Aria the natural

[golthin]

This show is the best....
When you need help going to sleep! Honestly I didn't notice any changes from the previous season besides their new theme of "new meetings". If you liked the first season, you will enjoy this! I need to go and take a nap now.

[mellowrg2]

Ai joined Aria company.

She's crazy.

[Fencedude]

[ QUOTE ]
Mellow RG_ said:
Ai joined Aria company.

She's crazy.

[/ QUOTE ]

She did?

Hah.

I always figured her as more Himeya material personally. She seems too reasonable to work at Aria Company.

[Suwako Moriya]

[ QUOTE ]
Mellow RG_ said:
Ai joined Aria company.

[/ QUOTE ]

Okay so just how long before Akari completely and utterly corrupts Ai? Wait a minute let me guess it's too late. In any case it's nice the second season has finally started. I've already watched the first episode.

[moyism]

Well it's more like Ai <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>temporarily joined Aria company. They mentioned she's heading back to Manhole the following day.</span>

S'okay start for the 2nd season.

[Melazomah]

Going by the ARIA the Natural DVD pre-order page on AT-X Shop (http://shop.at-x.com/list.asp?mode=t&amp;tiid=100000795), the second installment of the ultimate relaxation show will be 26-episdes to be released on DVD over 9 volumes, making the entire ARIA animated run 39 episodes.

And yes, it took a little fishing to get to this thread.

[Suwako Moriya]

And here I thought the second season was only going to be 13 episodes. A total of 39 episodes (13+26) is a pretty good number. Of course with that many episodes we better be seeing certain casts members appear on occasion. Well besides the main ones. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[rubyeye]

[ QUOTE ]
Melazoma said:
Going by the ARIA the Natural DVD pre-order page on AT-X Shop (http://shop.at-x.com/list.asp?mode=t&amp;tiid=100000795), the second installment of the ultimate relaxation show will be 26-episdes to be released on DVD over 9 volumes, making the entire ARIA animated run 39 episodes.

And yes, it took a little fishing to get to this thread.

[/ QUOTE ]
Are you sure? Damn, maybe there's actually going to be a "third" season just to break it up cuz I thought it'd be only 13 as well. Anyway, that's cool. This is the only show I am "collecting" this season, where as everything else is just a passing interest not worth repeat viewings.

I hope this gets picked up for R1 release, otherwise, I'm seriously considering picking up the R2 of season 1. I'm just not sure I can play them on my computer DVD drive (are they region code specific?).

[Nork22]

[ QUOTE ]
rubyeye said:I hope this gets picked up for R1 release, otherwise, I'm seriously considering picking up the R2 of season 1. I'm just not sure I can play them on my computer DVD drive (are they region code specific?).

[/ QUOTE ]
Depending. Every DVD drive comes with a preset amount of times you can change your region code before it locks itself down to the final region code. There's about 2 ways to by pass that. 1) a "at your own risk" flashing the firmware 2) a program like DVD Region Free (http://www.dvdidle.com/dvd-region-free.htm).

Anyway back on topic, "Wai!" for 26 episodes! Guess they will animated all the stories from the Aria manga.

[Fencedude]

You know whats wrong with Aria?

Too much Aria company.

[Suwako Moriya]

I kind of lost track of the series for a bit. So I decided to do some catching up recently. In any case so far I have to say I like Alice Caroll the best of the three girls. Aika S. Granzchesta comes in as a close second. Akari Mizunashi is third. I do like her don't get me wrong, but sometimes she kind of gets into a rut in terms of things like considering well everything wonderful. Aika and Alice both feel a bit more natural to me.

[Suwako Moriya]

I bring this thread back up to mention something in relation to episode 18 and 19. The first being that Aika actually looks rather pretty with short hair. The second being that in episode 19, she was rather attractive in some of the outfits she wore. She's just suddenly become lovelier. Although Alice And Akari still look nice as well. Okay so I did some catching up a bit earlier.

[TalonG4]

I bring this thread back up to mention something in relation to episode 18 and 19. The first being that Aika actually looks rather pretty with short hair. The second being that in episode 19, she was rather attractive in some of the outfits she wore. She's just suddenly become lovelier. Although Alice And Akari still look nice as well. Okay so I did some catching up a bit earlier.

It's amazing how a new hairstyle can ramp up a girl's sex appeal. I haven't seen this episode yet but I've seen pictures of her with short hair and she does look lovely and it seems to fit her personality better. I really wasn't a big fan of her braids. I prefer Akari and Alice but there really isn't anyone on this show I dislike either.

[Nork22]

I bring this thread back up to mention something in relation to episode 18 and 19. The first being that Aika actually looks rather pretty with short hair. The second being that in episode 19, she was rather attractive in some of the outfits she wore. She's just suddenly become lovelier. Although Alice And Akari still look nice as well. Okay so I did some catching up a bit earlier.
It was so cute seeing Aika going to see Al about her new hair-cut. Ahhh.... a girl in love. How sweet. Especially with a series like ARIA. :D :D

[Suwako Moriya]

It was so cute seeing Aika going to see Al about her new hair-cut. Ahhh.... a girl in love. How sweet. Especially with a series like ARIA. :D :D

Yeah the love is definitely strong in Aika. If Al has any intelligence, he'll find the right time to marry her. Not only was it a sweet moment, it also worked very well as a climax to the whole hair-pin thing.

[Nork22]

Yeah the love is definitely strong in Aika. If Al has any intelligence, he'll find the right time to marry her. Not only was it a sweet moment, it also worked very well as a climax to the whole hair-pin thing.
Al does have intelligence. He's just waiting till she hit 18. :D

[something]

Does anyone mind if I hijack this thread to discuss the first season as well? I just noticed it's all available, so I was going to start from the first episode of season 1 and go from there. I don't plan to marathon so it could take some time to get through all these episodes, but I will be going from season one straight through to Natural, and I plan to keep it in the same thread. Assuming I like it and keep watching, I mean. Which is what I want to go find out now...

Episode 1:

- Heh oh man I'm not used to 4:3 anime anymore.
- Hmm. So it takes place on a future Mars that has been converted into an almost entirely aquatic planet.
- The "President" is as goofy looking as I had feared. That thing was the main issue I had making me uneasy about this show. But... I guess it's not so bad. It's pretty laid back and quiet, rather than the talkative hyperactive ball of whateverthehell I was thinking it might be.
- Besides, I just have been totally won over by the little girl in the boat, Ai. Akari can't take customers, but how about a friend? What, still refusing? I'll scream and say you're kidnapping me! ...So how about it, friend? XD
- Mmm, they meet up with Aika, and she becomes a "friend" as well. Then there's some laid back rowing around Neo Venezia, potatoes, and a bit of 'action' when Alicia saves President Aria. Oh, and Akari's HIDDEN UNDINE TECHNIQUE: BACKWARDS ROWING!
- Wait, what is this? Ai is leaving? NOT OKAY. Her name even starts with the right letter, they can't possibly not make her a recurring character! COME BACK, AI!!

Also, kiseki this, kiseki that =P

Episode 2:

- Is it just me or does Alicia look a little like Layla from Kaleido Star, depending on how the hair is done? Or maybe more like that other chick... been too long since I've seen it. Also, Alicia is suuuuuuch　a maa maa ara ara ara girl <3
- Aqua Alta? Minor seasonal flooding... if it's a common thing, why the hell do they have carpeting and other things that can be easily water damaged? :sd:
- I didn't realize Aika was from a different company (Himeya vs. Aria). And Akira is a biiiiitch.
- Heh it really is hard to say much about this show. Aika is forced to admit that she really does like Akira, and Akira reveals more sides to herself than her first bitchy introduction. Her rivalry with Alicia is amusing too. Ara ara ara ara!
- Hmm, three undine companies, so we have a few more girls to meet. Yey~

Cute show so far, laid back, quiet, characters chitchatting and sometimes overdoing the chibi thing but not too terribly. I like it.

[The Great Bear]

It's a cute little show that you can just sit back and relax to.

Alicia Florence is one of my favorite characters. Ara ara ara :D

This is one show where you won't have to worry about plot: there is none. Just sit back and watch the girls row around Neo Venezia.

Someone MUST license this.

[Nork22]

If only Kikuko Inoue wasn't so busy with Ah! My Goddess, you would have heard her go ~ara ara in ARIA as well. Still having her "successor" voice Alicia was still a great success.

Oh, and it's best not to marathon it. Worse case scenario is that you will be asleep by then. The other one is that you will feel depress after the series ends. Watch an episode after a shit day/week to bring your spirits up again. :D

[Suwako Moriya]

Oh, and it's best not to marathon it. Worse case scenario is that you will be asleep by then.

Yeah while this series is kind of nice, it is definitely an example of a slow series which aren't good for mass marathoning. Still this a reminder that I need to actually finish season 2. I forgot where I left off since it has been awhile. Yet another sign I watch too much.

[Pelianth]

- The "President" is as goofy looking as I had feared. That thing was the main issue I had making me uneasy about this show. But... I guess it's not so bad. It's pretty laid back and quiet, rather than the talkative hyperactive ball of whateverthehell I was thinking it might be.
You have just earned an enemy for life. *clutches her Aria-shachou plushie*

[Dagger]

- The "President" is as goofy looking as I had feared. That thing was the main issue I had making me uneasy about this show. But... I guess it's not so bad. It's pretty laid back and quiet, rather than the talkative hyperactive ball of whateverthehell I was thinking it might be.
You have just earned an enemy for life. *clutches her Aria-shachou plushie*
Heheheh. I was all prepared to hate Aria-shachou, too, but then he turned out to be totally awesome. (Foiled again!) However, my heart will always belong to Maa-kun.

[Spirit Of The Stage]

The Aria franchise is definitely my favourite non-licenced series at the moment - it is definitely not a show for everyone, and it is not a show for marathoning, but it's great to watch after a day at work to relax.

The things which make Aria awesome are as follows;

1) Ara ara. Really, what needs to be said...
2) Embrassing remarks are not allowed! Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!
3) The three faces of the undines in training - you know which faces I mean...
4) Clumsy Athena. Oh how I love you...
5) Alice. No reason. Just because I love her (cute, pouty, voiced by one of my favourite seiyuus, sarcastic, yep...we've got a Ruri of the undines here...)
6) Side characters. Akatsuki's infatuation with pigt...I mean Alicia is always a highlight. And yes, Aika and Al is surprisingly very sweet.

Some things in Natural are a little off putting (like the supernatural side of the things) but when it comes to the girls talking, whether it's Akari, Aika and Alice, or Alicia, Athena and Akira, it's good, simple, fun.

(Side note: Natural is doing well in Saimoe so far, with Akari, Aika, Alice and Alicia automatically qualified, I think Ai just got through the second prelim round and I'm sure Athena qualified as well if I remember with Akira to play...or is it the other way round? Gah...)

[Suwako Moriya]

2) Embrassing remarks are not allowed! Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!

That line is what I'd like to call an instant classic.

[Njr Scrawl]

Whee, Aria's AoD fandom increases. :neko:

Its not a show for marathoning, it should be enjoyed slowly like a box of chocolates or a long cool drink. (Like Yokohama Shopping Log/ & Quiet Country Café). Definitely a wind-down show, but that's what its intended to be. Has anyone read the manga?

Aria the Natural is starting its R3(TW) release, & can be bought from JSMall, whose page is Aria the Animation II.

[Spirit Of The Stage]

2) Embrassing remarks are not allowed! Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!

That line is what I'd like to call an instant classic.

Indeed. What makes it better is that the classic Akari/Aika faces of doom(tm) are immediately on as soon as those lines are uttered...it never fails to emit a chuckle from me when they say that.

[Dagger]

Aria is possibly the only show whose SD faces I love seeing. It's amusing how all six main characters have their own trademark style.

[something]

Aria is possibly the only show whose SD faces I love seeing. It's amusing how all six main characters have their own trademark style.
How much I like it depends on how overused it gets. In the two episodes I saw, it was sort of borderline, though still okay.

[TalonG4]

Whee, Aria's AoD fandom increases. :neko:

Its not a show for marathoning, it should be enjoyed slowly like a box of chocolates or a long cool drink. (Like Yokohama Shopping Log/ & Quiet Country Café). Definitely a wind-down show, but that's what its intended to be. Has anyone read the manga?

Only the first three volumes (stupid ADV :roll: )
I think TokyoPop has the rest to be released later this year but it's the same goodness.

[kagekimaniac]

The manga was the thing that got me interested in Aria. Alas, I don't have any R2 DVDs.. yet.

[Nork22]

How much I like it depends on how overused it gets. In the two episodes I saw, it was sort of borderline, though still okay.
It gets used quite a lot. But that's the charm of the show anyway. Seeing them going into SD mode and doing silly thing is what makes everyone smile. :D

[masterpez]

2) Embrassing remarks are not allowed! Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!

That line is what I'd like to call an instant classic.

Indeed, that is one of the classics. If by some time/space/anime dimensional slip would've allowed for Aika to have appeared as a character in Kyoshiro to Towa Sora, that series would've been 100x better than it was.

[Dagger]

Ahaha. I'm sure we can think of plenty of other shows that would also have benefited from the Aika treatment.

[The Great Bear]

Aria is possibly the only show whose SD faces I love seeing. It's amusing how all six main characters have their own trademark style.

They are pretty funny when they use them. Normally, SD can be hit or miss for me (either it fits, or it's a huge annoyance). In Aria, it works for the most part.

[Suwako Moriya]

Ahaha. I'm sure we can think of plenty of other shows that would also have benefited from the Aika treatment.

Well the Aika treatment could definitely help some series, but only to a certain extent. In other words even if Aika did make Kyoshiro to Towa Sora 100 time better it still would not be worth it in my mind. At least in my view anyway. Besides it's more important to worship Aika right now anyway.

[YUAchip]

One of my favorite shows and the first one in 10 years that I've watched through less-than-approved channels. Had to see it after the first couple of manga volumes dragged me in. I'd like nothing better than to give an R1 company a pile of my cash in exchange for a nice looking translated version of both seasons but in the current Shonen Jump market I just don't see something like ARIA making the cut though if EMMA can get licensed then I guess there is a faint hope. R1s loss I'd say.

And for the record, Akira makes the show. :)

Chip

[Suwako Moriya]

In any case I did a quick skim and found that I left off on episode 19. An episode that certain posters should see as soon as possible so they can comment on a certain aspect in relation to both 18 and 19. Either way it's time to start making progress in the series again and watch episode 20.

[Skywise]

Ahaha. I'm sure we can think of plenty of other shows that would also have benefited from the Aika treatment.

For a moment I thought it was PCC posting this..

[something]

Episode 3:

- More emails to Ai. Please let her show up again in person, email is just not capable of properly conveying her awesomeness.
- Woah that's not the voice I was expecting to come out of Alice. Hirohashi Ryou... Hmm she's done a number of characters I've seen, though none came immediately to mind. Very nice though.
- And yes, Aika's "hazukashii serifu kinshi" is fantastic. I definitely like Saito Chiwa's voice here. Hell, it's just a very nicely acted show in general.
- Heh a bit more about the companies. Orange Planet is on top, Himeya is close next, and Aria Company... well, not so much :sd:
- Oh Alice, you fool! Another girl asks for your autograph, and you turn her down, and make her cry >_< <yurimode>She's clearly madly in love with you, her wonderful sempai! You could have had her naked on a bed in the nurse's office in three minutes flat! Ohhhh, ohhhhh yes, YES SEMPAI, ROW ME HARD, RIGHT THEEEEEEEEEERE~~~!! Take a hint from Aika, damnit!</yurimode> ...>_> Ahem. So, like... Alice practicing her smile was gold XD
- Haha, Akatsuki pulls the Ai trick -- call yourself a friend and be a freeloader =P
- Alice is awesome XD She's about to smack Akatsuki silly when she thinks he's harassing Akari. But Akari invites her to come around with them to practice. And she totally wants to, but acts all ambivalent... HAH! WE SEE RIGHT THROUGH YOU! We know how cute you really are!
- Woah, Alice is getting protective of Akari. I liiiiiiike =D
- Haha, Aika isn't around when she's really needed, and as Akari goes on and on about how special Salamanders are, Alice blushes and says "that was... embarrassing..." XD
- Alice smiled and laughed! <3 Yes, I can totally see why the Aria girls are such staples of the Saimoe tournaments. And man, Akari broke down her resistance pretty quickly.

