＊ This is a massively incomplete post. Please check again soon.
There was a live broadcast to advertise the release of the concert on blu-ray… but there were several AWESOME announcements!! Here’s a couple pics from the broadcast!
▲ Arranged & Unreleased Tracks (2 Discs) to be released on December 20, 2017 – Tower Records
▲ Official music will be available in Joysound karaoke!!
Kaine / Salvation
Emil / Sacrifice
Ashes of Dreams
Song of the Ancients / Fate
Song of the Ancients / Devola
Weight of the World
Amusement Park
Pascal
Possessed by Disease
Emil’s Shop
▲ Official piano score book will be released on September 27th with an official guitar solo & band score available sometime after.
▲ New official merch!! Emil / YoRHa headphones, Emil / Bio-machine cushion, 2B / 9S timepiece, Emil Headlight.
▲ Closer look at the cushion!
▲ 3 color variations of the bracelet: all black, all red, mixed colors.
▶︎ 9S figure.
▲ “A Short Story” novel due out on October 24th, 2017.
▲ The return of that highly praised stage play is coming back!!!
▲ Musical YoRHa Ver.1.2
▲ 8 shows from Friday, February 9 through Tuesday, February 13 at the THEATER1010 in Kitasenju.
▲ Tickets go on sale at the end of October!!!
▲ Follow the new official Twitter for the stage plays!! @YoRHa_STAGE
▲ Plus an original stage play spin off… ▲ Stage Play YoRHa Boys Ver 1.0
This was originally hinted at during the SQEX Cafe 2nd Live Broadcast.
▲ This play will run through Wednesday, January 31 through Sunday, February 4th at the Rikkoukai Hall in Shinbanba.
▲ Tickets will also become available at the end of October.
▲ Here’s a look at the new visual art for both the new musical and the new stage play.
▲ Catch Phrases
Musical: YoRHa Ver 1.2 – “Kill Life”
Stage Play: YoRHa Boys Ver 1.0 – “Attack the Soul”
I’ve been extremely busy / tired from work and other stuff going on recently that I haven’t been able to keep up with this site all that much. I’ve got a lot of projects sitting on the back burner that I don’t see myself getting to any time soon. *sigh*
That being said, I’ve also been riding on a wave of hype over the news of .hack//G.U. Last Recode. I was a huge .hack fan back in the day and it was one of the first series that I played entirely in Japanese after I moved to Japan in 2005. G.U. especially holds a soft-spot in my heart for various reasons that I won’t get into here, but… just know that I’ve been hoping that something *good* would become of the series eventually, especially after the atrocity that was Link and Quantum. *sigh*
Anyway, a couple days ago, CC2 shared a little sample of the Drama CD “Innocent Call” that will be bundled with the special edition of the game. I meant to translate it the day it was uploaded on their site, but, alas… work / life happened and I forgot about it.
At any rate, I finally got it done tonight… So, here it is!
Note: I use the original Japanese name for Zelkova, which is Keyaki…
■ .hack//G.U. Last Recode Drama CD “Innocent Call” The Sealing of the Terror of Death, and A Plea Over Coffee
Keyaki:Haseo-san, I shall seal Skeith. Your Avatar should not be allowed to exist in this world. After absorbing all the other Epitaphs, Skeith has become far too powerful. It could very well bring forth the Anti-Existence…
Keyaki: I’ve been waiting for you, Haseo-san. Have you come to a decision?
Haseo: Yes. I was confused when you told me last night, but… My character, Haseo… has obtained a power so great that it can warp the very fabric of The World… In time, I’ve come to realize that. But… *guh*
Keyaki: It’s all right, Haseo-san.
Haseo: Eh?
Keyaki: The power bestowed upon you in this world is not simply the power of the Epitaph. In fact, it ought to be a sort of “key” to help you achieve your final purpose. Or at least… that’s what I believe.
Haseo: My final… purpose?
Keyaki: In any case, would you lie flat upon the table. And just like the time with your Xth form… please try to relax.
Haseo: My final… purpose. That’s right, there’s still something I must do. Purpose… That hasn’t ever changed, even from the very beginning. In order to achieve that goal, I continued to search out more power. To never lose to anyone. To become stronger than anyone else… And yet… I couldn’t have ever fathomed it. By achieving that very power, I’d have to give it up…
Keyaki: Haseo-san, the procedure is complete. You are no longer an Epitaph User. Your character, Haseo, has been returned to a regular player character.
———————————————————————————————
Waitress: Sorry for the wait. Here’s your two coffees.
Reiko Saeki (Pi): This is a rare occasion, contacting me in the real world like this.
