Aria the Natural #20: That Shadowless Invitation…

Legend and rumor spring forth in all places at all times. Stories told about something that happened to “a friend of a friend” are repeated, embellished, and become almost alive themselves. Perhaps the most mysterious thing about myths is how they seem to want to be told, and will seek out victims to entrap in a web of lies, half-truths, and distorted reality.

If you don’t want to be “spirited away” by a myth, you need a vigilant skepticism. It’s no wonder that Akari so often finds herself drawn into that ethereal world. But the attention she’s received from the spirit of Aqua is a good thing now. As early as that morning, the cats of the city were watching her. Perhaps they keep an eye on her every day, and report their observations to Cait Sith. Or did they sense that the lady in black was in Neo Venezia? Whatever the case, Akari is fortunate to be under their protection.

The “Columns of Justice” were erected in 1268 after being taken from Lebanon. A third pillar sunk during the voyage. They are topped by statues of St. Theodore, the original patron of Venice, and a lion representing St. Mark. As well as holding executions there, it is the only place in Venice where gambling is allowed.

Today was hot, and watching this episode made me feel hotter. I bet Aika is glad she has short hair now. By the way, what happened to Akari’s gondola?

Next week, Aria the Natural #8: The Day of Festa Del Bòcolo…

Aria the Natural #16: Parting With That Gondola…

The word used for “fate” is 縁. One of its meanings is the bond between two people, as in 縁結び, marriage. An undine is married to her gondola. This is an emotional change in Akari’s life. Like when she graduated from pair to single, and when she will one day become a prima. She spends her last day with the gondola remembering the important events of her past.

Akari’s backward rowing technique is a shock to Alicia. Her way of gently correcting Akari is evident as it was in That Wonderful Extracurricular Lesson. Before coming to Aqua, Akari practiced in rowboats on Manhome. She had never actually seen a gondola in action. How could someone like that become an apprentice at Aria Company?

She reminisces about meeting Akatsuki, who was (and still is) too poor to afford a ride from a prima. As a self-professed fan of Alicia, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he was Akari’s first customer. How excited must he have been to learn that his idol had taken an apprentice? Now he can finally ride in a gondola with Alicia, even if it’s a black one.

As she remembers meeting Alice, eating fresh baked potatoes with Ai, helping the mailman, and other experiences, she prepares herself to move on to a new gondola. Alicia also watches and thinks about Akari’s next stage in life. The bumps and scratches on the gondola represent Akari’s inexperience that is being left in the past. Now she can navigate even the most difficult canals in Neo Venezia with confidence. Alicia isn’t just seeing Akari get a new gondola, she’s seeing her future as a full-fledged prima. But not yet. The mysterious customer said to go to the fork in the canal. When he got there, though, he asked to keep going. Akari could have taken that other route, but she’ll stay on this path for just a little longer.

While looking it up in the dictionary, I also saw the phrase 縁の下の力持ち, a person who does a thankless task. What a description of the poor gondola who had to be Akari’s training partner.

This Sunday is the birthday of Kozue Amano. None of this would be possible without her. And though the book has been closed on Aria, she’s still working her magic (this time under the water) with Amanchu!. I also was remiss for forgetting Eri Kawai’s birthday on May 8th. She provided many of the wonderful music for Aria as well as being the singing voice for Athena.

The next episode is Aria the Natural #20: That Shadowless Invitation…

Aria the Animation #7: Doing That Wonderful Job…

Akira’s firm yet gentle teaching methods are on display. It’s what Aika is trying to emulate when she practices with Akari and Alice. Aika often says she’s a fan of Alicia, but it’s Akira whom she most admires. When the others mention how strict she is, Aika is the first to defend her mentor.

Like Aika, Akira is a competitive person. The first lesson of the day is how to help customers into the gondola. But when she picks up the newlyweds, he steps in on his own and upsets the boat. Then he spends the whole trip with his nose buried in a guidebook. Even if it’s the fault of his own bad attitude, Akira takes it as a personal failure. Despite all she did to make him relax and enjoy himself, he was ended up disappointed. It’s her job to give her customers the best experience and leave them with a pleasant memory of their trip.

