TV-Series
Description
2B, officially designated YoRHa No. 2 Type B, is a central character in the anime NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a. She is an all-purpose battle android belonging to the YoRHa military force, a squadron created by the remnants of humanity to reclaim Earth from an invading army of Machine Lifeforms. As a Type B model specializing in close-quarters combat, she is dispatched to the planet's surface as part of a large-scale operation known as the 243rd Descent Mission. Standing 168 centimeters tall and weighing approximately 148.8 kilograms, she appears as a young woman with short, stark white hair and grey-blue eyes, typically covered by a black tactical blindfold that serves as her heads-up display. Her distinctive combat attire consists of a high-slit, gothic-inspired black dress, black thigh-high stockings, matching over-the-knee boots with heels, and white gloves. She is usually accompanied by her support unit, Pod 042.
Personality-wise, 2B initially presents as calm, collected, and strictly professional, frequently reiterating that emotions are prohibited for YoRHa units. She carries herself with a focused demeanor, recognizing that any detail not contributing to mission success is largely irrelevant. Beneath this stoic exterior, she possesses a dry, sardonic sense of humor and is capable of deep feeling, kindness, and compassion. She struggles with grief and guilt, often keeping an emotional distance from others as a form of self-protection. The core of her motivation lies in her duty to serve humanity, but this is complicated by a secret directive: her true designation is 2E, an Executioner. Her central mission is to monitor her scanning unit partner, 9S, whose curiosity and emotional openness often lead him to uncover dangerous truths. Whenever 9S learns too much, 2B is ordered to kill him, wiping his memories. This cycle has repeated countless times, and her greatest motivation becomes a desperate wish to protect him.
Within the story, 2B serves as the primary field operative for YoRHa, engaging in key operations such as confronting colossal machine lifeforms, investigating disappearances at an abandoned amusement park, and battling enigmatic machine lifeforms named Adam and Eve. Her role evolves from a simple soldier to a figure questioning the meaning of existence. The most significant relationship in her life is with 9S, whose expressive and inquisitive nature contrasts with her reserved demeanor; she grows genuinely attached to him, calling him by the affectionate nickname Nines in unguarded moments. She also has an antagonistic yet connected relationship with A2, a rogue YoRHa prototype. Over time, 2B gradually surrenders to her own humanity, becoming less rigid, more openly frustrated, and visibly pained by the contradictions of her existence. A pivotal moment occurs when she flies into a rage after seeing 9S tortured, leading to an emotional breakdown that shatters her composed exterior. In her final significant act, when infected with a logic virus, she seeks out A2 to pass on her memories and sword, asking to be killed and for A2 to take care of the future, breaking her cycle of death and rebirth.
In terms of abilities, 2B is a supremely capable close-quarters combatant with superhuman speed, strength, and agility. She proficiently wields a large sword, and her combat style is fluid and graceful. Her Pod provides ranged fire support, including machine gun fire, missile strikes, and special programs such as a blade projection or gravity well. Additionally, her consciousness can be uploaded to the Bunker, the YoRHa orbital base, allowing her to be restored in a new body if her current one is destroyed, though this system is not infallible.
Personality-wise, 2B initially presents as calm, collected, and strictly professional, frequently reiterating that emotions are prohibited for YoRHa units. She carries herself with a focused demeanor, recognizing that any detail not contributing to mission success is largely irrelevant. Beneath this stoic exterior, she possesses a dry, sardonic sense of humor and is capable of deep feeling, kindness, and compassion. She struggles with grief and guilt, often keeping an emotional distance from others as a form of self-protection. The core of her motivation lies in her duty to serve humanity, but this is complicated by a secret directive: her true designation is 2E, an Executioner. Her central mission is to monitor her scanning unit partner, 9S, whose curiosity and emotional openness often lead him to uncover dangerous truths. Whenever 9S learns too much, 2B is ordered to kill him, wiping his memories. This cycle has repeated countless times, and her greatest motivation becomes a desperate wish to protect him.
Within the story, 2B serves as the primary field operative for YoRHa, engaging in key operations such as confronting colossal machine lifeforms, investigating disappearances at an abandoned amusement park, and battling enigmatic machine lifeforms named Adam and Eve. Her role evolves from a simple soldier to a figure questioning the meaning of existence. The most significant relationship in her life is with 9S, whose expressive and inquisitive nature contrasts with her reserved demeanor; she grows genuinely attached to him, calling him by the affectionate nickname Nines in unguarded moments. She also has an antagonistic yet connected relationship with A2, a rogue YoRHa prototype. Over time, 2B gradually surrenders to her own humanity, becoming less rigid, more openly frustrated, and visibly pained by the contradictions of her existence. A pivotal moment occurs when she flies into a rage after seeing 9S tortured, leading to an emotional breakdown that shatters her composed exterior. In her final significant act, when infected with a logic virus, she seeks out A2 to pass on her memories and sword, asking to be killed and for A2 to take care of the future, breaking her cycle of death and rebirth.
In terms of abilities, 2B is a supremely capable close-quarters combatant with superhuman speed, strength, and agility. She proficiently wields a large sword, and her combat style is fluid and graceful. Her Pod provides ranged fire support, including machine gun fire, missile strikes, and special programs such as a blade projection or gravity well. Additionally, her consciousness can be uploaded to the Bunker, the YoRHa orbital base, allowing her to be restored in a new body if her current one is destroyed, though this system is not infallible.