Aria the Natural #9: Those Honest Stars…

 The gondola is an icon of Venice. Those in the 20th century are built to a uniform standard: 10.8m long, 700kg, made from 280 piece of 8 types of wood, and all painted black. There is a blade-like ferro on the prow and a curled risso on the stern. The undines of Neo-Venezia are allowed to have more elaborate gondolas. Primas helm full-size white boats while the apprentices practice on smaller black ones. The risso has evolved from floral ironwork to a tall double-spiral. Instead of just a blade, ferros have many shapes, such as Aika’s lantern.

The aesthetic of a gondola has a practical side to it. Their flat bottoms allow them to navigate the Venetian lagoon. The ferro and risso are made of metal to protect the boat in a collision. They are built asymmetrical so they can be steered with one oar. The forcola is shaped to allow eight different maneuvers. Each feature was added to the gondola by boat builders with the insight and imagination to do what was necessary. What we see today was the result of facing challenges with the attitude of what is possible, and not bemoaning the impossible.

 This is the lesson that Alicia teaches to Akari. There are infinite discoveries waiting to be made in the universe. There is always something new to learn, someone unfamiliar to meet, or paths untrodden that you can venture on. (Didn’t we learn this when Alicia was excited to be the first to walk into a snow-covered lane?) Even today, gondola builders continue to innovate: the size of the risso is having to be reduced to account for the rising sea level. What will the Venice of the future look like? Perhaps one day there will be robotic self-rowing gondolas.

After a few months without celebrating any notable birthdays, there are three this week. Last Monday the 18th was the birthday of Akeno Watanabe (Albert Pitt) and Chinami Nishimura (President Aria). Tomorrow, the 22nd, is Junko Minagawa (Akira E. Ferrari).

Next week is the Thanksgiving holiday so I’ll be visiting family on Thursday. But I’ll make time for Aria the Natural #14: That Newest Memory…

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 Origination #13: To That New Beginning…

Akari has a question about the account book for Aria Company, but when she turns around, Alicia isn’t there. She’s retired now, and Akari is alone. This time, it’s not a dream. The sadness of having to say goodbye is mixed with the joy of a hopeful future. Akari now feels that she is a person Alicia can rely on.

Then Alicia confesses that she is already relying on Akari. When a mentor teaches an apprentice, or a parent to a child, the student will necessarily take on some of her instructor’s personality. Akari was afraid to let go of Alicia because Alicia didn’t want to be alone.

Akari was never at risk of feeling lonely. Now that she’s a prima, her days are full of customers, talking with other undines and business owners, and the many friends she’s made in Neo-Venezia. Alicia, although newlywed and working full time in the Gondola Association, still goes out of her way to drop by Aria Company. In time, she’ll visit less often. But then Akari will be busy teaching her own apprentice. That young pair will grow up under the influence of Akari’s personality, as Akari had grown under Alicia’s.

That concludes three weeks all about Alicia. Next week is a lighter episode, Aria the Natural #11: That Precious Sparkle…

Aria the Origination #5: That Keepsake Clover…

The canals of Neo-Venezia are brought to a standstill by the phenomenal charms of Athena and Alicia. Everyone is impressed by their natural talent. But more than awed, Aika is intimidated. She’s surrounded by gifted people. How can someone not born so lucky compare?

As the daughter of a famous family, Aika was born lucky, although she doesn’t feel it. As a young child, the encouragement she received gave her boundless optimism. But that confidence wavered as she grew older. It’s one thing to say that a person is destined for greatness, but if she doesn’t feel it in her heart it may never happen. Aika makes the mistake of comparing her inexperience to Alicia, Athena, and Akira’s experience. This makes her doubt her own ability, and why wouldn’t it? How impressive is an acorn next to an oak tree?

Her lack of confidence would be tragic for Aika, except she has Akira as a mentor. Akira became a prima through effort alone. Although it would be a mistake to say that she had no natural talent. An ordinary person would not have worked as hard as she did to learn how to be an undine. Akira’s hidden talent is her confidence. When she doubted herself, it was a young Aika who rejuvenated her determination to create her own destiny. So when Aika is similarly troubled, she can pay back the favor. Talent is a blessing, but it means nothing without the desire to do something wonderful.

And of course, in the language of flowers, a red rose means passion.

The episode for next week is Aria the Natural #23: That Sea, Love, and Heart…

Aria the Natural #8: The Day Of Festa Del Bòcolo…

Traditions are said to be a way of connecting with the past. But really, it’s more about connecting with the people around you. You’re celebrating your common heritage and the feelings you share. The story of the dying soldier’s wish may not even be true. That’s not the point. When you see red roses spread throughout the city, you realize that you are surrounded by like-minded people. The tradition is a visible sign of the community you live in.

The affinity for traditions on Aqua goes as far as recreating the annual flooding of Neo Venezia. On a terraformed planet where the weather is regulated, what good is it to allow a city to be inundated by the tide? In Venice, the acqua alta is a minor nuisance that can even be dangerous. (It is also not particularly impressive, as the high tide only persists for an hour or so.) But because it was a characteristic of the city on Manhome, the architects of Neo Venezia insisted on maintaining the tradition.