Ryo Misaki (Haseo): I’m sorry to ask you to meet me.
Reiko: So, what did you want to talk about?
Ryo: About that… I, uh…
Reiko: *sigh* Haseo no longer has the power of the Epitaph, isn’t that right?
Ryo: How did you…?
Reiko: From Keyaki. He received a message from the Serpent of Lore regarding the necessity of sealing Haseo’s Epitaph. It was before I quit CC Corp, but… Ovan possessed a massive amount of energy within his left arm, and with just his own PC data, he laid waste upon an entire area. Even still, Haseo’s Xth form possessed far greater data– an enormous amount that should not have been possible with a single PC. I think Keyaki’s judgement was correct. There was a high probability that if you continued to use Haseo like that, the results would hardly be favorable, for both the world… or yourself.
Ryo: Saeki-san. I heard from Kuhn… er, Kasumi-san, that you started to work for NAB, the Network Analysis Bureau. NAB is an organization that oversees large-scale networks like The World, right?
I went early to the first day of the Summer Comic Market (aka comiket / comike) to pick up the new merchandise! I was worried that it would all be sold out by the time I got there, but it was okay!! I managed to get one of each without a problem! Here’s a look at what was available (and may later be released on the SQEX e-STORE at a later date):
I just got the novel and flipped through it today. It was 318 pages and seems to follow the narrative of the game well from what I’ve skimmed through thus far.
＊ Any mistakes or further details will be updated ASAP! <3
■ Table of Contents and More
Prologue
Chapter 1: 2B’s Story – Activation
Chapter 2: 2B’s Story – Resonance
Chapter 3: 2B’s Story – Contact
Chapter 4: 2B’s Story – Alienation
Chapter 5: 2B’s Story – Confrontation
Chapter 6: 2B’s Story – Reunion (Ending A/B)
Chapter 7: 9S’s Story – Loss
Chapter 8: 9S’s Story – Pilgrimage
Chapter 9: 9S’s Story – Obsession
Chapter 10: 9S’s Story – The Truth (Ending D)
Epilogue
There are several “side” moments in chapters that give a personal look into the character’s thoughts and additional scenes. My summaries below alternate between an omniscient third-person view to a first-person view from a specific character. Please accuse any awkward shifts between views and/or tenses. 😛
Due to my worsening schedule, I was unable to complete any new chapters after Chapter 20 before the series was officially picked up by a Western publisher (I’ve already forgotten the name; please check the release I wrote about it).
In the meantime, though, I was asked to write up a basic plot summary for the remaining chapters. I just started working on this and I meant for it to be pretty brief, but with anything that I do, I tend to make it 10x more difficult for myself… These summaries are a bit longer than I had planned, but hopefully they will be useful. I may also try to add in a couple pictures here and there, too.
As of now, there are a total of 27 chapters… and Chapter 24 begins a sort of side-story related to a bunch of special ability kids in Siberia. Those summaries will come as soon as I can write about them. Stay tuned! I’ll leave a teaser for that below…! haha Continue reading →
The new 2B figure being developed by Flare was put on display Wonder Festival, an event held at Makuhari Messe to display and sell various anime and game related garage-kits and figures. This is still a prototype, but you can tell that they’ve at least added some color to the usually gray prototype.
There were no new details released at Wonder Festival regarding the prototype or when we can expect FLARE to release it. The promotional poster behind the figure was the same as what we’ve seen before when it was first announced.
＊ This is a work in progress that will be updated periodically. Please check back again to read additional updates.
The Introduction
Pages 126-127
“” which became a huge topic of discussion in the first half of 2017, the shock of which continues to stick in our minds more than the number of sales. For those of you who are experiencing “NieR Withdrawl”, we hope these pages will help to fill that void in your hearts.
Special Feature Diagest: Beware of Spoilers!
Interviews with the cast and staff,
A look back with comments from fans,
The Memory of “”
It’s been about five months since the release of “”. Since then fans have been thoroughly emersed in playing the game, enjoying watching official live broadcasts, listening to the soundtrack, carefully reading through the source materials, going to the collaboration with the Square Enix Cafe, playing through the DLC and customizing the characters with the unique costumes; I think people have been widly grinning with excitement. We’ve also got additional merchandise, the novelization, and the music concerts in Taiwan yet to look forward to, but at the official “Memory of Dolls” concert in May, we were treated to one more stage that lead to the development of the “” project. Maybe you feel like you’re in that lull after the storm, a sense of calm yet great sadness!? For those suffering from “NieR Withdrawl”, we’ve gathered together a bunch of information in diagest form including several interviews with the cast and staff members, the results of the questionnaire from our readers, and much more. In one of the interviews with the staff, we talked with illustratior Yoshida Akihiko about the key visual that was used for the cover of the game in Japan, and we learned of the goggle-less version among other facinating miracles. A B3-sized poster is included in this issue, so please check it out.
