Akari Mizunashi continues her training to become a Prima Undine (a professional tour guide gondolier) along with her friends Aika and Alice in the peaceful city of Neo Venezia. Despite the fact that these three girls are from competing companies, they are constantly together, learning more about how to become better tour guides and more about the mysteries of Neo Venezia.
As the group continues to meet interesting and unforgettable people through their daily routines, they will also come closer to the secrets that make the enigmatic and ever beautiful city of Neo Venezia so warm and alive.
Welcome back to Neo Venezia: the city where miracles can be created by hand.
Synopsis of Aria the Natural
Aria The Natural is the enticing sequel to Aria The Animation, a serene slice-of-life anime series developed by Hal Film Maker. The series is set in the 24th century on Mars, now beautifully terraformed and renamed as “Aqua.” Aqua is a recreation of the city of Venice complete with meandering canals, gondolas, and picturesque landscapes.
At the center of the story is Akari Mizunashi, a gentle girl who works as a gondolier. She along with her friends Aika and Alice, who are employees at rival gondola companies, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Each episode unwraps a new aspect of city life encompassing slices of day-to-day activities, unveiling life’s simple joys, complexities via thought-provoking story arcs, and most importantly—the magic sprinkled throughout their floating city.
Review of Aria The Natural
Aria The Natural stands as a testament to the power that relentless optimism and a well-spun narrative can hold over its audience. The series tackles themes of friendship, dreams, and finding joy in the mundane, but it does so with a whimsical elegance that is hard to find in the world of modern anime. Aria is not about frenetic action, complex plot twists, or over detailed animation, but about simple storytelling and portraying life’s delightful moments.
This sequels ambiance, narrative, and character development are not just masterfully sketched, but also captivating and elusive. The makers have taken the already exquisite world of Aria from where the first season left off and furnished it with even more depth by effortlessly brewing the realities of life’s simplicity, joy, and hiccups with the enchanting cityscape of Aqua.
The animation style, while remaining consistent with the original series, has seen slight enhancements. The pastel-like color palette, beautifully rendered backgrounds, and realistic atmospheric lighting add richness to Aria’s dreamy visuals. Character designs maintain their distinctiveness without being overly extravagant. Subtle movements, expressions, and surroundings are brought to life brilliantly.
Equally mesmerizing is the soundtrack by Choro Club and Takeshi Senoo, the tranquil and gentle tunes dance harmoniously with the series’ overall demeanor. While the opening theme, “Euphoria” by Yui Makino, sets the cheerful tone, the ending theme, “Natsumachi” by ROUND TABLE featuring Nino, softly brings each episode to a close. The perfectly timed usage of organic sound effects throughout the series further enhances the overall auditory and visual experience.
Aria the Natural is sure to win over the hearts of many, with its soothing aesthetics, inspiring messages, and charmingly authentic characters. However, this series is not for everyone. Aria does not have action-packed battles or high-stakes drama. Instead, it’s all about the joy of living, laughing, and loving on the idyllic planet of Aqua. If you’re one who savors a leisurely pace, soaking in a series that promotes reflection and appreciation for life, then I highly recommend renting, buying, or streaming Aria the Natural.
For anime enthusiasts seeking respite from the hustle-bustle of daily life and immersing themselves in an enchanting world that echoes with tranquility and sheer positivity, Aria the Natural is an undeniable pick—one to be savored slowly, like a fine wine or a lazy sunrise.
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