The down-side to traditional events is when they become too common. What meaning does a rose have if everyone receives one? Giving a present out of a sense of obligation is not without meaning. Athena smiled most warmly at Alice’s rose. But that is because Alice herself has a special relationship with Athena. The rose was just a way of communicating their appreciation for each other. The meaning of the exchange was more than just the rose, and more than any of the other roses Athena received. If those special feelings could be given a form, what would it look like? It would have the significance of the tradition, but uniquely so. Such as giving not a rose blossom, but a gemstone in the shape of a rose.

Next week I will be watching Aria the Origination #5.5: That Little Secret Place… Also known as the season 3 OVA.

Aria the Natural #2: Looking For That Treasure…

April 25th is the birthday of Tomoko Kawakami, the voice of Athena Glory. In interviews, she would compare her own clumsiness to Athena’s and suggest that Junichi Satō gave her the role because of it. Tomoko described working on Aria as being in a family. She felt that the spirit of the show was to appreciate your friends and the love you receive from them. Happiness comes when you open your heart to the people you encounter in your life.

The treasure hunt in this week’s episode is a lesson in not taking anything for granted. Wonderful things happen all around us every day, we just have to be open to the experience. And when you reach the end of your adventure, the treasure that awaits isn’t a pot of gold, but your memories of the journey.

The experience doesn’t even need to be extraordinary. Akari and company weren’t travelling to very exotic places, but merely wandering the streets of Neo Venezia. Even though they had been to those places before, this time they were looking for excitement and were able to see the city in a way that seemed new. Or there is the café owner. He spends his time in Piazza San Marco just watching people pass by. The most adventurous part of his day is when he has to walk a few yards to the east as the shadow from the bell tower moves. Sipping on milk coffee doesn’t sound exciting, but by being receptive to the uniqueness of life, the café owner is able to find his own treasure.

When it was over, Alice returned the clues to their hiding places. The most satisfying part of the journey was being able to share it with others. The treasure hunt is a silent tradition of the city. Its value isn’t limited to one person’s experience, but began long ago and will continue as long as there are people to find it. Alicia seemed to understand this. Had she once discovered the treasure map herself? Isn’t it odd how Aria, though it looked like he was just being playful, was able to find the hidden staircase.

We may not always have a map, in fact we rarely do. In life, we have to find our own way without the benefit of clues telling us where to go. But if we treat life as an adventure, it can be just as rewarding. And then we can pass the treasure on to the next generation.

Tomoko reached the end of her treasure hunt on June 9, 2011.

The next clue leads to Aria the Origination #9: Surrounded by That Orange Wind…

Aria the Animation #3: With That Transparent Young Girl…

Everyone knows that oil and water don’t mix. Hydrophobic compounds disrupt water’s hydrogen bonds. Entropy driven ordering then causes the disparate molecules to separate. Alice has a difficult time forming bonds with other people. When she’s around them, her social awkwardness is uncomfortable. It’s easier for her to practice rowing on her own, walk to school on her own, eat lunch on her own, etc.

Add an emulsifier, however, and you can mix oil in water. Egg yolk in Hollandaise sauce keeps it from separating. Alice would not have spoken to Akari if Akatsuki were not there. Normally, she’d be too self-conscious about socializing with Akari. But by being an irritant, he took the pressure off of her. She only thought about him and why Akari was being nice to such a rude person. Without realizing it, she was laughing and speaking casually with Akari. The oil and water had become friends.

Even a prodigy has things she needs to learn. Alice won’t be a Prima if she remains overly concerned with decorum. Akari already knows this as can be seen in her interaction with Akatsuki. She doesn’t worry about embarrassing herself, but neither does she worry about her customers behaving poorly towards her. She keeps smiling and finds a way to turn any situation into a positive experience. For Akatsuki, who’s angry because he’s broke and bored, she reminds him of why he became a salamander. Akari doesn’t know it now, but later she’ll hear the story of his dream to be the “protector of Aqua.”

Speaking of Akatsuki, April 16 is the birthday of Hirofumi Nojima.

Next week’s episode is Aria the Natural #2: Looking For That Treasure…

Aria the Natural #6: The Smile Reflected In that Mirror…

It’s another sleepover at Orange Planet for Akari. This time, Alice isn’t embarrassed for her friends to be wearing their own uniforms. She’s much more comfortable around them than before, but just as uncomfortable with the other undines in her own company. Of course she’s shy, but it’s compounded by being younger than her classmates while also more advanced than them.

So Alice suffers from being “alone in the crowd,” and Orange Planet is a very large crowd. She probably wishes that she could be in the more prestigious Himeya, or receiving personal attention from Alicia at Aria Company. Either one would be easier for her to manage. Easier, however, is not better. She’d still be the same timid Alice no matter where she was being taught. For the sake of her growth, she needs to be made uncomfortable and learn to overcome her shyness. That makes Orange Planet ideal for her, where she is forced to interact with many girls her own age.

