Subculture Anime Blog

The Orange Princess.

Summary:

When Alice walks outside after her graduation ceremony, a girl comes up with the courage to ask for her second button. Alice agrees to, but she finds that many others are envious of this afterwards. Alice discovers that Aika and Akari are there to congratulate her on graduating as well, so she thanks them in return. Alice walks backwards while following the girls home as a final challenge, but she fails when they see Athena pass by. Alice states that it is fine, however, as time stopped when Athena appeared. Alice is surprisingly energetic when the girls practice together later, and Alice happily decides that she will be making up for the time she lost while she was forced to attend class. When Alice returns home, she tells Athena that she feels as if she can accomplish anything now. Looking out into the sunset, Athena suggests that they go on a picnic the next day.

Preparations are perfect the next day before the two set out. Athena suggests that she will be a passenger for the day, so Alice agrees to play the role of the Undine. Athena is surprised when Alice puts on an excellent smile while offering her hand, but Alice credits this to studying every day with those around her who have the greatest smiles. Athena notices how well Alice knows all of the attractions around the area, and Alice credits this to the strict training she has followed from her seniors. The girls travel through a waterway next, stopping to the side as a large boat passes. The girls finally stop to eat, enjoying themselves for just a bit before heading back out.

When the girls reach the water lift, they are forced to wait just a bit because of a previous user. A Himeya Undine wishes Alice luck as she leaves the lift, surprising Alice a bit. Athena suggests that Alice rest for awhile while riding the elevator, taking the chance to praise her skills. Alice begins describing the difficulties she has with actions such as singing, however, and how her mind goes blank when she thinks about this. Athena states that if someone is troubled about their singing, then the passengers would feel troubled as well. Athena tells Alice that the most important thing is for her to love her own song, implying what would happen if even she did not enjoy her own voice. Alice takes these words to heart, when the two reach the top.

While the girls continue on, they observe the beautiful sunset in the distance. Athena describes what the planet was like before it was called Aqua, and its orange color that brought nostalgia to the inhabitants. A bit further down, Alice sees that many people are already in the area. This includes Akari, Aika, Orange Planet directors, and a Gondola Association member. While Alice wonders what the meaning of this is, Athena thanks her for the day. She asks for one more thing, however - a song. Confidently preparing herself, Alice wonders if her passenger has heard of the three great water fairies. She states that she has learned from the one known as Siren, as she beginning to sing.

Everyone is amazed while Alice sings, and many memories pass of the the time she has spent with everyone up to this point. When she finishes, the group gives great applaud. Alice states that although she could not sing well before, she had loved to sing in her childhood. Athena had brought back these memories to her, so Alice thanks her. In response, Athena takes a glove from Alice’s hand. However, Aika and Akari are shocked when she begins taking the other off as well. Athena announces that Alice will be known as the Orange Princess from now on, a Prima Undine. Now in tears, Alice falls into Athena’s arms. Aika and Akari also call out to her, congratulating her under the beautiful orange sky.

Preview: Al gets assaulted or something.

Impression:

Holy crap!!! I freaked. I freaked just like Akari and Aika. I was actually spoiled about this by certain people around the blogsphere earlier, but that didn’t lessen the impact it had on me at all. Wow, this episode was excellent. With Alice graduating from school, I already found it strange that time had started moving in Aria. I also expected something amazing. I loved Alice’s statement about time stopping when Athena was around, even though this might have proved to be the opposite by the end of the episode. The flashbacks during Alice’s song were a perfect way to show how much Alice had developed, and I definitely started feeling nostalgic while seeing the scenes from the first season. It’s funny that I usually don’t go into episodes with specific expectations, because I did not expect anything from Athena’s leading Alice out for a day. The orange sky played in perfectly, and my eyes were wide open when both gloves came off. I guess I’ll have to agree with everyone else that the series will end with this season. I am sad, but I am also extremely excited to see everything wrap up. It looks like Alice will be struggling with her new position for a bit in the next episode, but I’m hoping for Aika to have a turn at development next.