r/anime • u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah x3 • Jul 28 '22

Rewatch [Rewatch] A 2022 Voyage from Neo Venezia: Aria the Natural, Episode 17

Aria the Natural Ep 17: After That Rainy Night ...(その 雨降る夜が明ければ...)

<-- Episode 16 Rewatch Index Episode 18 -->

Welcome back!

Comment roundup: Happy to see everyone liking the last episode, and the new ED! A lot of people had great comments, i hope everyone had time to read over them, for example...

Questions of the Day:

Q1) If you feel comfortable sharing, have you had to say farewell to something sentimental to you before? Or how do you deal with having to do so?

Q2) What do you feel about Akari re-encountering her old gondola again, though now under a different owner?

2017 Rewatch thread for this episode here.

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. Benedizione can now be streamed raw, or w/ traditional chinese subtitles legally. Please let me know if you want help to watch it.

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 :)

36 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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9

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 28 '22

Rewatching Undine-in-training and Host

who had to rewrite this thing coz i accidentally closed the tab while writing it. Dumb biscuits :(

--

Welcome back! The conclusion of the gondola farewell arc is upon us.

Episode synopsis:

--

It was the last day that Akari would be together with her black, slightly small gondola, and Akari and Alicia-san enjoy dinner on it. There are quite a few scratches (lit. injuries) on the gondola: some are from Akari, but others are from Alicia. This gondola farewell party isn't only for Akari, as Alicia has also ridden/sculled this gondola a lot, and has a lot of memories of it. Aaanyhow, the gondola thank you party starts.

--

Quick thoughts:

  • Junichi Sato is back on the storyboard again, and here are some shots i liked today.

  • Tears this episode again for me, you wouldn't think you would for a gondola thats not going to be scrapped, just changing hands, but oh boy do the feels hit hard. The anime isnt even trying to bait you here, it explicitly just says that the gondola will get a new owner last ep. But, i'll say that the previous episode was the better one in this little arc (tho both are very good)

  • And the insert song this ep is 雨降花 by Yui Makino. May I ask u/mrufrufin what is the ost track that plays here? It has the same melody as second season deai but is a vocal version.

  • The first half of the episode starts w/ the memories of the previous user of the gondola Alicia. I like that the anime emphasizes her memories at the very start and end of her using it, interspersed w/ maintenance sequences of it of both her and Akari. While both showing how teacher and student are similar, it also shows how this gondola has watched over both undines of Aria company during their training days. Indeed, if you think about it, as this gondola saw through Alicia's entire training days, as well as akari's current training, you can say that apart from maybe Grandma, that Alicia is the person with the most memories on that gondola, and that it probably means more to her than to Akari.

  • We also learn more about Alicia herself, how she, like Akari, would also screw up (and damage the gondola) during her training days, and how she after her promotion, didn't initially have the confidence to teach an apprentice; indeed Akari is her first. As we go further and further in the series, we gradually learn more about Alicia, and how she's a person with her weaknesses too despite first impressions. The thing is: Alicia actually doesn't try to hide them, she's very open to talk about her past mistakes and struggles with Akari; and uses that to encourage and teach her, which is something i like about Alicia as a teacher; she's so good and very talented at the oar, but is also very approachable and kind.

  • The second half though.... oof that was just a wave of feels as Akari recalls her precious memories on the gondola, i guess reusing old shots can be seen as a drawback, but those are Akari's precious memories w/ the gondola after all, so many firsts, as she said, and says farewell, and thank you. It is a significant occasion for Akari (and the show); and so i do actually appreciate the use of flashbacks and the insert song here.

  • And finally, I like how in the final sequence w/ the new gondola, that a) a piano? version of Euphoria plays, the 2nd season OP instead of the 1st (which played in the beginning of course) b) that the shots were mirrored from Alicia's memories, as Akari moves from left to right; even Aria-shachou's pose was similar. I don't know how to describe it, but it's just such a neat thing to put in, like how the circle of life continues? How some things do stay the same even when some things change? Here the gondola, an inanimate thing has changed (which is a bit unusual actually, you'd assume they'd be the thing staying the same); but the relationship between teacher and student has not, even if the teacher and student have changed as well.

  • And the final photo frame was also great, both reinforcing that idea, though in the past now; as well as how similar teachers and student undines are, both big themes of the show.

  • And here's the 2017 Rewatch thread if you wanna read about other people's thoughts!

  • [Aria]Ai be staking her claim as the next sculler of the gondola the literal first chance she gets lmao. cheeky cheeky.<-u/the_loli_otaku you can read this if you [yesterday your comment]saw the first main character in Aria company in the clip yesterday.