Will probably squeeze ep 4 in after El Cazador 17.

[Dagger]

- Woah that's not the voice I was expecting to come out of Alice. Hirohashi Ryou... Hmm she's done a number of characters I've seen, though none came immediately to mind. Very nice though.
Sora in Kaleido Star. <3 (Although I like her Rakka very much as well.) I have to admit, I went into Aria with very low expectations--at first I watched it solely to hear her play another Junichi Sato-directed cutie!

She's also going to be in Clannad. :neko:

[something]

Episode 4:

- <3 Aika being so competitive as Akari and Alicia ignore her to calmly admire the sunset and talk about baking cookies and making tea.
- Heh, devious bastards making sure I hear the OP every time by integrating it right into the episode. I do like that idea though, and can't recall off the top of my head any other shows that have done it. It definitely fits the pace of the show though.
- Mm, I like the feel of this episode. Akari exploring hidden corners of the city with Aria shachou, running into a little girl who asks her to send a letter to a destination that doesn't really exist. I'm convinced the little girl is a really a cat or something >_>
- The distance is far too great for a gondola, and so she gets herself 'delivered' by one of the flying messengers, Woody. And as she's pulling out, up into the sky on the back of the hovercar sorta thing... Alice: "There she goes" Akari: "Showing her panties too..." Alice: "...Ah. ::blush madly::" <3 <3 <3
- Off she goes. The part at the end where they "deliver" the letter was really nice. It's something I've seen many times before, but I enjoyed it a lot nonetheless.

Swimsuit ep next!

[something]

Sora in Kaleido Star. <3 (Although I like her Rakka very much as well.) I have to admit, I went into Aria with very low expectations--at first I watched it solely to hear her play another Junichi Sato-directed cutie!
Yeah, I was looking at her roles in the ANN entry and while I'd seen a bunch, I wasn't "hearing" any of them necessarily, and that's even with marathoning Haibane this past weekend.

[TalonG4]

Episode 3:

- Heh a bit more about the companies. Orange Planet is on top, Himeya is close next, and Aria Company... well, not so much :sd:
Heh...Quality over quantity...


- Haha, Akatsuki pulls the Ai trick -- call yourself a friend and be a freeloader =P
I really hated Akatsuki at first(because he was too close to Akari probably. :sd: )but he turned out ot be a great character calling Akari 'pigtails'. Her reaction is really cute.

[The Great Bear]

I see you'r slowly learning about the awesomeness that is Aria. :)

Swimsuit ep next!

Ah, yes…ahem…it's a training exercise, I tell you. Nothing gratuitous about it at all, no siree. Training.

[EmperorBrandon]

2) Embrassing remarks are not allowed! Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!

That line is what I'd like to call an instant classic.

I love the "Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!" especially - so darned cute. :)

And yes, I've just now starting to make my way through the original series (more than half done right now), and I'm really enjoying it so far. It's a definite must-buy for me when licensed (and will go on my most wanted list in the next update).

[EmperorBrandon]

Aria is possibly the only show whose SD faces I love seeing. It's amusing how all six main characters have their own trademark style.

Yeah, the different styles of faces are a nice touch. I especially like seeing Alice's. :)


Sora in Kaleido Star. <3 (Although I like her Rakka very much as well.) I have to admit, I went into Aria with very low expectations--at first I watched it solely to hear her play another Junichi Sato-directed cutie!

My expectations were somewhat moderate going into this show, simply because I seem to get the "slow-paced" and "may put you to sleep" lines upon hearing about it. And things of the sort like To Heart and Kokoro Library don't really do too much for me. May be decently enjoyable, but I would rather "relax" with a series where there's enough interesting things going on and not too slice-of-life-ish. Maybe I get some of that atmosphere here, but I found I liked this one much better than I would expect other titles of the sort. I really should know better at this point... never underestimate Junichi Sato. :D

Speaking of Hirohashi, I'm definitely liking her voice quite a bit. I thought she was really cute in Kaleido Star, though I don't really pay much attention as I could have to it since I ended up being hooked on Cynthia Martinez in the role.

The whole voice cast is nice here. It seems there are lot of VA's that have had major roles in other Sato-directed anime. Ryo Hirohashi, Sayaka Ohara, Kaori Mizuhashi, Chinami Nishimura, and Akeno Watanabe were all big parts in Kaleido Star. There's Chiwa Saito and Tomoko Kawakami who were Natsumi and Fuyuki Hinata in Sgt. Frog respectively. Erino Hazuki was Malen and Uzura in Princess Tutu. Junko Minagawa was Eclipse from Fushigiboshi. Kind of neat having them all there, and I all thought they fit their parts very well.

Speaking of Junko Minagawa, I think a role like this may be one that closer to her normal voice (having heard her recently in World of Narue commentary) than her more girlish voices like Kanaka or the many roles where she's voicing a boy. She's got a really cool voice, though - love hearing it.

And the talk about "Undine", "Salamander", "Gnome", etc. was having me think of the Mana series. Funny that I just started up yet another game of Seiken Densetsu 3 recently...

[Nork22]

There's Chiwa Saito and Tomoko Kawakami who were Natsumi and Fuyuki Hinata in Sgt. Frog respectively.
I read somewhere that Chiwa Saito was requested to do the role of Aika by the author.
No doubt I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Suwako Moriya]

I read somewhere that Chiwa Saito was requested to do the role of Aika by the author.
No doubt I wouldn't have it any other way.

Well given the end result we got with Aika which I got to view through out the series. I'm going to have to agree with your statement. In fact if by a miracle the series is licensed and it's viewed as dubbable that should be the high priority mission of the dub cast. Where each VA trying for Aika is wondering if her version of the "Embrassing remarks are not allowed!" is considered worthy. It will be the ultimate honor. Yes I'm still delusional thanks for asking.

[EmperorBrandon]

Well given the end result we got with Aika which I got to view through out the series. I'm going to have to agree with your statement.

Hazukashii serifu kinshi!

It's always pretty amusing, particularly when you think how many remarks in anime sound embarrassing. :)

In fact if by a miracle the series is licensed and it's viewed as dubbable that should be the high priority mission of the dub cast. Where each VA trying for Aika is wondering if her version of the "Embrassing remarks are not allowed!" is considered worthy. It will be the ultimate honor. Yes I'm still delusional thanks for asking.

Not just that, though, they have to get someone for Akari who can do "Ehhhhhhh??!!" very well too. ;)

[Suwako Moriya]

Not just that, though, they have to get someone for Akari who can do "Ehhhhhhh??!!" very well too. ;)

And therefore EmperorBrandon has revealed what will be known as Aria the Animation/Natural Dub Priority number 2.

[The Great Bear]

Not just that, though, they have to get someone for Akari who can do "Ehhhhhhh??!!" very well too. ;)

And therefore EmperorBrandon has revealed what will be known as Aria the Animation/Natural Dub Priority number 2.

Personally for me, Dub Priority No.1 would be an actress who can do a pefect "Ara ara." Otherwise, the dub would just fall apart for me.

[EmperorBrandon]

As far as it comes to "ara ara", I have Hand Maid May on my mind - they had it "oh my my", which worked out well enough.

[something]

Episode 5:

- I like how Akari accepts random suspicious invitations to go visit deserted islands, and "bring your swimsuit" >_>
- Heh quickly meets up with Aika and Alice, they find the beach and run into... Alicia and Akari. Who should be wearing way more revealing bathing suits =P I love Alicia's hair though.
- Drill sergeant Akira... Alicia: "Oh, I'm falling." XD
- Heh, a preemptive 'hazukashii serifu kinshi'. Also, coming straight off Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Akari's optimism reminds me of a (far, far less twisted and disturbing) Kafuka =P
- Note: Aika is hot. But then again they all are ::nods::
- DEKKAI SEXY DYNAMITE! XD Alice just won the episode.
- "Akari, you've used the word 'wonderful' 34 times in this e-mail today." XD

Hooray for absolutely nothing happening and it being all the more awesome for it. I love shows like this.

[The Great Bear]

Hooray for absolutely nothing happening and it being all the more awesome for it. I love shows like this.

Exactly. They're wearing swimsuits. What more do you need? A plot? Pffft.

[Nork22]

Not just that, though, they have to get someone for Akari who can do "Ehhhhhhh??!!" very well too. ;)

And therefore EmperorBrandon has revealed what will be known as Aria the Animation/Natural Dub Priority number 2.

Personally for me, Dub Priority No.1 would be an actress who can do a pefect "Ara ara." Otherwise, the dub would just fall apart for me.
So I guess Dub Priority No.3 would be someone who can say "Totally/Dekkai" without sounding like some beach bimbo. :P

[EmperorBrandon]

So I guess Dub Priority No.3 would be someone who can say "Totally/Dekkai" without sounding like some beach bimbo. :P

Haha, beach bimbo Alice. Putting the three priorities together, the overriding priority should be excellent chemistry between Akari, Aika, and Alice, of course. :D

[EmperorBrandon]

- DEKKAI SEXY DYNAMITE! XD Alice just won the episode.
- "Akari, you've used the word 'wonderful' 34 times in this e-mail today." XD


"Dekkai Sexy Dynamite desu" - can't forget "desu" :P Though this is one of the things I'm loving about the show - all these cute little remarks they do so well.

[The Great Bear]

- DEKKAI SEXY DYNAMITE! XD Alice just won the episode.
- "Akari, you've used the word 'wonderful' 34 times in this e-mail today." XD


"Dekkai Sexy Dynamite desu" - can't forget "desu" :P Though this is one of the things I'm loving about the show - all these cute little remarks they do so well.

Now I'm going to have to rewatch this episode soon.

[EmperorBrandon]

Since I felt like it, I made a clip (http://home.mchsi.com/~empbrandon/alice_sexy_dynamite.mp3). :)

[Suwako Moriya]

So I guess Dub Priority No.3 would be someone who can say "Totally/Dekkai" without sounding like some beach bimbo. :P

Okay then let's see what we have here competing for dub priority. There's what you suggested included in the quote box of course. "Ehhhhhhh??!!" as suggested by Emperor Brandon. "Ara ara." as suggested by The Great Bear. "Embrassing remarks are not allowed!" as suggested by myself. I wonder if we're missing anything else.

[Spirit Of The Stage]

Since I felt like it, I made a clip (http://home.mchsi.com/~empbrandon/alice_sexy_dynamite.mp3). :)

And people wonder why Ryo Hirohashi is one of my favourite seiyuu? :D

All the same, glad you're on board the Aria funbus Brandon and I've decided to rewatch it myself now before Amecon - I need my Sato fix before travelling dammit...

[Dagger]

Since I felt like it, I made a clip (http://home.mchsi.com/~empbrandon/alice_sexy_dynamite.mp3). :)
You are my sunshine. :D

[EmperorBrandon]

All the same, glad you're on board the Aria funbus Brandon and I've decided to rewatch it myself now before Amecon - I need my Sato fix before travelling dammit...

Woohoo... on the funbus. Or maybe since this is Aria, a fun gondola? :)


You are my sunshine. :D

It just had to have a clip - that one absolutely cracked me up when I first heard it. Thought of it again when something happened to bring it up too (no big surprise that he would catch it :) )

I finished watching the series with the last ep. today. I liked that Ai-chan finally got to show up again and meet some of Akari's friends. Kaori Mizuhashi is sooo cute with her young girl voice (though I like her deeper and guy roles too). Ai-chan could have some parallels with Rosetta, couldn't she?

So, looks like there's another series that's twice as long, and even an upcoming OVA. This must be pretty popular in Japan. I'll have to check out those too if I can.

[something]

Woohoo... on the funbus. Or maybe since this is Aria, a fun gondola? :)
I was going to suggest 'fundola' or maybe 'fondola' but then I realized the latter was just what I wanted to do to Aika >_> (and all the rest, really).

[something]

Episode 6:

- Alice is punishing her left hand for being useless. And later compares her useless hand to her roommate, Athena. Athena is such a mess :sd: I think she's stoned. She also doesn't talk much.
- Another "cat" >_>
- This one was pretty, er, boring in the not so good way, but I'm glad we get to meet Athena.


Episode 7:

- "Dekkai wakuwaku dokidoki desu ne~?" <3
- Maa really likes biting Aria's crotch.
- Wahaha, Akira loves playing to the customers... the women at least, who apparently all love her. Men? Not so much. It's not that she doesn't try, but I think they're jealous of her XD
- Doesn't phase her though. She knows she can break down his resistance easily. Especially with three cute little trainees there to smile in unison at everything XD
- And she's always got a smile on her face even as she's challenging the guy with a "you'll get yours, bitch" gleam in her eye XD
- Heh, Akira's evil side comes out. If she can't bring the guy around by being nice, she'll just scare him shitless so he respects Undies =D
- Now Alicia comes by to seduce the new bride. This guy doesn't stand a chance.
- ...Wait, why is Alice skilled at picking locks? XD Hmm, so the tide rises. If so, why do we always see doorways and such right at water level for low tide? =P They don't leave much leeway.
- Nakimushi nakimushi~ ::wiggly arms::

Much better ep than 6, which I actually watched last night, but wasn't going to go and post on with so little.

[EmperorBrandon]

I was going to suggest 'fundola' or maybe 'fondola' but then I realized the latter was just what I wanted to do to Aika >_> (and all the rest, really).


Hah, I think out of the girls my favorite ended up being Akari. That's hardly a surprise when my favorites in Junichi Sato-directed anime almost always tend to be the main. :) I got to liking all the girls, though.

[The Great Bear]

Woohoo... on the funbus. Or maybe since this is Aria, a fun gondola? :)
I was going to suggest 'fundola' or maybe 'fondola' but then I realized the latter was just what I wanted to do to Aika >_> (and all the rest, really).


Oooh. I want a seat on the "fondola" :D

- Another "cat" >_>

Ah, yes, "cat."

For what it's worth, though, it's real. (http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/4484/maakunlo3.jpg)

(Sorry about the horrible picture, but it's late, I'm tired, and I don't care).

[something]

Hah, I think out of the girls my favorite ended up being Akari. That's hardly a surprise when my favorites in Junichi Sato-directed anime almost always tend to be the main. :) I got to liking all the girls, though.
My favorite of the three trainees is probably Alice, I just mentioned Aika because she was the most... "talented"... trainee in the swimsuit ep. I'd certainly not kick ANY of them out of my fondola though.

[EmperorBrandon]

My favorite of the three trainees is probably Alicia, I just mentioned Aika because she was the most... "talented"... trainee in the swimsuit ep. I'd certainly not kick ANY of them out of my fondola though.

I take it you mean Alice, since Alicia is not one of the trainees. :) Alice is cool, though - I like her attitude (sets up some interesting relationships with Akari and Athena) and her design is really cute (love her greenish hair - for some reason, don't think I have many green-hairs among my anime favorites but she's one that'll count). Out of the three fairies, I think I liked Athena most. Interesting she has the "cool" tan look and singing voice to match, but with the clumsiness that doesn't seem to match.

[something]

I take it you mean Alice, since Alicia is not one of the trainees. :)
Yeah, stupid 'a' names. I had just gone through hundreds of them fixing tags on Danbooru so things were getting mixed up. Still have more to do...

[Nork22]

I ended up liking Aika more than I should. Only because of her childishness underneath the "big sister" routine she gives Alice and Akari. Plus after losing the long hair, she was even more adorable, and the episode where she goes see Al was just icing.

