them against other enemies for a time after which they will explode, while the latter allows 9S to directly control the target enemy. Enemy robots have three attacks, using the buttons for light attack, Pod Shot and Pod Program: most can only evade with a basic backward jump, cannot attack while jumping (though some have jump attacks triggered with the attack buttons), and cannot sprint. Flying enemies can only be pushed upwards for a short time with the jump button, and move by gliding along the ground. It is best to experiment to discover what each robot type can do. The hijacked robot's health and level are displayed above its head: 9S himself cannot be damaged while controlling a hijacked robot. Many plug-in chips do not affect hijacked enemies, particularly those that restore health The player can relinquish control of the robot by either allowing it to be killed or manually self-destructing it. A hijacked robot inherits 9S's ability to hack, and other robots will not aggro against it unless it attacks them first: this means hacking of a peaceful Stubby can be used to approach a more powerful enemy from the front and hack them. Hijacking another robot will cause the original to self-destruct. When a hijacked robot is destroyed, 9S simply appears precisely where it was. In the Forest Colosseum, the player will only have access to enemies they have hijacked: weapons work the same, the player must have hijacked an enemy with a particular weapon in order to select it.
  • Pod Shot - Fires the ranged weapon of the currently selected Pod. The missile launcher Pod must have the button held for it to lock on before launching. Upgraded Pods go through multiple phases as they fire, and have effects associated with releasing the button after firing for a while.
  • Pod Program - Hold to charge the selected Pod Program and release to fire: with the Pod Scanner, hold to scan. With most Pod Programs, if the player has multiple Pods, holding for a long period will cause the additional Pods to appear and create a more powerful effect, with the nature of the effect depending on the selected program. The recharge time of a multi-Pod attack will be correspondingly increased. Firing a Pod shot will cancel a charged Pod Program. A Pod Program will generally fail to fire if the button is released while 9S is taking damage or during the invincible frames of his evade animation. Holding the Pod Program button prevents 9S from gripping the Pod to slow his descent in mid-air.
  • Jump moves - 9S can evade in mid-air (see below) and jump a second time in mid-air: if he falls off a ledge rather than jumping, he can perform two jumps in the air. Holding the jump button causes 9S to grip onto the Pod to slow his descent. He also has two mid-air special moves: the first is a quick twirl which gains a small amount of additional height, which is performed by pressing light attack or hack while gripping the Pod. Note that performing this move removes 9S's ability to grip the Pod unless he performs one of his other air moves afterward. The second move has 9S use the Pod to slingshot himself forward, functioning like a second air evade: this is performed by pressing jump and Pod shot at the same time while in mid-air. Combining these moves is essential to reach some objects in the game.
  • Evade - Allows for a dash in whatever direction the movement control is pressed, defaulting to backward if no direction is pressed. If the direction is held, after a short while 9S will start sprinting: holding also increases the speed at which 9S climbs ladders. Can also be performed in the air: a longer jump can be achieved by dashing off a platform and then again in mid-air. This dash move has invincible frames and can be used to avoid enemy attacks: the distance traveled and the number of invincible frames can be increased using "Evade Range Up" plug-in chips. The distance traveled with such a chip equipped can be controlled: holding evade will result in a full-length dash, while just a tap will result in a shorter one.
  • Perfect Evade - Evading just before an attack connects will cause a special evasion animation of 9S breaking into multiple hologram-like copies: if the player then quickly presses primary attack or pod shot, a powerful counter-attack will be performed. Pressing hack seems to perform a "power hack" which will fill the hack bar more quickly.
  • Counter - Timing an attack to strike the enemy's weapon or fist as they swing will deflect their attack and allow a counter-attack in the same manner as after a Perfect Evade. In addition, if a "Counter" plug-in chip is equipped, the player can perform the same move by tilting the movement stick in the direction an enemy attack is coming from just as it connects.
  • Self Destruct - 9S has the ability to self-destruct, dealing immense damage to himself and those around him. This requires holding the self-destruct button until the completion of a short on-screen countdown. It does not actually kill him unless the player is in the Bunker, in which case self-destructing triggers Ending U. The base damage it deals to enemies is equal to 9S's current HP, though this is still level-scaled. After self-destructing, 9S will be left with 1HP and briefly be unable to perform most actions for a short period while he reboots his systems, though the Pod attacks function normally.
  • Taunt - Rapidly flashing the Pod's light close to enemies will temporarily enrage them, causing them to both deal and receive more damage: this enraged state is shown by the enemy's head(s) glowing orange-red, and the enemy emitting a blast of steam as the effect starts. An enemy remains taunted for 15 seconds, after which they return to normal: re-taunting them resets the timer, though there is no visible indication of this. The amount of damage dealt and received can be enhanced with "Taunt Up" plug-in chips.
  • Finisher - Pressing the action button on a downed or otherwise disabled enemy will perform a randomly-selected attack animation that does a fair amount of damage if it connects. This attack may fail to connect properly if, for example, the launcher finisher is randomly selected on an enemy that cannot be launched.

