A couple days ago, it was announced that the 3rd NieR:Automata novel “YoRHa Boys” will be localized for a fall release in 2020. Since this news has come out, there have been several misinterpretations regarding this “new” novel, so allow me to explain a little further in depth on the topic.
This is not a “new” novel. As it stands now, there have been three separate, full-length novels released in the NieR:Automata series. The “YoRHa Boys” novel, originally released in July 2018, is actually a novelized version of the stage play by the same name, which ran from January 31 to February 4th, 2018.
Long Story Short (長イ話, lit. A Long Story)
ーNovelization of the NieR:Automata game
- Japanese Release:
Square Enix, August 5, 2017 - English Release:
VIZ Media, October 9, 2018
Short Story Long (短イ話, lit. A Short Story)
ーCollection of NieR:Automata related novellas/short stories
- Japanese Release:
Square Enix, October 24, 2017 - English Release:
VIZ Media, April 9, 2019
YoRHa Boys (少年ヨルハ)
ーNovelization of the YoRHa Boys Stage Play, not to be confused with the YoRHa Ver.1.3a Stage Play
- Japanese Release:
Square Enix, July 27, 2018 - English Release:
Square Enix, October 27 2020
The following is my own personal editorial
regarding the announcement of this release.
Some mainstream media have inappropriately attributed inaccurate information about this novel, making it seem like this is the first NieR:Automata novel to ever be released in English, which certainly is not the case.
For those of you worried about the game’s vision not being captured properly, Square Enix did confirm that the auteur behind the NieR series, Yoko Taro, is supervising YoRHa Boys’ creation.
DualShockers
Since the novel is nearing a year old, and the stage play its based on is nearly 2 years old, those who follow the works of Yoko Taro already know to what degree Yoko participated on these projects. If it’s a game, he is likely the Director. Anything else, he is likely the Supervisor, which means it’s still generally his brain child and he gives various directions when necessary, but he is not completely in the driver’s seat for these items. This includes the various novels, stage plays, as well as the assortment of novellas as well. All of it is still the product of his unique mind… and that has never been an issue. I don’t understand why DualShockers went so far as to suggest that it was with this statement. There is no issue on the Japanese side of things. There is, however, when material leaves the shores of Japan and fall into the hands of folk who are unfamiliar with Yoko and his works.
Considering that NieR: Automata’s narrative structure may have been a bit too complicated to capture properly in a novel, going the prequel route is probably a good idea.
DualShockers
Considering the NieR:Automata story has already been produced in novel form, I think this is a massively inaccurate statement.
The story is not that complicated to comprehend, and it can only work better in novel form since you’re able to utilize many literary techniques such as internal dialogue, asides by an assortment of characters, as well as delving deeper into certain topics that could not be extrapolated within the game itself.
This statement also suggest that no other prequel exists, which is again inaccurate. The initial YoRHa ideas were formalized as early as 2012, during the end stages of Drakengard 3’s development, while the YoRHa stage play was the basis for NieR:Automata. For more information on the beginnings of YoRHa, please read this.
When one considers that NieR: Automata has found massive success and that Square Enix Manga & Books is releasing an official tie-in novel, it becomes clear that NieR is a very important series to Square Enix right now. Hopefully, this means we haven’t seen the end of it in the gaming medium.
DualShockers
Again, this is not the first NieR:Automata novel to be released. It is not even the first prequel story to be released either. There have been plenty of supplemental stories released up until this point, although, granted, not everything has been given an official English release. Still, the information is out there if you only take the time to look.
I have a couple issues with the official SQEX announcement of this news as well, so please allow me to vent a little.
Based on the stage drama “Project YoRHa,” YoRHA Boys recounts events that occurred before the time frame of Nier:Automata.
Square Enix Manga & Books
The “YoRHa Boys” novel is not based on “Project YoRHa”.
“Project YoRHa” was one of five recitation dramas performed live at the NieR:Automata Memory of Puppets Concert in 2017. It’s likely someone was confused with the term roudokugeki (朗読劇) which basically translates to a stage recitation drama, where actors stand stationary on stage and read their likes from a script. This should not be confused with any other stage performance such as a stage play or musical.
…the previously untold tale of the formation of YoRHa Experimental Unit M…
Square Enix Manga & Books
There are a couple points I have an issue with by this statement, first of which lies with the “YoRHa Experimental Unit M” statement. This is clearly referencing the M部隊 aka the M Squadron/Squad.
What I am arguing is the implementation and consistency with ease of understanding. Although a large battalion or squadron can be referred to as “unit”, it gets confusing when you’re dealing with the particular terms in the story (ie. individual androids). It may be my own personal preference since I’ve been translating this stuff since 2014, but I think it’s easier and more constructive to use terms that make sense within the narrative, terms that are not so ambiguous.
- The term “unit” can be both plural and singular.
- The term “squadron” is a plural singular noun.
The term “Unit” generally refers to an individual android. There are multiple different Types of YoRHa androids, but each individual android UNIT is unique. This is why I feel it’s vital to reserve this terminology for when you’re referring to an individual android rather than an entire squadron or battalion.
…the beginning of both “curse” and “punishment,” of androids dreaming of the glory of mankind.
Square Enix Manga & Books
This portion is an awkward translation of the subtext that is included on the obi around the actual book when purchased in Japan. An obi is basically a small strip of paper that wraps around the outside of a book which is mostly used to spotlight a main theme or topic from the book. You’ll often find quotes from other famous authors giving their personal comments here as well.
For reference, this is what the obi looks like for the initial Japanese release of Long Story Short:
The subtext on the obi is likely an allusion to the novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?“ by Philip K. Dick, but exactly what context it could have on the overall narrative is up for debate. It’s nice if they tried to incorporate this with the official English announcement of the novel, but still… I feel like it could use a little more polishing.
All that being said, it’s extremely relieving to hear that SQEX is taking the next novel in-house. I have no grounds to judge the work that VIZ Media does as a whole, but merely from the work that was done on the previous two novels, as a writer, I was utterly applauded. There is a very big difference between translation and localization, and I’ve discussed this matter many times before, so if you’re interested in the matter, please look for those earlier posts. They shouldn’t be all that hard to find.
In the meantime, we of the English-speaking world, can only hope that THIS TIME we will get a decent localization of Yoko’s work, and I seriously hope that SOMEONE at least bothers to do their due diligence and do the necessary homework in order to translate things accurately, given what has already come before; hence contacting 8-4 for their input on how they originally translated things. Translation is not always about being as accurate as possible, but consistency is also extremely important. Here’s to hoping SQEX is able to get competent folks to work on this novel to make it really shine above all the rest!
