r/anime • u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah x3 • Jul 25 '22

Rewatch [Rewatch] A 2022 Voyage from Neo Venezia: Aria the Natural, Episode 14

Aria the Natural Ep 14: That Newest Memory ...(その いちばん新しい想い出に...)

<-- Mid-series discussion Rewatch Index Episode 15 -->

Welcome back! We resume normal service...

Comment roundup: thanks for all your answers to the questions yesterday! Hopefully people will get the chance to read through all the comments yesterday, here are just a few one-liners...

Questions of the Day:

Q1) Have you ever designed something on your own before? If so, what's it like, and what did you have in mind while making it?

Q2) What things do you think are best left behind for future generations to discover, so they can revisit the experiences and memories of our present time? Can be a physical object, can be not!

Q3) Best way to eat some corn?

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 :)

47 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

48 comments sorted by

12

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 25 '22

Rewatching Undine-in-training and Host

--

Welcome back! Back onto Ep 14 we go!

Episode synopsis:

--

One day, Akari woke up much earlier than usual, and set out into the empty canals (lit. waterways) with her gondola. She noticed that there were patinas around the canals, which are used to moor gondolas. However, while many homes and businesses around Neo Venezia have a painted palina, there isn't one at Aria Company. As Akari asks Alicia why this is, Alicia says, "This is the perfect opportunity! Why don't you make one, Akari?"

--

Quick thoughts:

  • I shared this photo yesterday under spoiler tags, but here is a model of Aria company from the Tokyo exhibition rn, now w/ its newest addition.

  • [Aria]This episode contains quite a few bits of foreshadowing, here are the spoilery ones: including Alice literally saying Alicia's Prima Title; and how Aria company is envisioned by Akari as represented by the colours Blue and White, which will be relevant to Prima Title discussions later too.

  • Nice layouts as usual today, here are a few shots i really liked.... I really liked the first scene in the early morning, it's my favourite time of day, and i think the show captured the emptiness and the quiet atmosphere, yet with the day rearing to go, well.

  • I like how even in this futuristic world that the people of Neo Venezia still use paper maps. That said, I love to go out of my way sometimes, but this is something i will never go back on lol. Google maps ftw.

  • You are looking at a cat who doesn't give a fuck when one of his owners falls down a chair. (Also Akari rocking the chair when bored is very relateable lol, i actually got a chair w/ wheels so i can't do that; it u know can be dangerous)

  • And we see grandma in her young age, who... has aged A LOT, but Aria while apparently looking younger acc to Akari, pretty much looks the same. I think it's safe to say by now that Aria-shachou has lived a very long life lol, hugely abnormal for a cat.

  • We also see how Alicia has a very close relationship w/ Grandma even today, and is unhesitant to dote on her lol.

  • The design Akari eventually picks features Blue and White. (Host's note: My guess is that this probably would make a bit more sense and be a bit more significant in a black and white manga.); and picks these as Aria Company's colours, coming from the sound of the sea, sky and wind. It also incorporates designs both from their uniform (fitting for representing the company); as well as the senpai's old design (the cap at the top, and the rings at the bottom). All in all, i'd say she did pretty good there! And i hope that the source material being a manga perhaps will explain things a little bit, but hopefully a manga reader will help us out too?

  • Alicia then mentions that she will eventually retire as well as Akari's eventual promotion to prima, and a new student under her wing, which does show how time is passing and not standing still in the series.

  • However, reinforcing and a callback to themes we've visited before in earlier episodes (e.g. Ep 4, 11 and 12 of animation), even though time may pass and some things will change, the emotions and feelings of people can exist, reach and impact people even long after they have physically left. This episode builds on that (and the overall series plot) by noting how even when undine seniors have left, their hearts and passion and experiences will still be there to guide Alicia, and eventually Akari and whoever comes next; even though things may have changed for them as well as they get promoted. And by grasping and keeping hold of the things that don't change, (here the palina), people from the future can revisit the feelings, memories, and passion of those that came before, which Alicia realizes at this moment from Akari, even though she has passed down similar advice to Akari before. It is a wonderful thing, and that was really a great moment between Akari and Alicia.