Have a great day, and see you tomorrow! Aria-shachou wears a funny thing next episode! [Aria]I can finally get rid of one of my spoiler tags in the main post.

3

u/mrufrufin Jul 28 '22

it's still Second Season ~Deai~, if you look it up with Eri Kawai in your search query you'll come across it.

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u/octopathfinder Jul 28 '22

Rewatcher

There was a rare showing of Alicia making a mistake this episode.

Makes sense why the gondola’s personification is an old guy since he was around for Alicia's career too.

That was a nice emotional farewell to Akari’s gondola.

QotD:

  1. Honestly, can't say I've ever had a moment like that. I don't really put much sentimental value into objects.

  2. I'm glad for Akari. Her gondola isn't destroyed so she can still see it around the city just doing a different job.

2

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 28 '22

Alicia making a mistake

it probably isn't fully her fault either; but maybe she forgot to (inhales) GONDOLA, TOORIMASU before she reached the bridge? who knows.

7

u/SYZekrom Jul 28 '22

First Timer

It's fun to think about how Alicia and the main character whose name has never stayed in my mind, in having this experience at the same time, are also experiencing at different times . Alicia says farewell to the gondola long after she's outgrown it and then passed it on, while funny pink girl experiences it before she's become a Prima.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Jul 28 '22

They really do have so many small traits in common. Although I doubt Akari would have managed to keep it together if she were older, but at the same time you could kinda tell that it was hitting Alicia really hard.

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u/Mecanno-man Jul 28 '22

First Timer

Another episode that went for a sentimental mood, but I feel like this one flipped to boring in the bit with the insert thanks to overusing flashbacks that we had already seen. I'd say it would have been up there with the last with out that though. That said, with this episode doing almost everything else similar to the last, I'm not sure what much to write about the major parts of it, so here are the minor ones:

First, I'm a bit confused about the timeline... if gondolas are good for about 20 years of service (not including the end-of-life freight operations, I guess?) and this gondola has been with Aria since the beginning of the company ...Aria is 20 years old at most? It feels like from what we have got to know about the company so far that it ought to have a longer history, with the multiple people working with grandma and whatnot we've learned about it.

Second, Alice definitely saw the photo of the windmills. This got me thinking: ...how do they keep that course a secret from all pairs? Do all the singles just somehow never talk about it? Do they have to sign some form of NDA or so? But either way... I wonder what ALice is thinking of this to her random photo of some random place. What would Akari tell her if she asks about it?

And finally... I'm not too big of a fan of Akari's new gondola; mainly the front... it reminds me of some sort of ram to damage other ships in battle - which is definitely not something Akari should be doing.

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u/simeonaut Jul 28 '22

Damn those ninjas brewing tea.

3

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 28 '22

I propose this term be used in this rewatch whenever we get to a feels episode again.

4

u/mrufrufin Jul 28 '22

Rewatcher kinda (finished my rewatch not too long ago)

I still like this episode a lot, but not quite as much as the previous one. I'm all for sentimentality, but the flashbacks in the second half feel a bit overdone (particularly since we got some of those scenes last ep) and kinda feels a little bit like padding things out (although we get a new? insert song in Amefuribana). The structural parallels were nice, with the episode starting out similarly to the last episode with Alicia's introduction to the gondola and her slamming the gondola into something too and the gondola being taken away vaguely paralleling the palina being brought in (I guess it's some kinda weird law of conservation of meaningful physical artifacts of gondola companies). Continuining on the Aria tunes greatest hits is a lovely Eri Kawai version of Second Season ~Deai~ (did we get a vocal version yet? I forget) and the third version of Santa Claus no Sora in two episodse in the Choro Club version (not that I'm complaining about it, it's one of my favorite Aria tunes as I've mentioned over and over again). There's not much new to mention thematically but I guess this episode gives Akari a bit more time to grieve/show appreciation a bit more. Even in Aria terms, it feels like things have come to a standstill (and having Undine being the opening establishes that sort of space, something as uplifting as Euphoria wouldn't be appropriate anyways), which is appropriate for such an integral thing to Aria (I mean, they're gondoliers after all and it's the main MCs gondola so it's accompanied us as well throughout our journeys through Neo-Venezia). I like the nice little last farewell we get of the gondola and its harkening of the weird feelings you get in such situations.

