Nov 11, 2016
Verdict:
By episode 5 of ARIA the Natural, I thought that this series reached perfection. In the subsequent 36-episodes-plus-OVA, I was proven dead wrong as my standards for perfection in anime were continuously raised to ever-greater heights. ARIA is a titan of an artistic masterpiece, one of few works of art I can say changed me as a person.
In full:
Story:
ARIA has a take on plot and narrative that seems very... Zen, in a sense. To compare to another of my favorites, Berserk: Berserk has a grand, central plot that each part contributes in an obvious way to. Each arc is very long, and serves to drive
...
the main conflict in some way. ARIA, one the other hand, is very-much in the moment. There is an endpoint/goal -- Akari, Alice, and Aika's coming-of-age and their promotions to Prima -- however, each story seems, at first glance, to be inconsequential and irrelevant. As you delve deeper in, however, you find that the characters are being shaped by the events around them, becoming products of their lives and their experiences. The creators took great effort into getting you to really care about the people you're watching, and to really relate to them in individual experiences they have. One of the most impressive story-telling feats I've ever seen was in episode 23 of the Natural, where the writers somehow got me to care so much about side characters who have barely 15 minutes of screen time that I cried at the conclusion. Just 7 episodes prior, I was moved by two episodes about decommissioning a gondola. ARIA has a masterful use of the mundane to craft a beautiful moment in time and a powerful message that stays with you. As for the ending, I can't say much without spoiling. I'll just say that even if you didn't enjoy the first 2 seasons, the Origination makes everything worthwhile, and even will make you enjoy the first 2 even more.
Art:
I'm not an artsy guy, so not much will be written here. The art style is pretty usual for 2005-2008, though the backdrop and care gone into the design of the characters -- as well as the impressive consistency with real-life Venice -- makes it great in my opinion, even if it's not exactly unique. Amano-san's art in the Manga is superior.
Sound:
Holy shit. This soundtrack as absolutely immaculate. Give a listen to Nana Iro no Sora wo, from the OVA. The way the strings end the song is one of my favorite moments in music, period. Amefuribana is one of my favorite Jazz-fusion songs, and Lumis Eterne is fantastic. Choro Club's playing absolutely brings Neo-Venzia to life, and they never fail to capture completely the feeling of the scene. This may be an unpopular opinion, but ARIA's OST is my favorite ever, even beyond Cowboy Bebop, though only by a little. I never watch anime openings and endings, but ARIA and Bebop are the sole exceptions.
The voice acting is fantastic. It's obvious from each line that everyone involved in ARIA put every ounce of their passion into it. As overused as it is, I still smile when I hear Aika say 「恥ずかしいセルフ禁止！」. Interestingly, there was an Italian dub for the show. I wonder how good that is...
Character:
In this show, character and story are interchangeable. I'll just say that I love each and every one of the characters, from Alicia right down to Mailman-san. I'm given every reason to care for them, and care for them I do. As for the other definition of "character," this show is Earthbound-tier with personality. Its unique perspective and brilliant execution are a sight to behold.
Enjoyment:
Each moment in ARIA is a small little treasure, something you can come back to months or years later and still remember how you felt when you first saw it. Likewise, the series felt strangely nostalgic just a week after I completed it. Currently, it holds the record for the most times I cried in a series, as well as for the most reasons. The Origination, by the way, was a 6-hour tearjerker for me, and it was mostly happiness.
(dude, that's a lot of text. Maybe I shouldn't spend midnight writing unpaid reviews.)
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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