To celebrate the eighth anniversary of NieR: Automata, Russian model Irina Shtolts, known online as ashenReina, took a bold approach by cosplaying as A2-the rogue, prototype android often overshadowed by the more popular 2B. This choice highlights a more complex and gritty character, offering a fresh twist on the game’s iconic imagery.

Who is A2 in NieR: Automata?

A2, or YoRHa Type A No.2, is one of the three main protagonists in NieR: Automata. Unlike the immediately familiar 2B and 9S, she first appears as an enemy-hunted as a deserter by her comrades. Only in the game’s third narrative path (Route C) does she become fully playable and her backstory is revealed.

A2 is the prototype model for the YoRHa androids-the foundation on which characters like 2B and 9S were built. Her combat data and that of her squad were used to refine the subsequent generations, making her essentially the ”ancestor” of the player’s familiar allies.

Three years before the events of the game, A2 took part in YoRHa’s first Earth deployment during the Pearl Harbor operation, early in the 14th Machine War. This mission was not only a combat operation but also an experiment to monitor androids’ emotional responses to loss and combat stress. The entire squad was wiped out except for A2, who discovered YoRHa’s dark secrets and subsequently deserted.

Her name is a nod to Julius Caesar’s famous last words, ”Et tu, Brute?”, symbolizing betrayal. The developers confirmed this, emphasizing that A2’s identity is shaped by her perceived betrayal by YoRHa’s leadership.

Aesthetically, A2 is portrayed as a young woman with long white hair and gray eyes. Her outfit resembles black lingerie but also displays visible cracks and wear in her android body-battle scars that tell of her rugged survival. Standing 168 cm tall in heels and weighing 139.2 kg, she fits the standard YoRHa combat android build.

A2’s personality and role in NieR: Automata

If 2B embodies restraint and 9S represents curiosity, A2 is defined by ”revenge,” as described by the creators at Tokyo Game Show 2016. She is taciturn, solitary, and distrustful of teams. Yet, despite her isolation, she makes the pivotal decisions in the game’s conclusion and bears their weight alone.

A2’s memories are based on a real girl who lived with her grandmother-likely a subtle tribute to Kaine from the original NieR. This adds a layer of humanity beneath her hardened exterior.

NieR: Automata’s sales and legacy in 2026

Released in 2017, NieR: Automata has sold over 10 million copies worldwide by 2026-a remarkable achievement that places it among Square Enix’s most successful titles. In February 2026, a ”to be continued” message appeared in a video commemorating the game’s ninth anniversary, sparking immediate speculation about a sequel.

Creator Yoko Taro responded with his usual dry humor: ”I think it means they’ll keep milking the franchise to make money.” Producer Yosuke Saito admitted he requested that line but neither confirmed nor denied plans for NieR 3. As of May 2026, no official announcements have been made about the next installment.

The enduring popularity of NieR: Automata, combined with fan excitement and lingering mysteries, keeps anticipation high for whatever comes next in this uniquely philosophical and action-packed series.