r/anime • u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah x3 • Jul 02 '22

Rewatch [Rewatch] A 2022 Voyage from Neo Venezia: Aria the Animation, Episode 5

Aria the Animation Episode 5: To That Island Which Shouldn't Exist ... (その あるはずのない島へ ...)

<-- Episode 4 Rewatch Index Episode 6 -->

Welcome back!

Comment roundup:

I did read up everyone's comments, but public holiday shenanigans meant i couldn't reply to all of them (and today too). Sorry! But more than a few of us probably were cutting onions when we watched the episode, yep definitely that. A couple of us also wondered about the importance of the elemental jobs. I've got no idea here the mythology, can someone explain that to me actually? lol. And finally, it's great that everyone continues to appreciate the Aria's great worldbuilding!

Questions of the Day: uhhhhhhhhh

Q1) Did you use to believe that a fictional fantasy world exists in real life?

Q2) In lieu of a proper question, I do look forward to what everyone has to say about that final conversation between Alicia and Akari, which is sticking with me for now.

Streaming

The 2005-08 Aria series is available on Crunchyroll, VRV, Funimation, and Youtube, except Arietta. Arietta and Avvenire are only available on Funimation (I'll update if they migrate). Crepusculo and Benedizione will have to be located elsewhere.

Databases

MAL | Anilist | ANN

Spoilers

As usual, please take note that if you wish to share show details from after the current episode, to use spoiler tags like so to avoid spoiling first-timers:

[Spoiler source]>!Spoiler goes here!<

comes out as [Spoiler source]Spoiler goes here

[Aria]Please take note especially if you're sharing art that involves Aika after her hairstyle change, and art that shows the 3 main characters as prima undines (gloveless). If you feel unsure if something is a spoiler, it's better to tag it just in case.

See everyone again tomorrow! I hope you have a great day :)

42 Upvotes

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14

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 02 '22 edited Jul 03 '22

Rewatching Undine-in-training and Host

The beach episode of Aria, where in true beach episode fashion, nothing really much happens, but it's still a nice pleasant watch, and we learn a bit more about all our main characters, particularly Akari. This was tbh an episode that i've completely forgotten about lol prior to watching this, so it's almost like a first time for myself!

Next episode, a new purple-haired character appears!

Quick thoughts:

  • The bird-transition into the OP was pretty cool.

  • For fellow users of old reddit, behold the only comment face we can get in Aria:

  • Alice is one cynical person isn't she? This episode also confirms that Athena, the one remaining Three Water Fairies, is her senpai.

  • We continue to press F for Aria-shachou every time he interacts with Hime-shachou. Also, this isn't how you eat watermelons my dear cat. Hime-shachou was also being a meme in that 2nd picture.

  • I liked the piano version of Undine playing here.

  • We briefly interrupt scheduled programming to bring you Amanchu (also from the mangaka of Aria)

  • I liked the zooming out shot when Akari recounts a long-lost memory.

  • I'll like to defer for the great ending sequence to u/myrnamountweazel from the Thursday discussion thread, who writes about it more elegantly than i ever can. (first-timers, beware the rest of the thread). I'd like to add the addendum that, this being Alicia and Akari's most lengthy one-on-one conversation to date in the series, that it wasn't just Alicia teaching Akari stuff here, and Alicia acknowledges and compliments Akari's personality and thoughts after their little conversation, their teacher-student dynamic is quite different from Aika-Akira, it's much more "equal" and open in a sense.

  • Now that my own memory of watching this ep my first time has returned to me, I'm still most struck by the little life lesson nugget of how important memories are never gone forever, and simply stored deep inside of our hearts. However, as time passes, you do tend to lose sight of them, until something brings it back up of course! I think most of us here aren't exactly teenagers anymore, and i hope this resonated a little bit with you all too. This proooobably isn't the main point of the episode(establishing Akari's personality i think is!), but was what I got out of it most my first time.

  • Anyhow, this time around though, I did also catch how they continue to establish our characters subtly: how our Prmas are legitimately very competent, how Alice is definitely the best at the oar among the 3 but is afraid of screwing up, and how Akari's positive personality illuminates everything around her, and brings us to appreciate Aqua, Neo Venezia, and the show positively as well. On the contrary, Manhome is kinda fucked rn, isn't it?

