Good Smile Company and Max Factory Open Pre-Orders for Highly Anticipated ‘NieR:Automata Ver1.1a’ figma 2B Figure

Executive Overview

Japanese figure distributor AmiAmi, in collaboration with hobby manufacturing giants Max Factory and Good Smile Company, has officially opened pre-orders for the latest entry in the flagship figma line: 2B (YoRHa No.2 Type B). Derived directly from the critically acclaimed television anime adaptation NieR:Automata Ver1.1a, this fully articulated poseable figure marks a milestone synthesis of anime-accurate aesthetic fidelity and dynamic display engineering.

Priced at 12,800 JPY (tax included), the premium collectible is slated for a scheduled release in July 2027. Designed to cater to both die-hard enthusiasts of the franchise and high-end action figure collectors, the release offers an extensive assortment of interchangeable parts, weapon accessories, and tactical support equipment. The announcement reinforces the enduring global popularity of the NieR franchise and reflects the expanding footprint of high-tier anime merchandise within international collector markets.

Detailed Chronology & Production Breakdown

The Journey from Console to Screen to Scale Model

The character of 2B—originally designed by character artist Akihiko Yoshida for Square Enix and PlatinumGames’ 2017 masterpiece NieR:Automata—has transcended video gaming to become an enduring pop-culture icon. The character’s visual identity, characterized by contrast-heavy gothic attire, an ornate blindfold, high-contrast silver hair, and precision-engineered proportions, presented a unique design challenge when adapting her look for A-1 Pictures’ NieR:Automata Ver1.1a anime series.

Following the success of the anime adaptation, Max Factory initiated development on a brand-new figma iteration designed to faithfully capture the specific visual nuances of the animated adaptation rather than previous video game sculpts.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                        NieR:Automata 2B Figure Evolution                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2017: Video Game Debut (NieR:Automata)                                            |
|   └── Standard scale models & static figures released globally                   |
| 2023: Television Anime Premiere (NieR:Automata Ver1.1a)                           |
|   └── Prototype phase initiated for anime-specific figma adaptation               |
| Present: Official Pre-Orders Opened (AmiAmi / Good Smile Company)                 |
|   └── Product Reveal: figma 2B (YoRHa No.2 Type B)                                |
| July 2027: Scheduled Global Retail & Shipping Phase                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Technical Sculpting and Included Accessories

The figma 2B figure utilizes Max Factory’s proprietary smooth yet poseable joint system, allowing fans to recreate dramatic combat sequences, delicate resting poses, and key cinematic beats from the anime. Special soft plastic materials are integrated into key areas—such as the skirt slit and shoulder hem—allowing full range of motion without sacrificing the silhouette of 2B’s iconic dress.

Key Faceplate Variants Included:

• Standard Visored Expression: Featuring 2B’s iconic combat goggles/blindfold with a stern, neutral mouth sculpt.
• Combat Shouting Expression (Visored): Designed for intense dynamic action scenes, displaying open-mouthed aggression while maintaining the visor.
• Unvisored / Glancing Expression: Exposes 2B’s striking blue eyes looking to the side, capturing her quiet melancholic reflection.
• Logic Virus Corrupted Expression: Recreates the narrative climax where 2B’s visor is removed, detailing the red, vein-like corruption caused by the logic virus infection.

Equipment and Weaponry:

• Pod 042: 2B’s personal tactical support unit, sculpted with intricate mechanical paneling and accompanied by an articulated transparent display arm to simulate floating support.
• Virtuous Contract (白の契約): 2B’s signature white katana, rendered with sharp edge detail, sculpted pommel ribbons, and high-gloss metallic paintwork.
• Virtuous Treaty (白の約束): The heavy, two-handed greatsword, complete with screen-accurate proportions and custom hand grips for two-handed wielding poses.
• Black Box (ブラックボックス): The core power unit shared by YoRHa androids, allowing collectors to recreate the dramatic self-destruct and shared-core scenes from the narrative.

Supporting Context & Industry Metrics

Figure Specifications & Pricing Model

Economic Analysis of the High-End Figure Market

The 12,800 JPY price point reflects broader macroeconomic trends within the hobby manufacturing sector in Japan. Over the past five years, rising raw material costs (specifically petroleum-based ABS and PVC resins), increased labor costs for precision hand-painting, and complex licensing frameworks have adjusted baseline pricing for articulated figures.

Where standard figma releases historically averaged 4,500 JPY to 7,000 JPY in the mid-2010s, current premium action figures featuring licensed IP, high accessory counts, and extensive face sculpts routinely sit between 10,000 JPY and 15,000 JPY.

Average Pricing Trend for Premium Articulated Figures (JPY)
-----------------------------------------------------------
2015:  [██████] ~¥5,500
2018:  [████████] ~¥7,800
2021:  [███████████] ~¥10,200
2024+: [██████████████] ¥12,800+ (figma 2B Baseline)

Furthermore, the extended manufacturing timeline leading to a July 2027 release date highlights the stringent quality control protocols and complex global supply chains involved in modern figure production. Pre-order reservation numbers directly dictate production volume runs, preventing over-saturation and preserving secondary-market value for collectors.

Official Statements & Design Ethos

Crafting Articulation Without Compromising Aesthetic Integrity

Representatives from Max Factory’s development team commented on the architectural challenges of sculpting 2B within the 1/12th scale format:

"Translating 2B from screen to plastic requires balancing two fundamentally opposing forces: high-range joint mobility and pristine, uninterrupted character lines. 2B’s design is heavily reliant on elegant curves, thigh-high boots, and the flow of her gothic dress. With this figma iteration, we engineered dedicated ball-and-socket joints hidden beneath soft resin elements, ensuring that even under extreme dynamic poses, the sculpt retains its poetic grace."

Retailer Perspective on Global Demand

A spokesperson for international hobby retailer AmiAmi emphasized the strong global demand for NieR-related merchandise:

"The announcement of figma 2B has triggered immediate interest across both domestic Japanese markets and international storefronts in North America, Europe, and East Asia. ‘NieR:Automata’ possesses an exceptionally dedicated fanbase. Offering the anime-spec 2B with a full suite of narrative accessories—especially the Logic Virus corrupted faceplate—makes this release a flagship offering for our catalog."

Future Outlook & Market Impact

The Expanding ‘NieR:Automata Ver1.1a’ Product Line

The opening of pre-orders for figma 2B sets the stage for a broader push by Good Smile Company and Max Factory into the NieR:Automata Ver1.1a licensing ecosystem. Industry analysts anticipate subsequent announcements for complementary characters in the figma lineup:

1. figma 9S (YoRHa No.9 Type S): Expected to include his signature hacking effect parts, Pod 153, and matching anime-accurate sculpts.
2. figma A2 (YoRHa Type A No.2): Anticipated to feature long-hair and short-hair options, alongside battle-damaged aesthetic variants.
3. Machine Lifeform Troops: Speculated multi-packs allowing collectors to build battlefield dioramas.

Guidance for Collectors

Due to strict production caps on pre-order windows, collectors are advised to secure reservations through verified primary distributors such as AmiAmi or the official Good Smile Company Online Shop. Securing authentic pre-orders ensures protection against bootleg derivatives, which frequently target high-demand franchises like NieR:Automata.

As the release horizon moves toward 2027, this figure stands as a definitive representation of 2B, capturing both the tragic narrative depth and aesthetic brilliance of Yoko Taro’s acclaimed universe.