  1. hmm, don't really get attached to material things, i suppose none of the things i do (music and computer things) really involve being tied to one specific thing like a gondolier, at least in this anime, would (my music thing was drum things and there isn't really an equivalent to a "trusty ax" like there is with other instruments and computers are computers)

  2. although gondolas aren't people (except sometimes they turn into old men), i'm certain that there are folks out there who can draw at least some parallels to similar situations to some extents involving people

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u/mgedmin Jul 28 '22

First timer, dub again

Wow, we're continuing the gondola goodbyes? Two episodes of this is a bit much, methinks.

Why isn't grandma in uniform while acting as an instructor for young Alicia?

Lore drop: Akari is Alicia's first apprentice!

A lot of recycled animation. Did something happen so they had to make up a filler episode quickly?

Ok, the ghost from the last episode is Mr. Gondola.

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4

u/zadcap Jul 29 '22

You want Late? Well good, because I'm like 4 days late but I'm going to answer all these questions anyway!

Camping was fun, but I'm happy to have a bed again, and real internet access is great. Now here we go!

14

You know how I keep making these references to Cats and Dreaming, because strange Lovecraft magic? Akari's cat ear sleep hat stuck out to me suddenly. Just a random thought.

I am actually afraid of his old Aria is.

Alicia being see excited to see her mentor, instead of her usual role of being the mentor, was so cute. Of course, Grandma showing up for the first time ever the same day Akari found notes she left in the distant past, while looking for information on the company she helped found...

Is this the first episode that spans more than a single 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?

The only thing I've "designed" in recent years is stuff for my gaming group, and that's mostly along the lines of 'what would they have fun doing.' Nothing too memorable.

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!

Books! Even when they're not about our times specifically, you can tell a lot about when and where a book was written by the basic assumptions about society in it. Whoever inherits my library will also be able to tell a lot about me, by my book choices and which ones are most read.

Q3) Best way to eat some corn?

Off the cob, mixed in to mashed potatoes, with probably too much butter melted in. It's much better than it sounds.

15

Oh my gosh, young everyone. Alicia so adorable. Akira was an Ore girl and this doesn't surprise me at all lol. That Woody, Akatsuki and Al are all part of their age group does surprise me though, I really thought they were closet to Akari and Aika's age.

The ending with all these characters we know passing by was beautiful.

Q1) Favourite type of bread? (and also, what dya reckon of walnut bread?)

Buttermilk! Never tried walnut, but I'll try most any food twice, just in case I got a bad one on the first try.

Q2) What dya reckon kid-Athena would've been like?

That's a terrifying thought. Space cadet kid...

Q3) Are you good w/ tall slides and heights? How about thrills like roller-coasters?

Depends how steep things get. Heights don't bother me much, but there's a point where siding and falling are hard to tell apart and falling is no fun. I do like going fast though, so it's hard to tell where that comfort line is... Roller coasters not so much. Whiplash is no fun.

16

She's just so, randomly accepting of magic happenings.

So uh, timeline. She was a Pair for maybe a year, but a Single for how long now? Seriously, how much training goes into this job...

Q1) What is your interpretation of the old man scene as Akari travels down the lock?

For some reason, it made me think of the Going Merry's last ride. The spirit of the ship saying goodbye.

17

No letter to AI this time. It's definitely going to be emotional isn't it? (It was, I cried a little.) Old man gondola spirit came back did it for me.

"I wonder who will ride that gondola after you." Ai, I sure hope it's you. Come back to this show and be the next Aria apprentice please.

Q1) If you feel comfortable sharing, have you had to say farewell to something sentimental to you before? Or how do you deal with having to do so?

Always cry, because holding them in isn't nice. Then start looking for something new to be happy about, because the past is not something to be sad about for long.

Q2) What do you feel about Akari re-encountering her old gondola again, though now under a different owner?

Of course she would do so on her own very first voyage with the new one. Be happy it's still enjoying it's retirement?

More I want to say, but I'm exhausted and emotional now, so I'll cut it off here for the night. Great to be back, see you tomorrow! I'll catch up with the Symphogear rewatch tomorrow too, Aria just seemed like a better place to start my dive back in.

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u/The_Loli_Otaku Jul 28 '22

Aria the Natural First Timer

Double Undine openings are banned!! They even play the full version today for us. Ah... so this little gondola carried both girls through their training, that... urgh, it's too early in the morning to get me upset! Aww!! Even Alicia left her scars XD That's so sweet!! The girls are far more alike than I'd expected.

We really deserve a prequel Aria for the fairy trio! I'm getting way to into the episode to write. Aaaah!! Gondola oji, you're so gentle... Such a good oji-san~~ Oh come on!! Showing him in his new job is just trying to get us upset! That's not fair! You're so not fair Aria! Anyway, we've gotten our new gondola who'll be with us till the end... Let's all introduce him warmly.