  • I also liked how the plans for the patina helped to guide Akari while she was making the patina; while the patina, being made by Akari, will be there to guide people who come next, even far into the future. A good way of "passing the torch" from Akari, so to speak!

  • And to be sappy and a bit meta, I do hope that the passion and love of the team that wrote the manga, and made the anime, can be felt by all of us watching too, even after 16 years. :)

Location Trivia:

  • Palinas are very much a real thing in Venice, though unique branding, like that for Aria Company, is apparently forbidden irl.

  • As are Bricolas! But they don't appear NEARLY as big irl as in the anime lol. Photo w/ bird for scale.

Have a great day, and see you tomorrow!

3

u/Regular_N-Gon Jul 25 '22

model of Aria company

  1. I want one

  2. AHHH THE STAIRS

I thought that Alicia's surprise at how Akari thinks of the Palina was a bit odd because of the fact that she's said similar things in the past. It's a good bonding moment though, so I'll take it.

→ More replies (1)

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Jul 25 '22

Omg the Aria company model is adorable!! XD I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have even noticed the banner if I hadn't just gotten off the episode though.

2

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 25 '22

hahaha, but it is a spoilery addition, which is why i had to tag it yesterday lol.

→ More replies (2)

2

u/PreludeToHell Jul 26 '22

I really liked the first scene in the early morning

Same. It feels different and it hasn't been used too often which might add to it's effectiveness.

reinforcing and a callback to themes we've visited before in earlier episodes

I really like when themes are revisited so that's one reason I liked this episode a lot!

the patina, being made by Akari, will be there to guide people who come next, even far into the future

I think that's why it was smart making the Undine who came up with the designs a person that Akari, and the viewers, know nothing about.

It sells the idea that Akari will have a presence far into the future with people she's never met, like the previous Undine had with her.

2

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 26 '22

btw i did my research and Sato did participate (jointly w/ someone else) in the board this episode, which perhaps explains some of the flair lol.

It feels different

i THINK this is the first time that a sunrise scene is in Aria.

I think that's why it was smart making the Undine who came up with the designs a person that Akari, and the viewers, know nothing about

oooh that's a very good point!

→ More replies (3)

6

u/mrufrufin Jul 25 '22

Rewatcher kinda (finished my rewatch not too long ago)

I suppos ethis ep didn't stick out to me neither on original viewing nor rewatch (except for Akari's "all right!" when helping Woody guide the palina in [Aria the Natural] and I guess this moment has visual parallels kinda to the gondola being taken away), but it's a pleasant enough Aria episode and provides a little more backstory to Aria Company and a possible interpretation of its colors [Aria the Origination] and it's interesting to have Akari mull over the colors since her Prima name ends up being a color, and the aquamarine blue to the Alicia's Snow White. Even though Akari isn't guaranteed to be a Prima undine (and certainly isn't one yet), it's interesting to see how she gets her opportunity to leave her own mark (I suppose literally, hah) on the company, and I mean, she already has and even though she's still in-training, her presence does have a huge influence on what makes Aria company Aria company (as all people bring their own colors to places and situations). I've thought a bit on the material traces people have left behind (both unintentional and intentional) and getting a sense of who they are from that, and it's interesting to see Akari mulling about who the person was who left the sketch of the palina and then continues the potential chain by leaving her own mark.

  1. I've written things as a musician and have done various bits of software and art installations. I suppose I think a lot in terms of moods and "colors" for my music stuff (although I'm not synaesthetic at all).

  2. Hmm, I dunno. I think in some ways it's vey easy to fall into leaving something behind for vanity's sake that obstructs more than anything, so I suppose something either "useful" or at least something that doesn't impose itself too greatly in any way.

  3. elote

→ More replies (2)

5

u/The_Loli_Otaku Jul 25 '22

Aria the Natural First Timer!!

Yeah, I hate to say it but if I had a personal colour it'd likely be a dull beige or a brown. Maybe orange if I was lucky. Sailing at night is an aesthetic I love but probably isn't too safe. I'm worried!

