Aria the Animation #13 & #12: That White Morning…/That Soft Wish…

The year ends with a surprise visit from a friend. Ai is excited to meet the people she had read about in Akari’s letters. Her tour of Neo-Venezia even includes a visit to one of the mysterious alleys that’s hidden to most people where they meet a ghost from the past. The cat that appeared as a human had asked Akari to deliver a letter for her. She also had to receive the message, because it’s original had died long ago. But it still had meaning to her as someone living in the world they created. Each year that goes by is a page in a letter written for future generations to read.

Akari wrote her so Ai would understand how much she loved Neo-Venezia. Because Ai will become an apprentice undine herself one day, and follow in Akari’s footsteps, it’s as if she’s been reading her own future. Unlike the messages of history, Ai is able to meet the people who are preparing her place in the city. The people of the past are separated by time. But by the magic of Aqua, Akari is allowed to cross an unpassable bridge.

Alicia tells her that the bridge used to be a place people visit out of nostalgia. There are prettier landmarks in Neo-Venezia. Why would a visitor want to see a run-down bridge? A covered bridge doesn’t fit the image of Venice. What it provides is a reminder of the ambition of the people who built Neo-Venezia. The excitement Akiko feels is in seeing the young children who are watching the city be born. It also comes from the patience of the older settlers. They won’t live to see their creation fulfilled, but are happy knowing that the next generation will take what they started and carry it for a time before passing to their grand-children.

The story of Aqua is the story of Aria Company. What Grandma began was continued by Alicia who leaves it in Akari’s care. Even Ai, having learned from Akari’s letters, will think of the child Aqua as she takes her place in this continuing saga. And if we turn the pages backward to before there was an Aqua then it must have started when someone on planet Earth looked to the sky and thought, “What letter can I write for future generations to read?”

Or perhaps she just said, “Happy New Year.” It means the same thing.

This is the last week in my year of Aria. The experiment to watch the series out-of-order was not as successful as I thought it might be. I admit to forcing this week’s two episodes to be the last. But Aria is enjoyable no matter how you approach it. This way I could see contrast between the earlier and later episodes, and also the similarities or when an event had been set-up by something that happened earlier.

The staff and cast of Aria have reason to be proud. Although there will not be any more Aria, Kozue Amano continues to write the charming and uplifting manga Amanchu!. Satou Junichi has gone on to direct many other “healing” anime such as Tamayura. (A story I describe as being about Akari’s great-great-great-great grandmother.) It seems to me that everywhere I look I hear Chiwa Saitou’s voice. And who cannot help but think of Alicia whenever Sayaka Oohara laughs?

But most of all I remember Tomoko Kawakami and Eri Kawai. The time we’ve been given can be taken from us easier than we’d like. As you turn the calendar to a new year, do your best to treat every day as wonderful encounter.

Thank you for reading.

Aria the Natural #7: To The Kingdom Of Cats…

Akari has been in the Kingdom of Cats before, but this time she comes uninvited. The hidden world is protected not by a door but by a fairy trick that causes the intruder to become trapped in a labyrinth. It’s only when she promises not to venture further that President Aria points her in the direction of the exit.

As Aika and Akari circled through the abandoned relics of Neo-Venezia, we saw that the Kingdom of Cats is that of the past. Cait Sith, a creature out of ancient legends, is the guardian of memories. The cats remember when humans forget about the first settlers of Aqua, or the engineers who made the planet habitable. But like the changing seasons, we must leave those things behind. If you wander too far into the world of the past, you risk becoming pixy led by your memories and regrets. President Aria encourages Akari to stay in the present, to keep moving forward, and to put on new clothes as she looks to the future, not the past.