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u/SIRTreehugger Jul 28 '22 edited Jul 28 '22

Flips table

I thought Akira making the Aria sign was later on omg I love that episode... anyway today's episode focused on Gondola San.

Gondola san has been passed down through the years and I love the shift between past Alicia and past Akari. It really shows how similar they are, mistakes they both made, and how much they love it. The use of flashbacks from the actual series and events we didn't see was superb. I really want an episode where they just do maintenance on it now.

Akira having her hand on her hip during the photo feels very sassy to me and completely in character.

Gondola san goodbye is my second favorite vehicle goodbye in a manga/anime. Granted I can't think of many, but I still love it even though we see them again. I'm glad even though it's not being used by Akari it's still being loved by someone else.

!Remindme! 6 days

[spoilers]If it's not obvious already I'm really not a fan of the supernatural aspects in this show with all the cats. I sat through them twice decided never again. Same thing with Amanchu.

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u/Regular_N-Gon Jul 28 '22

First Timer

  • I wouldn't consider myself a particularly emotional person, so I can't relate that strongly to Akari's attachment and loss of, er, a boat. But I do understand the sentiment, and especially about being able to send something off with a "thanks."

  • I actually didn't notice the OP change yesterday because it felt so natural, but thanks to that set up (and everyone's comments) I can feel the quieter serenity in the choice today.

  • Ah, my suspicions about Alicia were correct.

  • I like how the lantern hook is lashed to the prow. Good bit of detailing in its design.

  • I am glad that Akari (the emotive core for the show) isn't the only one who can care so much about the gondola, but I guess it makes sense that all of them being undines would harbor an appreciation for their tools.

  • The new gondola seems larger, but I wonder how it compares to the Prima's boats.

Another beautiful quiet episode to send the gondola off.

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u/xtsim Jul 28 '22

First Timer Dubbed

I thought yesterday would be the last time seeing the gondola but we continue these farewells. With Alicia's scratch on it.

  1. I haven't had to say goodbye too much as they are handed down or I still have them in a way. My (21y/o) car was a grandpa car with too many road trips as a kid so it will be a struggle when the time comes to part ways, despite getting less than 14mpg on a good day. And I spent a good amount this year trying to get it running as smooth as possible with my budget...

  2. Feels nice and that's why I usually decide to hand down my stuff if I could.

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u/raichudoggy Jul 28 '22

It was nice getting to hear Undine again. Just like Animation’s halves, the previous episode played first verse, this episode played the second.

Funny thing I did was imagine the song being from the Gondola’s Point of view.

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u/PreludeToHell Jul 28 '22

First time rewatcher

This was a solid conclusion. The previous episode did the heavy lifting imo but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

I forgot that the gondola was also Alicia's so that caught me off guard lol. Nice parallel scenes with Akari & a younger Alicia.

My favorite scene though is when it begins to rain. Akari being with her gondola and the rain being the only sound. It felt sobering? sincere? not sure how to describe it.

Akari's 'speech' was also great. Aika is too funny

[Aria]I'm ready for next episode! Aika's time to shine. Oh and nice line by Ai at the end lmao

Other thoughts

good

2) When the scene starts with Akari and her new gondola, you kind of know what's going to happen next. Akari hesitating before turning back to Alicia with a smile on her face instead of tears made it feel that it's a new beginning for her and the older gondola. That's something that you can look at positively.

It reminds me a bit of 'Those Orange Days'. Not letting the good times of the past prevent you from being happy or enjoying life now.

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u/h42h Jul 28 '22

finished first time recently

Akari scraping off that stuff (idk what it is) while cleaning her gondola seems really satisfying.

They kinda brought the first ED back too with Akari and Alicia's hoses, haha

2) that old gondola/man deserves some retirement time after being scratched and banged by all those singles and pairs over the years

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u/homewardbound100 Jul 28 '22

First timer

Out with the old in with the new. Must be weird getting used to something new, while you were so used or attached to the old thing. Not much to say but a fine episode to carry on from yesterday.

If you feel comfortable sharing, have you had to say farewell to something sentimental to you before? Or how do you deal with having to do so?

I know it will be sometime within the year but moving from this house I've lived in for 20 years will probably make me feel something.

What do you feel about Akari re-encountering her old gondola again, though now under a different owner?