As for the fairies... Alicia. Would say Athena, but she doesn't have that much of screentime in the world of ARIA. :D

[The Great Bear]

Why choose? I like all 6 :)

[Spirit Of The Stage]

Why choose? I like all 6 :)

You know you're priorities man...(O.K, I'll take Akari, Alicia and Athena on Mondays and...) :sd:

I watched the first 5 eps again last night, it's a great show to relax to and after a hard day at work it's near bliss. I actually forgot about the Akatsuki/Pigtails banter and it surprises me just how naturally funny the show is with a lot of the banter (Alicia/Akira, Alice with anyone, Aika/Akari).

Oh yeah, now I remember the swimsuit ep...yeah...(drowns in a fountain of blood)../

[EmperorBrandon]

Would say Athena, but she doesn't have that much of screentime in the world of ARIA. :D

That seems true of the first series. So same thing for the rest, too? That's a shame...

[EmperorBrandon]

Oh yeah, now I remember the swimsuit ep...yeah...(drowns in a fountain of blood)../

Heh... this makes me think a bit of Sato's interview on Kaleido Star: New Wings.

What are your impressions of the character designers, Mr. Watanabe and Mr. Oizaki

Sato: Hajime [Watanabe], well... in the beginning when I did the storyboards for the pilot I put an ass shot of Miss Layla in her leotard. And when the finished product came back to me after going through him, it was an even more concentrated ass shot... [laughs] We'll be talking and he'll say things like "Bare legs really are best, aren't they?" I hadn't though he was that kind of person. [laughs] I'd thought he was a serious-minded person, so... it was unexpected. [laughs]

So you thought he'd be contemptuous of the fanservice,but actually he liked it. [laughs]

Sato: Thanks to that we were able to have a lot of fanservice-check conversations. [laughs] On the flipside, Oizaki was actually the one who kept trying to rein us in... I mean, he said that his image of Sora's practice outfit, she was wearing tights! So I remember I said, "Then the tights should be REALLY close to flesh-colored," and we fought back and forth about it. [laughs] It seems somewhere along the line he came to understand that aspect...like, "Let's make sure to show her bellybutton." [laughs] And in the Angel's Maneuver at the end her legs were magnificently bare... [laughs]

Heh, this guy is awesome. :D I think it's inevitable we get "training exercises" in here somewhere. ;)

[Nork22]

Would say Athena, but she doesn't have that much of screentime in the world of ARIA. :D

That seems true of the first series. So same thing for the rest, too? That's a shame...
That's why you have to treasure every moment each time Athena shows up. :)

[EmperorBrandon]

OK, just recently started with Aria the Natural, so now I can be on-topic with this thread. :)

The first episode was pretty good. Kind of weird in a way, but Junichi Sato makes weird stuff great (like with MUC ep. 6). It's a cute, enjoyable, relaxing kind of weird, as is fitting for Aria. :D Need to get to watching some more of this.

Oh, and since I was just speaking of Athena last I visited this thread, I thought she had some great moments in this episode.

[Dagger]

I kept track of my favorite episodes as I watched the series. While I only had one or two in The Animation, at least half of the episodes in The Natural were at that level or better. Overall I think it really improves on the first season (or that reaction could just have been due to spending more time with the characters & falling more in love with them--either one works for me).

[Nork22]

More Athena weirdness in Natural heading your way. :D

[EmperorBrandon]

Watching some more. I just love the meeting of Akari and that old guy at the cafe in ep. 2. Hilarious. :)

Ep. 3 was pretty interesting as it had a focus on Al, who was in the background for the few appearances he did make in the first series. So I finally got to know a bit about him.

[Spirit Of The Stage]

I started rewatching Natural (after plowing through Animation) and up to episode 6 - some moments to savour from 1-6 include;

- : Al and Aika. Despite a few yuri senses tingling in some of the episodes this is so genuinelly sweet. However, a few classic Aika-isms make this even better such as 'old man jokes aren't allowed' (And Al has an SD face to boot!) And of course as they are climbing the ladder...

Al: Why must I climb first?
Aika: Because if we climb first you'll see our panties...

:sd:

Episode 5 has a real sweet Alicia/Akari episode with a lot of mystery and the spring meeting place. It just shows how much I love Alicia.

Episode 6 is the one I have to mention fuller because it focused on Alice-chan. Some uber sweetness here as we see how Alice thinks of herself in relation to Orange Planet, the relationship between her and Athena and why Akari/Aika are so important to her, and the aftermath of the 'invitation' she gets.

Oh, and Alice + flower in hair = KAWAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! Athena, you're my goddess - now nurture Alice into one...

[Nork22]

Since you guys are on a ARIA binge, I decided to rewatch Natural again. Skipped episode 7 because the supernatural thing doesn't interest me and moved to episode 8 where it's Aqua Alta again along with Festa del Boccolo (more like Valentines Day in a way).

I like how Akari and Akatsuki play off each other and the SD fight between Aika and Akatsuki is funny. But really, I love seeing Al giving Aika a 'rose'. It is the most sweetest thing ever. :D :neko: :D :neko:

[TalonG4]

Strangely, I started watching this again after a hiatus.(I just don't want to finish it too fast) I am up to ep. 16 and I teared up a little, you all will see when you get to it. It just hurts to see Akari cry
Ep. 13 is probably my favorite so far of The Natural season, Alice fans will love it. :neko:

[EmperorBrandon]

Episode 6 is the one I have to mention fuller because it focused on Alice-chan. Some uber sweetness here as we see how Alice thinks of herself in relation to Orange Planet, the relationship between her and Athena and why Akari/Aika are so important to her, and the aftermath of the 'invitation' she gets.

Oh, and Alice + flower in hair = KAWAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! Athena, you're my goddess - now nurture Alice into one...

Goes so well with Alice's beautiful green hair... (I just love her hair for some reason :sd: ) Nice that we see several styles of it too.

[EmperorBrandon]

Skipped episode 7 because the supernatural thing doesn't interest me

Hmm... so it's Cait Sith again. Akari has a habit of getting spirited away, doesn't she? Several supernatural entanglements here, after one point in the first series where she went back in time.

[TalonG4]

Skipped episode 7 because the supernatural thing doesn't interest me

Hmm... so it's Cait Sith again. Akari has a habit of getting spirited away, doesn't she? Several supernatural entanglements here, after one point in the first series where she went back in time.

Cait Sith totally wants her.

[EmperorBrandon]

I like how Akari and Akatsuki play off each other and the SD fight between Aika and Akatsuki is funny. But really, I love seeing Al giving Aika a 'rose'. It is the most sweetest thing ever. :D :neko: :D :neko:

Heh, watched that episode and thought it was pretty sweet too. I liked Akari pretending to be Alicia for "practice" with a few ara ara's. :P

[TalonG4]

Continuing my watch through,
Episode 17 was pretty sappy as a follow up to 16 as Akari gets her new 'viking-quality' gondola' as she says more final goodbyes to her old one I thought they really only needed one episode for that storyline. At one point I though she would just take off her clothes and rub around naked on her gondola. :D

Episode 18 and 19 kind of go together as well with the group enjoying a barbeque and Aika getting her haircut from hell. Ep 19 has Aika sick with a cold and she get bored and sneaks out with some normal street clothes looking HOT! :virgin: Especially with her short hair and new hairpin which she just HAS to show off to Al. Another favorite of mine as we see an episode from Aika's point of view for a change and also see her crybaby side. :D

[Nork22]

Heh, watched that episode and thought it was pretty sweet too. I liked Akari pretending to be Alicia for "practice" with a few ara ara's. :P
Don't forget the giggle... :D :D
Still, you think there's a potential in a Akari x Akatsuki here?

[Spirit Of The Stage]

Heh, watched that episode and thought it was pretty sweet too. I liked Akari pretending to be Alicia for "practice" with a few ara ara's. :P
Don't forget the giggle... :D :D
Still, you think there's a potential in a Akari x Akatsuki here?

Oh absolutely. Akatsuki insists his love for Alicia but he always seems to be hanging around Akari every time we see him whether it's casual talking or riding on the gondola. Whether Akari's impression of Alicia was good or not he was legitimatelly blushing around Akari. Of course, the handing of the race and his subsequent light blushing helped that.

Now I think of it, there are a couple of good potential pairings here with Akari/Akatsuki and Aika/Al. Of course, you could incorporate a bit of shoujo-ai in Aria if you squint (Akira/Alicia? Alice/Akari?) but there is some definite potential.

Anyway I watched episodes 9 and 10 last night. Ep 9 had Akari on her first real expedition as an undine and realising there is still much she needs to learn about Neo-Valenzia - Alice and Aika 'helpfully' help Akari trying to find special places around she doesn't know (which in reality is basically as battle between Aika and Alice on who knows more... :sd: ) whilst the second half shows a power outage and Akari-chan is scared of total darkness - it's basically an Alicia/Akari bonding scene with candles, and flashbacks to the history of Aria company. And Akari/Alicia sharing the same bed...*yuri senses on! :D *

Episode 10 however was excellent as it revolved around Akari's incredible talent for making friends wherever and whoever she is with - at a cafe, she's helped a worker who then gives her a free salad - and they don't even know their names! So Aika and Alice basically follow Akari round trying to find out her 'secret' in doing this, leading to some hilarious spying between the two and refreshing some past memories. Really, really nice.

11 and 12 tonight. Embarrasing episodes are not allowed...ehhhhhhhhh?!!

[The Great Bear]

Awesomely good news :) They've announced a 3rd season of Aria

News at ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-08-28/aria-tv-anime's-3rd-season-greenlit-for-production)

[Suwako Moriya]

Awesomely good news :) They've announced a 3rd season of Aria

Ah I wonder what the title for season 3 will be. Aria the ???????. In any case this is definitely good news. I think the only bad news may be it will take longer to collect the series assuming it ever gets licensed and I actually go for it. Oh yeah there's still the matter of perhaps watching the OVA.

[Rev. Doc]

Yeah, this is still one of the highest on my list of series I want licensed on region 1.

Good news on a third season. Looking forward to it. Has the OAV already been released?

[The Great Bear]

Has the OAV already been released?

9/21. Already have it on order.

[Nork22]

With Junichi Sato back in the directors seat!!

[Spirit Of The Stage]

With Junichi Sato back in the directors seat!!

Let's see...just finished rewatching Natural...check.

OVA in line...check.

Reading on this forum and then realise a third season is out with Sato at the helm?

*BAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNG*

*

Sorry about that - that was what is called the 'fanboy explosion'. Don't worry, I'm back together now...

*

Wow. As I said, just finished Natural again (I've watched episodes 25 and 26 so many times - the party in 25 with all the cast together and Alicia and Akari in the snow...) and this couldn't have had better timing. Triple AAA times 2 for another season? I've refused to read manga spoilers so I wonder what will happen now, as long as it's more Akira/Aika/Alice goodness with a drop of Alicia/Akira/Athena, I'm a happy bunny.

[Njr Scrawl]

Great Bear, where did you order from? Nothing on CDJ I can find. :(

[Roujin0308]

Great Bear, where did you order from? Nothing on CDJ I can find. :(

Look more closely. (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=ZMBZ-3548) :)

[Njr Scrawl]

Thanks :) I typed "Aria OVA", & got nothing. "the" is needed as well.

Ordered!!!

[pi8you]

And to quote myself from the ANN board...

Yahoo :D

[TalonG4]

Waaaiii!! :neko:

[relentlessflame]

Ah I wonder what the title for season 3 will be. Aria the ???????.
Aria the Origination (http://d.hatena.ne.jp/moonphase/20070828), apparently. And of course, like everyone else: yay!

[Suwako Moriya]

Aria the Origination (http://d.hatena.ne.jp/moonphase/20070828), apparently. And of course, like everyone else: yay!

Ah okay so Animation, Natural, Origination. Although I'm not sure what to make of them as a whole.

[something]

Heh, just came in to comment on that.

I'll probably be finishing Natural by the time that one airs =P I definitely plan on continuing to watch, but with so little time, so much anime, and no cliffhangers or tension in Aria, it's hard to prioritize it. Maybe an ep tonight...

[EmperorBrandon]

Hmm... so how many episodes will this one be? Great news that there's going to be even more, just after I started trying it out. :)

I think I'm up to about ep. 11 in Natural so far but haven't watched any more just yet, mainly due to other distractions (not other anime surprisingly, but a video game). Probably will have some time to watch through some more today, though.

[Njr Scrawl]

Aria is relaxation therapy. You watch it to grow your nails back, not bite more off. :)

[The Great Bear]

Thanks :) I typed "Aria OVA", & got nothing. "the" is needed as well.

Ordered!!!

Dave Stroud set you right. :)

I was able to get to it from the series listings. I find that CD Japan's search function is pretty useless.

Oddly enough CDJ is where I have it on order (first press, no less).

[The Great Bear]

I'll probably be finishing Natural by the time that one airs =P I definitely plan on continuing to watch, but with so little time, so much anime, and no cliffhangers or tension in Aria, it's hard to prioritize it. Maybe an ep tonight...

I have to watch all of the Natural myself yet. Haven't had any free time really. :sigh:

Maybe I'll start watching an episode a day.

I don't normally make use of that method, but I might consider it just once for this.

[something]

I'm... almost caught up! >______> Or not... Where the hell was I... Ah, ep 8.

Episode 8:

- Oh man, an episode about Aria as a superhero? I don't mind him too much when he's not doing anything, but I don't think I can take a whole episode about him. Maybe the pre-OP segment is just misleading, since it always shows just him anyway.
- Spring Cleaning at Aria company. And Aria-shachou fails at life.
- It seems like the episode is going to be all about him after all. Meh...
- However, it is funny to see Alicia crush his heart by not taking his run-away letter seriously XD
- Oh good it was only half an ep.
- ...But it looks like the second episode is also his.

Ok, I'm gonna be honest, I just skipped the rest of this episode. My time each day is too short, and I'd really rather get to the next episode. Moar girls, moar moe, less mutant cat plz. (Sorry Aria-shachou fans :sd: )

Episode 9 coming up~

[EmperorBrandon]

Ok, I'm gonna be honest, I just skipped the rest of this episode. My time each day is too short, and I'd really rather get to the next episode. Moar girls, moar moe, less mutant cat plz. (Sorry Aria-shachou fans :sd: )


Hah, I was wondering what you would think of that episode. :P I thought it was pretty boring myself (and not in a good way, like many other eps. in the series). I don't have anything against Aria-shachou, but a whole episode on him just didn't seem to work...

[Nork22]

Hah, I was wondering what you would think of that episode. :P I thought it was pretty boring myself (and not in a good way, like many other eps. in the series). I don't have anything against Aria-shachou, but a whole episode on him just didn't seem to work...
There's an episode in Natural where Aria-shachou travels to a parallel universe with some gender-bender issues. It's the more amusing Aria-shachou centric episode.

[something]

Oh christ, I clicked "reivew other posts in this topic" in order to check something out in an earlier post of mine, and without even thinking my eyes instantly took in and processed a line before I even realized it. And it was a spoiler. I didn't even know this show could be spoiled, short of, like, GIANT METEOR, EVERYONE DIES. Bleh, hopefully it happens early in Natural or, like, is obvious from way long before.

Episode 9:

- Gotta love the clueless protagonist, makes it so easy for the creators to tell the audience about important backstory as people xplain things to her =P I like how Akari had no idea that the greatest Undine ever was the founder of Aria company :sd:
- Oh lawd, Aika is SERIOUS BUSINESS indeed. They get leave to go visit "Grandmother". Aika is tense as hell, Alice is as... Alice-like as ever, and Akari is confused.
- Grandma is just using them to get some ingredients for dinner but to Aika it's life or death training =P
- Bwhaha, Akari sets off a cluster bomb of chestnuts XD
- I want to know exactly what kind of Undine training Aika expected to do... ON A MOUNTAIN. "Aika, you let an embarrassing remark get through!"
- Dekkai uchuu! Aika is going to burst a blood vessel if she doesn't stop worrying. But she gets in a KINSHI and a half, yay.
- Grandma gives them some trite advice about enjoying life, whee.
- Wishing on shooting stars, ALSO serious business.

