Subculture Anime Blog

OP: “Nanairo no Sora o (七色の空を)” by SONOROUS – The Op succeeds in giving us that nice Aria feel, but it is slightly disappointing that we aren’t treated to Yui Makino’s usual song. As with the rest of the Aria series, the Op only gives us some pans of Neo Venezia, before making a transition into the episode’s story.

Summary:

Akari expresses that Alicia is late, as the sun goes down in Neo Venezia. After serving food to President Aria, she wonders why she does not have her glove on. Ai appears from down the steps to remind Akari that she has become a Prima, and that she no longer needs to where the glove. Akari wakes up in her room to find that the previous events were just a dream. She walks to the kitchen to find that Alicia is preparing breakfast as usual, and opens the door to a call from Woody. He makes a delivery of eggs to Akari, before bidding her farewell. Alicia notices Akari’s blank state at the breakfast table, but Akari assures her that nothing is wrong. Akari tells Ai that the morning has come as usual for the Aria company, as the days continue as usual. She expresses that it is a very wonderful thing, but that things would change some day just like in her dream. To continue on with a smile until then, Akari chooses to work hard. While chasing after a boy into the gondola, President Aria falls into the water. Akari manages to save him, and she bids the boy off as Alicia takes him on a ride with his parents. Ai expresses that the Akari’s Aria Company will surely be wonderful, and that appearing in her dream made her quite happy.

While tidying up in the company, Akari wonders to President Aria why Alicia chose her. Akari apologizes to him for saying something weird, before answering the incoming telephone call from Akatsuki. Akatsuki scolds Akari for answering as usual, but wishes Akari luck after hearing what she has been thinking about. While going out for routine practice later, Akari discovers that Aika has had the same kind of dream in the past, only bigger. When the two ask Alice if she has had this kind of dream, she replies that there was no such problem. The three realize that their seniors are too amazing, which puts them in despair for a second. Al sees this from an archway, and invites the three for a drink. The girls ask him if he is out shopping, so Al replies that he is looking for a certain book. Aika brings up that work is usually left up to Al by his grandfather, but Al isn’t worried because he learns so much from just observing. The girls realize that they are very glad to have their seniors teach them, so they decide that the only thing they can do is their best work for them. Akari looks up to see that the birds of Neo Venezia are cheering them on, but Aika tells her that embarrassing comments are not allowed.

The Aria Company’s customers return, and they all express that they have become Alicia’s fans while getting towels from President Aria. While enjoying dinner with her, Akari finally tells Alicia about the dream she had. Alicia tells Akari that up until she became a Prima, she was very uneasy and did not want her senior to leave. Alicia had begged Grandma not to leave, but she told Alicia that parting was not something sad. Grandma had assured Alicia that she would be ok because she had become a Prima, and Alica had been assured ever since then. Akira and Aika show up at the Aria Company later, and Akira asks for some of Alicia’s time. She takes her to an area that she has not been to in awhile, and they meet Athena who has been waiting as well. From that tower, they can see the entire city that they live in, Neo Venezia. Akira expresses that although their seniors will eventually leave, the new Undines will create new companies with their love of Neo Venezia. Athena begins singing a song, which would make everyone feel at ease. Alicia thanks the two, and realizes at that moment what Grandma had taught her. Even if they had no confidence, they would continue to find wonderful things that they would want to tell many others about. The three laugh as the loud bells ring above them, causing them to cover their ears.

As Akari wakes up in a gondola, Alicia welcomes her to the Aria Company. This is when Akari appeared. When Akari asks Alicia why she chose her, Alicia only tells her that it is a secret. Even though it is late at night, Alicia asks Akari to go out with her. They arrive at an area where the manager lets them in as a special favor to Alicia. While traveling under the tunnels, Akari expresses that they give off a very mysterious sound, which is quiet and kind. She stops to look outside a window, which has a wonderful view. Akari expresses that the town is alive, and that is what the sound she is hearing is. Alicia holds out her hand, as she invites Akari to continue on. Alicia remembers that she was worried if she could be a good senior for Akari when she arrived, but she found that she would always do her best with her pure white heart. Akari had given her confidence. The two finally reach their destination at the top of a tower, where Akari looks out the window to see a wonderful view of Neo Venezia. Akari realizes that the days will change one day, but for now, it would be nice if she could enjoy the days with her beloved person.

ED: “Ashita, Yuugure Made (明日、夕暮れまで)” by Erino Hazuki – As usual, the ending theme transitions from the end of the episode, with a wonderful effect. We see the beautiful sights of Neo Venezia as the screen fades to black.

Impression:

Sorry for not being able to post on my usual Sunday shows today, but I am in full Aria mode right now. Maybe you can tell by the extra screens and more detailed summary. When the Aria OVA was announced a couple of months ago, I was extremely excited. Like many others, I am a huge Aria fan, and I see it as a show that can change your view of the world. Aria the OVA ~Arietta~ was simply beautiful, with a much more updated look compared to its predecessors. The views of Neo Venezia looked like paintings, and it really helped to give off the wonderful Aria feel that we’re all used to. It was so nice to see the entire cast again, from Ai’s outside dialog to Akari’s “ehhhhh?” replies to Aika’s “embarrassing comments are not allowed!”. President Aria’s usual antics also had me smiling as always. I think we got a taste of almost everything that makes us love Aria, right down to Athena’s song.

The story of the OVA, Alicia’s transition into a Prima and Akari’s slowly moving towards that, was a really good one to touch on. Akari’s dream really gave us a look into what is expected to come. Honestly, I think the charm of Aria is that time seems to stop in Neo Venezia, but that look into the future gave us that real life feeling that makes this anime so meaningful. Although Aria episodes tend to be episodic in general, this story really helped to transition us from Aria the Natural to the upcoming third season, Aria the Origination. Of course, I also jumped in joy after hearing the announcement for this. Will I be blogging it? Who knows. That is quite awhile from now, and I assume that many other Aria fans will be jumping at the chance to blog it as well. For now, I just going to enjoy the euphoria that the ova has just given me for awhile. See you in Neo Venezia!