**Spoiler Warning** There is a ton of spoilers throughout this special feature, so for anyone who has not yet completed the game at this time, it is recommended that you skip over these pages.
Distributed at the 2nd Nier:Automata collaboration with the Square Enix Cafe in April, we’ve included a product code on p.210 to download the “Pod Skin: Retro Gray”! Additionally, you are able to purchase digital copies of past issues of Famitsu magazine that feature . Not only are introductory articles are included but also past articles, too. Items related to have been compiled into a really nice digest format that would go well with this special feature on . Check it out!
The “Pod Skin: Retro Gray” product code can be found in the download contents envelope.
Also check out the digital articles about you can read on your iOS or Android!
CONTENTS
2B’s Voice Actor: Interview with Ishikawa Yui (2 pages)
9S’s Voice Actor: Interview with Hanae Natsuke (2 pages)
A2’s Voice Actor: Interview with Suwa Ayaka (2 pages)
Rabid Dogs of’s World: A Conversation with Yasumoto Hiroki & Yuki Aoi (4 pages)
Earlier in June, Famitsu asked its readers to participate in a questionnaire regarding our thoughts and opinions on . The results were just published in this week’s issue of Famitsu Magazine, Issue No. 1494, as part of their 26-page feature on the game. The Questionnaire portion spans a total of 4 pages.
The magazine also published a short description related to each question as well as consolidating many users’ personal responses, of which I think they edited to save on space and clarity (Comments highlighted below may have been selected and used for this issuel). There’s also a few additional tid-bits of information that was answered in the Q&A segment with Yoko Taro from the official Strategy Guide.
The following are the results of the 15 questions only. My answers are listed in red (Please note that many questions allowed for up to three answers). I’ll also include my own comments that I had written.
Q1: Who is your favorite character?
#1: 2B (2072)
#2: 9S (1303)
#3: A2 (1126)
#4: Emil (584)
#5: Pod042 (548)
#6: Devola / Popola (368)
#7: Pascal (327)
#8: Operator 6O (313)
#9: Eve (262)
#10: Operator 21O (185)
—– The Red Girls
Rekka’s Comment:
▶︎ A2:舞台「ヨルハ」Ver.1.0とVer.1.1を実際観に行ってからずっと２号を気に入ったのです。またいつか出会うかしらと思って、やっとオートマタで再開しました。何より嬉しかったですけど、もうちょっとA2でプレイしたかったです。No2 has been my favorite character ever since I went to see both versions of the “YoRHa” stage play. I always wondered if we might see her again, and then we finally got to see her again in. It was great that she returned, but it would have been nice to play as her longer in the game.
▶︎ Emil: 今回はエミールがサブキャラクターとなったんですけど、前作の愛情が変わりませんでした。どんだけエミールの存在が悲しく思ってます。Even though Emil only played a minor role as a sub-character in, my fondness for him from the previous game has not changed. Emil’s very existence is so tragic. ▶︎ The Red Girls: この子達も舞台「ヨルハ」以来から嫌いな存在だと思ったけど…最後に「気が変わった」と言う事で、混乱の中で再評価が必要ですね。最後は悪い奴らじゃないかと… ん〜 分からないが、興味深いですね。After seeing the “YoRHa” play, I thoroughly hated these girls, but I was really confused when they seemed to have “changed their minds” at the end of the game. Maybe we needed to reassess their motives…? Hmmm, I really don’t know what to think, but it’s pretty interesting.
Q2: What is your favorite weapon?
#1: Virtuous Contract (1311)
#2: Emil Heads (591)
#3: Iron Pipe (566)
#4: Virtuous Treaty (557)
#5: Engine Blade (375)
#6: Cruel Oath (273)
#7: Type-4O Sword (245)
#8: Iron Will (188)
#9: Virtuous Dignity (187)
#10: Cypress Stick (185)
Rekka’s Comment: ▶︎ Iron Pipe: もちろん前作に繋ぐ武器ですので好きです。懐かしく思い出します。I liked this weapon because of its connection to the previous game. It was quite nostalgic. ▶︎ Emil Heads: こちらのウェポンストーリーはかなり興味深いでした。オートマタより未来に起こってるから面白かったです。その時にもエミールが生きてますね。それは呪いか罰か… I thought the weapon story was really interesting, how it supposedly takes place further into the future after. Is this a curse or some sort of punishment…! ▶︎ Virtuous Contract: デザインが凄く綺麗いで本物の模造刀が欲しくなりますね。The design of the sword is really beautiful; I want my own real replica.
