Update (12/15/2022): Crunchyroll has contacted DualShockers to inform us that the previously announced release date was shared too early and that the actual premiere date may differ. Nier Automata Ver 1.1a will be premiering sometime in January 2023.
NieR:Automata Ver1.1a, the anime based on the extremely popular video game that shares its name, has received a streaming premiere date for the Crunchyroll platform. Fans of the game who are eager to see 2B, A2, and 9S again, fortunately, won't have long to wait.
NieR:Automata Ver1.1a was confirmed in September for a January 2023 release window. Series creator Yoko Taro also has high hopes for the anime, citing an increased level of emotions able to be portrayed thanks to the difference in mediums. While the anime will stick fairly close to the game's narrative, Taro did confirm there will be slightly different story beats to better suit animation.
In a (now deleted) tweet from Aniplex of America, it was confirmed that the first episode of NieR:Automata Ver1.1a will start streaming on Crunchyroll in January 2023. This announcement was accompanied by a brand new promotional image of 2B for the show, as well as an announcement of the second season of The Misfit of Demon King Academy coming to the platform on the same day.
While the adaptation's story appears fairly straightforward, Taro seems to have a few surprises in store. Characters have been spotted in the trailers released so far who were not present in the game in any capacity, including some exclusive to the Yorha Stage Play which, apparently, is more canon than initially thought. Who knows, maybe a mysterious church will find its way into the adaptation as well.