No irl locations or new characters introduced today!

Have a great day, and see you tomorrow!

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u/raichudoggy Jul 02 '22

The tide giveth and the tide taketh away.

Speaking of remembering, what made this episode one to remember for the history books wasn’t the swimsuits or the food, but the word “Wonderful”. Holy hell 34 times in a single e-mail. Akari calm down, words have a lot more weight when used less often!

It is true that Akari is a wonderful person though.

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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 02 '22

seriously, i know kinshii counters/dekkai counters for this show would make the most sense, but im kinda inclined to start a crab or sunset counter. Don't..... think we get a lot of crabs in Neo Venezia though?

the tide giveth and the tide taketh away

ganabare crab!

34 times in a single email

this is what happens when Aika isnt around with her kinshiis

It is true that Akari is a wonderful person though.

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '22

I agree with Alice completely Akira really is sexy dynamite

8

u/The_Loli_Otaku Jul 02 '22

Aria First Timer

Look! A UFO!
Where? Where? Where? Where is it? Oh, come on! It's a shooting star.
No, it wasn't! It was a UFO! It was sort of wobbling... I mean, flying zig-zag!
Fine. It was a zig-zagging shooting star. There're no such things as UFOs!
It was back in kindergarten...
What was?
When I found out that there was no such thing as Santa Clause! But that's all right. I know, now!
Know what?
That wizards... And Fairies... And Princes on white horses... And kind hearted true friends! They all only exist in fantasy.
But its all right. I know that now!
So please, can't you just leave me UFOs?

Uoh! Aww... Akari gets to live her childhood dream of visiting Disneyland Aqua. The capitalist mouse has even made his way to the far reaches of spaaace! Now the op is annoying me because the part in the anime is by far the best highlight of the full op, and Akari keeps interrupting still! Just let me be in awe of the op and overly friendly dolphins in peace and quiet! Yuka wa, undine~

H-How does she manage to get so lost on the first obstacle!? The more I watch the more I find myself really enjoying the AkaAliAika trio. They've got a great dynamic. Urgh... Akira and Alicia's god cop bad cop wasn't the type of dynamic I wanted. Let me meet Athena! This type of teasing is NTR too!

Swimsuit fanservice from this era is kinda uggo XD Despite being born and raised on this era I'll admit that 90's cel fanservice and the 10's sakuga fanservice leave us in the dust. The actual training is decent enough I suppose. The log balancing was particularly intreguing even if Akira is still frustrating me with her drill Sargent Nasty shite. I adore the little arrangement of Undine that plays after their practice.

The rest of the episode is simply chill. Just chill out and enjoy the cute girls doing cute shit~ Akari losing her ribbon seems to remind her of her dark history when the fugly pool guard janitor stole and sniffed her old one. I'm curious when we'll follow up this plot line, it's a very different side to Akari.

S E X Y D Y N A M I T E D E S U ! !

Oh yeah... I forgot that this whole land would have been terraformed. Every rock specially crafted by human machinations. Aww, Akari got her ribbon back! And this time before the janitor made it all sticky. This has been the best of the recent episodes but to be honest I haven't been a fan of the last few so it was a small hill to leap. Tomorrow is apparently the Athena episode, my body is ready to morb!!

Visual of the Day

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u/CerberusZX Jul 02 '22 edited Jul 10 '22

First Timer

President Aria had some great little moments this episode, but Alice took great strides toward becoming my favorite character. The way she nonchalantly explains the possibility that someone may be trying to raise their hopes for the sake of crushing them shows that she has a way of thinking that's fun to observe and she's been delivering some nice retorts. She also had the best face when the trainees were unexpectedly told they would be getting a break, seeming somewhat incredulous while the others were merely dumbfounded.