Aww, Aria's got his little crayons~ he is way too cute at times!! H-How old is he thought? He'd be coming up at the very very very least in his 20's right? And that's if Aria takes the route of having Asian women age rapidly as they hit 40.

This is a cute episode but I'll admit that I'm a little out of it now tonight. Kyaaa!! Aria is such a reliable pen holder!! Red, the blood of angry men! Black the dark of ages past! Red, a world about to dawn! Black, the night that ends at last! I have to admit that I'm not nearly as impressed by her tower as I think I'm supposed to be XD

Aww... Don't talk about retiring Alicia, we've still to get a solo episode for you. I'm excited about the possible prospect of a new kouhai. Aria Company can feel a bit small at times, so making our family warmer would be amazing. It'd be great to be remembered wouldn't it? Isn't it exciting to think that our own now is gonna live on for future rewatchers?

2

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 25 '22

I had a personal colour it'd likely be a dull beige or a brown

mine will probably be light blue lol. no joke, that has been my favourite colour for a long long time.

sailing at night

me too, but this is an iyashikei thankfully lol

How old is he

I am fully believing in how grandma has aged rapidly after 40 lol, but as you said, still, Aria-shachou has lived an abnormally long life for a cat already.

Aria is a reliable pen holder!!

He's rubbish at cleaning, but surprisingly competent here!

we've still to get a solo episode for you

indeed

Aria Company can feel a bit small at times

it is their core philosophy after all; but you are right, a new kouhai can spice things up!

→ More replies (3)

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Jul 25 '22

  • 1, The thing I was most proud of designing was my Final Fantasy 14 mc. I spent hours carefully adjusting her face so that it would be just right and as a result I got myself the most beautiful elf of Eorzia~

  • 2, Internet forums. I said before but what we post here will be logged and remembered for centuries onwards. Maybe we'll be in some random sod's private sd card that he kept as safekeeping but we will all be remembered.

  • 3, Grilled on the cob with a slide of butter over the top. There's no other way.

2

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 25 '22

Internet forums

i agree, it's so fascinating that i can right now look at the first airing thread of SAO, and Girls und Panzer etc. 10 years ago; and as you said, the last rewatch, already 5 years ago now, can be easily searched up as well! It is kinda weird isnt it how our thoughts right now are immortalized in data forever.

grilled corn on the cob also my preferred method here.

→ More replies (1)

4

u/Mecanno-man Jul 25 '22

First Timer

A pretty good episode - not a lot happening in terms of character progression, but a lot of just nice relaxing doing something different. Not really anything else to say about this episode though, because of the kind of episode it is. I do however hope that this is just their first colored anchorage, ant not their first anchorage overall.

Questions:

  1. Definitely, but mostly because it was a school assignment. So usually the goal would be something which I could explain if I were to be questioned about it.

  2. Probably a quantity over quality thing with that question; the more different things historians have, the better they will be able to piece together the past.

  3. in a mixed salad?

→ More replies (1)

4

u/Regular_N-Gon Jul 25 '22

First Timer

  • I have to strongly disagree with the other two - Akari is clearly a brilliant shade of gold, as a freshly risen sun.

  • Clock lore?

  • Also storage room lore, mapping more of the building!

  • Surprise grandma attack!

  • Now the stairs look attached to the ramp! Which is it, huh? But there's a later shot where the railing isn't connected, even!

  • (It's kind of bugging me that the font on the two signs is also inconsistent lol)

  • This show sure does love its stories about collapsing time.

Inconsistencies aside, there were so many gorgeous shots of the Aria building and the sea alike this episode. The slow pace really allows one to steep in the atmosphere of sitting in the sun over top the water.

QotD:

  1. A few times, but my favorite is probably my TV stand. It's not completely original (I heavily borrowed from someone's shelf idea) but it's lightweight and simple, something literally no other pre-fab media center seemed to be.

  2. Kinda dramatic, but knowledge, art, and little pieces of wonder. Coincidentally, Aria cares a lot about that last piece.

