Straight from episode 1, we can see that 9S has an attachment to 2B, and quite enjoys her company. Upon their first meeting, 9S is gushing about how excited he is to finally have a partner - he even shares his all knowledge about machinery, and essentially talks enough for the both of them.
His dialogue is technically just an exposition for the viewer to get a clearer idea of the setting, but it’s framed in such a way that he’s trying to impress her. The typical “meeting your crush for the first time” moment, if you will. It’s simple, but it’s also sweet. And there’s plenty more where that came from.
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Opposites Attract
Let’s look at 9S’s character first, he’supbeat and positive- and this is just about life in general. In episode 1, 21O contacts him with further instructions. He replies, 「はいはい」(“yes yes”) in a peppy tone; which 21O scolds him for being too casual. In another scene, this time in the game, he compliments her again, only to get shot down and accused of sucking up. He wasn’t flirting, he’s just a nice happy-go-lucky person. 2B on the other hand, is very focused on her job, and frequently reminds 9S that emotions are prohibited in accordance with YoRHa standards. 9S definitely tries his best, but he can’t help but be so happy to have a new partner.
Let’s not forget though, 9S is just as useful as 2B is and contributes greatly to their teamwork - to the point of going above and beyond to ensure their mission is successful. Unfortunately, this recklessness can land him in a lot of trouble, but 2B is there to help him back on his feet. Episode 3 provides a great example, when 9S loses his balance during their mission and 2B catches him. To sum up their dynamic, it’s basically the happy one and the serious one - it’s a balanced relationship to say the least.
I (Think) I Like You(?)
If it wasn’t obvious already, 9S has a massive crush on his partner and even the audience can pick that up. For those who have played the original game,there is a reason for 2B keeping him at arm’s length- but without that knowledge for anime-only viewers, it looks more like a hard-to-get attitude. Using anime tropes to describe this dynamic, we could look at 2B as a mix of a kuudere and a tsundere.
Kuuderes keep their cool, don’t show their emotions, and don’t have a large drive either. Tsunderes on the other hand, treat the person they like coldly, and write off good deeds that they do for their love-interests, as purely platonic. 2B doesn’t mistreat 9S, nor does she act overly cold towards him; and she certainly is generally driven to take action. So with her having those mix of traits, her interactions with 9S become a lot more endearing to watch. In the game, 9S suggests that his friends call him “Nines”, as a nickname. 2B addresses him as such, but when he asks her to repeat it, she says he simply misheard. She wants to “play it cool”, after all. 9S is hopeless romantic, 2B is deep-rooted.
Sometimes we forget that 2B and 9S are supposed to be killer androids, that are tasked with fighting a never ending war against other forms of machinery. But they say, “love conquers all”, andeven in the direst of circumstances, something beautiful can come out of it. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a cute love story?
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