Aria the Animation

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Alternative Titles

English: Aria the Animation

Japanese: ARIA The ANIMATION

Information

Type: TV

Episodes: 13

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Oct 6, 2005 to Dec 29, 2005

Premiered: Fall 2005

Broadcast: Thursdays at 01:30 (JST)

Producers: TV Tokyo, Shochiku, Mag Garden

Licensors: Nozomi Entertainment

Studios: Hal Film Maker

Source: Manga

Genres: Sci-Fi, Slice of Life, Fantasy, Shounen

Duration: 24 min. per ep.

Rating: G - All Ages

Statistics

Score: 7.69¹ (scored by 39,476 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #1059²

² based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #1189

Members: 131,930

Favorites: 1,934

7.69

Ranked #1059Popularity #1189Members 131,930

Fall 2005TVHal Film Maker

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Episodes: /13

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Synopsis

Drift peacefully into Neo Venezia, a city on the planet Aqua (formerly known as Mars). By the 24th century, humans have found a way to colonize the previously uninhabitable planet. As futuristic as that sounds, Neo Venezia is still teeming with rustic beauty; gondolas on wide canals and waterways are the main mode of transportation. The city itself is a faithful replication of Manhome's (the planet formerly known as Earth) Venice.

To make sure that residents and tourists alike get the most from Neo Venezia's many wonders, companies offering guided tours via gondola were formed, one of which is named Aria Company.

This is the workplace of Akari Mizunashi, a free spirited teenager from Manhome who is now a novice Undine (the title given to tour guides). Join Akari as she becomes intimately acquainted with other Undine, tourists, Neo Venezia's residents, and even the city itself, learning many valuable life lessons along the way, such as the wonderful truth that there are such things as manmade miracles.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

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Related Anime

Adaptation:	Aria, Aqua
Sequel:	Aria the Natural

More characters

Characters & Voice Actors

Mizunashi, Akari

Main

Hazuki, Erino
Japanese

Carroll, Alice

Main

Hirohashi, Ryou
Japanese

Florence, Alicia

Main

Ohara, Sayaka
Japanese

Granzchesta, Aika S.

Main

Saitou, Chiwa
Japanese

Pokoteng, Aria

Main

Nishimura, Chinami
Japanese

Glory, Athena

Main

Kawakami, Tomoko
Japanese

Ferrari, Akira E.

Main

Minagawa, Junko
Japanese

Aino, Ai

Supporting

Mizuhashi, Kaori
Japanese

Maa

Supporting

Watanabe, Akeno
Japanese

Izumo, Akatsuki

Supporting

Nojima, Hirofumi
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Satou, Junichi

Director, Sound Director, Storyboard, Screenplay, Series Composition

Gotou, Keiji

Episode Director, Storyboard, Assistant Animation Director, Key Animation

Fuseki, Kazunobu

Episode Director, Storyboard, Assistant Director

Tamagawa, Makoto

Episode Director

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Opening Theme

"Undine (ウンディーネ)" by Yui Makino

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Ending Theme

"Rainbow" by ROUND TABLE feat. Nino

More reviews

Reviews

Jan 3, 2008

13 of 13 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

Archaeon (All reviews)

910 people found this review helpful

I'm quite surprised that no one's actually written a review for this yet.

I have to admit that I wasn't sure what to expect from this show. The synopsis didn't really give any clues as to what I should expect, and that is probably the best thing about it - it isn't quite what you expect.

The story takes place on what used to be Mars (the first thing I didn't expect), in a place called Neo-Venzia (New Venice), and is about a girl training to be an Undine (the story uses the term to refer to a female gondolier rather than a water spirit). The story itself isn't linear in any way, as each episode is a story in it's own right. Normally this is a recipe for disaster in the anime world, but it works in this show - I'll explain why in a bit.

The art and animation are of a very high standard, and the city and it's surroundings are beautifully rendered - and you will see a lot of the city in this show. The characters are very well depicted, even when they show their chibi side, and the best bit is there's not a panty shot in sight - hooray!

The sound is one area where this show excels. Everything is there if you listen, from the sound of the waves to the hubbub of of a crowd. The music is ideally suited to the show and, unlike many anime, actually heightens the viewing experience.

The characters are extremely well realised. I can't think of one character I actually disliked in the entire show. One of the things I liked about the show was how each character actually fits into the story, and the world in which they exist - even the cats have a purpose. One of the other things I liked was the use of fairytale and mythological creatures in the show. The females gondoliers are referred to as Undines, with the top three being called the Great Fairies. The weather is controlled by salamanders, the gravity is controlled by gnomes, etc. One thing that puzzled me was why the female characters names begin with A (except Grandma, however her real name is Akino), but that's by-the-by.