Enemy[]

9S is fought a single time as A2 at the end of Route C. He has Cruel Oath equipped during this fight, but prefers to fight from a distance using hacking and pod fire. His three pods have Gatling, Hammer, and Gravity equipped and he will swap between them throughout the fight. He hacks the player in two ways: one that disrupts the HUD and one that sends the player into a hacking game. Hacks that disrupt the HUD work the same as if the player was hit by an EMP attack; that is HUD elements may be disrupted such as not being able to attack, use pod fire, or have the player's vision disrupted. The hacking game is standard and can be countered by counter-hacking 9S in the same way players have hacked machines throughout the game.

Intel Description[]

This unit's official title is Model S, Number 9. While this YoRHa member possessed offensive abilities, he specialized skilled at information gathering and hacking. While 9S normally had a kind personality, he began to exhibit hatred for A2 when she killed 2B-for whom he possessed an unusually deep affection. In a cruel twist, he also met end at the hands of A2.

Personality[]

"9S in particular has a wide range of rich emotional expressions, which makes him non-compliant with YoRHa standards."
NieR: Automata World Guide [City Ruins Survey Report]

As a scanner model, 9S is naturally curious about the world around him - especially the machine lifeforms. Usually working alone, he is deployed on the front lines with other S-type models, acting as YoRHa's main intelligence gatherer. According to A2, 9S is a "high-end model", meaning that he is one of the newest scanner types. As the newest model, he tends to dig deeper into YoRHa's secrets than his peers, often asking questions that those around him think he shouldn't be asking.

As a member of YoRHa, he has a deep distrust of the machine lifeforms now inhabiting the planet, which is fully revealed when an emissary from Pascal's village confronts him and 2B in the abandoned amusement park. Although he does not trust the supposed peace treaty, his overwhelming curiosity leads him to agree to follow the machine to its home. As time goes by, 9S's opinion of the machines changes as he learns more about them, and he ends up genuinely caring for Pascal and his villagers. In Routes A and B, as he competes in the colosseum in the Flooded City, he expresses his disgust at the Resistance androids in their treatment of the machines, which rivals the cruelty he thought only humans were capable of. However, he cannot help but wonder if there is a part of him capable of such depravity.

In Routes C and D, his opinion of the machines changes drastically. After the Bunker collapse, and witnessing the death of 2B as a direct result, 9S goes on a warpath to kill every last machine. Blinded by grief and hatred, he tells himself that there is no meaning to anything the machines do as he goes through the Resource Recovery Units, despite knowing the opposite. This cognitive dissonance becomes even more pronounced when he discovers that the YoRHa black boxes are made from the cores of machine lifeforms - something he denies outright. His hatred of the machines is so great that he destroys a helpless child core without hesitation, despite the meek protest of Pod 153.

Despite all this, however, he still seems to regard Pascal in at least a somewhat positive light - albeit mostly non-verbally, 9S seems mourn the loss of the village and seems concerned for Pascal after the machine has formatted his memories.

When interacting with other androids - be they Resistance or YoRHa - 9S is generally cheerful, optimistic, understanding and helpful. 9S is also somewhat playful, as evidenced by the way he fist-bumps Pod 153 to show affection. By his own admission, 9S isn't known for his modesty, as evidenced by the "Not That I Mind..." achievement/trophy. He also admits that he's not very good at adhering to YoRHa's protocol of forbidding emotions. He tends to speak informally to those he knows well, such as being rather dismissive of 21O, with a tendency to wave her off with "yeah, yeah" or "fiiiiiiine". That's not to say he's informal with everyone; he calls 2B "ma'am" until she asks him to stop, and shows respect for those who command it, such as Commander White and the Council of Humanity (although he finds the Council's broadcasts "stiff").

