Aria the Natural Review
Image from Danbooru
What can i say more about this anime, expanding up to 26 episodes of grace?
It is a relaxing, invigorating and powerful ride to the world of Neo-Venezia. A show that will probably not hit a great fanbase like Naruto or Bleach, it is something special, hidden quietly among the gentle sea of anime. It does not try to impress, nor does it try to make itself look great or wonderful.
Yet, its brightness lits up beautifully as the idyllic environment, scenery and music brings you into the world of Neo-Venezia, a place filled with love, care and beauty.
This is Aria the Natural, a show that is unassuming.
It is like fine wine. You never know how good it is, until you have a sip of it. With wine and anything in excess, it will not taste good. However, with a gentle sip to this great series, you learn how to appreciate it. Quality can never be replaced by quantity. That is how good things can be appreciated, only in small doses.
This is a show that teaches, yet never presses you to follow it. It simply guides you quietly toward various messages in life. Sometimes, the most simple things are the most beautiful. Things that seem to be small and insignificant are in fact significant things in this world. Without this show, these things will be simply quiet and never be seen in our lives.
This is Aria the Natural, a show of brilliance.
Image from Danbooru
After finishing this wonderful piece of art, I only know that it is hard for any series to emulate it. It is perhaps one of its kind. It will never be prominent in most people, simply because it is an acquired taste. A slice-of-series always have this niggling problem of not being exciting, nor having the action that most people wish for.
It never has much going on, yet the nature of the show simply makes you want to watch it. It is just that tranquil style of portrayal that will always stick to your heart, making you think about it slowly. You will never rush to watch the next episode eagerly, but when you watch it, it will fill that void, in which you can destress after a heavy day of schooling or work. I will miss it much, since there has not been a show that makes me feel good that much. It is simply one that touches the heart gently with its angelic mastery, without ever intruding.
This is Aria the Natural, a show that fills the heart.
I do not think that Aria is an intellectual show, nor is it assuming to be one. It is never one considering that it is simply the lives of 6 beautiful and wonderful ladies that drive a Gondola. They are Undines, the guide to the peaceful water town known as Neo-Venezia, in the planet Aqua.
That’s all. Yet, it is the simple things in life that charms them on. The OST for this show is simply brilliant. With the start of the OP, the slow and soothing mood of Makino Yui’s voice will bring you in to the musical attraction of Undines. Slowly but surely, there is this small and mysterious force being moving in the animation. There is nothing shocking. Yet, every recital of Akari’s story as an Undine is beautifully intrinsic, showing the change of seasons as she continued to be a professional Undine one day.
This is Aria the Natural, a musical tranquility of life.
Her friends, Aika and Alice, play important parts of her life. At every step of her life, Aika and Alice stay as support as the friendship of the three as they go on training together everyday. It is a bond that can never be separated and the dynamics of their lives are so simple. Sometimes, I wish I am staying there myself, relaxing in the clear river.
In all, Aria the Natural is not something I will recommend to everyone. I will not press or judge. However, watch it and see if you can derive that beauty in it. If you can, I wish you to follow this journey of discovery toward this anime that I considered to be the best in 2006.
This is Aria the Natural, a brilliant anime of its time..
This, to me, is the true epitome of Anime viewing.
Rating: A+
Art taken from Deviantart
I am going to miss Aria the Natural a lot.
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I have been watching ARIA ever since its’ first season, ARIA The ANIMATION( uppercasing sic). Unfortunately for me, much like the show itself, the fansubbing pace is also leisurely. ^^;
Can’t wait to watch the rest of the second season.
Cheers.
I think the art is vital for Aria’s awesomeness. Backgrounds are detailed and full of peaceful feelings, character design great despite the rather low quality of animation and those SD faces are awesome, possibly the funniest ever. I looked one sketch full of Akari’s mode few days ago and I laughed several minutes just by watching the expressions alone. And her pigtails are so cute that I almost want to do same as what Akatsuki do once in a while with those. =)
Aria is a series that I can watch regardless of how bored I’m with anime in general and yeah, it’s very special experience.
Even if I would really like to see the end of ARIA The Natural, I’m happy that there are still ten episodes not yet subbed, so that means it will last longer.
And I also think that this is not an anime that must be watched in large chunks ; an episode once in a while, even better when you’re tired or stressed, is better for the mind than any other treatment…
ARIA is the chicken soup for the soul.
It manages to ease all the stress and usually put a smile on my face no matter how many times I rewatch an episode.
One other thing about ARIA is that you can watch any episode anytime, with the exception of episodes 16 and 17.But as you said, there is really not many anime that can emulate the overall feel that ARIA has, though YKK would but they’re only in OVA form.