Akira couldn’t let a customer go home unsatisfied. Even though the wife was happy, Neo Venezia wasn’t living up to what he’d been told about it. That’s why Akira agreed to let them sit in on the training. They got a behind-the-scenes look at how much work is necessary to make their fairy tale honeymoon a reality. It’s not something that could be seen in a guidebook. And also a way for Akira to redeem herself for not being good enough during the scheduled tour. No one else was blaming her, but she wasn’t satisfied with her own performance. Though not as obvious as running into a dead-end at high tide, she made mistakes that don’t pass her own high standards. She wants her students to be as strict with themselves as she is with herself, and to have the confidence to not let a mistake prevent them from doing their job. That’s why it was important for them to get out of the dead-end on their own.

Next week’s episode is Aria the Natural #16: Parting With That Gondola…

Aria the Origination #4: Those Who Aim for Tomorrow…

When Akari remarks on Alicia’s busy schedule, she doesn’t mention the number of customers who have to be turned away. That’s to be expected from a company with only one prima. If you don’t call far in advance, then you’ll be disappointed. So it is with any finite resource, and the most limited resource of all, that no one will ever reduce the value of, is time.

Not everyone who wants an appointment with Alicia will be able to get one. And not everyone who trains to be a prima will achieve it. Akari, Aika, and Alice are exceptional undines, but their status can be a source of stress. Alicia sends Akari to the traghetto so she can have the experience of a typical single. The girls she meets are not guaranteed to become primas. They have to accept that what they desire may not be possible. Or, in the case of Ayumi, to reach for a less ambitious goal that is nevertheless just as personally satisfying. Which isn’t to say that you shouldn’t try. Akari’s words of encouragement are not “you can be a prima if you try,” but “keep trying to be the best you can be.” Don’t focus only on a far-off goal that may not be possible. Instead, accept the challenges that are placed in front of you right now. Your small successes will be a source of pride. After a while, you’ll look back and be amazed at how far you’ve come.

When she takes the oar, it’s obvious to the others that Akari is in a different class. She was worried that she wasn’t doing enough as a single. After working on the traghetto, we see that it isn’t a deficiency on her part that’s keeping her a single, but because of the strict standards at Aria Company. Akari will not only be working with Alicia as a prima, but eventually will take over for her. It’s a decision that Alicia won’t make until she is absolutely certain the time is right.

Picture Drama #2

Like everyone else who meets her, the three undines are now trapped in Akari’s circle of friends. How will they react to meeting the “Orange Princess,” and the heiress of Himeya?

So this is a lunch with panini, onigiri, manjuu, hamburgers, something Chinese from Alice, and I think Aika brought tea. Well, at least one of the foods was Italian.

The next episode will be Aria the Animation #7: Doing That Wonderful Job…

Aria the Origination #9: Surrounded by That Orange Wind…

Lewis Carroll’s follow-up to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was Through the Looking Glass. When Alice Carroll is asked to assess her strengths and weaknesses, she looks at her reflection in the water. Something we’ve seen many times in the Aria series. Here she is in With That Transparent Young Girl…

And in the second season, The Smile Reflected In that Mirror…

Finally, this episode…

Although she says she’s worried about her singing, truthfully it’s her self-image that Alice has the most difficulty with. She hesitates to look into the mirror because she doesn’t want to see something she won’t like. So when she was able to answer Athena’s questions honestly and confidently, that proved she had matured to not be afraid of her own shortcomings.

And we see many other examples of how far Alice has come. There was a time when she was embarrassed to be seen next to Athena. Now there’s nothing but admiration in her voice as she states, “time stands still when Athena is around.” After the graduation ceremony, she warmly smiles as she gives away her second button. Those girls once asked her for an autograph but were turned down because Alice didn’t understand their feelings. The girl we see in this episode is much more positive, outgoing, and good-natured than in any other episode. Even if Akari is the star of Aria, the most satisfying part of the show has been watching Alice blossom.

Graduation time is approaching for the students reading this, too. Good luck!

Next week I’ll be watching Aria the Origination #4: Those Who Aim for Tomorrow… and also picture drama #2.