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 #15: The Center Of That Large Circle…

Akari feels left out as these old friends share a story from their past. She should learn from the young Akatsuki that friendship doesn’t care if you look cool or if you fall flat on your face. The important thing is daring to try. Akari took that leap when she left Manhome for Aqua. Without realizing it, she’s become part of many new memories. Some day she and her friends will reminisce about these days when she was a single, and maybe there will be a young apprentice listening to them and feeling left out of their stories.

The story created from our memories is one that never ends. There are many chapters, with many surprises along the way. For Akatsuki, they boy he met on that playground was just a memory. Who would have guessed that he, who was really a she, would appear back in his life many years later? This surprising turn of events might not have happened if Akari had not been sitting alone that afternoon. An ordinary moment in time became a surprising new chapter of many peoples’ lives. This story of friends who met once and parted ways only to meet again later on is something Akari should keep in mind when she becomes a prima. Her time as an apprentice will end, but no one knows what will happen later, or when someone you thought was just a memory will enter into your life again.

With this light-hearted episode, I’ll watch another Aria the Origination picture drama #3: Aiming for that Glorious Victory.

Aika gets Akari and Alice to play “the beautiful game.” For her to decide this in just one day makes me think that she got the idea from reading a manga. It’s cute how the uniform has the three company colors in it.

This leaves one more picture drama, and 12 more episodes for the last 10 weeks of the year. The next one will be Aria the Natural #1: That Encounter At The Carnevale…

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 Natural #13: Those Really Self-Imposed Rules…

How does Alice feel when Aika compliments her? Every undine should be able to row well. Does everyone need to be praised just for doing her job? Many people tell Alice that she’s smart, mature, and reliable. But how true is that? Schoolwork and rowing are one thing, but a truly talented person must be able to walk across Neo-Venezia while only stepping on shadows. If Alice is to be praised then she should prove that she deserves it.

These tests of herself are because she worries about her own inadequacies. She’s intimidated by the compliments people give her. She doesn’t trust herself to be able to live up to other’s expectations. In time she will learn to be more confident. Until then, she places her trust in Athena.

The Undine Who Leaped Through Time

Happy birthday to the star of this week’s episode, Ryou Hirohashi (Tuesday). And also for Erino Hazuki last Saturday. Next week I’ll be watching Aria the Animation #4: That Undeliverable Letter…

Aria the Natural #18: That New Me…

It’s barbecue time!

In a food processor, blend 1 cup cilantro, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp. lime zest, and 3 tbsp. lime juice. Mix this with 2 tsp. of combination salt, cumin, and ground red pepper. Rub this mixture into a 2 lbs. boneless top sirloin, 1¼ inches thick. Let the steak set for 2 hours.

Grill 6 ears of corn. Cut the corn from the cob into a bowl. Stir in half a teaspoon of lime zest, quarter cup lime juice, 2 tsp. olive oil, a minced jalapeño pepper, and half a teaspoon of the salt/cumin/pepper mix.

Grill the steak to your preferred doneness, then serve with the corn dressing.

Something else may have happened in this episode. I don’t think it was anything important. My best wishes and lots of joy to Chiwa Saito on her wedding this week.

Sorry for the delay last week. I can type again, but awkwardly while wearing a wrist brace. Next is Aria the Natural #13: Those Really Self-Imposed Rules…

Aria the Natural #10: That Heartwarming Town And Its People

A person like Akari, who is easily distracted, is sometimes said to be “spacey.” In her case, she really is from another world. The places and people of Aqua are all brand new experiences for her. So it’s to be expected that she would be more fascinated by them than someone who has been in Neo-Venezia all her life.

Here, meanwhile, are two of those people. Despite being born there, the connections Aika and Alice have to the city and its people aren’t as strong as it seems with Akari. Why is that? Because living on the same planet isn’t the same as being in the same world. Aika, the Himeya princess, has never ridden public transportation. And the wallflower Alice has an imagination too large for her scant life experience.

Stuck in their personal worlds, the girls miss opportunities to engage with the people around them. That requires stepping out of their comfort zone. Which is what Akari has done, by about 56 million kilometers.

Next week is Aria the Natural #18: That New Me…

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 #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 #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 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.