This is the last of the Cait Sith episodes. Who would have thought that Alice’s bragging about becoming a Prima would turn out to be true? Next week is Aria the Animation #2: On That Special Day…

Aria the Natural #1: That Encounter At The Carnevale…

The fairy standing in the doorway holds up his hand. Behind him, Akari can see figures moving about as jasmine petals drift in the warm breeze. It’s a world off-limits to her. That morning, she was looking through a different doorway and seeing a different vision. “I’m a member of Aria Company today,” Ai proudly proclaimed as Alicia served her breakfast. One day she’ll be able to say that while wearing the gloves of an apprentice as Akari stands in Alicia’s place. This is their future, but like the kingdom of the cats they can only look through the doorway.

The Carnival, as is well known, is the time leading up to the Lenten fast. Carnival-goers spend two weeks indulging in food, wine, and each other to prepare themselves for the month and a half they will have to go without. The first Carnivals of Venice were held to celebrate the victory over Aquileia in 1162. The patriarch Ulrich II was made to give 12 pigs and a bull as tribute. This may be why during the 17th century the city would host a running of the bulls during Carnival. Thankfully, this is a tradition that has not been carried into modern times.

Putting on a mask is like becoming a different person. It gives you the courage to try things you might not normally do. As her friends gathered together, we saw Akari standing back and looking at them as an outsider. We learned in The Center Of That Large Circle that she has the habit of excluding herself that way. The invitation from Cait Sith was to become part of the Carnival celebration; run through the streets of Neo-Venetia, singing and dancing. He is urging Akari to see herself as part of the city, and part of the group of friends who surround her.

Ai is the only human other than Akari to have seen Cait Sith. Why did he allow her into this hidden side of Neo-Venezia? Cuteness needs no excuse.

Because I want to finish watching all the episodes this year, I’m doubling-up next week. Aria the Natural #26: That White, Kind City… and Aria the Animation #10: That Warm Holiday…

Aria the Natural #12: Chasing That Mirage…/The Light From That Nightshine Chime…

Akari’s attitude can be attributed to making time for relaxation. If she’s busy during the day, she’ll just take her tea at night. The environment of Aqua is well suited to her lifestyle. The sea is always calm and the weather usually pleasant.

The Summer midday sun may drive you indoors. Typical for her, Akari finds herself in a cat café. No, not like that. She has a tendency to stumble into the supernatural without meaning to. But was this an accident? Or was the door left open for her? Cait Sith will never say.

The weather here has been very warm, even though Summer is over. Next week’s episode is Aria the Animation #11: Those Orange Days…

Aria the Animation #4: That Undeliverable Letter…

An encounter with a young girl leads Akari on a tour of the ocean and a brief history lesson about how Mars was terraformed. Aqua is not a paradise; the current peaceful life Akari and the others enjoy comes from the sacrifices made by the engineers at the pumping station and others. The letter she delivers is a message of gratitude to the people who created a world that they themselves wouldn’t be able to enjoy.

Akari is told that she’s the only one who can deliver the letter. Ami pleads for her message to be heard. Does she mean the contents of the letter? Or is it Akari that she’s reaching out to? This is her first meeting with the cats of Neo-Venezia and Akari isn’t afraid. Though that may be because she doesn’t yet understand what she’s stepped into. With kindness and sincerity she passes the test. Cait Sith must be standing in the shadows, watching this and smiling mysteriously.

Next week’s episode is Aria the Origination #8: That Important Person’s Memories…

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 #22: That Mysterious World…/That Guardian Of Aqua…

The adventure continues in “Through the Looking Glass” and what President Aria found there.

This is the other side of playing make-believe. Sure, things could be better. But there are a lot of ways they could be worse. A healthy dose of fantasy can make you appreciate the world as it is.

There’s no place like home.

The differences between the girl and boy sides of Neo-Venezia are subtle. Just cutting their hair and putting on pants isn’t enough to change Akari or Alice. In Aika’s case, she gets to grow her hair back, but that’s all. And Akira, well she’s virtually a man anyway. Maybe in the parallel world he’s actually more feminine.

Shut up, Minmay.