Oh shit, next is ONSEN, ONSEN, ONSEN! Guess I have to watch another ep tonight after all.

[something]

Hah, I was wondering what you would think of that episode. :P I thought it was pretty boring myself (and not in a good way, like many other eps. in the series).
Yeah, only this episode and Athena's first episode were genuinely boring in the bad way. The other 7 episodes I've watched so far were nice. Pointless, but then again that sort of IS the point.

[EmperorBrandon]

There's an episode in Natural where Aria-shachou travels to a parallel universe with some gender-bender issues. It's the more amusing Aria-shachou centric episode.

O.O Well, that does sound interesting.

[Nork22]

Episode 9 coming up~
You won't be disappointed with this episode then. More AAA, with a trip to the countryside to meet the legendary undine. And a little skin from the girls too. :D

[Nork22]

There's an episode in Natural where Aria-shachou travels to a parallel universe with some gender-bender issues. It's the more amusing Aria-shachou centric episode.

O.O Well, that does sound interesting.
Episode 22. ;)

[something]

Episode 10:

- Akari is so cute~ "I'm gonna get up... I'm gonna get up..." ::snuggles under covers more::
- ::plops hands on Aika's face:: So warm! XD
- Akari gets a pet flying snowball...
- XD I can totally read Akari's mind when they're lighting the fireplace: "Heh, heh, fiiiiiiiiire. Heh. It's bright. I wonder what it feels like?"
- Aika and Akari holding hands wearing just towels in a strange onsen that's actually the basement[?] of an old house. Approved!
- The hotspring is connected to the ocean... I know I shouldn't question the science of it, but how does it stay so warm then >____> Especially outside, in winter >_> This ain't some isolated hot spring on a mountain. Also, this is where their towels are supposed to be falling off...
- Peach soda? Bullshit, she's totally getting them smashed so she can take advantage of all three at once. ...Please?

Mmm, this was Aria doing its thing and leaning very far to the successful side of it, so I'm content. Probably one of the better episodes, though the onsenness might be biasing my view >_>

[The Great Bear]

I'm not sure I've even seen an onsen episode I didn't like.

Will have to watch this one soon.

[TalonG4]

Episode 10:


- The hotspring is connected to the ocean... I know I shouldn't question the science of it, but how does it stay so warm then >____> Especially outside, in winter >_> This ain't some isolated hot spring on a mountain. Also, this is where their towels are supposed to be falling off...

But this is [booming voice]THE FUTURE![/booming voice]
With a Mars covered with water and temperate it couldn't be too hard to make an artificial hot spring, also towels that sadly never fall off.

Speaking of Grandmother in an earlier episode, I saw a picture of her in her younger days... wow, almost better than Alicia.

[something]

Episode 11:

- Woo, All six are together for once. I rather like how the sky looks in this episode... at first I couldn't tell if it was early morning, or late evening, or what. The blotted out sky and the snow make for great atmosphere.
- So Athena can speak normally =P She barely said anything in the episode that introduced her.
- Young(er) Alicia, Akira and Athena! I like Alicia with the twin braids.
- Athena was sooooooo a stoner. And it seems like the effects still linger today :sd: Seeing her smash her face into the bridges is hilarious XD
- So what the heck language is she singing in? Italian I guess?
- Haha, delayed release KINSHI. Athena rendered Aika speechless, and she couldn't get it out XD Also, Alice is super cute, worrying about what will happen when she can no longer practice with Akari and Aika everyday.
- Aww, how cute. Akari running up on the bridge and calling after Aika and Alice, and Aika trying desparately to silence her, because you just knoooow she was blushing like mad.

I was wondering why the show suddenly went the more serious route (I almost wrote dramatic, but drama is not a word that works with this show), then I remembered there's only two episodes left in this season :sd: Even something like Aria is going to want to slip in a little bit of heightened tension at the end. This episode did that very nicely indeed.

Don't worry Akari, you still have season two! And OVA! And three!

[something]

Episode 12:

- More snoooow. And no bookings, so Akari goes off with Aria-shachou to visit an old bridge. She gets there, and things get a bit weird. In one end of the covered bridge and out the other (being watched by a large cat), and the sky has cleared, the sun stops, and though she doesn't know it, the bridge is suddenly brand spanking new. I guess this is a hint of the supernatural that people mentioned gets stronger in Natural.
- Oh and she meets a strange girl from Man-Home and accepts an offer to go to her house and have some tea.
- Haha, and she's kinda nuts. Akari even unconsciously flings a "kinshi" her way XD
- CABBAGE!!
- Wahaha, I loved watching Akari fall backwards off the deck XD
- So she's been transported into the past, before water was unleashed around Aqua. Weird. She doesn't seem especially distressed by this either :sd: Also, two little girls that look like mini Aika and Akari XD
- ...Aria and Pete are Nekokoneko!
- And what looks like a grown up Alice and old lady Athena :sd: (And Akira and Akatsuki)
- Play the lottery, Akari! Play the lottery!
- Heh, using the OP again two eps in a row? Ah well it's a nice song.
- And I keep expecting the water to come RUSHING in and wash the bridge away, killing everyone on it XD

So, was there supposed to be something obviously significant about Akiko, and who she is? She calls Akari her future (she also doesn't seem surprised by the concept of time travel), but I'm guessing that's just because they have similar personalities, and nothing more.

[something]

Last episode!

Episode 13:

- AI AI AI!! SHE'S RETURNED! Encounters GET!
- Demon instructor Akari! Fourth encounter, GET! Akari puts a little too much incriminating information in her emails >_>
- Oh god the way Ai says "grandma" is so cute XD
- Now Akari and Ai are both hallucinating the past. Buncha crazies in this show.
- They're calling for the Numbers from StrikerS to come!
- Ow Guri, Banana!

Well, remarkably little to say about this episode, but thats because little happened even by Aria standards, aside from the pure awesomeness of Ai returning. It's an okay ending, though I would have hoped for a little bit more... if I didn't have a full season of Natural to follow it up with.

Anyways, good episode.

[Dagger]

Beautiful, lovely trailer for Arietta here[/u] (http://www.ariacompany.net/promo_ova.html). My heart pounds at the thought of Aria in widescreen.

[The Great Bear]

Beautiful, lovely trailer for Arietta here[/u] (http://www.ariacompany.net/promo_ova.html). My heart pounds at the thought of Aria in widescreen.

Thanks for the link.

I <3 Alicia. Don't cry!

I am looking forward to getting this at the end of next month.

[Nork22]

Beautiful, lovely trailer for Arietta here[/u] (http://www.ariacompany.net/promo_ova.html). My heart pounds at the thought of Aria in widescreen.
Woah... it certainly is beautiful. It looks like the whole of Neo-Venezia has been converted to CG models with added detail. Plus seeing it in widescreen is just so awesome, I hope Origination will be like that as well.

[Njr Scrawl]

Beautiful, lovely trailer for Arietta here[/u] (http://www.ariacompany.net/promo_ova.html). My heart pounds at the thought of Aria in widescreen.

Thanks for the link.

I <3 Alicia. Don't cry!

I am looking forward to getting this at the end of next month.

Me too! Anyone bought/buying any of the CDs, music or drama?

Aria's character designs remind me of Midori Days.

[Suwako Moriya]

Beautiful, lovely trailer for Arietta here[/u] (http://www.ariacompany.net/promo_ova.html). My heart pounds at the thought of Aria in widescreen.

It's definitely rather pretty and the song is quite relaxing. I wonder how long this OVA will be in the end.

[relentlessflame]

It's definitely rather pretty and the song is quite relaxing. I wonder how long this OVA will be in the end.
Apparently (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000SAIPSG), the feature will be 30 minutes, and there'll be 20 minutes of bonus material.

[something]

Woah... it certainly is beautiful. It looks like the whole of Neo-Venezia has been converted to CG models with added detail.
Hope not. Few things could ruin the Aria franchise faster for me.

[Suwako Moriya]

Apparently (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000SAIPSG), the feature will be 30 minutes, and there'll be 20 minutes of bonus material.

Ah so in short it's akin to a single episode. Still 20 minutes of bonus material sounds kind of nice I guess.

[Nork22]

Woah... it certainly is beautiful. It looks like the whole of Neo-Venezia has been converted to CG models with added detail.
Hope not. Few things could ruin the Aria franchise faster for me.

Have you seen the trailer? Though watching it for the x amount of time now, it doesn't seem like a lot of it's been converted. However it's there, and the scenery is much more lavish.

[something]

Have you seen the trailer? Though watching it for the x amount of time now, it doesn't seem like a lot of it's been converted. However it's there, and the scenery is much more lavish.
I watched about half before stopping, on the off chance that something in Natural would be spoiled (unlikely, but I play it safe, and I've already read one spoiler). What I saw was too small to come to any decisions. There was what looked like a cg gondola, which made me sad.

[Nork22]

I watched about half before stopping, on the off chance that something in Natural would be spoiled (unlikely, but I play it safe, and I've already read one spoiler). What I saw was too small to come to any decisions. There was what looked like a cg gondola, which made me sad.
Seriously, what's there to spoil in ARIA? I can tell you how certain episodes pans out, and it won't really matter because by the end of it, you'll just enjoy the silly hijinks of our little singles (and the pair).

[The Great Bear]

I watched about half before stopping, on the off chance that something in Natural would be spoiled (unlikely, but I play it safe, and I've already read one spoiler).

There's nothing to worry about: Arietta is a prequel. There's nothing to spoil.

[something]

Seriously, what's there to spoil in ARIA?
That's what I thought at first as well. But, surprise!

[Nork22]

Seriously, what's there to spoil in ARIA?
That's what I thought at first as well. But, surprise!
Like? Any earth-shattering secret that the girls of ARIA must let us keep hidden? That Akira has a thing for Alicia?

[relentlessflame]

Seriously, what's there to spoil in ARIA?
That's what I thought at first as well. But, surprise!
Like? Any earth-shattering secret that the girls of ARIA must let us keep hidden? That Akira has a thing for Alicia?
Well, I can think of a few things off the top of my head that would be best left to show up in the show itself. Things that affect the appearance of the main characters would be prime examples, as those tend to be major events. In general, though, I agree that there isn't all that much you can spoil in a slife-of-life show like this.

[something]

Like? Any earth-shattering secret that the girls of ARIA must let us keep hidden? That Akira has a thing for Alicia?
Meh I really don't want this to turn into a big deal but what I was referring to was what I accidentally saw when I did a "review posts in this thread" to doublecheck something against an older post of mine. Someone posted "Ai just joined Aria company!", which obviously I wasn't intended to read to read when I'm on, like, ep 9 or 10 of the first season or something, and that character hadn't even appeared again after episode 1, let alone came to live on Aqua, let alone joined the company :sd: .

There's always the possibility that they were mistaken somehow, but obviously I didn't read further to find out. And I'd rather not discuss it more right now either, even for someone to say "that doesn't happen" should that be the case =P

At any rate, moral of the story is 3dcg fails ::nods:: And I hope to start on Natural soon, maybe over this long weekend.

[Nork22]

Wow... thanks to better budget and in widescreen too, the world of Neo-Venezia never looks so lush and detailed before. It's nice to see the gang back again and it's a nice re-introduction to the world of ARIA before the 3rd season starts.

As to what's in this episode? Well not much really. Akari has a dream of when she has become a Prima, has an apprentice, and Alicia is no longer at ARIA Company. Akari reflects on the dream and when the time comes and Alicia tells her it was the same feeling when Grandma left. In the end though it's all about 'give and take', as what they learn, knowledge, kindness and love, from their seniors, they return that to their apprentices when the time comes.

Left me with a big grin and eager to see the 3rd season. God damn someone license this already!

[TheGreenMan]

Hell YES! (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ariatheovaariettalarge3sq1.jpg) (Spoiler and Super Cute Warning)

:neko: :neko: :neko: :neko: :neko:

[The Great Bear]

God damn someone license this already!

Here, here!

Hey there R1 licensers, you have a guaranteed set of preorders for all THREE seasons from me.

[EmperorBrandon]

Hey there R1 licensers, you have a guaranteed set of preorders for all THREE seasons from me.

More Junichi Sato stuff please! :) I'll get this if licensed, and of course those Kaleido Star OVA's are still unlicensed, too...

[something]

Back to Aqua, bitches!

Episode 1:

- Ai! Ai Ai Ai Ai Ai! AIIIIIIIIIIIII!
- I like the new OP. Retains the same feel as the first one.
- My god, Ai is so adorable in the silly Aria company uniform. NEVER LEAVE ME, AI! -Er, I mean, never leave Aria Company. That's it...
- Hazukashii serifu kinshi! Aika!
- Dekkai upside down! Akira! Alicia! Athena petting Ai! XD
- Epic confrontation, Gachapen vs Pony!
- Huh, what do I write about that? After seeing Casanova, the giant masked individual who some claim is hundreds of years old, the girls are led on something of a chase after one of Casanova's small masked attendants. As they enter a space between houses, Akari and Ai are suddenly separated from Aika and Alicia. They follow a path back to the walkways, and there's Casanova.

And then a strange, and strangely awesome, scene follows where they're given small instruments and join in an impromptu musical parade through the streets until they reach... Casanova's secret hideout? He indicates that this is as far as they can go, though they desperately want to go with him, they're pulled back by one of the attendants: it's Aria-shachou. Cassanova gives them each a flower and leaves and reveals that he's the giant cat I saw in some art before I ever watched any Aria.

There was a marvelous atmosphere during the whole second half of this episode. It was a significantly different feeling than I've gotten from Aria so far, but it was a really good one. It's terribly difficult to put into words, but... I liked it. A lot.

I expect very good things from Natural.

[Njr Scrawl]

Wait..so you people have your copies already!?

Is this a show that can be watched as "episode 0", i.e before ATA?

[Spirit Of The Stage]

Wait..so you people have your copies already!?

Is this a show that can be watched as "episode 0", i.e before ATA?

If you know the characters beforehand, I'd say so. It doesn't spoil two much, except a bit more about the three water fairies past, specifically Alicia's. It is very lush, gorgeously animated and at the end, insanely sweet. Recommended.

[TalonG4]

Back to Aqua, bitches!

Episode 1:

- I like the new OP. Retains the same feel as the first one.

I think I like this OP better myself, it flows better(no pun intended)...Euphoria!

There was a marvelous atmosphere during the whole second half of this episode. It was a significantly different feeling than I've gotten from Aria so far, but it was a really good one. It's terribly difficult to put into words, but... I liked it. A lot.

I expect very good things from Natural.

I'm glad to hear that you liked the newer fantasy elements of the 2nd season. From what I've read, a lot of people don't. I do, on the other hand. Aqua is a mysterious place and Akari has only scratched the surface I think.

[something]

I'm glad to hear that you liked the newer fantasy elements of the 2nd season. From what I've read, a lot of people don't. I do, on the other hand. Aqua is a mysterious place and Akari has only scratched the surface I think.
I see it as a logical extension of the first series. When we hit the freakin time travel, of all things, near the end of AtA, I knew we were definitely in for a lot more like that in Natural. :sd: And with all the cats in the covered bridge, there was no way they weren't going to follow up on all that.

Now I've only seen the first episode, so it could go in a direction I don't like, but at the very least the introduction was wonderful.

[something]

Mmm... what to watch when I'm too tired to think? Aria!

Ep. 2

- Aika finds a treasure map? Love how she just goes around opening random chests.
- Woah, sudden moe overload. Alice very cutely defending her hobby of taking walks around the city. XD
- Akari speaks pigeon!! Dekkai mysterious!
- Alice is really into this and it's paralyzingly cute. I also like how Aika has taken to calling her "kouhai-chan". They go around town finding boxed letters giving them hints of where to go next. After the third letter, Alice and Aika figure the answer out and leave Akari to figure it out herself, since she's not the quickest person in the world :sd:
- Hmm. I don't mind the sd/chibi versions of the characters in this show for the most part, but it's been dominating this episode. The normal character designs are nice, so I'd like to see more of them. Still, Akari's dumbfounded expression comes through no matter the style.
- Ah, very nice. The follow the maps to the end, and it's a panoramic view of Neo-Venezia. Aika is so sturck she can barely deliver her line XD
- Annnd... stuff. Great episode, too chibi-heaby but awesome nonetheless. Especially that super cute Alicia stuff early on. And the weirdness at the cafe :sd:

[Njr Scrawl]

Wait..so you people have your copies already!?