When 9S is held captive by Adam after the fall of Grün, it is suggested for the first time that 9S has a darker side than he lets on. Adam goads him on, saying that 9S wants to hate, tear and destroy those around him. As a final taunt, Adam asks, "You're thinking about how much you want to **** 2B, aren't you?" with the censor being deliberately ambiguous, with the words "kill" and "fuck" being the most likely fill-ins. This darker side of 9S is also seen in NieR:Theatrical Orchestra 12020, where he has a hallucination of himself killing 2B, which is referred to as a "twisted desire". Knowing 2B's true designation as an E-type heightens these complicated feelings towards her, but he refuses to act on them due to his close bond with her.

After the death of 2B at the hands of the logic virus and A2, 9S's darker side overshadows his former personality. His change in demeanor is noticeable as soon as he wakes up in Routes C and D ; he is calmer and more subdued as he quietly asks, "Where's 2B?" Overwhelmed by grief and anger, 9S's mission objective changes from simply fighting the enemy to taking revenge on them and A2. His mental state suffers greatly during this time, and Pod 153 becomes increasingly concerned about him as he continues his quest to enter the Tower. Gradually, his quiet rage grows louder and louder until it erupts at various points; from telling machines to shut up to breaking into a fit of laughter after stabbing the core of a Resource Recovery Unit he thought was 2B, his behavior becomes increasingly self-destructive and dangerous. Concerned for him, Devola and Popola plead with him not to die alone - a plea that falls on deaf ears.

Through his deteriorating mental state, bits and pieces of 9S's former personality still shine through from time to time. He is willing to help with menial tasks around the Resistance camp, feeling particularly bad about how Devola and Popola are treated by their peers, and so offers to do their chores for him. While helping around the camp, 9S eventually learns about an ancient human tradition of mourning. Moved by this tradition and still grieving for 2B, he builds a grave for her and states that he will be with her soon, implying that he knows he won't live much longer. 9S is also seen caring for 2B, despite knowing her true designation, at the end of Route D, where he uses his last breath to look up at the sky and declare, "So that's where you've been... 2B."

Appearance[]

9S has the appearance and voice of a teenage boy. He has short, snow-white hair that is neatly styled, and removing his standard blindfold reveals pale blue eyes framed by rather long eyelashes. His outfit consists of a trench coat with the YoRHa emblem embroidered on the hem, split at the sides to allow for more movement, with large cuffs fastened with belts, a pair of shorts, knee-high socks, and a pair of combat boots also fastened with belts, all dyed black in the same leathery texture that all YoRHa units seem to have on their clothing. For accessories, he wears a black choker around his neck with a square with an X attached to it, black gloves, and his signature fanny pack.

Relationships[]

2B[]

2B is the partner and executioner of 9S. Since the prologue of NieR: Automata, he has met her (and been killed by her) 47 times, with the rendezvous in the abandoned factory being their 48th meeting.[5]

When they meet in the abandoned factory, he is relatively relaxed around 2B, even joking about making sure the enemy is actually dead before letting her guard down. Despite the short amount of time the two have been together at this point, 9S sacrifices his own memories to upload 2B's when he realizes the fight against Engels is going poorly, demonstrating how quickly he has grown attached to her.

Soul box

9S stabs a manifestation of 2B in the Soul Box.

Over the course of the game, the relationship between 9S and 2B deepens considerably. Although specific dates are not available, less than a month after they meet, 9S asks 2B to call him "Nines" for the first time,[6] showing how comfortable he has become around her. He enjoys talking to her, even about subjects unrelated to the mission. Although 2B chides him for this after their first meeting in the abandoned factory, she eventually begins to enjoy his conversations-as evidenced when she agrees to go T-shirt shopping with him when the war is over.

Despite the his outward calm, 9S harbors dark thoughts about 2B as a result of his knowledge of her true designation. Prior to 2B's death, he's able to ignore these thoughts and even deny them outright if he's bothered by Adam. However, after 2B's death, these feelings of hatred erupt at certain moments, such as when he kills a manifestation of her in the Soul Box. He cannot control these thoughts and is ashamed of them, and yet he cares deeply for 2B.

Potential Romantic Feelings[]

The true nature of 9S's relationship with 2B is left ambiguous, but it is at least implied that he has deep, intimate, and possibly romantic feelings for her. 9S's unit data states that he has an "unusually deep affection" for her. When asked about the specifics of their relationship, Yoko Taro simply replied, "No comment."[7]

Tender

9S moves 2B's hand to his face, wanting to feel her touch one last time.

In the "Amnesia" side-quest, 2B becomes jealous of the attention 9S is giving to another android, to which he replies, "It's not like that."