The most stunning change is given to Akatsuki. We haven’t been properly introduced to him (he was Akari’s first customer, in fact) but the story of his childhood tells us all we need to know. As he … err, she says in the song, (s)he works on the floating island to control the weather of Aqua. The gnomes, such as Al, live underground where they generate artificial gravity. Then there is Woody the sylph, who delivers messages and cargo, and the undines. These four classes of workers are named after elemental spirits.

The salamander, gnome, sylph, and undine spirits correspond to fire, earth, air, and water. The concept was written about by the 11th century monk Michæl Psellus. In a dialogue on pagan demons, he describes six classes: those four plus the first higher than air and the last lower than earth. The name “undine” is a recent addition, first appearing in 1818 (Undine: a fairy romance by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué). It quickly replaced the older “nymph” so that it was used by Bayard Taylor in his 1872 translation of Faust.

What is probably the earliest use in English is Pope’s The Rape of the Lock. He mentions having learned of the spirits from a French book, Comte de Gabalis. But his portrayal of elemental spirits as invisible guardians of the Earth is likely the inspiration for later authors.

Some in the Fields of purest Æther play,
And bask and whiten in the Blaze of Day.
Some guide the Course of wand’ring Orbs on high,
Or roll the Planets thro’ the boundless Sky.
Some less refin’d, beneath the Moon’s pale Light
Hover, and catch the shooting Stars by Night.
Or suck the Mists in grosser Air below,
Or dip their Pinions in the painted Bow,
Or brew fierce Tempests on the wintry Main,
Or o’er the Globe distill the kindly Rain.

This image certainly sounds like Aqua. But for centuries, spirits were not viewed so brightly. The world at once provided nourishment and warmth to mankind, but simultaneously was cold and savage. The spirits of nature were often not welcome then, as when Pope mentions fierce tempests. (Although this is certainly also an allusion to the play.)

The 20th century saw a change in our relationship with the Earth. Advanced technology achieved feats that were once considered magical. The invisible world of nature that was once feared became the a place of hope and wonder. When Tolkien wrote his elves he emphasized their nobility. (Though he could not completely avoid the sinister characteristics in The Hobbit.) That’s been the dominant viewpoint since then. Along with Walt Disney’s cheerfully honest dwarves and pixies.

One does not care to acknowledge the mistakes of one’s youth.

So on Aqua, the elemental spirits are no longer invisible and mysterious tricksters. They are scientists, engineers, and technicians. The world of Aria is what happens when imagination becomes reality.

That said, I find it odd that gnomes and salamanders are doing the difficult work of terraforming. But the undines just laze about in gondolas giving sightseeing tours. Shouldn’t they be minding the vast ocean that covers Aqua? Doing biological and chemical analysis and stuff? Even the sylphs have a useful role. Not that tourism isn’t an important part of the economy. Perhaps there are true nymphs to take care of the scientific tasks.

This post was made possible by Google Books. Next week, Aria the Natural #5: The Wonder Of That Rainy Day…/The Discoveries On That Spring Day… (How fitting for the first full week of spring.)

Aria the Animation #8: That Melancholy President…/That Cool Hero…

First of all, happy birthdays this week for two of the three most important people in Aria: Junichi Satō (3/11) and Chiwa Saitō (3/12). Of course, the third is Kozue Amano, and this episode is her favorite from the first season.

Puunya Man

I don’t think anyone ever stops wanting to be a hero. Comic books are for children who lack the power to turn their dreams into reality. But with maturity, you’re expected to refrain from fantasizing while at the same time learning how to achieve realistic goals. So saving the world from destruction becomes exceeding the monthly sales forecast. Mundane as it may be, it’s still a heroic desire to be great, to reach for the stars. In normal life it may mean just being the best at whatever you do. When taken literally, it means terraforming Mars. Aqua was surely built by heroes.

Cue Chariots of Fire

We see more of President Aria’s intelligence as he cooks, types, and (in a way) talks. Gondola companies in Neo-Venezia have traditionally given the title of “President” to a cat with blue eyes. The superstition is that the color of the eyes represents the sea, thus is good luck for those who work on water. But it’s also out of respect for Aqua. Wild cats have made it their home for as long as it’s been livable. They’re a reminder to the people who live there that the planet, although created by humans, does not entirely belong to them.

