Subculture Anime Blog

Do you like Traghetto?

Summary:

On a day with good weather in Neo Venezia, Akari gets to work as usual with President Aria. After assisting Alicia with many customers throughout the day, Akari realizes how busy Alicia’s schedule is. Alicia notices that Akari is troubled that night, so she wonders what is wrong. Akari expresses her wish to help Alicia more, but Alicia states that she has helped plenty. When Alicia asks about Akari’s gondola practice, Akari tells Alicia that she is off the next day because of Aika and Alice’s schedules. After learning this, Alicia suggests to Akari that she attend the Traghetto. What this means to Akari is that she will be driving a gondola with people she has not met before and serving many customers with them. Akari quickly gathers with the other singles upon reaching the gathering place in the morning, but ends up with the last remaining Undine because of her constant pondering. One of the girls there offers Akari a piece of candy after seeing how nervous she is, and goes on to introduce herself as Atora of Orange Planet. Finding that this is the first time Akari is doing a Traghetto, Atora asks the girl named Ayumi from Himeya about possible plans. After deciding on a rotation plan, Ayumi energetically introduces herself to Akari. Anzu from Orange Planet takes a chance to introduce herself as well, though she does not seem very talkative afterwards.

As Anzu and Ayumi prepare the gondola they will be using, Atora and Akari call out to customers. Akari notices that there are groups of regulars arriving, some of which are surprised to see Akari as as new face. As Anzu and Ayumi set off with their customers, Atora explains to Akari that Anzu has not been energetic lately. The reason for this is that she has recently failed her Prima exam. Atora expresses how hard it is to become a prima, even more so because of their strict superiors. Azumi switches with Atora upon the gondola’s return, and Akari learns that Azumi actually prefers staying as a single and serving customers at the Traghetto. Akari is finally left with Anzu upon the next switch, so Anzu tells Akari about her recent failing of her exam. Anzu guesses that Akari is aiming to be a prima as well, but Akari tells her about her own hesitation. Akari states that she wants to continue challenging herself like Anzu, however, making Anzu smile. Finally lightened up, Anzu begins asking Akari questions about Alicia’s personality.

Akari is finally rotated in to driving the gondola with Anzu, and the other girls notice her amazing skill when she sets off. As Akari continues to help throughout the day, she witnesses all of the happy events that go on with those who usually use the Traghetto as transportation. While the girls put the gondola to sleep that night, Akari notices how preciously the girls treat it. The girls express how amazing Akari was throughout the day in return, going on to praise the Aria Company. They thank Akari for helping them despite being so busy at the Aria Company, and Ayumi guesses that she may be a prima by the next time they meet. This reminds Anzu of her own situation, but Atora expresses that it is just their superior that is too strict. Guessing that she will never be accepted, Atora believes that it won’t be bad to continue doing Traghetto with Ayumi. Ayumi states that their situations are different, however, as Atora really wants to become a prima. In response, Anzu stands up to reveal her revelation to keep on going and her belief that she will eventually be able to become anything. Ayumi guesses that it may be too late, but Akari goes on to assure her that it is never too late to start. The girls express their happiness with this assurance, and all head home with smiles on their faces. Akari thinks to herself that she will continue moving forward no mater what happens, arriving home at the Aria Company to tell Alicia about the fun time she had at the Traghetto that day.

Preview: This isn’t Honey and Clover…

Impression:

Wow. Moments in anime like this are what I live for. Seriously. Ok, maybe that’s a bit extreme. Wait, no it’s not. Anyways, this episode was much better than I could have hoped for it to be. I didn’t think it would be bad at all, so that just proves how great this was. The three Undine that were introduced were much more interesting that I thought they were going to be, again proving how much thought is put into all of the characters that are introduced in Aria. I recognized Kuwashima Houko and Shiraishi Ryoko’s voices instantly as Atora and Ayumi. I recognize Anzu’s voice from somewhere too, but it’s driving me crazy that I can’t point it out. The theme of moving forward was just awesome, and I loved how Akari was able to hear all of the girl’s stories. The prima talk returned, which seems to be one of the few themes that make’s Aria’s story seem to go forward. As most will say, I love Aria because I feel like time stops while I watch it. Everyone has to remember Akari and the other girls’ goals as well. Speaking of Akari, her usual mystifying skills were a pleasure to watch. It feels like it’s been too long since we’ve seen her skills. Add the bgm track to those scenes, and I found myself with a smile on my face by the end of the episode yet again. It looks like there will be some Aika action next week, so I obviously can’t wait for that.