Is this a show that can be watched as "episode 0", i.e before ATA?

If you know the characters beforehand, I'd say so. It doesn't spoil two much, except a bit more about the three water fairies past, specifically Alicia's. It is very lush, gorgeously animated and at the end, insanely sweet. Recommended.

Got mine now. CDJ sent a little sheet of stickers of the white beastie, very cute. I've just ordered The Natural vol.3 R3 as its newly released.

[something]

Episode 3:

- Dekkai gachi-gachi! Aika was making some interesting noises while Alice massaged her shoulders. Alas, Alice and Akari both lost in the most recent round of Saimoe. Both being in the same matchup didn't help, they seem to have split the vote and Sayuri of Kanon won. Not complaining, as Sayuri is awesome, but I *miiiiight* take Alice over her. Maybe. Probably won't say that after I rewatch Kanon though. But what sucks is that Alicia won her round vs. Shamal (Nanoha) and Misaki (NHK), and while I like her in an ara-ara onee-san way, shes not nearly as moe or all around kickass as Alice (or Aika or Akari) in terms of Aria girls. The luck of the bracket draw, I guess.
- Oh yeah, Alice definitely is my favorite Aria girl. "The gravity of... the gravity of... ... ...." ::gets silent and devolves into chibi face::
- An now Aika's mole-man boyfriend pops up to describe gravity for them.
- Mushroom hotpot... ::vomits:: Mushrooms are the most vile food in the universe >_<
- Dekkai itai desu~ Aika is sooooo cute around Al. XD And he barely reaches to her shoulders. Aika has a midget fetish!
- Alice passes on the meteor shower because she's too tired (aww...) so Aika, Akari and Al meet up in the main square. The light pollition entices them to find a more secluded spot though.
- ...Hime-shachou is bent around Aika's neck in an anatomically disturbing way. I'm going to call her Longcat-hime for now on.
- Heh, Aika gets the idea of climbing up on the roof of a building to watch the meteor shower. Al is clearly afraid of heights, and asks why he has to go first. The music stops and Aika just totally deadpans "Because if we went first you'd see our panties." ...XD
- Old man jokes aren't allowed! XD Aika was... mega super adorable overdrive takin-it-to-11 in this episode. Her mild tsundereness just makes it all the more satisfying.
- Ai... come baaaaaaaaaaack.

I'm fairly convinced all the therapists in the world would be out of a job if we just got every fucked up person to watch Aria.


Episode 4:

- I wonder if Akari's laptop is waterproof? And what's the battery life like?
- Akari gets to play mailgirl. Mailman-san's gondola needs to be fixed, so she's going to take him around. She gets to the post office to pick him up, and asks for "Mailman-san", forgetting that they're ALL "Mailman-san" there :sd: She actually doesn't know the guy's real name =P
- Well that's a... really inefficient way to collect mail :sd: And not terribly secure.
- Why does the post office cafeteria have cat food bento?
- Ooooh! Aika looks really nice with her hair down. Seems like she and Akira landed a wedding gig - the wedding that a boy named Sora needs a letter delivered to. Aika's braids are cute but, yeah, more hair down please.
- Treasures, feelings, hearts... This si where we need Aika! And what about Neo-Venezian spam mail? Do the marketers intimate feelings shine through when they try to sell you porn mags or pamphlets for their cult? =P On the one hand we have interplanetary e-mail, on the other, snail mail and gondolas.

A strange place, Neo-Venezia.


Episode 5:

- Old tofu lady has the same eyebrows as Aria-shachou... >_>
- Hmm, they're playing the "mysterious/supernatural episode time" music. Alicia and Akari visit the "Japanese" island with lots of torii (<3 torii). A young boy in a kitsune mask starts following them around, and distracted by a sunshower, Alicia and Akari are separated.
- Huh, wow. I'd never heard of the "sunshowers mean the kitsune is marrying off his daughter" legend before. And then all of a sudden I see it in two very different shows that aired far apart from each other, and just happen to watch them within like two days of each other (this and Touka Gettan). The kitsune boy takes the tofu as an offering, and the wedding party moves on, though not before scaring the shit out of Akari.
- And so they sail away from the island, and Akari realizes the kitsune only wanted some tofu.
- Second part. Another island for Akari and Alicia.
- They're... in search of spring! Go get that spring! And then, haha, they come to a huge cherry tree... it's the Saigyou Ayakashi! Oh god, now I want nothing more than Yuyuko to jump out and challenge Akari to some "beautiful danmaku play". And... I dunno how many people know wtf I'm talking about, but it amuses ME immensely though.

Alright, this was one of those "let Akari experience wonderful things" episodes, and those are good and all, but the lack of dekkai and kinshi becomes pretty severe after two eps in a row of it. But next episode looks like an Alice episode! YAAAAAAY!

But good episodes anyway, and now I get to imagine what spell cards Akari and Alice and Aika would use... Fondola Sign ~Dekkai Deluge~ [Lunatic Mode]!


Episode 6:

- Sleeping Alice is cute^nth.
- Dekkai overload in this episode. Aika and Akari are sleeping over! Athena invites them, when she sees how happy Alice is to have friends over.
- Alice looks great without her hat. Alice Alice Alice Alice Alice~
- Flower in her hair; Aika steals the dekkai; Kouhai-chan!
- Hmm Alice gets invited to an Orange Planet party for Pairs. But she doesn't want to attend. She gets a bit melancholy and heads back to the room, followed by Aria-shachou. Athena explains to Aika and Akari that it's not that Alice isn't liked. In fact, she's basically the company's idol. But the looks of mixed admiration and jealousy she sees around her come too as hostility in her mind, and so she distances herself from everyone.
- Bath! Naked! MOAR!
- ...Damn, not even an ass shot for Alice. ::shakes fist::

Yay, lots of Alice cuteness in this episode. I don't want he to get too cheery and open though, she'll lose that trademark sarcasm =P

Alice Alice Alice Alice Alice Alice Alice Alice Alice! <3

[something]

Episode 7:

- Changing into the summer uniform? God Akari is cute.
- Hmm, Alice opening up to her Orange Planet coworkers... that's good, but it better not cut into her Akari/Aika time. I *need* my Alice fix ten times more than I need crap like oxygen.
- As Aika gets all fired up, attempting the toughest waterways (what do they do if they come head to head with someone else? I doubt there are one way signs), Akari spots Aria-shachou in a gondola by himself (uh, it moves without rowing). She gets Aika to follow him, but when Aria-shachou heads down a waterway that's usually closed, Akari and Alice get a bad feeling and decide not to follow him further.
- She talks with Alicia about the kitty cat kingdom and Cait Sith and aother such things. When Aria-shachou comes back exhausted (but okay) late that night, she gets even more interested. At practice with Aika the next day (Alicia is off with OP pairs) she suggests they follow farther in this time... as long as Aika rows :sd:
- Oh and I see how Aria-shachou is rowing, there's a little wheel inside he can turn.
- Damn. Aria is at it's best (well one of its many bests) when it's like this. Twisting, turning, unnamed and unknown canals deep inside Neo Venezia. The background music flawlessly blends playfulness, relaxation and yet somehow a tension and sense of mystery. Dialog is minimalistic, but effective. Sound effects consist almost entirely of the gondola gliding through the water, the paddle slipping under and back out from the water's surface. The scenery always changes in subtle ways, and Neo Venezia makes clear that it's far from giving up all its secrets yet. And who better to discover them with than Akari and Aika? ...Ok, Alice, but two out of three isn't bad at all.
- As they probe deeper, they're no longer alone, even though they don't realize it. A group of cats shadow their moves...
- But they keep returning to the same spot. Akari switches with Aika but it makes no difference. Over and over they wind up retracing their strokes, and they start to get seriously creeped out, wondering if this is their punishment for trying to enter the cats' domain.
- Eventually, coming to the spot again, they're met by Aria-shachou. He motions to a waterway, the exit, that didn't seem to be there before. They take it, and as they're leaving, Akari looks back... and sees hundreds of cats, including the leader. You know, if he wants things to be a secret, he should stop enticing Akari with images of some grand cat kingdom :sd:

God I hope they make more Aria forever and ever and ever and ever.

[Njr Scrawl]

God I hope they make more Aria forever and ever and ever and ever.

Amen. :)

3rd series to look forward to.

I hope all 3 get R1 licensed soon.

FYI: Those who buy Aria, R3 releases for The Natural ("The Animation II") volumes 5 & 6 now for sale at JSMall.

[something]

Episode 8:

- Mm, an Akatsuki episode? I don't like him all that much but maybe Alice will show up or something. Even if not, at least we got a kinshi from Akari.
- Oh shit! Aahahaha, within 30 seconds, who appears but... Alice! She looks so cute with her skirt tied up like that, but then again cute is the fundamental property of her existence so I guess "Cute Alice" is rather redundant. Akari tells her she ought to give Athena a rose for Bocolo Day.
- Now enter Gachapen! She has the same idea bout giving Alicia a rose, and vows to beat Akatsuki to the punch. Then Woody drops in, with loads and loads of flowers all addressed to Akira, who is super popular with girls. He's also got another box of roses to deliver to Akatsuki, who is going to add it o his Alicia basket. And Akatsuki is apparently a deadbeat when it comes to paying up :sd:
- Heh, Gachapen is rubbing off on Pony Man... he hits Akari with a hazukashii serifu kinshi as she's waxing poetic over the origins of Bocolo Day.
- Aika runs into Al, who doesn't have a rose for her... but he does have a large rose gem that he gives her instead. She blushes furiously of course, and is about to ask him the meaning behind it when Akari comes in and accidentally breaks up the mood. Poor Aika.
- Akatsuki finishes gathering roses and wants to practice what he'll say when he gives them to Alicia. He asks Akari to play the role of Alicia. And Akari lets out an ara-ara and ufufu~. Akari is a fountain of unending cuteness and love and awesome. ::nods::
- Oh man I think Alicia does this on purpose. :sd: She floats past with a gondola full of flowers from all her fans and customers, and Akatsuki hurriedly tries to offer her the roses... when she looks, ara-aras, and says it's nice that Akatsuki gave Akari so many flowers, and then paddles off saying she must be interrupting something. Akatsuki, UTTERLY DEFEATED.
- Then some Alice cuteness, Aika cuteness, and finally Akatsuki giving Akari a rose for all her help today. She says it's the first time she's gotten a rose from a guy, and Akatsuki blushes... geh, Akari is super cute here but I totally am not okay with an Akari-Akatsuki pairing. Don't go there! If Akari can't get with Alice or Aika, she must stay single!

[something]

Episode 9:

- Oh, about time, really. More than 20 episodes and Akari has done very little (or we've been shown very little) formal practice with customers. I imagine the series will eventually address her becoming a Prima, but it ain't gonna happen if she never practices with customers. She's doing really well though, and it's fun to watch.
- Yess, best possible character setup for an Aria episode: Akari, Alice and Aika! No grouping of characters will ever top that triple threat, though I'd love to see Ai work her way in somehow.
- And even better, we get Aika and Alice competing over who knows the best spots. While Akari just sits back and enjoys all the wonderful things, oblivious to the rivalry. Alice is also making adorable "mu-mu-mu-mu" sounds :sd:
- Akari is somewhat depressed that she can't find wonderful places of her own, and plans to set out after dinner with Aika, but Alicia comes by and says that power will be out tonight so that's not a good idea. This is a problem for Akari, who is scared of the dark...
- ::blinks:: Oh wow, how did I not realize that after all this time? Alicia doesn't live in the Aria Company building? "You didn't have to come and stay the night," says Akari. Huh? Man, Alicia has always been there in the mornings, I just assumed she lived there too.
- Either way, she should know better than to set candles on a wooden surface with nothing under them >_> Aria Company goes up in flames!
- Jesus crap where did she get all these candles from? Also, Akari bath scene <3 Though not expecting much from it, as this show is about as fanservicey as a Boeing 737 instruction manual.
- Woahjeeze Aika was needed BADLY in the closing scenes of this episode. Hazukashi serifu oozing from every pore every time either one opened their mouths.

[something]

Mmm one more for tonight I guess. I gotta make Natural last until 3rd comes out! ...though I don't think I can delay THAT long.

Episode 10:

- Whee, the trio again. Hopefully for the full episode this time.
- Alice and Aika are amazed at how many people Akari knows. Akari skips afternoon practice to go shopping, and so Aika and Alice decide to tail her and see her tricks for making friends so easily. This should be good.
- I think Aika and Alice might make for the best couple in the show. They have a cute rivalry, and dekkai vs kinshi is a clash of the titans. Then we have "Kouhai-chan" and the collision of two proud personalities.
- They spy on Akari as she easily makes friends with people on the boat, literally within minutes. Aika has a hard time getting used to the bumpy ride, with the boat they're on crashing against the pier at each stop. A mysterious looking man bumps into Alice, and Alice thinks there's a corpse in his suitcase XD
- But Akari makes fast friends even with him. Alice and Aika are afraid for her safety, but Akari gets off the boat with the man before they realize it, and they're stuck heading to the next destination. All they can do is get off at the next stop and rush back. And Alice adds a new layer of adorable: "Aye Aye Sir!"

I love watching Alice and Aika interact, especially with the simultaneous kinshi. The whole puppet thing was a bit boring, but until that it was a good episode. Alice <3

[EmperorBrandon]

Dang, something has almost caught up to where I'm at. Need to get back to watching these. :)

[Nork22]

Silly people! Don't rush ARIA! :D

[EmperorBrandon]

Well, rush or not, I did get to watching two eps. tonight and very glad I did. :) Ep. 12 had some Akari focus again, first half more with the supernatural cat realm again and Cait Sith making another appearance. They definitely seem to have an interest in Akari. And in the second half Akari falls in love with a night light. :D

But the true awesomeness is ep. 13, featuring Alice-chan (and "Alice-chan no mikata" too ;) ) For her, jumping on shadows = SERIOUS BUSINESS. Lots of amusing fun with Alice's childish side here, and Ryo Hirohashi captured that perfectly.

[Spirit Of The Stage]

Well, rush or not, I did get to watching two eps. tonight and very glad I did. :) Ep. 12 had some Akari focus again, first half more with the supernatural cat realm again and Cait Sith making another appearance. They definitely seem to have an interest in Akari. And in the second half Akari falls in love with a night light. :D

But the true awesomeness is ep. 13, featuring Alice-chan (and "Alice-chan no mikata" too ;) ) For her, jumping on shadows = SERIOUS BUSINESS. Lots of amusing fun with Alice's childish side here, and Ryo Hirohashi captured that perfectly.

Aside from the last but one episode, without a doubt my favourite episode from Aria - I'm quite the Alice fan and this ep showed just how cute she really is under that sarcastic exterior. If this doesn't become something's favourite ep so far as well I'll be very surprised...it's dekkai dynamite desu... :)

[EmperorBrandon]

Aside from the last but one episode, without a doubt my favourite episode from Aria - I'm quite the Alice fan and this ep showed just how cute she really is under that sarcastic exterior. If this doesn't become something's favourite ep so far as well I'll be very surprised...it's dekkai dynamite desu... :)

I would say this is one of my favorites so far too - definitely one of the best Alice episodes at the very least.

[something]

Silly people! Don't rush ARIA! :D
I've watched less than one full (26) season's worth of episodes over a period of two and a half months... I'm definitely not rushing Aria :sd:

[Suwako Moriya]

Silly people! Don't rush ARIA! :D

Well I was about to watch the Arietta since I had already finished Animation and Natural. However after reading your advice I decided I'll just wait a decade or two. :P Okay in all serious I actually am watching the OVA right now, but that's another story.

