If you are a video game enthusiast, then it’s no news to you that NieR: Automata is getting an anime adaptation, under the direction of Ryouji Masuyama. The series is going to be aired by A-1 Pictures in January 2023. The anime revolves around the protagonists; 2B, and 9S. Although the anime is an adaptation of NieR by Yoko Taro, it has several plot deviations, to make the storyline more intriguing and engaging for an anime series while still doing justice to the game. The anime series depicts an original story with characters from the game and some originals.

The story takes after the attack of dangerous machines from another world, humans are forced to leave their home planet Earth, and take refuge on the moon. As a final effort to reestablish humanity back on Earth, a force of android soldiers is sent to annihilate the invaders. The story revolves around two of such androids, 2B and 9S, and their fight against the machine-lifeform on a long-abandoned but not-forgotten planet. Not only is the series aesthetically pleasing, but also packed with good action and an awesome plot( if the game is anything to go by). There’s still some time before the series is aired, so here are some anime similar to NieR that you can enjoy while you wait.

So, Here are some anime similar to NieR: Automata

1. Shinsekai Yori

Although there are no androids or alien-machine in Shinsekai Yori, the general theme of the series is quite similar to NieR. The series similar to NieR also set in a post-apocalyptic world, with a theme revolving around questioning the established order. The story revolves around a 12-year girl Saki Watanabe, who has just awakened her psychic abilities and joins Sage Academy, a special school for psychics, with her friends. She soon starts questioning the fate of children who fail to awaken their ability and ends up discovering the dark secrets behind the utopian town of Kamisu 66.

If you enjoyed the dystopian and philosophical theme in NieR, then this is a series that you should absolutely try. It has amazing world-building, culture, and a psychological theme exploring the negative side of human nature in power.

2. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Not only is Evangelion an inspiration for NieR, but it also shares several elements with NieR. Similar to NieR, it is also deep with lots of Mecha fights. The series takes place 15 years after the catastrophe called the second impact, where the world faces a new threat in the form of a giant create called Angels. And only Mecha robots run by teenagers called Evangelion or Eva can stop them. Shinji Ikari, a reluctant 14-years old, called by his father, finds himself piloting one such robot to save the world.

Similar to NieR, it also deals with thought-invoking and philosophical issues. It’s an anime you absolutely must try if you are fascinated by NieR’s basic theme.

3. Danganronpa

When the only way to be free is to kill, what will you choose? This is the basis of the story of Danganronpa: The Animation. It’s another series based on a game, similar to NieR. The series is about a boy named Makoto Naegi, who much to his surprise gets accepted into an elite school named Hope’s Peak Private Academy, even without any remarkable talent. But who would want to lose such a golden opportunity? But to his utter surprise, the academy isn’t what he expected at all.

Starting with his principal being a robotic teddy bear named Monokuma. And the very first assignment the 16 students receives is to kill a classmate without anyone knowing or stay trapped in the school for their whole life. Similar to NieR, it’s a fantastic series with a well-loved game. And the mash of genres only makes it better.

4. Guilty Crown

If you ever thought leadership was easy, then this series will make you question this thought of yours. Similar to NieR, it’s a post-apocalyptic series questioning the government’s true motive. Shuu Ouma, an ordinary high schooler suddenly finds himself in the middle of a war between the government and the resistant group called the Funeral Parlor.

After the virus, the Lost Christmas spread, and people started crystallizing, GHQ took control over Japan to control the situation. A decade later, while trying to steal the Void Genome, Inori Yuzuriha meets Shuu and he ends up acquiring the power of the Genome; and becomes part of the ongoing war. It’s an amazing series with stunning visuals and outstanding soundtracks. The contrast of sound and visuals makes the viewing experience even more enjoyable.

5. Ghost in the Shell

If you are looking for a futuristic action-packed anime similar to NieR, then you are sure to enjoy Ghost in the shell. This series similar to NieR is set in a post-apocalyptic world revolving around humanoid robots that fight against evil machines to keep order in check. In an advanced society where people can use technology to alter their human body with cybernetics to make it more powerful, Sector 9, a special task force deals with crimes relating to cybernetics. Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, the present head of Sector 9, have been dealing with these sensitive crimes successfully.

But meeting a new threat called the laughing man, can they still solve the case and come back in one piece? If you are into cyberpunk anime with an analytical storyline then this is an anime you must try.

6. Back Arrow

Back Arrow is another anime similar to NieR, that teaches you to not believe everything you are told at face value; to question a narrative. Similar to NieR, it’s also set in a world where only a small group of people are left to survive in a restricted area. Set in a fantasy world called Ligalind, where people live within a mystical wall, believing that nothing is beyond that. The people worship the wall as the mother of land as it delivers a celestial capsule called Rakuho, filled with food and weapons every month to sustain the people.

Their dogmatic view is questioned when one day a Rakuho arrives carrying a human body within it, who calls himself Back Arrow and claims that he has come from beyond the wall. If you loved the combination of mecha, monsters, and the idea of political corruption in NieR, then you will enjoy watching it.

7. Eureka Seven

Eureka Seven has a lot of elements similar to NieR. Similar to NieR, after the attack of intelligent sentient life on earth, humans are forced to live on another planet. The story revolves around a 14-year-old boy Renton Thurston, who lives a mundane life and wishes to join a mercenary group Gekkostate, to make his life more adventurous. But stuck due to his grandfather’s insistence, he works to continue his father’s legacy as a mechanic.

However, his life suddenly takes an unexpected but interesting turn when a beautiful girl and a member of Gekkostate, named Eureka crash in his garage with her Nirvash and requests him to tune it. Now he’s a copilot of the Nirvash along with Eureka, and on an adventure in the space that will change his perception of the world.

