Subculture Anime Blog

I’m a dai fan too!

Summary:

As the spring has come, things have become quite busy for the Aria Company. Alicia returns from a job, so Akari helps her with the satisfied customers. Akari soon gets a phone call from a client requesting her as a guide. When Akari reveals the woman’s intentions after hanging up, Alicia and President Aria quickly give her encouragement. Akari works hard on the planned route late into the night, still feeling a bit tired when joining Aika and Alice the next day. Aika suggests that it is suspicious for a client to ask for a single to guide her, so she suggests that the person may have ill intentions. Alice suggests something even more ridiculous; that the client may actually be an inspector that will demote Akari to a pair if she does not perform well. Aika and Alice wish Akari luck as they drop her off at the Aria Company, as they continue practice by themselves.

The client, Amaranta, arrives shortly afterwards. Akari introduces herself to her, before preparing for departure. When Alice gets on the gondola with the other two, Amaranta suggests that she sit next to her. When Akari asks where Amaranta would like to go, she leaves it up to Akari. As they set up, Aika and Alice follow in curiosity not too far away. Akari shows Amaranta a spot where they can see a statue holding the floating island in the sky. Amaranta then surprises Akari by showing her another spot where two statues appear to be holding it. When Aika and Alice pass by the special spot, they cannot tell what is unique about it.

Next, Akari stops next to a house so that they can speak with a man inside who builds miniature replicas of Neo Venezia. In the meantime, President Aria gives Aika and Alice a scare by spotting them. Amaranta expresses how many interesting people there are around Neo Venezia, making Akari suggests that they are all big fans of the area. Akari treats Amaranta to the baked potatoes she has had before, becoming surprised to find that she seemingly frequents the shop. Amaranta notices that their time is almost up, but Akari does not return right away. She asks if she can bring her riders to one more location, which Amaranta agrees to after a nod from Alicia.

Aika and Alice follow Akari as she enters a narrow passage. Reaching her destination, Akari shows Amaranta and Alicia an enclosed location full of flowers. Amaranta expresses her approval, but she further suggests that Akari go through a closed door to the side. When they finally reach their next destination, Akari and Alicia are amazed to see the blooming trees all around them. Akari finally asks if Amaranta actually knew of all the places she took her to, which she confirms. Akari expresses that she thought she would show places that only she knew, and apologizes. Amaranta suggests, however, that Akari had succeeded in showing these beloved spots from her heart. Amaranta states that she is assured in Akari, as Alice and Aika are finally forced to revel themselves.

On the way back, Amarita finally reveals that Akari is not the only single that she has tested. She rode with Alicia in the past, as well as the other two company’s primas. Akari asks if Amarita would ride with her after she had become a prima, which she readily agrees to. After seeing Amarita off, Akari states to Alicia that she must do her best to become a prima. With this, she sends a letter to Ai describing the wonderful things she has done for Aqua in the day.

Preview: The girls have found a new shop!

Impression:

You know, I’ve been asked a few times how I can possibly enjoy such a “slow and plotless” show like this. When this happens, I’m really not sure what to say. Because, being able to appreciate these shows is all I know how to do. With the scenes that appeared in this episode, I could not help but smile and feel the same appreciation the characters did from seeing the beauty before them. I like to think that “slice of life” is called so because it pulls from real life experiences. Even if there are fantasy like elements included, the emotion represented is so real. Playing on things like friendship and gaining unforgettable experiences, I am always stunned at how beautiful the storytelling offered in a show like Aria is. Especially on days like this, coming back from a full day of classes, all of my worries just drown away while I relax and watch. No, Aria is not a show that I feel like I must watch right when it comes out. That doesn’t matter. By the end of an episode, I feel the most appreciation I ever could from an anime.

As far as the actual episode goes, I saw Amaranta as an older and more experienced Akari. She may be like a mentor to people like Alicia as well, but it seemed like she was the most similar to Akari who takes odd paths to find the most surprising things. I really loved seeing the scene with the return of the baked potatoes. I’m sure most of us can remember the episode that those were introduced in, further proving how timeless and memorable this show is. There was a lot of fun humor in this episode too, especially with President Aria and the other girls. President Aria making Akari cry by taking her donuts was classic, and I loved when he tried to point out the group’s followers. Aika and Alice had completely different opinions as always, providing the usual hilarity. I’ll never get tired of Aika’s whiny personality. She is so awesome. I loved her nekoguchi in this episode too.

PS: The last scenes of this episode reminded me of the song “The Hanging Garden”, even though it doesn’t really fit the atmosphere at all. Haha.