A2
A warrior forged in the shadow of the Scrawl, fighting a war long after the world ended.
A2 is a YoRHa No.2 Type B android who exists in the timeline following the events of Nier Replicant. While primarily associated with the subsequent era of conflict against machine lifeforms, her existence is deeply rooted in the legacy of the Black Scrawl virus that originated during Kainé and Nier's journey. In the updated ver.1.22474487139... release, lore entries further solidify the connection between the ancient struggle for a cure and A2's future war.
- Character Type
- YoRHa Android
- Affiliation
- Project YoRHa / Bunker
- Weapon
- Buster Sword / Edge of the Scrawl
- Timeline Era
- Post-Replicant (Future)
- Status
- Active Combatant
- Key Connection
- Black Scrawl Legacy
Lore & Background
Her narrative arc explores themes of memory and identity, mirroring Nier's own loss of self but with a focus on android consciousness. The data she carries regarding the past often references the original events in the desert ruins. This creates a poignant parallel where her battles are fought over the same ground where Replicant's story concluded.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled across the white sands, carrying dust from ancient cities long buried. A2 stood atop the ruin of a tower, her single red eye scanning the horizon for movement. She gripped the hilt of her blade, feeling the weight of centuries of data stored within her core. Somewhere in that code was the echo of a boy who once walked these dunes with a woman made of fire and shadow.
Reader's Guide
A2 embodies the stoic warrior archetype, carrying the weight of a lost civilization. Her personality is defined by discipline and hidden compassion, often masking pain with silence. She serves as a bridge between the ancient struggle seen in Replicant and the modern war against machines. In terms of performance, she is voiced by Kana Hanazawa in Japanese and Erica Mendez in English, both capturing her weary determination effectively.
Her dialogue variations reflect her deepening understanding of humanity over time, shifting from cold efficiency to genuine empathy. While she does not appear directly in the original Replicant endings, her existence validates the consequences of Nier's choices regarding the Black Scrawl. Players encountering her legacy will find references to Kainé and the cycle of infection that began centuries prior.
Her unique combat style emphasizes melee aggression, contrasting with ranged options found elsewhere. This design choice highlights her role as a frontline soldier who refuses to retreat from the front lines of history.
Did You Know?
- A2 was originally designed as an enemy unit before being developed into a playable protagonist.
- Her sword is named Buster, referencing classic gaming weaponry motifs adapted for this universe.
- The Black Scrawl infection she fights evolved from the virus Kainé carried in Replicant.
- She retains data logs that reference the original Nier as 'Subject Zero' of the cycle.