8. Persona

Persona is another anime series based on a video game franchise. It also focuses on the corrupt and the dark side of the government and society similar to NieR. The series centers around Ren Amamiya, who has been transferred to live in Tokyo on probation because of a wrong accusation. On his first day of school, he is transferred to a world known as Metaverse, a place where people’s true-self called shadow lives, through a strange app on his phone.

After arriving in the Metaverse, he somehow awakens his Persona that helps him to fight shadows. Along with a few other rebellious students, he forms a group called Phantom Thrives of Heart, which fights the shadows, trying to make the world a better place. But when has it been easy? Similar to NieR, it has an engaging story plot with characters that will make you fall in love with them.

9. K

Another anime similar to NieR, with a picturesque art style and an amazing soundtrack with a fantastic storyline. The story revolves around a high school student, Yashiro Isana, who studies at Ashinaka High School situated in the technologically advanced city of Shizuka. One day he finds himself being chased for the murder of Tatara Totsuke, a member of the HOMRA group, without any way to prove his innocence. His only ally is a weird cat girl and an uptight knight named Kuroh. And soon, he finds himself in the middle of a psychic war between the seven knights.

An anime series that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Similar to NieR, it also has an engaging and well-structured plotline that will put you on a rollercoaster of emotions in a short span of time.

10. Ergo Proxy

Machines and robots have been a great help to humans and to the advancement of society. But what do you think the world will be like if they were to develop self-awareness? Similar to NieR, this series is also set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans and androids coexist. in the city of Romdo, AutoReivs androids start gaining self-awareness after being affected by the Cogito Virus. To investigate this, the mayor asks his daughter Re-I to start a routine investigation.

In her investigation with her AutoReiv Iggy, she meets an AutoReiv specialist named Vincent and a child AutoReiv Pino, who are surrounded by their own set of mysteries. Similar to Nier, Ergo Proxy also depicts an interesting tale of the last civilization of humans and their relation to humanoid androids.

11. Sword Art Online

If you are watching NieR, then you must be a game lover. Have you ever thought about what would happen if you were to get stuck in your favorite game; and the only way to get out is to survive all the levels? This is what happens with Kirito. Kirito is one of the lucky( or rather unfortunate) players who get a chance to try the new NerveGear and play the Sword Art Online game. Trapped by the creator in the game and without any logout option, the only way to go is to go forward since death here means death in the real life as well.

Instead of being set in a futuristic setting like NieR, SAO is set in a medieval historical timeline where the only way to survive is your own strength or if you are lucky enough, then your companions only.

12. God Eater

Similar to NieR it’s another series based on a video game that focuses on a special group of armed people deployed to fight a foreign threat to save humanity from extinction. The series takes place in a post-apocalyptic world similar to NieR, where the man-eating monster called Aragami has brought humanity to the brink of extinction. And the only being able to stop them are a group of special humans called God eaters who wield a weapon called God Arc, the only weapon capable of Killing an Aragami.

One of God Eaters is Lenka Utsugi, who has a unique God Arc. And now he is determined to master his Arc to kill each and every Aragami. A fantastic series that will have you in its grip in no time and make you love the characters.

13. Steins, Gate

If you are a time travel enthusiast, then this is a series that you will enjoy a lot. Similar to NieR, it is also based on a video game, although not an action anime per se, but the suspense in this one is palpable as well. Rintarou Obake, an eccentric scientist, with his three fellow lab members has founded the Future Gadget Laboratory, where they spend their time making futuristic gadgets. One such gadget is a phone microwave. Which they later realize is capable of sending text messages into the past and altering the present.

Now the team finds themselves in danger from a mysterious organization called SERN. Similar to NieR, this anime is going to get you hooked up to it in no time. You should give it a try while you wait for NieR’s premier.

14. Claymore

As the saying goes, only poison can kill poison. And so, to kill the human-eating monsters Youma, humans have manufactured half-human and half-Youma beings called Claymore. This story revolves around one such claymore named Clare, on her journey to find vengeance and kill as many Youma as possible. Forced into a set destiny, Clare is not only fighting herself to not give into the Youma side but also the Youma that threatens the safety of humans.

While on a mission, an orphan human Raki joins Clare and tags her on her journey to vengeance. Claymore’s ability to manipulate humans to become unwilling soldiers is an idea similar to NieR. Also, similar to NieR, it focuses on Clare’s self-discovery journey and her organization’s true nature.

15. Irregular at the magic high School

Similar to NieR, it’s also set in an advanced futuristic world, with a character-focused plotline. This sci-fi anime, similar to NieR, is also aesthetically pleasing and packed with action. The story revolves around two siblings Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, who live in an alternate Japan where technology has advanced to incorporate magic and science together. The two are enrolled in First High School, an elite school teaching magic. Upon taking an eligibility test, Miyuki is placed in the bloom class and Tatsuya, due to his inept magical score, in the weed class.

But is he really as magically inept as it seems? Now teamed with new friends, the two siblings somehow find themselves in the middle of a mystery, that might reveal Tatsuya’s past and a lot more. If you enjoy engaging plots with good sibling bonds, then this is a series you must give a try.

So, here are some anime similar to NieR, sharing similar themes or genres that you can enjoy while waiting for the premier of the anime series. Which, if the trailers are anything to go by is going to be epic. Do share with us by commenting below which of the anime in the present list you liked the most.

And here is another topic that you might enjoy – 25+ Best Psychological Anime That’ll Scramble Your Brains!!