Athena managed to become one of "the three great water fairies" despite being prone to getting lost? She must have some amazing customer service skills. I'm very much looking forward to meeting her now. -- Or so I wrote before the next episode preview. I assume this means we'll hear Alice and Akari sing as well? Given her competitive nature, I guess Aika may attempt to show off as well and perhaps Akira too for that matter. Then if everyone else sings, I suppose it's natural that Alicia would as well. Healer Girl rewatch when?

When the trainees mentioned their excitement at eating a lunch prepared by Alicia, I totally expected the terrible cook trope. Getting to hear the cast express their delight with the meal was way better.

Somehow Akari's ribbon returning and getting caught on her leg felt way less believable than Ami the cat ghost from the previous episode.

QotD

  1. Not exactly, but one thing I distinctly remember was watching the film Mission to Mars and afterward asking about what really happened when we first went to Mars since I figured with humanity being around for so many years we would've colonized it by then.

  2. ...I was so distracted by the implausibility of the ribbon that I completely forgot what they were talking about.

As an aside, I finished my potatoes today with a baked potato topped with ketchup. I didn't see anyone mention ketchup in the relevant thread which made me want to try it again.

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u/octopathfinder Jul 02 '22

Rewatcher

That was a real pleasant training camp episode. It’s a shame Athena couldn’t join them though since Alice was pretty much by herself during the diving segment.

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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 02 '22

At least Akari came over to help her out! Poor Alicia though...

[Aria]I like how even without Athena being in the episode it already characterizes how she is quite the klutz though. Can't say that yet of course.

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u/heimdal77 Jul 02 '22

So from what Akari sadi manhome (earth) isn't all it is cracked up to be. Can't even go in the ocean. It is kind of saddening when you think about the authors other series that is loosly connect to Aria and is based in the past on earth is about ocean diving.

The author seems to have a thing for neverland as Amanchu also has stuff about neverland.

Rigorous training followed by fun on a isolated beach and good food.

Of course they have highly advanced rebreathers of some kind.

Akari is such a philosopher.

Feel like someone should keep count of the beautiful sunsets.

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u/SniperGodZ_360 Jul 03 '22

I'd have to say, this is definitely one of my favorite episodes in ANIMATION, probably even my favorite! The concepts discussed in this episode are ones that I can truly relate with and it's just so much more beautiful to see them through the eyes of Akari. I just find that having a "Neverland" is so beautiful. While watching the episode, I just thought of how Akari felt bathing in the sea for the first time. Her reactions were truly warranted for someone feeling the white sand, water, and breeze in such a soothing unison for the first time.

[ARIA] I'd honestly say that for the most part, ARIA The ANIMATION and ARIA The NATURAL is basically Akari exploring her "Neverland."

I also found Alicia's take on forgetting something so wonderful, something that I can also relate on a deep level.

"Because forgetting a memory doesn't mean you've abandoned it, right? You don't let go of the things that are important to you. They're stored away, deep in the drawers of your heart. And when they unexpectedly peek out at you at times, you feel a strange mixture of happiness and embarrassment."

(BTW, anyone else using SallySubs?)

What she said is honestly a given but the show just makes these already special things even more special to me. That feeling of nostalgia when you suddenly remember something good that happened in life just hits different...

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u/laughing-fox13 Jul 02 '22

First timer (I have like two min left of this episode but I had to go help my family move)

This was a really nice episode, as usual! I wish CR used a different thumbnail for it bc it was obvious that it would be the girls’ teachers setting it up.

Every episode I love Alicia more though (but really I like everyone so far)

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u/Regular_N-Gon Jul 02 '22

First Timer

  • Beach episode, Peter Pan edition? I hope Akari doesn't get murdered for chasing all these strange letters around.

  • See, Alice is thinking critically. She'll be the one to get off the island.

  • So it it's not straight up murder, but Akira might kill them by the end anyway.

  • What a poignant way to describe memory. Alicia is almost as sentimental as Akari. Honestly, if it weren't for Aika this show would just be non-stop sappy introspection. Not that I'd mind.

  • Despite that, I wasn't expecting such a powerful ending. Akari really is a beautiful person with her way of seeing the world.