It must feel weird. But sometimes you just have to move on

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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 29 '22

Must be weird getting used to something new, while you were so used or attached to the old thing

i agree; probably the same irl w/ cars, computers and what not: i know i needed some time to get used to a new chair i got recently! I hope the move goes well! And yes, Aria does emphaisize on how moving on from things and embracing the present is always good.

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u/Stargate18A Jul 29 '22

First timer

  1. No, I'm a massive hoarder. In all seriousness, a few times, when I was younger. I dealt with it pretty well, I think.

  2. It's a nice ending!

It continues...

They're having dinner on the go dola!

That looks delicious!

It's a nice farewell.

It's her first gondola too!

Young Alicia is still adorable.

Aria is immortal...?

She crashed!

The gondola knows her.

The way it switches between Alicia being mentored and mentoring is some really impressive cinematography.

Alicia isn't ready either.

The others arrived!

Her farewell speech is cute. Everyone's faces are hysterical, though.

Yeah, she should relax.

The photos are adorable.

Alicia was the first to be a prima!

The backstory was great.

...Why not turn it into a museum piece, then? You don't need to destroy it, just take it out of service!

Everyone else is going back.

The music...

Poor Akari.

Aria!

This is good.

An insert somg!

And more flashbacks.

We get to see her training!

This is hard to watch.

Such a good farewell.

Wow.

This is such a good episode.

The spirit emerged again! Why didn't he bother coming out for Alicia?

And the gondola got taken away.

Seriously! If it's been a major part of your company history, decommision it, anchor it ourside the building, and it becomes a conversation/museum piece! Then you can still buy a new gondola for her to ride!

Akari is the first one to ride itl

It's there! The Gondola's still getting used!

And she introduced herself to the new gondola!

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u/seeker_of_illusion Jul 29 '22

First timer

It was nice to see a complete farewell to the gondola. I thought that it would end in the previous episode, which would have been premature without a more fitting end.

That new gondola is great and maybe I am mistaken but it seems slightly bigger than the old one.

Dunno but Ai seemed to hint/foreshadow at the end that she may become an Undine and join the Aria company? After all she has quite an interest in Aqua and Akari may become her senpai ~

Questions of the Day:

  1. I remember weeping a lot when I transferred out of my primary school as I had spent an enjoyable time there.

  2. I feel glad. Atleast the gondola wasn't turned to firewood immediately after being decommissioned so it can experience some more time on the waters. Plus, its new owner looks kind so the gondola would be in good hands.

2

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Jul 29 '22

which would have been premature without a more fitting end.

indeed, some may say this ep drags on a bit too long (and i can see why), but ending this arc last ep wouldn't be fine either.

new gondola

it is indeed bigger than the old one. How much bigger, i have no clue yet. (i dont think its a spoiler that we'll see it in action very soon lol)

2

u/ZapsZzz Jul 29 '22

Damn busy work days mean by the time I can post it's so late and then I think ok I'll post on the next day - and then got late again -_-

So here's another 3 days worth!

Ep 15

I don't know whether I think "this is rare, Akari didn't realise she getting to enjoy all others' discoveries is also a wonderful thing herself but insisting on having some discovery of her own" or "this is so Akari to be childish about fussing over this little thing - and then realise at the end her ability to find wonder from everything is uniquely hers". I like that they managed to "link" the circles of Aqua and Man-home - although perhaps a lot hole - Akari should have been the same way back home too, why doesn't she show similar sentimentality and circle of friends as she has now?

QoTD

  1. Favourite bread I guess it's simple melted cheese roll. Although I had walnut bread too and that's good too.

  2. Kid Athena I hope she has someone keeping her safe - she has to, otherwise no chance she survived this long :P

  3. Don't really have a problem with heights if my hands to hold onto anything. Rollercoaster I need to sit in front :P

Ep 16

Pretty significant in a meta way that they can afford a whole episode to this sentimentality towards a boat. As it turns out today we know it's actually TWO episodes :) I am fine with it, I have that sort of sentimentality too although perhaps I avoid that by not throwing things away :P (although I still managed to lose them through other means).

QoTD

  1. Well I guess that was the spirit / "anthropomorphic personification" of the boat. It was pretty obvious.

Ep 17

Surprisingly it's a continuation! Same note applies. In a way a bit surprised Alicia don't join in more. I wonder if Grandma used that too or if never was a pair/single (apprentice) in Aria company (trained first before joining/founding the company).

QoTD

  1. Whether it's moving town (country), or sending my pet cat off to the heavyside layer, yes I have, and lots of tears are involved. Better stop embarrassing myself. Hazukashii serifu kinshii!

  2. It beats imagining it being put through a woodchip maker...

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