Q3: What’s your favorite fish / junk item?
#1: Mackerel (1020)
#2: Machine Lifeform Head (377)
#3: Killfish (329)
#4: Oil Sardine (254)
#5: Beetle Fish (236)
#6: Basking Shark (227)
#7: Broken Firearm (226)
#8: Tire (220)
#9: Water Flea (211)
#10: Killfish Machine (184)
Rekka’s Comments: ▶︎ Mackerel:Aji wo [K]utta スクエニカフェで食べたら本当に死ぬかと思った、骨がいっぱいあったから…ww I tried the mackerel at the Square Enix Cafe and thought I was going to die. There were waaaaaay too many bones… haha ▶︎ Machine Lifeform Head: 初めて出て来た時の驚いた気持ちが今でもよく覚えてます。I can still remember how surprised I was when I first fished that thing. Shocked.
▶︎ Tire: 一番くだらないゴミだから好きかも。よく分かりませんww I thought this was the least interesting of things to fish out of the sewer or wherever, but that’s partially why I liked it. I dunno. haha
Q4: How satisfied were you with the shooting segments?
It was very “NieR-like”. (1555)
I grew to like shooters. (398)
Knock it off with the shooting segments, please. (777)
Rekka’s Comments:
▶︎ シューティングがあまり興味ないですけど、ニーアらしく思ってるからよかったです。I don’t really like shooters very much, but it wouldn’t be without it, so it’s all good.
Q5: Did you enjoy the hacking system?
Yes. (2312)
No. (449)
Q6: What is your favorite ending?
#1: the [E]nd of YoRHa (1847)
#2: flowers for m[A]chines (1004)
#3: aji wo [K]utta (935)
#4: meaningless [C]ode (595)
#5: childhoo[D]’s end (582)
#6: or not to [B]e (343)
#7: [L]one wolf (237)
#8: head[Y] battle (195)
#9: hun[G]ry for knowledge (101)
#10: deb[U]nked (84)
Rekka’s Comments:
▶︎ E: 発売してから一週間で全部がクリアしたので、どっちのエンディングはどっちかはよく覚えてないので、全部面白かったですけど、特にEエンドは一番よかったと思います。実況プレイして、最後のシューティングでたくさん泣きました。その悲しさや希望の願いを混ざった気持ちがすごかったです。素晴らしいエンドだと思いました。I completed the game within about a week, so trying to remember which ending was which is kinda hard for me, but I liked them all. Most especially E. I was streaming live through the credits portion and you can entirely hear me sobbing. I think it was amazing how my feelings of sadness and despair merged with the feeling of hope and camaraderie. It was truly a perfect ending. ▶︎ C:Cエンドでかなり泣きました、A2の最後のセリフで… 悲しいエンディングが好きかもしれない… ヨコオらしいですから。I cried a ton during the C ending, especially with A2’s final line. I tend to like sad endings the most… maybe Yoko does, too. ▶︎ Y: エミールのセリフが凄く悲しかったです。本当は殺して安らかにしてあげたかったです。ニーアやカイネの再開をしてあげたかったです。Emil’s lines were really sad. I wanted to kill him so he could finally be at rest… I wanted him to finally be with Nier and Kaine again…
Q7: What’s your favorite song?
#1: Amusement Park (781)
#2: Emil’s Shop (741)
#3: Weight of the World / the End of YoRHa (701)
#4: Weight of the World / 壊レタ世界ノ歌 (486)
#5: Song of the Ancients / Atonement (447)
#6: Vague Hope / Cold Rain (317)
#7: A Beautiful Song (299)
#8: Pascal (279)
#9: Weight of the World (English Version) (261)
#10: City Ruins / Rays of Light (251)
—– Memory of Dust
Rekka’s Comments: ▶︎ Weight of the World (English Version):J’Niqueさんの歌声がすごい！J’Nique’s voice is amazing! ▶︎ Memories of Dust: J’Niqueさんの歌声がすごい！生で聞いたら鳥肌になりました！J’Nique’s voice is amazing! Hearing her perform these songs live gave me chills!
▶︎ Weight of the World / the End of YoRHa: この曲も何回聴いても泣きます。This song never fails to make me cry no matter how many times I listen to it (I often have to skip it whenever it starts playing in my play list).
Q8: What aspect of the DLC did you enjoy the most?