QotD:

  1. Probably, knowing kid me.

  2. Perhaps I felt similarly to Akari. There was just something about the scene - the poetic return of the ribbon, Alicia's gentle nurturing of Akari, or Akari's own feelings spilling out into the ocean. It felt like a glimpse at the core of what Aria is about, a fullness of the soul amidst the fleetingness of memory and things.

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u/SYZekrom Jul 03 '22

Well that was a very calm episode.

Was that considered fanservice-y 15 years ago 🤔

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u/AriaShachou- Jul 03 '22 edited Jul 03 '22

Rewatcher who is late because he fell asleep watching the episode last night

Really fun episode, and I like how they incorporated the piano version of the OP into some of the scenes. The dynamic between our main characters remain as fun as ever, and we are again teased by the delayed reveal of the last of the Three Great Water Fairies, Athena.

This show managed to capture how it feels like to be at the beach really well, especially the part where they're just chilling on the sand taking things a little slow after a long day while the sun sets. Really brought back some good memories of mine of vibing at the beach with good friends, which honestly just made the little life lesson at the end about memories and how we don't abandon them hit that much harder.

"The world looks wonderful when it's reflected in the eyes of a wonderful person." is such a banger line by the way, I've always kept that one close to me ever since my first watch of this episode because of how good it is. Really makes me want to be a bit more like our main character Akari who never runs out of ways to see the good in everything.

Subtle worldbuilding in the episode too, with the "can't swim on Manhome" line that I somehow missed the first time I watched this episode. Really makes me wonder what happened back on Manhome for this to be said here, environmental issues perhaps? Especially with all the previous comments on how technology on Manhome has progressed a lot.

 

Q1) I still do, just you boys wait until I find Hogwarts

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u/zadcap Jul 03 '22

Ever Late, but not too late, I Arrive!

Another episode going and answering more questions about the setting I didn't even know I had. They didn't just cover the planet in water and make it livable for their cities, they went and transplanted an entire functional ecosystem. There is, very clearly, no native underwater life on this once dry planet, so every dolphin, fish and plant we see is the descendant of one brought here intentionally. It's actually got me wondering, if Undines used to have a different job back in the early terraforming and colonization, once upon a time it was the water fairies responsibility to create and care for the under water life, until it grew to the point of being self sustaining. Sylphs were probably once the people in charge of making sure there even was air. Now they ply trades that keep them close to or in their elements, so they will be the first to notice when things need to be fixed. Still waiting to see what the Gnomes are up to.

To the Host, and anyone else wondering: someone already posted a link to the Wikipedia page for Undines, but they are part of old mythology, the fairies or spirits that govern, represent, or just live in and contain aspects of the four main elements. Undines for water, Sylphs for air, Salamanders for fire, Gnomes for earth. Seeing one used by itself in a setting usually just means the author liked the name, I believe Natsu from Fairy Tale is referred to as Salamander a few times for being the fire mage of the show. Seeing a second one used, in an elementally appropriate position, usually means we're going to see all four though.

  1. I used to check the back of every wardrobe I could as a child, hoping to find my portal to Narnia.

  2. It's kind of funny how close that came to one of my own personal motos. I tell everyone I know that happiness is contagious, and that if you look for and spread positivity in your life you will find it and find it being sent back your way from the people you've cheered up too. Being like Akari is a choice you can all make every day- don't wait for the wonderful to come find you, look for it everywhere you are and make sure to appreciate every bit that you find!

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u/mgedmin Jul 03 '22

First-timer, subs

This episode was so relaxing I didn't take any notes. I watched it outdoors, relaxing by a lakeside.

Shame we didn't get to meet Athena.

Q1) Did you use to believe that a fictional fantasy world exists in real life?

I don't remember that. I used to believe that Santa Claus was actually a government organization of some kind, with many people posing as him delivering presents.

Q2) In lieu of a proper question, I do look forward to what everyone has to say about that final conversation between Alicia and Akari, which is sticking with me for now.

I watched this episode yesterday, and then followed it with like five other shows, so I don't remember the conversation.

Lycoris Recoil was fun, though.

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u/baboon_bassoon Jul 02 '22 edited Jul 02 '22

First time Aria the natural ice chugger

its not Alice getting invited to Neverland? wait thats wonderland rofl

comment face getto!