[something]

Well, somehow I'm practically caught up on new shows, so I'll squeeze in an Aria or two tonight.

Episode 11:

- Wahahha tha was so cute. Akatsuki's brother stops by and asks Akari to do a job for him. Her response is just hahii? and hohee? over and over. XD I love his reaction too: "Uh, not 'hahi', did you even hear what I said?"
- He recruits her to transport some glass from a workshop. Alicia comes along and they get their cargo and their passenger.
- He's a bit unfriendly but of course Akari gradually opens him up. Still, it's a bit boring until another gondola just about crashes into them, and Akari uses her awesome undine sklls to deftly evade, then smiles and says "Even though I'm still an apprentice!" XD
- The deliver the goods safely, and Akari gains another fan.

Well, that was a bit uneventful even for an Aria episode, but I still enjoyed it. The only really good scenes were Akari's smooth moves and the little bit at the end. But good nonetheless.

I do think, however, that I'm getting to the point where I really crave the somewhat more energetic interaction among the three younger Undines, so episodes with Akari only or Akari and Alicia are, while nice, just not nearly as good. I'm not sure I'd yet say I'm getting "impatient" but I guess I'm eager for more of that faster paced character interaction. More kinshi, more dekkai. Especially dekkai. Hahii and Hohee are no slouches, but it needs to mix with the others.

And weird as it sounds, a bit of plot would be okay about now. More with Cait Sith, sure, but even better is the girls' development from singles to primas, or pair to single/prima in Alice's case. With a short OVA and a whole new season coming, I know there's time to develop that (and I'm still short of halfway through Natural), but I guess I'm a little antsy to see them actually go there rather than ignore it through the rest of Natural.

...In sum, MORE ALICE AND AIKA NOW!

[Njr Scrawl]

Sorry to squeeze into your Aria area, :P
ANN have a page (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=8657) for the new series, its Aria the Origination, & will be a prequel to The Animation, following Arietta (the OVA).

So Aria will still be stepping back in time, & The Natural is still the latest story. Perhaps the earlier/younger days were thought to be more kawai for character appeal.

[something]

So Aria will still be stepping back in time, & The Natural is still the latest story. Perhaps the earlier/younger days were thought to be more kawai for character appeal.
Interesting. I haven't seen Arietta yet (up next after I finish Natural, whenever that will be) but I'm surprised they're stepping back. I don't know where the girls stand in pair/single/prima when Natural ends (and nobody spoil me either way!) so maybe they've already increased their ranks somewhat in what has been animated, but I doubt it. For them to jump back puts that off even longer. But it also means there's reason to hope for yet another series later on that continues where Natural leaves off =P

I just wonder... if it's a prequel to Animation, then Akari doesn't know Alice yet. And I can't remember if she met Aika in Animation or already knew her before it started... Alice is featured on the site for Origination however, so she'll obviously be in it. But if she doesn't know Akari and Aika, I will be oh soooo profoundly sad.

So I guess I'm a bit confused as to where they're going with this.

[The Great Bear]

So, they're going back to animate the Aqua manga? That makes a certain amount of sense, I guess.

[relentlessflame]

Sorry to squeeze into your Aria area, :P
ANN have a page (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=8657) for the new series, its Aria the Origination, & will be a prequel to The Animation, following Arietta (the OVA).

So Aria will still be stepping back in time, & The Natural is still the latest story. Perhaps the earlier/younger days were thought to be more kawai for character appeal.
Actually, I have my doubts about this, considering the promo shot on the official website (http://www.ariacompany.net/index2.htm) (that has also appeared in various print mangazines). I wonder if they have a source, or if it's just an assumption given the title?

[Nork22]

So, they're going back to animate the Aqua manga? That makes a certain amount of sense, I guess.
More like using more stories from AQUA. A fair bit of Animation uses stories from AQUA as well.

The way I think this will work out is that it will be more of the same ARIA, with a few more stories from AQUA. Can't remember if it was in Animation or Natural, but I want to see them animate their trip to the island above where the Salamanders work. :)

[something]

Episode 12:

- Hot summer day. Akari does laundry, Alice is out in her gondola, Aika is wiping hers down, Alice is in a swumsuit, Akir--Alice is in a swimsuit?! ALICE IS IN A SWIMSUIT!! I demand more of that, right the hell now.
- Akari sets out to get the ingredients for dinner, but apparently heat makes Akari go craaaazy. She hallucinates big time. That must make summer rough :sd:
- IN THIS EPISODE, AKARI TAKES HALLUCENOGENIC DRUGS. God that was strange XD She ends up in the cats' summer hideaway, a iced milk bar. Cait Sith (or whatever his name was) treats to her a glass, and the bartender tells her humans can't get there ...normally. But Akari is hardly normal, huh?
- And so the first half was a contained episode. 12 minutes of Akari going slowly insane. Awesome.
- Part 2.
- Yay! Alicia tells Akari she should go buy a nightshine chime. Akari runs into Aika! Aika Aika Aika! There hasn't been enough of the trainee trio interacting lately, or so it feels. Maybe I just can't possibly get enough. But either way, Aria is far and away at its best the three are together. Second best is simply Akari wandering around stoned like in part 1. Everything else (like the mailman episode and such) is a distant third.
- Akari picks out a chime. Then she gets all poetic, and man I'm getting good at knowing when a kinshi coming. XD She was begging for one right there.
- Then it gets even better... Alice! Aliiiiiice! They all have their nightshine chimes, Akari pink, Aika blue, Alice... well Alice breaks the pattern and goes yellow. She should have gone green so they could all match hair colors.
- Akari loves her chime... She sleeps with it, has tea on her gondola at night with it, practices with it, bathes with it >_> Heh.
- And then somehow all the nightshine stones go out at the same night? Everyone in Neo-Venezia gathers on the ocean and thanks their stone as it fades and drops back into the ocean. Taking the little decorative paper tags with it. That's ocean pollution!

Aw crap, next episode looks like an Alice episode. Now I must watch it! I was going to try and get some sleep...

[something]

Episode 13:

- It starts with the three girls together! Please let it last this time. Such a wonderful dynamic must be properly exploited.
- Afternoon practice, Alice navigating an obstacle. Aika praises her, Alice blushes faintly, I die and go to heaven.
- But she almost crashes when coming to an intersection because she still doesn't yell the gondola warning loudly enough. Aika chides her, but Alice ignores her and mutters to herself about her resolution, and winning... something.
- Best scene of the show! Alice is adorable in her uniform (thighhighs!), and even more adorable being all determined about getting home from school by only stepping in shadows. <3 "Rule Three: Half stepping in shadows does not count!" And then she gets lucky as a shadowless bridge from a airship passing overhead. Then at the final stretch... She misses it just barely =( Aliiiiiiiiice~~~
- "Today's resolution is to kick this stone all the way home. While only walking on the lines in the pavement. And hopping on one foot." That would be quite a sight >_>
- Ahaha, Akari sees her jumping along (Alice decided on the shadows again). "Alice was... bouncing." XD
- This is easily the best episode of Natural. All Alice! Hopping along, making it through another tough area, looking immensely satisfied and smiling... AH! LOVE!
- Athena finds her, and I'm surprised that Alice is willing to go on doing it even with Athena watching. Though when Maa messes Alice up and Athena helps her, Alice says she doesn't want help, and redoes that section again :sd:
- Athena goes to help her again later (she missed the airship and is screwed at the bridge) and Alice storms off, saying she's redoing it all from where she met Athena. She wonders to herself why Athena always interferes... why she always tries to help her.
- Then she gets to another section, hard now because of the time of day. And she sees Athena in a gondola with Aika and Akari. She tells them not to interfere, and starts jumping from shadow to shadow. Alice is Kage wo Kakeru Undine!
- But she falters near the end. Athena moves at light speed to shift the Gondola over to the walkway, where her shadow saves Alice. Alice objects again, but Athena says she's just like a hidden character in a game, not something you rely on but when you find it, you say "Lucky!". Alice blushes a little and adds a new rule. "Rule Five: I don't mind help from Athena-sempai because she's not just anyone." SOMOEIMGONNADIE.

Now how goddamn awesome was that? Proof we need MORE ALICE forever and ever to the nth power~ of eternity and beyond.

Plus two.

[Spirit Of The Stage]

SOMOEIMGONNADIE.

Now how goddamn awesome was that? Proof we need MORE ALICE forever and ever to the nth power~ of eternity and beyond.

Plus two.

You forgot to square it. :) In a few years time, Alice will grow in Fate like terms of attractiveness mark my words (if Aria goes that long) - she's only 14 or 15 right, yet somehow she has such a classic beautiful look that makes you fall in love with her.

Helps that she's a dekkai awesome character in terms of personality and the elements of her still being a child as this ep proved makes her one of my favourite characters of all time. Yes, I love everyone in Aria, but Alice when she's on form, cannot be beat.

[something]

You forgot to square it. :)
I was going to, but decided that wasn't awesome enough and hence raised it to the 'nth'.

Helps that she's a dekkai awesome character in terms of personality and the elements of her still being a child as this ep proved makes her one of my favourite characters of all time. Yes, I love everyone in Aria, but Alice when she's on form, cannot be beat.
I love so many characters I've given up trying to decide on favorites (aside from Haruhi), but she's certainly one of the best. It's just a shame she doesn't get the screentime a main character would. Her voice is a huge part of my love for her as well.

[something]

I didn't forget about you, Aria! I *will* finish this before Origination starts.

Episode 14:

- Damn angles that SHOULD be pantyshots (well, not so much in the Ariaverse...). Just how early did Akari wake up?
- And holy shit how old is Aria-shachou? He's in a photo with grandma that must be at least 50 years old O_O
- So she's trying to design a palina, the poles you tie a gondola too, which also act as an establishment's signpost. I guess this means an Akari-only episode for the most part. These are hit or miss.
- I do like seeing Alicia get all giddy that grandma came over though.
- Must reiterate how cute Akari is, especially with her hat off. It took awhile to get used to the way her hair is so short in the back, but I've long since come to like it.
- Haha oh wow. For some reason when I thought of the pole, I was thinking of something not much larger than her. But it's like, a tree trunk. Which makes sense and all, but I wasn't really thinking about how deep it'd have to go.
- "If someone sees this palina far, far in the future, it'll be like meeting the three of us as we are now!" OH MAH GAWD ITS LIKE TIME TRAVEL! Akari and Alicia are such dorks :sd:

Anyway, decent for an Akari-only episode but Alice should still be the main character of Aria.

[EmperorBrandon]

I didn't forget about you, Aria! I *will* finish this before Origination starts.


Origination starts on Jan. 7 of next year, so pace yourself accordingly, I guess. :P It's taking the slot of Sketchbook, which I also like, but ah well... (hoping there will be more of that too, eventually)

[The Great Bear]

Anyway, decent for an Akari-only episode but Alice should still be the main character of Aria.

Alicia should be the main character of Aria :P

[Suwako Moriya]

Origination starts on Jan. 7 of next year, so pace yourself accordingly, I guess. :P It's taking the slot of Sketchbook, which I also like, but ah well... (hoping there will be more of that too, eventually)

Ah so that's when Aria the Origination will start. Watch me forget the date in the next fews days. Speaking of Sketchbook yeah there needs to be a lot more of that. The world will be a better place once that happens.

[something]

Episode 15:

- Akari and Akira? That's not a common pair. In fact we haven't seen much or Akira at all.
- Akatsuki kinshi'd Akari. XD And... I still really hope they don't go the Akari/Akatsuki route. I'd rather Akari become a nun. A nun with a gondola.
- Now Al... it's like a convention for the plot rejects. Plus Akari. Flashback time!
- Ahaha oh shit, I didn't even realize the two little girls were Akira and Alicia at first. Also, Al really is an old man. He's older than Akatsuki, Woody, Akira and Alicia? And how much older are they than Aika? Al is robbing the cradle...
- "I'm not here for Aqua, Aqua is here for me!" XD I like how Akira and Akatsuki don't even realize that that was each other they met.

Good episode for getting the "old timers" together. And Akari goes through like 20 seconds of angst.

...Preview shot looks interesting. Akari taking off[?] her left glove, and a title "Parting with that Gondola"? Maybe this is the story of how she went pair to single. Damn, I should watch that too, but it's late...

[something]

Alicia should be the main character of Aria :P
This means WAR. Better watch your back, or you'll find a nail-studded oar shoved through your spine!

[something]

Origination starts on Jan. 7 of next year, so pace yourself accordingly, I guess. :P
11 episodes left, 22 or so days. Hmm, that sounds like a very doable, appropriate pace. Think I'm going to watch 16 tonight though, but I really shouldn't. Decisions decisions. Oh well, if I don't I'll just wind up danbooruing until 1am again anyway >_>

It's taking the slot of Sketchbook, which I also like, but ah well... (hoping there will be more of that too, eventually)
Another show I need to catch up on. Just like Aria though, I can watch it whenever the heck I want, really. Maybe if I finish Natural early, I'll switch to Sketchbook until Origination starts.

It's strange, I've never watched a show at this sort of pace before. Considering I didn't start episode one of the Animation until I had *all* of Animation and Natural available, and I posted about Animation ep 1 on July 29th... that's four and a half months so far and only 28 episodes watched. That's not *too* much faster than the rate at which it aired, although a lot of my watching was done in short bursts rather than spread evenly.

[Suwako Moriya]

This means WAR. Better watch your back, or you'll find a nail-studded oar shoved through your spine!

War in an Aria thread? Now I'm curious as to what war would be like in the world of Aria. Then again the power of Akari (who finds everything amazing) would likely make the war very short.

[something]

Episode 16:

- Ok, no flashback but it seems like it's time for Akari to get a new gondola. When it's all stripped of its decoration and paint and is completely black, it looks evil =D
- Ah, I was only half wrong. We do get a flashback to when she was a pair, but that's when she got this gondola... which makes far more sense for an episode than what I was saying. Also, more epic backwards rowing.
- First up, Akatsuki! And more backwards rowing. He was her first customer.
- And then Aika and Alice! Finally! I've missed them ;_; ...and it was short but sweet. "Aika-senpai, are you crying?" XD
- Hmm then to the test course where she became a single. On the way back she passes out and dreams of rowing an old man through an aqueduct of pee. Lay off the cocaine, Akari.

Like I said, the Akari-only episodes vary in quality, but this was one of the best of them. Goodbye, fair fondola! I will miss you. But your efforts will not be forgotten. It's simply a new age, and your descendant will strive to match and exceed your legacy.

Oh and, new ED. Looks like the next ep is Akira, Athena, Alicia flashback. Athena and Akira are singles, Alicia is a prima. Guess she beat em to it.

[something]

War in an Aria thread? Now I'm curious as to what war would be like in the world of Aria.
Urban warfare on gondolas... I so want to see that. "We'll attack their supply center and immediately retreat. It's a hit and row attack!"

[Suwako Moriya]

War in an Aria thread? Now I'm curious as to what war would be like in the world of Aria.
Urban warfare on gondolas... I so want to see that. "We'll attack their supply center and immediately retreat. It's a hit and row attack!"

I'd wait in excitement for someone to say "You sunk my battleship Gondola!"

[HitokiriShadow]

Oh christ, I clicked "reivew other posts in this topic" in order to check something out in an earlier post of mine, and without even thinking my eyes instantly took in and processed a line before I even realized it. And it was a spoiler. I didn't even know this show could be spoiled, short of, like, GIANT METEOR, EVERYONE DIES. Bleh, hopefully it happens early in Natural or, like, is obvious from way long before.


Ugh. I think I now what spoiler you mean. I just assumed this was the discussion thread (you know, episode by episode, starting with the first) for the series and then first line of the second post spoils something from the very end of Natural. Oh goodie.

[The Great Bear]

War in an Aria thread? Now I'm curious as to what war would be like in the world of Aria.Urban warfare on gondolas... I so want to see that. "We'll attack their supply center and immediately retreat. It's a hit and row attack!"I'd wait in excitement for someone to say "You sunk my battleship Gondola!"

