2B

2B, or YoRHa No.2 Type B, is a fictional android and one of the principal protagonists of NieR: Automata, a 2017 action role-playing game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix. Designed under the direction of Yoko Taro with character design by Akihiko Yoshida, 2B serves as a combat operative for the YoRHa organization during humanity's war against machine lifeforms on a post-apocalyptic Earth.

Visually, 2B is depicted with a black blindfold (tactical visor), a white dress-like jacket, black bodysuit, and thigh-high boots. She is equipped with a versatile melee weapon, typically a large sword, and is supported in battle by a floating companion called a Pod, which provides ranged attacks and access to special abilities. In gameplay terms, she is one of the game's two primary playable characters alongside 9S, allowing for shifting perspectives on the story and combat.

Within the narrative, 2B is tasked with fulfilling missions that propel the central conflict between androids and machines while exploring themes of consciousness, identity, and the costs of war. Her interactions with 9S and the revelations about YoRHa's purpose contribute to NieR: Automata's exploration of what it means to be human.

Reception: 2B’s design and portrayal drew wide attention for its distinctive aesthetic, becoming an iconic image in modern video games. She has been frequently discussed in analyses of video game storytelling, character design, and gender representation, with praise for combat performance and the game's emotional impact, along with criticism of the sexualized elements of the character design in some contexts.