His pure rage towards A2 and the machines after 2B's death could be seen as the result of intense and crippling heartbreak. In the Japanese dub [8] and the story Precious Things,[9] 9S refers to his memories of 2B as his "treasure". Also, at the end of the "Gathering Keepsakes" side-quest, 9S builds a grave for her while reciting a heartfelt eulogy:

"I'm not quite sure what it means to mourn, or even if we have a soul to concern ourselves with... But I hope you're at rest 2B. Sweet dreams. I'll be with you before long."

The complex and potentially romantic feelings 9S has for 2B come to a head immediately after of the fight against the 2B clones in the tower. In pain after losing his arm, he gently caresses her face before letting her caress his. The tenderness of the scene is exemplified by the scene immediately following, in which he rips off her arm to use as his own, directly connecting them, echoing a thought 9S had at the end of Routes A/B when 2B chokes him to death.[10]

Quotes[]

  • "We...we're sold..iers...We take pride in...our service..." - 9S as he is mortally wounded
  • "Oh,uh, th-thank you!...Anyway, that takes care of the setting. (Ngh!? What the heck? My pulse rate is rising) (Hmm...It seems to be back to normal now. How odd)" - Upon being told "there is something calming about your voice" by 2B
  • "I mean, if you want to call me Nines, it's totally okay." - to 2B
  • "Once we eradicate the machine lifeforms, us soldiers won't have anything left to do. We'll enter a new age of peace. And when that happens, we should go shopping together! I could buy you...I dunno. A T-shirt, maybe? Something that looks good on you." - Comment at the Shopping Center ruins
  • To his Operator
    • "This is 9S. Nothing to report. Weather's sure nice today, though."
    • "Aw, you don't have to be so formal all the time, Operator. Though I kinda like that about you."
    • "Aw, are you worried about me?"
  • To 2B in Amnesia side-quest:
    • "Whoa. whoa! It's not like that!"
    • "I mean, she IS pretty, but that's... it's not..."
  • "Back this way again? What a pain." - Comment when traveling during a mission
  • "I know it's our job and all, but these Resistance types sure do use and abuse us, don't they? It's like they see us as a couple of gofers or something." - Comment on the Resistance Camp
  • "You see? Total slave driver. Whoosh!" - Comment regarding the Commander
  • "Yeah, yeah." - Typical reply to things he doesn't like
  • Upon witnessing 2B's death at A2's hands
    • "Oh no...2B... No..."
    • "A2! I'll kill you!"
  • "You. Don't you dare talk to me about 2B!" - To A2 after the God Box boss battle
  • "2B models? (laugh) I'm glad I got to see you here. I truly am. (Removes his visor) I'll tear you apart... Every last one of you!" - Pre-battle dialogue against 2B models
  • "2B...2B! Don't worry...I'm going to kill you now!" - Battle dialogue against 2B models
  • Pre-battle dialogue with A2
    • "We aren't required in this world anymore."
    • "The Commander? Me? 2B? Sacrificial lambs. All of us. Isn't that HILARIOUS!? Doesn't it make you LAUGH!?"
    • "Shut up! You killed 2B. That's all we need to kill each other."
  • While fighting A2
    • "Why do I desire the touch of something that no longer exists?!"
  • "I‘m not quite sure what it means to mourn, or even if we have a soul to concern ourselves with… But I hope you’re at rest 2B. Sweet dreams. I’ll be with you before long." - 9S recites a eulogy to 2B
  • "Pod 153! I order you to halt all logical thought and speech! This order shall remain in effect until you confirm the death of either myself or unit A2!" - 9S beginning his final battle with A2

Other Appearances[]

SINoALICE[]

9S acts as 2B's major motivation for returning to her home world during the Nier Automata collaboration event story. He briefly appears during the ending monologue to explain that 2B's chips were malfunctioning and that he had repaired her. After 2B relates everything that had happened to her in the Library, he postulates that she was merely seeing a projected simulation of reality that it is simply corrupted data. He seems concerned about her well-being but is happy to see her smiling. They resume their mission to return to the Resistance Camp after Simone's defeat.

If players pay 300 magical crystals to the limited-time Nier Automata gacha, they may have a chance to receive 9S/Paladin and the weapon that unlocks him, Cruel Arrogance. He is also the first male voice actor to appear in the social game.