Aha, the super-secret submarine gondola I had in readiness will come in handy now.

:P

[Suwako Moriya]

War in an Aria thread? Now I'm curious as to what war would be like in the world of Aria.Urban warfare on gondolas... I so want to see that. "We'll attack their supply center and immediately retreat. It's a hit and row attack!"I'd wait in excitement for someone to say "You sunk my battleship Gondola!"

Aha, the super-secret submarine gondola I had in readiness will come in handy now.

Well thanks to your blabbing it's no longer a secret. In any case such a war would go beyond merely just the Undines and involves the others such as Gnomes, Salamanders, etc. However clearly when all is said and done, everyone will bow before Ai as their new ruler.

[something]

Aha, the super-secret submarine gondola I had in readiness will come in handy now.
::prepares to launch the dekkai depth charges::

[Suwako Moriya]

Aha, the super-secret submarine gondola I had in readiness will come in handy now.
::prepares to launch the dekkai depth charges::

You know we wouldn't be in this mess if you'd just give up the Fondola already.

[something]

You know we wouldn't be in this mess if you'd just give up the Fondola already.
Sometimes, a man's just gotta fight for what he believes in. Tengen Toppa, Alice Fondola!

::wants to "gattai" with Alice::

[something]

Episode 17:

- It's the goodbye thank you gondola sendoff party! Awww, Alicia was so fucking cute as a pair. ([n]but not as cute as Alice! ::throws oranges at TGB::) "Oh whee! Scraping barnacles! It's so fun!" And so it was her first gondola too.
- Alice[SUPERIOR]/Athena and Aika/Akira arrive for the party! Yay! And a flashback to when Alicia went prima and had to switch gondolas. They say she gets a white gondola for going prima, so I guess I'll know Akari went prima when I see her on a new gondola... all the more reason for me to catch up before origination so I don't see that somewhere before I watch.

But anyway, nothing to say about the rest of the episode other than <3

Ah who would have thought a girl getting sentimental about her gondola (for like, seriously, 20 minutes or something) could be so moving? When she was lying in the gondola in the light rain (looking fantastic, might I add), and when she saw her old gondola at the end, I was just like... awwwwwwwww~ I so do love Akari.

I'm not exactly sure how *re*watchable Aria is going to be if I ever try, but I do know that if they just keep making new episodes like this forever and ever and ever, I am totally going to keep watching. This was a great example of why.

[Spirit Of The Stage]

I'm not exactly sure how *re*watchable Aria is going to be if I ever try, but I do know that if they just keep making new episodes like this forever and ever and ever, I am totally going to keep watching. This was a great example of why.

Aria is something that draws you in no matter what the circumstances - a sense of peace which you can relax to no matter what the circumstances, and if it continues as long as it wants, I'm not going to complain.

Oh, and I've got some spare tangerines - I've applied as 1st guard for the POCTGAC (Prevention Of Cruelty To The Goddess Alice Carroll) - tell me when to fire on the enemy sir. :evil:

[The Great Bear]

You know we wouldn't be in this mess if you'd just give up the Fondola already.
Sometimes, a man's just gotta fight for what he believes in. Tengen Toppa, Alice Fondola!

::wants to "gattai" with Alice::

You know, there's a simple end to this war. We'll build two Fondolas. You can have one oared by Alice. I'll have one oared by Alicia. And the world will be perfect.

[The Great Bear]

Aha, the super-secret submarine gondola I had in readiness will come in handy now.Well thanks to your blabbing it's no longer a secret. In any case such a war would go beyond merely just the Undines and involves the others such as Gnomes, Salamanders, etc. However clearly when all is said and done, everyone will bow before Ai as their new ruler.

Secrets, in the long run, are impossible to keep "secret."

Besides, I've brokered an end to the Fondola War.

[Suwako Moriya]

You know, there's a simple end to this war. We'll build two Fondolas. You can have one oared by Alice. I'll have one oared by Alicia. And the world will be perfect.

How about letting there be a third Fondola that's oared by Aika? *Waits for others to make their claims as well*

[Nork22]

You know, there's a simple end to this war. We'll build two Fondolas. You can have one oared by Alice. I'll have one oared by Alicia. And the world will be perfect.

How about letting there be a third Fondola that's oared by Aika? *Waits for others to make their claims as well*
I'll board that one! :D

[Suwako Moriya]

You know, there's a simple end to this war. We'll build two Fondolas. You can have one oared by Alice. I'll have one oared by Alicia. And the world will be perfect.

How about letting there be a third Fondola that's oared by Aika? *Waits for others to make their claims as well*
I'll board that one! :D

Now hold on a second here. I've already lost Alicia to The Great Bear and Alice to something. Now you're trying to take Aika away from me? You people are heartless...

[Spirit Of The Stage]

You know, there's a simple end to this war. We'll build two Fondolas. You can have one oared by Alice. I'll have one oared by Alicia. And the world will be perfect.

How about letting there be a third Fondola that's oared by Aika? *Waits for others to make their claims as well*
I'll board that one! :D

Now hold on a second here. I've already lost Alicia to The Great Bear and Alice to something. Now you're trying to take Aika away from me? You people are heartless...

Now you realise? And just to add to the madness, I think therefore on the claims already, I'll snatch Akari before Cait Sith (or anyone else here) tries to...where's my Norwegian long boat? (Sorry, couldn't find a fondula without a lawsuit...)

[something]

Now hold on a second here. I've already lost Alicia to The Great Bear and Alice to something. Now you're trying to take Aika away from me? You people are heartless...
You can have, uh, the mailman.

[Suwako Moriya]

You can have, uh, the mailman.

No way in heck and besides he's already taken by another poster here. As for who err I'm sworn to secrecy or in other words whatever name I mention at random will cause someone to be angry at me.

[HitokiriShadow]

Akira has always been one of the less interesting characters for me, but I really liked her in this episode. "I'm Akira-sama, bitch." And as kid, she was total tomboy and completely nuts. Alicia was... basically the same as she is now. But she was darn cute.

[HitokiriShadow]

You know, there's a simple end to this war. We'll build two Fondolas. You can have one oared by Alice. I'll have one oared by Alicia. And the world will be perfect.

How about letting there be a third Fondola that's oared by Aika? *Waits for others to make their claims as well*
I'll board that one! :D

Now hold on a second here. I've already lost Alicia to The Great Bear and Alice to something. Now you're trying to take Aika away from me? You people are heartless...

Oh, btw, since something already has Alice (for now, just wait until the next Great Gondola War, things will change, you'll see) I'll make an early claim on Ai. Sure she's a bit young now, but give her another 5-10 years...

[something]

Episode 18:

- Aria BBQ~! That means everyone will get together <3
- Alice does the meat dance! But where is Aika? =(
- Wahaha, not even two seconds after unpausing, she arrives. Akari, Alice, Aika! Together again!
- ...Is everyone on Aqua colorblind? Aika's hair is not "black", though I suppose in this situation "kuro" could also just mean "dark"? Either way, she's sparkling with awesome. Damn it really does look good on her. And I'm pretty sure she silently had multiple orgasms when Alicia said she looked like a goddess.
- So, I was trying to avoid commenting on that thing around Aria-shachou's head, but seriously, wtf is that? Is he a lion, or a sunflower?
- Woah, wtf Akira? She totally just peed in Aika's victory cheerios. What was the point of randomly bringing her down when she's so radiantly happy? I'm sure there's a reason, but Akira is on my bad list until I find out why. ::hugs Aika::
- ...Ok, Akira wins some respect back by stopping Aika's head from bursting into flames.
- But even so, poor Aika ;_; ;_; ;_; Just as she got such a nice new look and got praised by her Alicia... And damn when's the last time we got an Aika episode? I guess that one with Al.
- Akari and Alice... I love them both but I don't think I could trust either to give me a haircut. But Akari is in SERIOUS MODE.
- Akira really takes her sweet time making her point. She really hit Aika where it hurts, like half a dozen times, and didn't say what she really meant until she has Aika in tears. :sd: Oh well, she made the right point in the end and thats what matters.

And Aika's super short style goes against my preference for long hair, but it looks really good on her anyway. I loved Akari's reaction to it XD

Ah, Aika turns the moe-meter to 11 in this episode. Awesome to see some focus on her, it's been a loooooong time coming.

[Suwako Moriya]

And Aika's super short style goes against my preference for long hair, but it looks really good on her anyway. I loved Akari's reaction to it XD

Finally something got to experience the new look of Aika herself. Now your life should be filled with real meaning. Still sometimes the fun is not in how it looks, but in the fact there was a change. Still yeah I like her shorter hair.

[something]

Episode 19:

- Wahaha, Aika totally just said "gununu". If only she'd made the face (http://danbooru.donmai.us/post?tags=gununu) too =P
- But oh man, another Aika ep? Please yes.
- Oooooh. Aika looks great in her close sitting sleeveless black top and thighhighs. The large waisted pants are a tossup, but Aika makes anything look good. I'm so used to seeing the girls in their rather concealing undine uniforms, so this is a nice change of pace.
- Woah, got a bit emotional there, didn't she?. Seeing that Akari and Alicia are okay without her makes her suddenly really anxious, and scared... as if she were going to be left behind. And I love the way she reacted when they came by. She cannot resist the pudding! <3
- She just kinshi'd herself after she plays with her hair in the mirror, blushing... FUCK YES. Also, her pseudo-chinadress pajamas really bring out some of her... assets... God damn I have missed Aika.
- Heh, so THAT's why Aika is so nervous. She hasn't shown her short hair to Al yet. She gets all cute and anxious about it, and Alice and Akari totally moe over her for a moment =D
- Aika, the ever diligent senpai. I love that side of her as well. Every time she calls Alice "kouhai-chan" I start to melt.

Ah, awesome. More so than in the last episode, her hair looks fucking phenomenal here. And when she blushes, or gets an excited look on her face, I just feel like I'm going to die. Al is a lucky, lucky son of a bitch, but I can't hate him for it because he makes Aika so happy.

Ah, Aika. Please get more episodes focused around you. Though I could definitely use another Alice one too. The walking home games she played were wonderful but I need more.

[Nork22]

Best episode about Aika ever! And the follow up to it is just as brilliant. Hence this is why I prefer to get onto Aika's fundola! :P

[something]

Episode 20:

- You can tell when an episode is going to lean on the surreal side. "That music" starts, and Akari looks a little stoned. I sometimes get the feeling that UV rays interact with chemicals in her body and produce hallucinogens that are injected directly into her blood stream.
- Heh, Aika tells her scary story well. But who tells ghost stories at mid day, outside, in a public place?

And oh man. Wooooooooooooow.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooow.

That episode was fucking awesome. I never thought Aria would make me shiver, but when the ghost's veil blew away and she had no head, ooooooh man. Akari stares in horror, and suddenly, Cait Sith and his GIANT EYES. From the moment the ghost grabbed Akari's arm I was riveted, and the run through the graveyard was amazing.

They absolutely embraced the surreal in this episode, and it paid off. They toss out the possibility that it was all a dream, but like hell I believe that. Akari attracts strange things, and this is no exception. It's just... a lot stranger than usual.

And to think, from the beginning I was afraid this was going to be a "watch Aria-shachou sniffle for 25 minutes" episode. That just made me even more blown away when everything went down.

[HitokiriShadow]

I'm really liking all of this focus on Aika. I love her new short hair, its really cute, and that outfit she was wearing in this episode was great. Aika, you need to get out of that undine dress more.

[something]

Alright, with the heavier next-to-last episodes of Sky Girls and Night Wizard down, figure I ought to throw some Aria in before I go to sleep. Origination is soon! Counting this episode, I have 5 eps of Natural to watch... the Arietta OVA... and then I'll fill in any downtime with Sketchbook, though that one isn't complete yet.

Episode 21:

- Haha, I love Akari. She wakes up at 2am and hears trains in the sky. Akari is totally the best stoner in all of anime.
- Maa-kun practices attacks on an Aria-shachou plushy...
- Alice telling ghost stories <3
- An invitation to the Galaxy Railway from a gigantic cat. I swear, Akari, you need to get more sleep or something.
- Heh. This is why the three of them should be together far, far more often. Akari describing Cait Sith to Aika and Alice, when they think she has a boyfriend... "and a fine fur coat, and long tail..." "Akari... don't tell me... it's Aria-shachou?" Fucking win.
- And you're crazy, Alicia. Encouraging Akari's self-destructive drug-induced behavior. For shame.
- NEED MOAR CASUAL CLOTHES. I love their uniforms and all, but Akari is so cute in regular clothes as well.
- Although the jacket she puts over it doesn't do anything for me.
- XD! I seriously laughed out loud when she turned around and there were shitloads of cats with tickets in their mouths. This is one of those really bizarre Akari episodes Aria does so well.
- Then Cait Sith starts raping her face with his huge hands, and good lord this is so WEIRD.
- And he stamps their foreheads! XD

Haha, seriously, what the fuck? That was an awesome episode because it made no fucking sense at all. It's just, like, yet more weird shit for Akari and Cait Sith getting kinda touchy feely.

...I wonder if Aria is going to try and rival Imas for weirdest couple I've seen all year >_>

::sees preview image, blinks:: WTFAKATSUKIGENDERSWAP!?

[something]

Episode 22:

- Aria the RPG. Akari looks good in an Aria Company issue chinadress. Also liking magician Alicia.
- Aria-shachou got into Akari's stash. Now he's "in a parallel world"... Wait a second, is Akari supposed to be male? Gender swap in the wrong direction! Do not want!
- Male Alice =( This is officially THE WORST ARIA EPISODE EVER.
- ...Hearing them totally fail to fake voices of the opposite gender is kind of funny but...
- ....BUT DO NOT WANT. And neither does Aria-shachou. For once, I feel like we're comrades. Come, Aria-shachou. Let us cleanse each and every one of our neurons with fire, the great destroyer and renewer of all things. It is the only way to undo what has been seen.
- Oh thank sweet merciful go(n)d(ola) it was only a half episode story. I think I was twitching within 5 minutes.

NEVER.
EVER.
Do that to me again, Aria. ::cries::

- But now it's an Akatsuki episode, not a big improvement.
- However, his mom is HOT.

Well, all in all the episode had its funny moments, but it's still EPIC FAIL just on principle.

And every time Ai talks about wanting to go to Aqua, I just want to grab her, hijack a spaceship, and take her there myself. Ai-chan, come to Aqua!!

[HitokiriShadow]

Yeah, I thought an alternate universe could be fun, but I didn't like how that episode turned out. Worst Aria (half) episode ever. But I have to confess I was a bit slow on the uptake. At first I thought everyone was just acting a bit odd but I couldn't quite figure out what was wrong with the picture. Then 'female' Akitsuki seared my eyes and ears and they spelled it out. My soul, it hurt. Almost as much as my eyes.

- However, his mom is HOT.

That was the highlight of the episode for me. I didn't make up for the first half but it almost sort of started to heal the wounds.

[something]

Episode 23:

- Hmm, haven't had a "reform the grumpy customer with the power of the fondola" episode in awhile. In fact we haven't had much in the way of paying customers on screen at all. Not that I mind though, because when it's a "customer" episode, they tend to get the spotlight. And it's hard to care much when you know they'll never be back. Except Ai... BRING BACK AI!
- Well yay, we get the trio together anyway. Gotta love how they're so incredibly nosy (this guy's anniversary is none of their business) but somehow it all works out in the end anyway =P

Alrighty, pretty by the book. Sorta nice though, I guess, with lots of MEDDLING KIDS and embarrassing remarks and so on. But eh... Not quite I wanted this close to the end. This could just as easily have been episode 3.

Also, the one customer is voiced by Shimono Hiro, who makes me think Ikuto from Nagasarete and Hiro from ef. It always amuses me when I hear a really distinct voice for a throwaway side character.

