In the video game industry, few names inspire as much mysticism and respect as that of Yoko Taro. The creator behind the acclaimed saga NieR is known not only for his heartbreaking, existentialist plots, but for a brutal honesty that often disarms his fans. Recently, Taro has once again shaken the foundations of the fandom with a statement that has left many speechless: in his own words, the story of NieR: Automata is not original, but is, in essence, a rereading of an anime pillar: Neon Genesis Evangelion.
The Revelation: “There is not much originality in it”
True to her humble and self-critical style, Yoko Taro downplayed the praise she has received for the narrative of 2B, 9S and A2. For the director, the creative process behind his masterpiece was more an exercise in memory and admiration than pure invention.
“The work that inspired me the most is Neon Genesis Evangelion. I appreciate that you praise the story of NieR: Automata, but it's actually pretty much a reinvention of Evangelion, so there's not much originality to it. “I don't really watch recent films, so I draw inspiration mainly from memories of works I saw in the past.”
The Parallels between Fog and Machines
Although Taro is modest, the authority with which he intertwines these concepts demonstrates that, more than a copy, there is a philosophical dialogue between both works. If we analyze the commonalities, the similarities are undeniable but fascinating:
| Element | Neon Genesis Evangelion | NieR: Automata |
| Central Conflict | Humans against Angels. | Androids against Machines. |
| Identity | Shinji's search for individuality. | The androids' doubt about having a “soul.” |
| Cycles | The Human Instrumentalization Plan. | The eternal cycle of life and death of machines. |
| Tone | Hopelessness, trauma and existentialism. | Optimistic nihilism and melancholy. |
The Art of Remembering and Recreating
The experience to play NieR It is, for many, transformative. The fact that Taro confesses that it is based on his “memories of works from the past” explains why the game feels so familiar and yet so different. By not consuming modern content, Taro avoids current trends and focuses on the raw feelings that 90s anime left in him. His genius lies not in inventing the wheel, but in how he makes that wheel spin in a direction that is emotionally devastating for the contemporary gamer.
Honesty as a Signature
The reliability of Yoko Taro as the author is reinforced by these statements. In an industry where many directors try to sell their works as “revolutionary and unique,” Taro openly admits his creative debts. This transparency allows fans to appreciate NieR from a new perspective: that of an author who takes the collective traumas of a generation (represented in Evangelion) and projects them into a future of metal and cables.
The Genius behind Emil's Mask
That Yoko Taro call NieR: Automata a “reinvention of Evangelion” does not take away any of its value. On the contrary, it demonstrates that great storytelling is often built on the shoulders of giants, transforming the old into something profoundly new through personal perspective.
Taro is being excessively humble. Although the “skeleton” of the story may have the DNA of Anno (creator of Evangelion), the skin, the muscles and, above all, the heart of NieR They are purely yours. The way it uses multiple endings and player interaction to tell its story is something no television series could ever replicate. Taro did not copy Evangelion; he translated it into the language of video games in a way that no one else could have achieved.
Do you think knowing this inspiration changes the way you see the end of NieR: Automata? Do you notice the similarities with Shinji and Rei more now that the author himself has confirmed it? We want to read your opinion in the comments!
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