Episode 9 of the NieR: Automata Ver1.1.a anime has sadly been delayed yet again, this time a new release date remains frustratingly TBA.
Whilst the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic on the anime industry is significantly lessened nowadays compared to previous years, it remains a key issue that ongoing series are struggling to handle.
One of the series hit hardest by pandemic-related postponements this season has been NieR: Automata, which was forced to take a three-week hiatus back in January.
Unfortunately, it has just been confirmed that NieR: Automata episode 9 has had its release date delayed again – here is everything that fans need to know.
NieR: Automata Ver1.1.a episode 9 release date delayed
NieR: Automata Ver1.1.a episode 9 was originally meant to premiere around the world on Saturday, March 18; however, it has since been confirmed that the new anime episode has been postponed.
As the new episode has had its broadcast suspended in Japan, the series will not be simulcast internationally on Crunchyroll this weekend either; this means that all NieR fans are in the same boat regarding the upcoming hiatus.
As reported by the series’ official Japanese website, the upcoming delay is once again due to the rise of coronavirus cases within the production team; the same reason that episode 4 was delayed from January 28 to February 18.
“Thank you very much for your continued support of the TV animation “NieR: Automata Ver1.1a”. Due to the spread of the new coronavirus “COVID-19” and the associated delay in the video production schedule, we have decided to postpone the broadcast and distribution of episodes 9 onwards.”
Unfortunately, the press release made no mention of a new release date for NieR: Automata episode 9, either for domestic audiences in Japan or internationally via Crunchyroll.
“We respectfully ask for your patience until the broadcast and distribution of episode 9. Although this measure is based on unforeseen circumstances, we apologise once again for the inconvenience and worry this may cause to viewers who have been looking forward to the work. We would be grateful for your understanding.”
Yoko Taro, the writer and director of the original video game series, responded to the press release on Twitter: “Automaton anime. Episode 9 onwards will be postponed. Making anime is hard…”
A reminder that the English dub will still be releasing new episodes every Saturday, with episode 2 set to release on March 25 at 8 PM GMT/4 PM ET/1 PM PT.
Including the postponed episode 9, there are just four episodes left to air from NieR: Automata’s first cour – reputable leaker SugoiLITE has previously claimed that season 1 will run for 24 episodes across two cours, but this has not yet been confirmed.
A quick recap of NieR: Automata episode 8
NieR: Automata episode 8 was titled ‘aji wo [K]utta?’ and was a notably slower-paced episode than previous chapters, focusing on the personalities of our main cast.
The Commander orders 2B and 9S to track down and kill A2, whilst withholding information regarding exactly why they need to eliminate them – something that Lily also decides to do after recognizing A2 as No 2.
The androids find Jackass nearby a ruined building on the coastline and decide to split up after 2B finds a Lunar Tear Flower; Jackass says that she doesn’t know anything about A2, but again acknowledges that 2B is No 2.
Elsewhere, 9S hacks into the Bunker’s electrical system, but is forced out of the software after his presence is suspiciously detected – he follows what he thinks is A2 through the system, but is cornered in an ethereal-looking dimension.
2B becomes frustrated when she can’t contact 9S, whilst Eve becomes concerned after being unable to find Adam on the Machine network.
By Tom Llewellyn – [email protected]
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