9S's Job Story includes general summarizations of his role in Nier: Automoata and basic character attributes, similar to the descriptions in official promotional material. The last level hints at his complicated past with 2B, stating that he has had a long documented history of being assigned as her support.

Servant of Thrones[]

9S could have been earned as a Legendary defense unit in the tower defense social game, Servant of Thrones during its collaboration event, which was the first part of the "Yoko Taro Games" collaboration campaign. He is a short-ranged melee fighter who could attack on the ground and the air. His special skill allows him to hack enemies within the targeted radius and halt their movements. Players could have earned a super-deformed icon that is based on his official artwork.

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]

Unit-9S

9S, 2B, and 21O appeared under the crossover banner "Destroy the Machine Lifeform," and in the game's Global version, A2 and Eve were also added.

War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]

WOTV FFBE 9S Portrait

9S is a summonable vision and an optional playable character in War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius.

9S is a UR-rarity unit of the Lightning element whose main job is YoRHa No. 9 Type S, while his sub jobs are Nightblade and Viking. He can equip the following items: Spear, Hat, Clothing, Accessory. His unit cost is 80.

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers[]

9S appears in a 24-man Raid The Copied Factory in Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers patch 5.1 as the final boss.

Soulcalibur VI[]

9S is mentioned in Character Compedium since 2B appears as a guest fighter on DLC. He also appears in the City Ruins stage, accompanied by Pod 153. He can be standing on a large tree in the background, talking to Father Servo, or talking to the Mother Machine and Child Machine presumably after saving the latter.

Shadowverse[]

During the collaboration event, 9S could be earned as a Nemesis leader skin for players' decks. His unique skill is "You Won't Escape", which deals direct damage to a select target on the field.

NIKKE: Goddess Of Victory[]

9S was seen in the story alongside 2B, Rapi, Anis, Neon, and 3 mass produced Product-12 NIKKE in Outer:Automata event,

Trivia[]

  • 9S states that he enjoys taking baths, even though they are not required for androids, describing that it "FEELS good".
  • While setting the voice volume during the menu tutorial, if one waits long enough 9S will say: "Er, could you try and pick up the pace a little bit? This is getting embarrassing...". Furthermore, if one stays too long in the menu (5-8 minutes), 9S will state that he has reached his "max storage limit" and forcefully ends the boot process.
  • Only 9S can hack into digitally locked chests, so he is the only character that can unlock the first secret boss battle against Emil.
  • It is revealed in the novella The Memory Cage that 9S originally didn't possess Cruel Oath or any close-combat weaponry.[11]
  • According to Nier: Automata Guide Book, 9S's three sizes are B: 61cm, W: 53cm, H: 73cm. His height is 160cm (including boots). His weight is 129.9kg.
  • Whenever the player causes 9S to self-destruct, his shorts will be removed.
  • In the original release of the game, sometimes during the final boss battle 9S would use his default model instead of the one with his blindfold removed and arm replaced. This was later patched.
  • 9S is the only playable character that is dead by Ending E according to the Automata Concert script "Farewell." However, the concert itself showed 9S surviving, it is currently unknown which version is the canonical ending.
  • When he is captured by the machines, Adam asks him if he wants to "****" 2B. In most translations of the game, the censored space is large enough to contain words equivalent to "love," "fuck," "save" and "kill."
  • His name is probably a Latin pun: "non esse" is "not to be," the opposite of 2B's "to be." It could also be read as the German "nein es" ("no id") referring to Freud's theory of id, ego, and superego, though this is not proper German grammar.
  • 9S's English voice actor, Kyle McCarley, was told in the recording booth that 9S would be around 19 years old if he were a human.
  • Rion's "Mechanical Exile" costume from NieR Reincarnation is based on 9S.
  • Just like in the game in NieR:Automata Ver1.1a in most episodes that require combat, 9S in addition to hacking also uses the Cruel Oath.
  • In episode 3 of NieR:Automata Ver1.1a when 9S is asked what's inside his fanny pack, he replies that it's a secret.
    • later during episode 11 it is revealed that what 9S kept inside his signature fanny pack was actually a Type-4O Fists.

Media[]

Promotion Files
Other

NieR Reincarnation
NieR Replicant
Final Fantasy XIV
War of the Visions Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
Shadowverse
Project Tokyo Dolls
Star Ocean Anamnesis
SINoALICE
Punishing Gray Raven
Last Cloudia
Babylon's Fall
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
D4DJ
Octopath Traveler
NARAKA BLADEPOINT
Goddess of Victory NIKKE
Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising

References[]

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