Aria the Animation

Title:Aria the Animation
Aria
アリア The Animation
Overall:Rent
Keywords: , , , , , ,
Notables: Music - KUBOTA Mina
R1 License - Right Stuf Intl
R1 License - Subtitled Only
On the planet Aqua lies the watery city of Neo Venezia, a tourist hub in which people travel around in gondolas. Professional gondoliers known as Undines are well-revered as they act as tour guides for the people. Akari Mizunashi is a gondolier in training and also an employee of Aria Company. She gets to meet all sorts of people as she takes them on the gondola rides, from friendly mentors to special individuals, all this admidst the beautiful scenic backdrop of the entire city.

(Summary compliments of ANIDB.NET)

Produced by Hal Film Maker, Victor Entertainment & TV Tokyo Music

1:29min Series Opening - YouTube Video

[edit] The ↗Aria franchise:
OverallArtAnimationCharacter Design MusicSeries StoryEpisode StoryReviewer
Buy 9 8 8 8 8 8 Ggultra2764 [series:1208#1552]
Whoever thought up the idea to give this anime an Avoid rating must really be jaded. Granted, this series isn't for everyone thanks to the mellow and innocent mood Aria gives off. But I did get a good amount of enjoyment out of it. The show's a typical everyday look into Akari's life on Aqua as it explores her developments in trying to become a professional gondolier. The show features a cast of likable characters with diverse personalities you come to enjoy like Alicia's easygoing and relaxed demeanor, Aika's blunt and idealist remarks and Alice's detachment to interaction with others. It mixes around everyday interactions with light-hearted comedy to keep you attached to the characters and their developments. This show really loves to show off its scenery and it shows with the impressive scenery shots seen in many instances throughout this series as color is lush and you get enough visual detail from the settings. This same effort also goes into the character designs. The soundtrack also does well with blending into the mood of the show as many musical tracks are mellow and easygoing to go along with the everyday activities of Akari and those she knows.

I didn't find everything to be perfect. A couple episodes felt out of place with the everyday moments Akari experienced with Alicia or her friends (the President Aria comical fillers and a time-travel episode). Plus with much of the show's focus on Akari, there aren't too many opportunities for me to get into the heads of other prominent characters in the series. But I guess that is what sequels could be for.

Overall, Aria made for an enjoyable slice-of-life show as I really liked the characters of Akari and the other gondoliers she normally interacts with. I look forward to watching the later seasons of the title when I get the chance.

Last updated Tuesday, January 04 2011. Created Tuesday, January 04 2011.
Buy 8 7 9 8 10 10 Dggm [series:1208#2540]
Well, the truth is, I am writing this because of bitem_e's "avoid". That is TOTALLY UNDESERVED! Go out there and buy/download it! At the same time, I can understand how he came to that "avoid" - in this series very little actually happens, if not nothing at all. No action, no teary drama, no heartbreaking romance, no morals imposed on the viewer and certainly no ecchi or fanservice. Sounds boring? You bet. But as one of the guys said, "this is a total chill out anime. Your doctor recommends watching an episode or two just before bed to synchronize your alfa waves.". Not that I pretend to know what that means, but just do it without thinking. You'll see the benefits for yourself. Every time I watch an episode, I feel as if I am melting on the inside, totally relaxed and happy for no obvious reason and a huge silly smile appears on my face. Aria is perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a long hard day at work/school/wherever. All in all, the only thing stopping it from being a superb chill out anime is the animation - a more artistic and visually lavish approach would certainly turn this in one of my ever-favorites.

Aria the Natural is out, OVA expected in fall.

Last updated Friday, June 15 2007. Created Friday, June 15 2007.
Avoid 10 10 10 6 aoneish [series:1208#1615]
really, i should have known better and stayed away from this. (cringe.) i think this is what they show you when they try to brainwash you. everything's so soft and serene and picturesque and perfect and bright and happy and cute and just....(cringe.)

Last updated Wednesday, April 04 2007. Created Wednesday, April 04 2007.

Other Sites
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Official Japanese Series Web Site http://www.ariacompany.net/

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