Well, neither episode tonight was really great, but from the preview still for 24, hopefully we'll be getting some Aika. Actually, hell, only two episodes left. O_O I imagine they don't even really try to do anything with the plot as it relates to their advancement of Undines (though the next ep title at least hints at it), and they probably take a minimalist approach to really wrapping up Cait Sith.

Either way, Origination starts soon, so I'm not too worried.

[something]

Episode 24:

- Yay! Get all three together again <3 Also, I'm realizing they must have to have a really damn good method for sealing the gondolas against rain. I mean, like, Alicia's is friggin carpeted, isn't it? One rainstorm and that's ruined.
- Uh oh, all the Himeya singles and pairs are staring at Aika... she thinks it's because they notice her awesomeness, but I bet there's consternation that she's fraternizing with the competition. Though why suddenly worry about that now?
- "What moniker would suit me?" "Dekkai momiko!" XD
- From ancient times... GACHAPEN! Wahaha. THIS is why these three need to be together FAR more often than they are. Also, shouldn't Alice be going for her Single test by now? She's gotta be as skilled as Akari and Aika.

Oh man, they weren't talking about Aika. At first I was like, dude, she's crying because they aren't talking about her? How egotistical.

But instead she cries because they're trashing Akira. Fuuuuuuck, that was awesome. Aika is so beyond adorable, especially when shes pouring out just how much she respects Akira. And Akira won hard too by not letting it get to her, and even cheering Aika up in the process. I so wanted her to hug Aika... but that's not her style.

Ahhhh, Aika. She's had a number of wonderfully wonderful episodes lately and that hair still looks amazing on her. Akari gets the most, being the main character and all. And I'd like Alice to have gotten a few more, but there's always Origination to hopefully fill that need.

Awesome episode! And Akari didn't get a reply from Ai at the end... I desperately want that to mean Ai is on her was to Aqua. Oh god, please please please. They can become the four new fairies!

Know what would be a good final ep for Natural? Alice becoming a single. I'm not holding my breath for that though.

[something]

Episode 25:

- She asked it again... "How are things over there?" Still no answer. Oh god yes, please, please let Ai be coming.
- She checks her mail, and nothing! Though now it occurs to me that she might not be coming at all. Her grandmom probably just died. Maybe both!
- However, the title gives me hope - fruits of her meeting with Ai will bear fruit in a new recruit for Aria Company. But then they just focused on (Aria Company) grandma's face in the picture Alice has. Back and forth, back and forth, I'm going to be debating this, overanalyzing every little scene in this episode until I find out what happened.
- No emails... but even if she's busy packing, it's not hard to answer some emails. But Aika just mentioned the sick grandmother again. BRAIN HURTS.
- Oh, Ai was supposed to come to Aqua anyway, for some festival? Probably mentioned in the first ep, long since forgotten. But, STAY AI! STAY!
- Cruel... We see Alicia, the camera continues past her. Someone jumps out, A!...kira. But then another and A!...thena.
- They have smiles on their faces like they're hiding something... perhaps... a small human female? Please?
- Some pop quizzes, and then "You three will be doing the hosting this Redentore." ..Hosting... a small human female? PLEASE?
- The Great Fairies totally throw their kouhai under the bus. "Hay guess what, you have a huge party to arrange, be ready in a week!"
- Blushing Alice~~ though in chibi form.
- 12 people total in the houseboat. Let's see, here's my guess... Alice, Akari, Aika (3); Alicia, Akira, Athena (6); Akatsuki, Al, Woody (9); Akatsuki's brother, Aria-company grandma (11); .......AI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Ah, they went with Mailman over Akatsuki's brother. And they have one more... Ai Ai AI Ai Ai Ai Ai ai AIiaAI UI JKAS BDASLH fsghdc vasjdlh bcdsh; cshd;f LUYCASBcn asQAIIIIIII
- Alice cooking! And all three passed out in the houseboat. Cute~
- Redentore arrives. So should Ai. Ai. AI!
- Pseudo-maid Undines! Alice being all nervous around grandma is great, as is Akia's reaction to Al.

SHE MADE IT! SHE MADE IT! SHE MADE IT! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! And is it just me or does she look a little older? I mean, like a year or so HAS passed, so that makes sense. But, Aiiiiiiiiii!

- Haha, even the old mailman doesn't get Al's oyaji jokes.
- Ai is dancing! And shaking her ass XD And Athena joins her.
- And they enjoy fireworks, as everyone toasts to their accomplishment.

Great endi...n...


.......




There's a preview? Why is there a preview? I only have... what... huh?


!! Oh god, this is 26 episodes. I swore it was 25 but I have no idea why. It's not actually over at all. Haha, oh man. Well, fixed easily enough. ::coughs::rectifiedin1m42sohgodIlovefios::coughs::

Time to watch the ending... for real!

[HitokiriShadow]

- Ai is dancing! And shaking her ass XD And Athena joins her.


Watching Ai do the Aria Dance was so damn cute. I would have killed to see Alice join in but an Athena is good too, I guess.

[something]

Episode 26:

- Awwww man. Now I wish 25 had been the ending. They couldn't keep Ai around for one more episode? They have to ship her back to Earth already? =(
- Well, they can make it up to me by having Aika, Alice and Akari together the whole time.
- ...Who dresses Aria-shachou? Damn. Anyway, looks like we're down to Akari and Alicia.
- "What did you want to be when you grew up?" ::doesn't answer, starts making a snowman:: o_O
- Or just a giant ass snowball. And I love how random strangers ask if they can help.
- I also love seeing Alicia's playful side. They focus so much on how "elegant" she is, when she likes having fun as much as anyone else. Being the first one to walk down a snow covered alley, pushing the snow off a railing, and now rolling a huge snowball.
- Haha oh god, they roll it to a dead end and like half a dozen families start baking them food and bringing tea. XD Oh anime. In the real world they'd get sued for obstructing traffic or something.

Ah, lots of wonderful moments. While I still think 25 and 26 should have been swapped (the seasons make that impossible of course), and I'd prefer a Akari/Alice/Aika ending to anything else, this was a great way to end it off nonetheless. Especially that part about the fairy at the end.

And then they showed scenes of all the places and people that we've met, I remembered them all, even though I've viewed this over a number of months in highly irregular fits and starts, in many ep marathons and single ep diversions.

I'm glad I watched it how I did. Mostly because finishing this and not knowing if there would be more would be maddening. With Origination announced, I know I've got more Alice, Akari and Aika goodness, and only like two weeks away at that.

Next up, though not tonight (oh man I should be asleep by now...) is Arietta. ANN description makes it sound like primarily Alicia flashbacks, so I'll keep my expectations low. Not because I dislike Alicia, but because 1) OVAs are inferior by definition and 2) I like other characters more.

As I've probably made... abundantly... clear, what I like best about Aria is seeing the three younger Undine together, and wondering what role Ai will play. Nothing would make me happier than Origination focusing much more on this. However... I'm still confused on what it intends to do.

Aika, Alice and Akari just have an absurdly wonderful dynamic together.

Alice is my favorite, because she plays the role of the sarcastic little kouhai who acts deferential when she wants to, but can take Aika and Akari on head to head and win any time she wants. She's also absurdly cute, and her voice actress has become one of my absolute favorites. I cannot stress enough how overjoyed I was when Tamaki from Bamboo Blade opened up her mouth and pure vocal Alice sex came pouring out. Witty and cute, adorably bad at hiding her true feelings, an accomplished and competent Pair Undine, the idol and envy of her peers but not at all egotistical, deadly determined about the silliest things at the drop of a hat (shadows!), and possessing a barely contained desire to belong, she seriously has everything I could possibly ask for in a character. And so Alice wins Aria for me.

Aika is sort of the self-proclaimed leader of the group, but nobody really challenges her about it because they know she's skilled, and due to her heiress position it just seems natural to her to be in charge. She's also Chiwa Saito's best character ever, adding yet another stellar voice role to the lineup. And I would have a really hard time naming another character who wears short hair quite as well as she does. Mmm. Akia is delicious. On the other hand, she's also got that crybaby side that you can't help but fall in love with. Whether she's crying that she thought Alice and Akari would leave her behind or crying because someone badmouthed Akira, it's never annoying or whiny because you just to, like, pat her on the head and buy her ice cream or something.

Akari almost suffers from main character burnout with how many episodes focus almost entirely on her, but she's such a mysterious, absurd little creature that the most inane premise for an episode often becomes downright beautiful to watch. Like everyone always reminds her, she attracts the surreal everywhere she goes. She can see the best in everything, and while she takes it to silly extremes sometimes, her love for Aqua is second to none, and she's always there for her friends when needed. Through all her "new meetings" she winds up bringing others together, and with her as the linchpin the sizable Aria cast manages to interact nicely. And she's cute too, of course. AND she's our lifeline to Ai, who totally needs to come live at Aria Company in Origination...

Origination:
The official website says that the theme of this series, the third, is, appropriately, "origins/beginnings". I also made out something about 15 year old Akari, which is how old she was when she joined. That's still somewhat.. troubling. Mostly because as much as I love Akari and Alicia, I do not want a full series just of them. Alice and Aika are probably my two favorite characters, and without them I just... I don't think I can accept it.

There was some talk earlier in the thread about what it would cover, but that seems to have died away long ago. Has anyone translated the Story section (http://www.ariacompany.net/story.html) on the site since then? Has new information come out? I'll try my hand, cheating with the Rikai-chan extension because fuck if I really know what I'm talking about otherwise (and even so, I encourage someone who actually knows what they're doing to help out):

プリマ・ウンディー�を夢見る少女〠�水無�里。
「ＡＲＩＡã€�シリーズã�¯ã€�ç�¯é‡Œã‚’ã�¯ã� ˜ã‚�ウンディーãƒ�ã�Ÿã�¡ã�®æ—¥å¸¸ã‚’情感豊ã �‹ã�«æ��ã�„ã�Ÿã€�
未�形ヒーリングアニメーション。
待望�サードシーズン「ORIGINATION�� テーマ�『始�り�。
ã�“ã‚Œã�¾ã�§ä¿®æ¥*ã�«åŠ±ã‚“ã�§ã��ã�Ÿç�¯é‡Œã�Ÿã�¡ã� «ã‚‚ã€�æ–°ã�—ã�„変化ã�Œè¨ªã‚Œã‚ˆã�†ã�¨ã�—ã�¦ã�„ã �¾ã�™ã€‚
ＡＲＩＡ ã�®ç‰©èªžã‚’ç´¡ã�„ã�§ã��ã�Ÿä½�è—¤é*†ä¸€ç›£ç�£ã‚’å§ ‹ã‚�ã�¨ã�™ã‚‹ã‚¹ã‚¿ãƒƒãƒ•ã�¨ã‚*ャストã�¯ã��ã�®ã �¾ã�¾ã�«ã€�ＡＲＩＡを愛ã�™ã‚‹çš†ã�•ã‚“ã�«æœª æ�¥ã�¸ç¹‹ã�Œã‚‹æ–°ã�—ã�„ç´*敵をã�Šå±Šã�‘ã�—ã�¾ã� ™ã€‚

Paraphrasing:
"The girls who dreams of being a Prima Undine, Mizunashi Akari.
The 'Aria' series illustrates the rich, abundant everyday emotions of the beginner Undine, Akari.
A future heal(r?)ing animation [...wut?]
The theme of the expected third series, 'Origination' is 'beginnings'.
Until now, Akari and the others have zealously studied [then something about there being an unexpected change coming?].
The Aria story has been told under the supervision of Satou Junichi and his staff without changes [and then your standard line about wanting to deliver wonderful memories or us or some such].

�ら��
惑星改é€*ã�«ã‚ˆã‚Šç”Ÿã�¾ã‚Œã�Ÿæ°´ã�®æƒ‘星ã€�〠Œã‚¢ã‚¯ã‚¢ã€�。
ã��ã�®è¦³å…‰éƒ½å¸‚ãƒ�オ・ヴェãƒ�ツィアã�§çš †ã�Œæ†§ã‚Œã‚‹è�·æ¥*ã�¯ã€�
ゴンドラをæ“�りウンディーãƒ�ã�¨å‘¼ã�°ã‚ Œã‚‹æ°´å…ˆæ¡ˆå†…人ã�§ã�™ã€‚
15æ‰�ã�®å°‘女ã€�æ°´ç„¡ç�¯é‡Œï¼ˆã�¿ã�šã�ªã�—ã�‚ã�‹ り）ã�¯ã‚¦ãƒ³ãƒ‡ã‚£ãƒ¼ãƒ�ã�«ã�ªã‚‹ã�“ã�¨ã‚’å¤¢è¦ ‹ã�¦ã€�
マンホーãƒ*ã�‹ã‚‰ã‚¢ã‚¯ã‚¢ã�«ã‚„ã�£ã�¦æ�¥ã�¾ã� —ã�Ÿã€‚
ã��ã�®ç�¯é‡Œã�Œæ—¥ã€…ä¿®æ¥*ã�«åŠ±ã‚€ã�®ã�¯ã€�誉゠‚高ã�„æ°´ã�®ï¼“大妖精ã�®ã�²ã�¨ã‚Šã€�
アリシア・フãƒ*ーレンスã�ŒçµŒå–¶ã�™ã‚‹æ° ´å…ˆæ¡ˆå†…店「ＡＲＩＡカンパニーã€�。
姫屋ã�®è—�è�¯ã‚„ã€�オレンジã�·ã‚‰ã�*ã�£ã�¨ã� ®ã‚¢ãƒªã‚¹ã�¨ä¸€ç·’ã�«ã€�æ‚©ã‚“ã�*ã‚Šã�™ã‚‹ã�“ã�¨ã ‚‚ã�‚ã‚‹ã�‘ã‚Œã�©ã€�
プリマ・ウンディーãƒ�を目指ã�—ã�¦ã�Œã‚ “ã�°ã�£ã�¦ã�„ã�¾ã�™ã€‚

Paraphrasing:
"Summary
Through terraforming efforts, a planet was transformed into a planet of water, Aqua.
The occupation that everyone in Neo Venezia years for is to become a gondola operator, an Undine.
A 15 year old girl, Mizunashi Akari, dreamed of becoming an Undine, and so came to Aqua from Man Home.
She studied passionately, day after day, with one of the three Great Fairies, Alicia Florence, to run/manage Aria Company.
Together with Himeya's Aika and Orange Planet's Alice, they something something or other do their best in aiming to become Prima Undine."

And damnit none of that actually tells me anything, it's just a basic description of the story universe, which is probably why nobody has been able to tell for sure what Origination plans to do. Though go figure, the only sentence in the entire thing which might be illuminating is also one I could make no sense of: "ã�“ã‚Œã�¾ã�§ä¿®æ¥*ã�«åŠ±ã‚“ã�§ã��ã�Ÿç�¯é‡Œã�Ÿã�¡ã� «ã‚‚ã€�æ–°ã�—ã�„変化ã�Œè¨ªã‚Œã‚ˆã�†ã�¨ã�—ã�¦ã�„ã �¾ã�™ã€‚" Emphasis on the bold part.

But on the other hand it doesn't say "No more Aika or Alice!" so I think I'm in agreement with Nork (http://www.animeondvd.com/forum/showpost.php?post/565118/) that it'll continue on just as it always has, primarily in the story's present day, inching ever forward in the plot, but that a lot of the side stories and flashbacks will involve the early days for Akari at Aria Company. Which is fine, because a huge chunk of Natural and even Animation was already solo-Akari episodes, so the balance shouldn't necessarily be any more Akari-skewed (they've walked a fine line sometimes, but have succeeded far more than they failed). And hell, maybe we'll get the early days for Alice and Aika as well!

But I do want to see some progression. At least get Alice to a Single. If they want to hold everyone becoming a Prima off until a fourth series... please, feel free, any excuse to make more =D

Oh, and also please feel free to NEVER EVER explore the thin strands of Akatsuki x Akari they've tossed our way. That's one plot development you can forget, always and forever.

Besides, Aqua is Akari'a WAIFU. No near man can sate her lusts. ...Except maybe Cait Sith... ohgodno.