MAL: Aria the Animation (Season one) / [Aria the Natural]() (Season two) / Aria the Origination (Final Season)
Hulu: http://www.hulu.com/aria-the-animation
Episodes: 13 / 26 / 13 episodes
Year: 2005 / 2006 / 2008
Cover: Link
Youtube playlists: (Note: these are legal)
Season one: Aria the Animation
Season two: Aria the Natural
Season three: Aria the Origination
My personal rating: 10/10 (Masterpiece)
Aria is my favourite show, or at least my favourite Slice-of-Life show, so I really wanted to write a [WT!] about it. It’s also easily available to watch on YouTube, and there is an OVA or movie coming out this September to celebrate that it’s been 10 years since Aria came out (or even a season, it hasn’t been confirmed). There already is a WT! for this, which can be found here, but I will do my best to write a better one. I hope you enjoy it!
Aria is an anime about the world of Aqua, and the people in it. It is set in the future, where the Earth is overpopulated and people settle on a second planet. Akari is our main character, who moved from Earth to Aqua, to the city of Neo-Venezia. The city is based on the city of Venice, Italy, which according to the anime was lost due to the sea years ago. Akari wants to become an Undine, a gondolier, who guides tourists through the beautiful city on their gondolas. It’s a slice of life show, so each episode is a life out of the days of the main characters of the show as they train to become Prima Undines.
Every episode is another adventure, but a different kind of adventure. Aria is a show which takes something seemingly small and mundane, and turns it into something beautiful and heartwarming. Every time the ending theme plays, you’re left with a warm feeling of happiness in your heart. In every episode Aqua becomes a bit larger, you learn about new things, new places and throughout the show you see that things change and others stay the same. Also, even though it’s an SoL and there isn’t a clear line of progression, the characters do have a thing they work towards (becoming an Undine) and throughout the show things do change and develop. I do recommend to not binge-watch it, take it slow. The show is relaxing and peaceful, which is nice, but the lack of real conflict can cause boredom if you marathon it. I watched an episode or two an evening and really enjoyed it, and after speaking with others who have watched it, that does seem like the best way to enjoy it.
Characters
The characters in the show aren’t really complex or anything, as you’d expect from a show such as this, but they do add a lot to the atmosphere of the show. They’re fun, quirky, but not ‘too much’; the humour doesn’t seem forced or over the top. The side characters also compliment the anime well and overall there aren’t many things to dislike about the characters. The true main character is Akari, and while I don’t want to write too much about individual characters, I do want to say something about her. She is the one who sees things that other don’t, the one who is, as said in the manga: ”able to reflect the palette of the world, including the tiniest colours that everyone else seems to overlook.”. She sees the wonder in the mundane, she enjoys the smallest things. And as she points out how something small can be so wonderful, it really makes you appreciate things more.
pun not intended
Art
The art seems slightly outdated, but it has its own charms. It’s from 2005 and the other seasons are in similar fashion, so it might strike you as ‘dated’ when you see it. Here is a screenshot. Another one. It’s certainly more unique than most shows these days, and with the fluid animation and different sceneries every single episode, it definitely will grow on you fast.
Soundtrack
The sound might be one of the best things about the show. I suppose you’ve listened to the first ED above, so give the second ED a listen. Apart from the OPs and the EDs all being great, that’s not all there is when it comes to sounds. All sound effects, from footsteps to rowing or splashing sounds is just perfect. It’s something that’s often overlooked, but it really helps creating the atmosphere in the show. The Opening (this is Episode 1) is also always unique. Every episodes starts with the OP (or with a short prologue before it) song, as the episode slowly ‘awakens’. It’s a new morning and during the OP song we both get an idea of what the episode will be about, and we’re shown different part of the city.
This show is relaxing, heartwarming and puts a smile on your face at the end of the episode. It’s something special, something quite unique. About the seasons, season one is where you meet all characters and get an idea of how the anime works, season two is where the anime really explores the world of Aqua and the city and season three (my favourite) is where the characters really develop and the anime comes to an end. Besides, it’s available on YouTube for free. Relax and watch and episode or two before going to bed and just enjoy it. Enjoy the wonderful world of Aqua and the city of Neo-Venezia.
Other anime I think are similar in ways:
Mushishi and Non Non Biyori. NNB because it’s relaxing and peaceful on the countryside, and because they also enjoy rather normal things. Mushishi because of its episodic nature, how it’s relaxing to watch and because they both focus on different people and their lives. Like Ginko travels around the world and helps people, Akari rows around Neo-Venezia and learns about people and their lives.
