Aria the Natural #24: Those Undines of Tomorrow…

Teenagers that they are, the three apprentice undines are impatient to become adults and take on the responsibilities of a prima. It’s an occupation that attracts many eager young women. But there’s a mundane and less glamorous side as well. Akari thinks Akira’s task is meant to teach them how to take responsibility for all aspects of the job. This may be true, though it could just be Akira taking advantage of her underlings because she doesn’t want to do it herself.

But the actual lesson of the day is one that no one had planned. And it isn’t about taking responsibility, but letting it go. The sudden rain storm was unfortunate, but out of anyone’s control. Something else no one can control is other people’s thoughts. Aika, overeager to be a responsible person, hears the gossip about Akira and takes it to heart. It frustrates her until Akira reminds her that some things are out of her control. Aika shouldn’t let some jealous gossip bring her down, just as she can’t control the weather. Responsibility means choosing your battles.

Speaking of choosing battles, what if the world of Aqua were modeled not on 17th century Venice, but 3rd century China? The fourth Aria the Origination picture drama looks at such a Three Kingdoms planet. Alicia is victorious with her strategy of fighting by not fighting.

Happy birthday this week to Kaori Mizuhashi, the voice of Ai. Next week is Aria the Origination #11: Those Ever-Changing Days…

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 #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 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…