The costumes. (1080)
Being able to play as the machines in battle. (287)
The fights with the company bosses. (230)
Other. (266)
Rekka’s Comments: ▶︎ Other:全体的にこのDLCはよかったと思いますが、もっともっと欲しくなりますので… A2のプレイ時間は少ないので、もうちょっとストーリーや何でもやりたかったです。それから、amazarashiのエンドで…どんだけ泣かされて… そのPVで何回観てもどうしようもなく泣きますので… わぁ〜 I think the entirety of the DLC was good but I really hope for more…and MORE! We didn’t get the chance to play as A2 very much of the game, so I’d love for a story DLC or anything, really. And the amazarashi ending… I honestly cannot watch that video without crying. It really gets to me no matter how many times I watch. Ahhh~~!
Q9: Which soundtrack do you like more, the original Replicant/Gestalt soundtrack or the soundtrack?
The soundtrack. (1789)
The Replicant/Gestalt soundtrack. (1148)
Q10: Did you watch the “Memories of the Dolls” music concert?
No. (1524)
Yes. (1148)
Q11: Are you interested in seeing another concert?
Yes. (2461)
No. (199)
Rekka’s Comments: ▶︎ Yes: 当然。何でもやってくれたら参加したいです。だから、どんどんニーアの世界やヨコオワールドをやってください！Of course. I want to go to any event that you might set up, so please expand further on the world of and the World of Yoko Taro!
Q12: Did you… do that?
I did it once. (757)
I haven’t done it yet. (723)
I can’t say it loud, but I backed it up first then did it. (506)
I don’t plan to do it. (292)
I did it more than three times. (284)
I did it twice. (180)
Q13: Question from Director Yoko Taro: “It’s a hobby of mine to cut out the magazine articles about “NieR”, but it’s such a taxing job, I can’t stand it. But if such a thing could be manufactured and sold in about half a year, I always thought it would be nice if Famitsu gathered up all their related articles and cross-reviews and offer it for sale on demand as an e-book or online for 780yen or so. Additionally, this is completely off topic, but… Producers have that image as though they have a lover, don’t they?”
Yes. (2111)
No. (602)
Rekka’s Comments: ▶︎ Yes: ヨコオさんの作品何でも買いますので、ご安心してください。やったら私は必ず買います。忘れないでください。やったら必ず買いますので。やって、買う！I will buy anything Yoko makes, so there’s no need to worry there. If you make it, I will buy it. Don’t forget. Do it and I will buy!
Q14: Have you played the previous installment in the series?
Yes. (1496)
I may play it later? (846)
I haven’t played it. (355)
I don’t plan on playing it. (47)
Q15: Are you playing “SINoALICE”?
Yes, I’m playing it. (1765)
I’m not playing it. (410)
I plan on playing it. (356)
I don’t plan on playing it. (235)
Rekka’s Comments: ▶︎ 当然！今の頃はいろんなサーバー問題がいっぱいあるけど、それがあっても楽しくプレイしてますよ！Of course! There’s a ton of problems with the server right now, but even through that, I’m having fun playing it!
The Square Enix e-STORE has just posted a novel up for pre-order at the following page (click the image):
Title: A Long Story Teaser: When Androids Dream of the Glory of Mankind, Do Machines Dream of Mankind? Author: Eishima Jun
Supervision: Yoko Taro
Publishing Date: August 5, 2017 Pages: 322 pages (tentative) Size: B6 (tentative) Price: 1,008 yen
When you purchase this novel from the SQEX e-STORE, it will come with the following bookmark as a bonus:
Written by Eishima Jun with supervision by Yoko Taro. The story is to take place during the events of the game and give us a better insight into the characters.
▲ Arranged & Unreleased Tracks (2 Discs) to be released on December 20, 2017 – Tower Records
▲ Official piano score book will be released on September 27th with an official guitar solo & band score available sometime after.
▲ New official merch!! Emil / YoRHa headphones, Emil / Bio-machine cushion, 2B / 9S timepiece, Emil Headlight.
▲ Closer look at the cushion!
▲ 3 color variations of the bracelet: all black, all red, mixed colors.
▲ “A Short Story” novel due out on October 24th, 2017.
▲ 8 shows from Friday, February 9 through Tuesday, February 13 at the THEATER1010 in Kitasenju.
▲ Tickets go on sale at the end of October!!!
▲ Follow the new official Twitter for the stage plays!! @YoRHa_STAGE
▲ Plus an original stage play spin off…
▲ Stage Play YoRHa Boys Ver 1.0
▲ Tickets will also become available at the end of October.
▲ Here’s a look at the new visual art for both the new musical and the new stage play.
▲ Catch Phrases
