NieR Characters Explained by Names

2B The name "2B" is a reference to the famous Shakespeare quote "to be or not to be?" which is about the pain of existence, death and life, and ties directly into the core themes of the game about whether it is better to be alive or not. A2 The name "A2" is a reference to the final words of Julius caesar, "Et tu, Brute?" meaning "even you brutus?" in which he is betrayed and killed by his closest friend Brutus, and references how A2 felt betrayed by her comrades. 9S The name "9S" is a reference to the phrase "Nice Ass" in reference to the fact that 9S likes seeing some nice ass.

A three-panel meme explains the names of 2B, A2, and 9S from NieR:Automata through increasingly strained literary and sexual wordplay. 2B is linked to Shakespeare’s “to be or not to be,” A2 to Julius Caesar’s betrayal by Brutus, and 9S to “Nice Ass,” matching his appreciation of attractive backsides.

• @sbunem / 101209 2025-04-20