Music in ARIA is very good as well.
ARIA is the perfect blend of comedy, drama, mystery, philosophy and daily life event all in one show… You would never find any other show that portrays all of the above perfectly like this (at least for many years)
Each characters in ARIA were really unique, as if they have their own role on the play and play it with all their abilities. I bet you would never forget those “Ara~ Ara~” made by Alicia or those “Dekkai… desu” by Alice-chan
However, to me, the best part of ARIA is OSTs and musics. Right mood, Right time, Right kind. Every songs played in this anime was blended so well in the story that you might be able to think of the scenes when you hear each songs.
I haven’t watched Aria or Aria the natural, but I must say, this is one of the most touching and brilliant anime review I’ve read. Hope you do more review like this, but I think it was more of an inspiration from the quality of anime. If so, I hope there are more of these shows for you to watch.
Oh man, I missed this post. I haven’t finished this series yet, as I’ve been in the middle of watching it, but I LOVE Aria. Definitely one of those shows that just makes you feel good. The first season has been on my favorites list for quite some time, and I can’t wait for the next OVA.
I am wondering, how come I never replied to anyone here. It’s a tad late but still…
@Anga: Aria is definitely everything you say and much more. Aria is one of the few series that makes use of SD in a very good way, one that is often made off balanced by many series. The SD always appear at the right time, well almost all the time, and Akari is just hilarious all the time.
Aria is just the soothing thing that you feel.
@Skh: I always watch it when I am tired or stressed, since it is the feel-good anime of all time for me. It seems that the tranquil feel is the contributing factor for this.
@Enz: the word for this.
@Adun: It is perhaps the episodic nature of the series that makes it rather distinct. Do you remember any series that has this feeling inside. It is almost like you are watching a flowing motion of artistry right in front of you, seeing the beautiful Venice right in your eyes. Despite the animation, it is really drop dead beautiful.
@Wontaek: A big fan of Mai Yukino and Round Table featuring nino here, nuff said.
@HeliumHe: Arr, I will say that Alice is my favorite character, though it should be rather obvious from the green hair love that I have portrayed so much.
For one, where do you get girls that are so darn hot that you can feel for them? I always think wrongly (yes, i can be disturbing) that the gondola uniform is just total eye candy. The slits and the beautiful white clothing accompanied by the color of the company is just elegance personified.
The OST to me sets up the right mood for viewing, and the first song “undine” just speaks clearly of the show that Aria is.
@Gaguri: Hah, I do not think that it’s really that good a review, since it is done on the spot when I feel inspired after watching the series. If anything, I am glad that you enjoy it, though it is hard for a series to touch me this way like Aria did.
@Totali: yes, you have to watch it, and wait, there’s an OVA???
This is one of the most touching and brilliant anime reviews I’ve ever read.
Honestly, It brings me joy to know that im not alone is that sentiment.
Is it just me, or, am I the only person that watched both Aria shows, and cried? Frequently. Gosh. I absolutely ADORE this anime, it’s OST, and the SD Faces!
The music is brilliantly brilliant. The stories are stories that you wish you could share with them. And Aqua is amazing; It makes you wish you lived there. It’s just simply that beautiful.
The embodiment of Aria The Natural is like a warm embrace; The kind that brings you to tears.
Yes when you stress you want some thing to relax. Some people take drugs and some people enjoy with wine to reduce there stress. But this not permanent solution of stress and tension.
I like the series, except for one thing: that ugly cat that’s called the “president” of the Aria Company. I skipped watching this series for months just because he is so annoying.
[...] Aria returns with a third season. It is always a bit empty when I do not have a new episode of the tranquil Aria the Natural to enjoy. Aria the Origination really brings back everything that is good about [...]
I really loved this anime. This anime really gives me a lot of changes. I feel like I can enjoy all part of my life. and also every single part of my life. After the long time I watched this anime, I still love the song Rainbow. For all Aria Fans, please whisp me at ningal_92@yahoo.com I’d love to hear ur stories.
n.b. : I havent watch the OVA Arietta yet. I wish I can, but Anime distribution didn’t go well in my country Indonesia. If u’d like to send me email, please tell me the stories. And I hope I can also see Aria the Origination.
15.
I really loved this anime. This anime really gives me a lot of changes. I feel like I can enjoy all part of my life. and also every single part of my life. After the long time I watched this anime, I still love the song Rainbow. For all Aria Fans, please whisp me at ningal_92@yahoo.com I’d love to hear ur stories.
n.b. : I havent watch the OVA Arietta yet. I wish I can, but Anime distribution didn’t go well in my country Indonesia. If u’d like to send me email, please tell me the stories. And I hope I can also see Aria the Origination.
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