Aria the Animation #1: That Wonderful Miracle…

Leaving Manhome by herself must have been inconvenient for Akari. But it was necessary to achieve her dream of becoming an undine. Ai’s childish mind dislikes inconveniences and is annoyed when she can’t do what she wants. Or she becomes jealous instead of sharing the happiness of her sister’s trip to Neo-Venezia. So she forces her way onto Akari’s gondola then complains about it.

Ai is acting selfishly, but simply saying “no” to her and forcing her to do things she doesn’t like will increase her bitterness. Akari and Aika treat Ai as a friend so they can give her something nice to associate with the “inconvenient” gondola. In this way they server their customer not by giving her what she wants but what she needs. The memories Ai takes from her first visit to Neo-Venezia are a result of Akari’s cheerfulness. The mails they’ll write to each other will help them both grow.

The theme of this episode was turning unpleasant things into pleasant things. Much like the dry and barren Mars was transformed into Aqua. The planet now has its own environment and lifestyle that isn’t as convenient as the mature world of Manhome. Just as Akari’s new life is more difficult than if she had never left. We each have to set comforts aside so we can create a new world just for ourselves.

Just two more weeks left. Next week I’ll watch Aria the Natural #17: After That Rainy Night… and also the last Aria the Origination picture drama. That leaves two more episodes to end the year with.

Aria the Origination #12: Embraced by That Blue Sea and Wind…

Why are Akari and Aika friends? They couldn’t be more different. Akari’s cheerful optimism clashes with Aika’s emotional outbursts. Aika was born on Aqua and is supported by a wealthy family. Akari left Manhome to pursue an uncertain future by herself. Although they have both chosen to become undines, even their career paths are opposites. Himeya has grown large enough to open branch offices, of which Aika will begin her professional life as the manager of.

When Alicia asked Akari what kind of prima she would be, Akari turned her gondola to home. Akari wants to preserve the Aria Company that Grandma envisioned. While Aika is growing and evolving Himeya (to compete with Orange Planet), Aria Company will remain the same as it was under Alicia.

Yet despite these opposing and contradictory viewpoints, they’re the closest of friends who support and encourage each other. So much that the proud Aika feels guilty for having become a prima before Akari. She recognizes that Akari deserved to be the first to be promoted. Even Alice must have realized it. Speaking of Alice, isn’t it unfair that she was able to skip the narrow canal that other primas are tested with?

As I enter the final month of the year, I bid a happy birthday to Sayaka Oohara on Friday the 6th. Next week’s episode is Aria the Animation #1: That Wonderful Miracle…