It’s also the perfect place for Athena, who frequently depends on the support of others to make up for her mistakes. Orange Planet provides a large social safety net to fall back on. She repays the company with her sensitivity to other peoples’ feelings. Athena speaks little and sees much, so she understands Alice’s anxiety without needing to be told. It must look like magic to have someone read your mind that way, and even more impressive because of her usual hands-off teaching style.

Well, this episode felt a little short. So I’ll add in another one of the Aria the Origination picture dramas. This is one I should’ve watched right after That Guardian Of Aqua, Picture Drama #6: Akatsukin-chan.

Of course, this is a play on Little Red Riding Hood, or “Akazukin” in Japan. That Akatsuki’s personality is more like the wolf is an irony not lost on anyone. And everything is resolved thanks to Goddess Alicia. Ara-ara.

The next episode is Aria the Animation #3: With That Transparent Young Girl…, here on Orange Planet Thursdays.

Aria the Natural #19: That Crybaby…/That Young Girl’s Heart…

In the language of flowers, the sunflower signifies pride. The bold color and large head stand above all other flowers. But have you seen a sunflower in the shade? Without the bright light of the sun, its head sags and petals curl in. Pride is easily injured.

Aika’s forceful personality comes out when she’s with Akari and Alice. Left alone, however, her self-discipline slips as she sneaks out to play. That’s when she wilts like a sunflower and begins to doubt herself. She says that others depend on her, but it’s really Aika who depends on them for her confidence.

Akari and Alice are very dependable friends. What Aika didn’t consider was the lasting effect of her encouragement. The other girls are able to do well because they don’t want to disappoint Aika. They know that Aika tries the hardest and that motivates them. Pride can be a weakness but also a strength. For Akari, she wants to improve as an undine so Aika will be proud of her. The best kind of confidence comes from what you can do to help other people, and that’s something worth taking pride in.

And the best kind of friends are those who bring you pudding. (With whipped cream on top.)

Aika’s fragile pride is weakest when it comes to Al. Akari is motivated by wanting to look good in front of Aika, and so Aika tries to look good in front of Al. The influence of Akira brings out a masculinity in her usual behavior. But at heart, she’s a young girl who wants the man she loves to tell her she’s beautiful.

This encounter shows that Al and Aika have grown closer since the night of the meteor shower. There was a time when Al seemed oblivious to Aika’s feelings. But he doesn’t mince words about what he thinks of her new hairstyle. (A bit too enthusiastic, I thought.) Al understands Aika, he knows that compliments make her happy and will give her as many as she desires.

The episode for next week is Aria the Natural #6: The Smile Reflected In That Mirror…

Edit: Something I forgot to mention. This week, you can watch Aria the Animation on YouTube.

Aria the Origination #2: That Smiling Customer…

This scene reminds me of season 2, episode 5

When I was growing up I loved looking at maps. I’d look for hidden roads or strange features that you wouldn’t find by traveling the well-worn routes. After circling spots on the map of my town, I’d spend the afternoons and weekends exploring those places. I believed these were my own special discoveries. I still enjoy studying maps, though more for the aesthetics of the map itself, particularly antiques. Of course I’ll never explore those places with the same wide-eyed enthusiasm. That’s a fantasy reserved for 12-year olds. And a leniency; property owners would react much differently if I acted the same way now.

Under the microscope

Adults are expected to behave with restraint. But that’s no reason to ignore the lessons of childhood. As a child you were told to accept the world as it is. When you mature, you gain the tools to change the world to suit your needs. What you do with that responsibility determines how much respect you will be granted by others. And it is built on the imagination fostered during youth. Back then, the world was your playground. But now your playground is not limited to places on a map. You are creating the world you will play in, and get to draw the map yourself.

And then you get to watch your children explore your world, and use their imagination to set the stage for the future. This episode told a similar story from two perspectives. We saw how Akari explored Neo-Venezia and the places she found. But to the residents of the city, Akari herself is much more interesting. So you have this picture of her gondola as seen through a window. It’s as if the city is watching Akari as intently as she is focused on it.

When I planned to watch Aria each week, I overlooked the picture dramas on the Aria the Origination DVDs. Since I’ve now seen the first three episodes, this is a good time to look at the first of these.

Aria the Origination Picture Drama #1: Pajama☆Party

A traditional hot springs and girls’ talk episode (with fan-service). Alice, despite her age, takes sadistic pleasure in pushing Aika’s buttons. Of course, that isn’t at all difficult, particularly with regards to her love life. Aika has no defenses when it comes to Al.

We had a birthday this week, March 5th, for Yoshiko Matsuo, the voice of Grandma. You can hear her as another Grandma in Tamayura, which will be start its second season this July.

Next week I will be watching Aria the Animation #8: That Melancholy President… / That Cool Hero…