So the important question is: Will you enjoy the show?

If you're an action junkie, or into horror or angst, then this is not the show for you (although it never hurts to give it a try). This show is funny and quirky in many ways, without going over the top, but the one word I would use to describe the show is RELAX. It took me two weeks to finish this show and it's sequel (which is a long time for me by the way), and this is because this show is so relaxing that I was falling asleep whilst watching it. Normally it takes a lot for me to fall asleep, and even boredom doesn't work, but somehow this show just relaxes you to the point where you just drift off to dreamland without a second thought, and never once was I bored with this show.

Overall this is a show that deserves to be watched, as it has a unique appeal that the like's of Sketchbook ~full colour'S~ and Kokoro Toshokan just can't quite match up to. The reason why the non-linear story works well in this show is because it's so relaxing that you honestly just don't care about the fact there's no real plot - which is a rather refreshing perspective to have.

The best way to watch the show? Have a shower, have a good meal, get comfortable, and relax...

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Apr 24, 2010

13 of 13 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

Moonlith (All reviews)

166 people found this review helpful

I stumbled upon Aria years ago when reading a review about the manga and made a mental note to check it out later. Positively drawn in by Kozue Amano's original work, I soon picked up the anime as well. For a reason I still can't recall I dropped the show nearly three years ago, and it wasn't until just recently that I finished what I started back then. And though not much had changed for either better or worse from what I remembered, I'm glad I did so.

Aria the Animation is not for you, who prefers a clear cut and classically constructed storyline that moves from point A to point B with some key events in between. Aria the Animation is not for you, who requires relentless action and constant fast-paced happenings from their anime. And most certainly Aria the Animation is not for you, who finds little to no enjoyment in just sitting back and watching as a close-knit group of girls, not in their bra and panties with guns ablaze, but with their gondolas and oars go through ordinary day-to-day activities instead of epic adventures and intense situations.

But on the good chance you are the type to approach your anime with an open mind and the patience to watch and see the magic in the moment, you are likely to find the company of Akari, Aika, Alice, and the rest of the undines and undines-in-training much to your liking. Because that's what Aria the Animation is ultimately about: a journey to uncover the joy of the obvious, the excitement behind the mundane, and the possibilities underneath the sorrows.

These scenarios are played out to us by a cast of characters who depict a variety of different personalities. Akari is the naive amateur who treats all she experiences with childlike wonder; through her most of the show's message is brought across to the viewer. . Aika is her best friend and almost her exact opposite: no-nonsense and feet firmly on the ground-kind of girl who constantly berates Akari for her dreamy ways. And Alicia is their mentor and the big sister-type of character, who's there to provide insight and help the juniors along the way. They're surrounded by a pack of friends who similarly have their quirks and qualities defining them and making their role contributing to what the creator is trying to tell us.

You're right if you argue that the story is boring and seemingly pointless at times. Saying the characters being archetypes of their respective personalities (and almost exclusively female as well!) is cliche and overused is valid. Complaining that having cats as business company presidents is just plain stupid and ridiculous is justified.

But as one who no doubt has already seen quite a bit of anime in their life, you have for sure come across these common failings before. And in case you've reached the point of having made peace with them, or feel like challenging yourself to do so, Aria the Animation may prove to be an eye-opening experience for you that anime can be good even if no heavens are pierced.

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Mar 9, 2013

13 of 13 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 10

xbobx (All reviews)

57 people found this review helpful

"May this town's kindness reach the hearts of many people..."

From what I saw, I'm sure it will.
The first idea I wanted to share in this review is that Aria is a series that speaks for itself. What I'm doing here is merely trying to explain a complex story within a few lines. I would never be able to summarize all the pros/cons of Aria, first because each person will see it in a deferent way, and second because you would need to watch it in order to understand all the comparisons, metaphores and symbolism I would mention.
That said, I'm reviewing it with the read more

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Nov 24, 2015

13 of 13 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

Nervin (All reviews)

47 people found this review helpful

Slice of life anime are difficult to represent to audiences in an entertaining manner without being a boring spectacle; that's why most of these have dramatic or romantic elements, or a lot of fanservice in them in order to be appealing to the viewer. But then there is Aria: The Animation, a slice of life in its purest form, that proves that such type of anime doesn't need any of the above to be succesful. Having dived in without any expectations whatsoever, I was pleasantly surprised: it was proven how wonderful and relaxing such a simple anime can be.

~Story~

The premise of Aria: The Animation is read more

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