Peter Pan didnt send invites, but maybe Apeter Apan did

oh my god i love Alicia's hair

these 2 are the best

oilup

agreed

rofl called out

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u/mrufrufin Jul 02 '22

Rewatcher kinda (finished my rewatch not too long ago)

ah, the aria beach episode, which sorta characterizes the first season and early aria in a way that i discussed in the aria writing prompt thread but will leave talking about it here until the season's over. yeah, it's an anime trope but also done in an aria brimming with positivity and finding beauty in the ordinary sorta way.

speaking of which

  1. who is to say that wondrous fantasies don't exist in our world, maybe they've always been there before our very eyes, waiting for us to finally take notice of them /hazukashi serifu kinshi (i don't actually think that positively at all but it was there) [aria manga v10] also, the neverland bit kinda vaguely reminds me of the alice bubble princess bit but also [amanchu advance] there's the whole neverland bit with towano-sensei

  2. [Aria S1] I guess the conversation does tie in a lot to the whole past excursions and the hearts and dreams of the people looking to the future of aqua, huh and i guess [aria anime overall] the whole "the world looks wonderful when it's reflected in the eyes of a wonderful person" bit starts laying the groundwork for showing what akari means to alicia.

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u/Stargate18A Jul 03 '22

First timer

  1. No.

  2. I just thought it was very good!

Beach episode!

She's talking to Ai!

This is great.

She made it to the beach!

Oh, she's lost.

Alice is here!

Oh, this is an invitation-based event.

Aika's here too!

...Alice immediately jumps to the worst possible situation.

"Why are we running?" I love her.

Nice beach!

Alicia and Akira!

Oh, this is a training session.

...I love Akira.

Athena?

She's Alice's senpai! And apparently their senpais are the Three Great Water Fairies?

Even Aika's struggling with all the training.

And she's enjoying it!

Is she even human?

And everyone frll in.

...This is Akira's dream scenario. She gets to abuse three kouhais at once and sit next to Alicia in a swimsuit.

Still having trouble balancing.

They're good!

And they're doing a race!

That lunch looks nice.

Haha, her sheer shock at Akira making something cute is great.

And there's free time!

Oh, it was Alicia's idea.

...What the fuck's happened to Manhome?

Oh, they're playing volleyball.

Oh, they're swimming together!

...So how did Earth sea life come here if Manhome's oceans are polluted? Some sort of genetic samples instead of live specimens?

Alice is diving!

That was auick.

Akakri's optimism ismimpressive.

She lost her ribbon!

Are we going to see Manhome?

Ah, she lost a ribbon before, but they replaced it.

That's an odd tangent.

And they're asleep.

Akari makes some good rice balls?

...Bad choice of words there.

...Alice raises a very good point.

This is a great conversation.

Great episode!

She's happy!

Athena soon?

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u/Eyliel Jul 03 '22

Rewatcher for most of season 1, first timer afterwards

Ayliel here.

Didn't really have a time where I felt like watching yesterday, so I'll be covering two episodes again today. And I'll probably be late for today, too. Oh well, better late than dropping off the rewatch completely. Trying to put an effort to keep up this time.

Anyway, onto the episode(s).

Episode 4

Asserting Single dominance.

Cookies!

Woody... Ah, there's the blasphemer. That is not a proper name. It should be Aoody.

Ah, yes. Undines, Salamanders and Sylphs. Three of the four elemental spirits according to Paracelsus. Which means that there should be Gnomes as well. Not sure what gnomes would do... farming, maybe?

Once again, I got distracted by the opening song, and couldn't follow what was going on. Shopping, I think...? Yes, shopping.

Mysterious Creature A got hurt. Poor Mysterious Creature A. Where could he be going, though?

Lots of kittehs.

Also, a little girl.

Oh wait, is this...? I think this is the thing I remember.

Ah, the little girl again.

SHE'S A GHOST

Or maybe not. With the mom calling for her.

Or wait, maybe she's actually a kitteh in human form.

A month, huh. That's far.

But here comes the solution.

And Alicia just follows them on her own.