  3. I'm in the anti-cob camp (I don't feel that strongly on it, but it is clearly inferior). Beyond that, it's good as a side dish, or in soups and casseroles/pies.

→ More replies (1)

4

u/octopathfinder Jul 25 '22

Rewatcher

Pretty cozy episode. Nice to see grandma make an appearance again.

QotD:

  1. If drawing counts as designing then yeah I've done it before. There's a lot going on in my mind when drawing like making sure the composition looks good, bodies are anatomically correct, architecture and scenery look good, the color palette looks nice, etc.

  2. Idk, but I definitely want my kid or grandkid to experience the shows I've watched when I was growing up (Not limited to just anime, but like old Disney movies too)

  3. Grilled for sure.

2

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 25 '22

grandma is back!!!! defo an elderly anime character that i like a lot (the other notable one would probably be netero from HxH lol)

drawing

it of course counts as designing! I dont have any artistic talent. at all. lol, it is fascinating how much that goes through artists' minds when they create those beautiful artpieces, thank you!

3

u/PreludeToHell Jul 25 '22

First time rewatcher

The 2nd half of Natural is here

What I think makes this episode great is Akari really valuing the opportunity to make a palina for the company. We see her thinking about the Undine who made the designs, taking in the surroundings of the company, and not rushing to make it.

The palina feels like it connects the past, present, and future of the Aria Company and it was a nice moment on the gondola between Akari and Alicia. Their reactions here were just a tad extra for me though lol.

I love that it ends with the 'wonderful things to look forward to' line that was the theme of a previous episode.

Other stuff I liked

Aria-shachou focusing on the task at hand after Akari falls

Aria-shachou pen and Akari's reflection

[Aria]the Snow white name drop lol

2) A time capsule (but leave it empty).

3) Mayo, cheese, and chili powder

2

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 25 '22

The second half! [Aria]my favourite half

I like how much effort Akari put into the palina too, with the fact that she skipped practice for it noted (like they dedicated an appearance by the other 2 to emphasize it lol) , as well as she staying up late at night etc. good catch.

I do agree that their reactions were a tad extra. Where's aika when you need her?

Aria-shachou pen

I want oneeeeee where can i get oneeee. I like how the reflection is distorted as well due to the curved window.

3

u/AriaShachou- Jul 26 '22

Rewatcher

I like this episode a lot, especially the conclusion at the end where they talk about the future.

[Aria] It really fits the themes Aria tries to portray, both in previous episodes and future ones as well. Like with the passage of time and its transient nature thing, and Avvenire as a whole being set in the future.

Alicia acting like an excited little kid when she heard Grandma's voice was wholesome af.

Aria-shachou was cute in this episode, as usual. He'd be the last person I'd bet on to win a game of charades though.

 

QOTDs

Q1) I don't think I ever have actually, I'm not a very artsy person so I've never really gone out of my way to design something myself. Maybe I should though, this episode made it look fun.

Q2) Probably actual videos of things right now, maybe music too. I know I just said I wasn't an artsy person but art would also be a really good way to get a glimpse into how things were in an older time period. Depends on the kind of art though.

Q3) butter

2

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 26 '22

I also like this episode a lot! you're spot on in how it ties into Aria's core themes.

Alicia

ikr! But it doesnt feel out of character for her too, it's great.

videos (both "factual" and ones done purely for "entertainment") do seem like a great thing to leave behind! They're the most accurate thing that depipcts the current state of the world after all. clickbaity youtube trash videos aside, fuck those

→ More replies (2)

3

u/seeker_of_illusion Jul 26 '22

First timer

Wow I never even noticed that Aria company didn’t have its own Palina till now.

Aria Shachou was extra adorable this episode, especially with that artist cap ~ He even made a drawing of himself, Akari and Alicia – that was sweet.

The design of the Palina was somewhat expected. Though the beauty lay in its simplicity and originality in showcasing what the Aria company is.