Incidentally, President Hime was born on Manhome, not Aqua.

Next episode is Aria the Natural #22: That Mysterious World…/That Guardian Of Aqua…

P.S. President Aria visited Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo.

Aria the Animation #6: That Which You Want to Protect…

The letters between Akari and Ai provide a deeper reflection of the story. What does Ai’s cooking have to do with the relationship between Alice and Athena?

Mistakes are rarely a good thing, but they aren’t necessarily disasters; it depends on how you respond to them. Akari’s boundless optimism helps her overcome her inexperience, but her clumsiness doesn’t compare to Athena. Whether this bothered her in the past we don’t know, but now she accepts her mistakes, deals with them, then carries on. To someone with a strong sense of decorum, like Alice, this looks like carelessness. Athena, however, has more trust that other people will be forgiving of her.

It would be sad if Alice weren’t able to trust others. She doesn’t seem to have many friends at Orange Planet, even though the other girls are kind enough. It’s true that her age separates her from the rest of her class, but it isn’t like the intimidation felt towards the princess Aika at Himeya. Despite being at the largest company, she still ended up practicing with two older girls from Aria and Himeya. Even then, she finds it difficult to open up to Akari as she admits she’d rather ask advice from Aika. Never mind letting Athena know how she’s feeling. Because she doesn’t think they’ll have an answer that she’d be happy with. That desire to know the answer to a question ahead of time stops her from ever asking in the first place. So she struggles to deal with problems by herself. And when she makes a mistake, it embarrasses her and makes her want to hide it even more. It’s her own imperfection that she’s afraid of. The trust she’s lacking isn’t the belief in the goodness of others, but that they won’t see the goodness in her. Being able to let yourself be seen at your worst is the lesson she has the most difficulty with. And there’s no one more qualified to teach it than Athena.

Relying on other people isn’t about how much you believe in them. It’s how much you believe in yourself and accepting your imperfections. Then you won’t be afraid of making mistakes, because you’ll have the confidence to act knowing that your friends will help you out. And what you thought was a failure, such as burnt potatoes, may not be so bad after all.

Okay, next up will be Aria the Origination #2: That Smiling Customer…

Aria the Natural #21: That Night Of the Galaxy Express…

“Who knows what happiness is?” said the lighthouse keeper, comforting him. “So long as you’re on the proper road, no matter how trying a thing may be, you’ll be getting closer, one step at a time, up and down the mountain to real happiness.”

In Kenji Miyazawa’s Night on the Milky Way Railway, Giovanni is given a ticket that, as Roger Pulvers puts it, “is a free pass for the imagination.” Near the end of Giovanni’s journey, as he is deliberating whether or not to continue on with Campanella, has the above words said to him. So it is with Akari’s journey in Aria. Last week we saw her, like Giovanni, questioning her ability to bring happiness to other people. This week she is offered a chance to learn the mysteries of the world and must ask if she is prepared to venture into the unknown.

Road to the horizon

The cats of Aqua are never fully explained. We are led to believe that they have evolved with the growth of the planet. Certainly they are more intelligent than current day cats. Is their role in the ecosystem part of the terraforming plan? Intended or not, the special relationship they have with Aqua is given form in the faerie king Cait Sith.

Maybe Cait Sith sees Akari as just another cat

As we see, Cait Sith is as intrigued with Akari as she is with him. Although she’s the only one to have seen him, no one doubts that he is real. The residents of Neo-Venezia have no difficulty seeing the world they live in as a living organism. Is not terraforming nothing more than the Gaia theory put into practice? You can hear it in Alicia’s voice as she encourages Akari to accept the invitation.

As a closing comment, can you believe it took three weeks for us to encounter Aika’s signature line?

Next week’s episode: Aria the Origination #7 In That Gently Passing Time…