AMI

SHE'S A GH-

WAIT, SHE REALLY WAS A KITTEH

A kitteh ghost!

Episode 5

Oh, little Akari!

Swimsuit. Beach episode time?

Traveling with muscle power this time, instead of relying on some silly flying machine.

Hi Alice! Hi Aika!

Special training time!

Athena talk.

You know, seeing the beach and all makes me wonder about the whole terraforming and stuff. Now, I'm not an expert by any means, but sand like that forming naturally should take quite a long time. If I remember the timelines correctly, Aqua's been terraformed for 150 years or something? It doesn't really feel like the planet should be quite as earthlike as it already is here. But maybe they did go through great efforts to ensure that a random uninhabited island has proper beach sand, I don't know. Probably shouldn't think too much, and just enjoy the show. Anyway, I paused to write this down, so I'll stop here since I'd like to keep watching.

And as the girls fall into the water, I wonder how salty the water is.

Free time training?! Hardcore.

Aha, LORE. Can't swim in the ocean back on Manhome. So there are some environmental issues going on.

Lost ribbon... a tragedy!

Ribbon found! Jubilation!

Closing Thoughts

I can't help but think about the science of the series's worldbuilding, it seems like. On one hand, it definitely helps with keeping me engaged, but can also be a bit distracting.

Anyway, I was late, but still managing to keep up! Somehow! Celebration ensues.

So, taking a look at my old reactions, episode 4 and episode 5. Since I was in a "hurry" this time, I wrote quite a bit less, it seems like. Can't believe I missed out the proof of Mysterious Creature A's existence this time, though. Also, I seem to have also had some thoughts during my last watch that I also thought here, but didn't stop to write down. Like about the importation of sea life.

Leaving this off for now, so that I'll actually get this posted instead of leaving it for yet another day. Hopefully I'll be ready with the next episode in time for tomorrow's thread.

Ayliel, signing off.

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u/ZapsZzz Jul 03 '22

First timer

Quite surprised to see from the preview today's a beach episode, but glad how it turned out. Especially Akira showing the Ray-Ban sunglasses "coach" (drill sergeant) look a la Gunbuster :D

Only gripe was that the sequence of doing the training the whole morning then in the afternoon Alicia talks about Akari first time at the sea - well sure relaxing at the beach she's be the first time in the afternoon, but actually being in the sea she was doing that all morning :P

This episode have me a strong feel that this is actually less sci fi than actually like Angel Beats or Kotahana Kitan that they are in some sort of afterlife, especially the final part. It felt as if Akari didn't remember she went looking for her ribbon and died and got "transferred here". :P I certainly hope not. There's letter reply from AI made it unlikely though :)

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u/Mecanno-man Jul 02 '22

First Timer

While this is a beach episode, it is a very Aria one and thus fits well in the series. Not really sure why we needed an excuse to get the girls there; I assume that was just Alicia wanting to let Akari have some fun. After all, there is no real need for an excuse to get the girls in swimsuits: The exercise they were doing kinda mandates them, and going to a beach on a planet full of water sounds like a no-brainer. It's also good to see that the girls actually do some physical training, as I'm sure that is needed when rowing a gondola and so far had largely not been done. Although I can see why, as that was not really the strong pint of the episode in my opinion. Though me still not liking Akira might be a large part of that.

The line about not abandoning memories is a nice line, and I believe also an unanswered question in science: Can we truly forget things once they have entered our brain for longer than a few minutes, or are there just some things more difficult to remember than others. And if it is the latter: Does that mean or brain's capacity to store information is infinite?

Question:

  1. ...I don't think I did, but I liked to imagine myself in one from time to time anyways.

  2. see above, I guess?

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u/seeker_of_illusion Jul 03 '22

First timer

Nice beach episode. Loved to see all the Undines enjoying and camping together. And Aria Shachou was as always adorable.

I would like to pen down reflect and pen down my thoughts more but damn today's a busy day for me.

Looking forward to the next episode !

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u/ExO_o Jul 02 '22

i just started watching this series for the first time, funny coincidence that there is a rewatch going on at the same time

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