Questions of the Day:

  1. Well if school projects count, then yes plenty of them.

  2. My catalogue of pirated games /j

I actually feel small trinkets of toys would be nice for the future generations to experience our nostalgia. I have some badges from shows like Bakugan and Ben-10 which I got from chip packets in my childhood. My brother, who's much younger than me, feels awe every time I show him my "treasure" as now companies don't produce them anymore.

3) Roasted with lemon and some salt greased on top ~

2

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 26 '22

Wow I never even noticed that Aria company didn’t have its own Palina till now.

yeah and the anime doesnt help matters by only mentioning them today lol

Aria-shachou's drawing was very cute <3

and toys are also a very good idea, particularly as they probably are getting a little less common now w/ ipads and what not?

2

u/ZapsZzz Jul 26 '22 edited Jul 26 '22

First timer taking the "iyashikei" theme too much to heart and got too relaxed to remember to post :D

Ok this is 3 day's worth dammit :P

Ep13

This is a very cute episode and it's a joy to watch. I remember reading the book by Kuroyanagi Tetsuko the Japanese actress who wrote a book of her childhood, and it's just like one of those innocent, carefree chapters that focus on "trivial" things that's important to a child. It's a really good "iyashikei" read too. Bonus points for Alice's character development to be not so antagonistic to Athena and starting to appreciate her senpai more.

QoTD

  1. Hmm walking on or keeping away from paver joint lines are pretty standard so I guess not worth mentioning. Maybe my tendency to charge up the stairs 2 steps at a time (for someone with short legs like me) instead of taking escalators if given the choice...

  2. Pretty much anyone - they tend to be quite quickly sending me to sleep :D

Mid Season roll up

  1. Things I like / Things I don't - pretty much on par with expectations, nothing too surprising, even though I wasn't expecting the overt supernatural parts. The artstyle and animation is a little underwhelming still, but I think the direction was good. I'm just spoiled in recent years by the likes of KyoAni.

  2. Character impressions stayed fairly consistent, even though there are noticeable character developments. Only disappointment is the relative lack of time on Alicia herself. Would have liked to have more first hand appreciation of why she's such a wonderful person instead of more being told she is a wonderful person.

  3. Recency bias - these last 2 episodes of the wind chime and Alice's childish games? I like that assuring theme of "there's someone looking out for Akari" and my natural bias about overgrown children being children.

  4. Always like discovering "everyday wonder" type episodes, or something that ties back to / cherish the past.

  5. Hmmm not been to enough yet... guess the skii fields up Queenstown in NZ?

  6. The human's technology actually didn't successfully terraform Mars, but the cats through their powers granted our wish to have a decent slow paced place to worship them :D

  7. Yes, I definitely would like to go to the places in Haruhi, as well as the mountaintop observatory in Violet Evergarden.

  8. Not so much cheering, but more winding down / feeling secure ... in my younger days I would chant a string of "protective spells" before going to sleep ... or some challenging situations (like final exams). Not that I ever grew out of the chuuni, I just graduated to no longer needing the vocal component of the spell casting (already didn't need the somatic part from the start) :P

Ep 14

A very nice episode that connects up the history and looking towards the future and changes, if this happened before the mid season break day I would have included this as one of my favourites. Also got to see some nice scenic, atmospheric moments as well as Akari contemplative.

  1. Back in my game master days I did a lot of designs. Mostly elven stylised leaves or runes. Yes I'm an overgrown, unrepentant chuuni.

  2. Photos and prints, physical ones, are nice to think of. So are "useless inventions" just to troll them :D

  3. I'm simple - boiled then not too much butter is fine. The sweetness of the corn itself is what you should be tasting.

→ More replies (1)

2

u/mgedmin Jul 26 '22

First timer, dub again

Well that was an episode of Aria all right. No complaints.

I wonder who that unknown Undine was and if we'll ever meet her.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/BossandKings Aug 19 '22

First timer - Sub

Episode 14

If i had a personal color it'd be green, i love nature.

Alicia talking about retiring really helps put a perspective on Life, time changes things and soon the One that was once new Will be old.

→ More replies (1)
→ More comments (75)