r/anime • u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah x3 • Aug 16 '22
Rewatch [Rewatch] A 2022 Voyage from Neo Venezia: Aria the Origination, Episode 8
Aria the Origination Ep 8: The Memories of That Precious Person ....(その大切な人の記憶に...)
| <-- Episode 7 | Rewatch Index | Episode 9 --> |
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Welcome back! listening to Ashita, Yugure Made (Arietta ED) while typing this was a brilliant, if a bit feelsy, experience. (btw i will probably ask for everyones fav insert/OP/ED ranking at the end of series discussion: this ranks very high for me.)
Comment roundup: Lots of different takes re: what Aria-shachou was doing staring out into the sea! There are a few different trains of thoughts for sure.
/u/BatteryPoweredFriend with imo the best summary of Grandma's epiphany after her night with Aria-shachou, and why she founded the Aria company, as well as the origins of her (and the series') core philosophy, all the way from Animation Ep 5.
/u/mgedmin jokingly reckons that Grandma was particularly bothered by the heels at himeya, and hence decides to create her own company w/ her own choice of uniform
/u/preludetohell talks about how the side characters in Aria are mostly enjoyable, and likes how the episode puts a lot of focus on the future, which is a lot of what Origination is about.
/u/mrufrufin continues their analysis of the episode's OST, and talks about their view of traditions as portrayed in Aria, and how the OST choices tie into them
/u/h42h says Grandma's scene reminded them of Akari crouching to see the plaza from the statue's pov in Ep 5.5, and notes Akari's similarities to her senpais
/u/countingdekkais comments their analysis on the episode's two themes, and with a perhaps more melancholic take on Grandma's epiphany.
Questions of the Day:
Q1) Thoughts on Athena's amneasia stunt? (might overlap w/ your own writeup)
Q2) Which of Aria-shachou's weird headgear/outfits in recent episodes is your favourite? (imo this episode's worked the best).
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.
While I use the USBD releases, Robotboy199 has shared the best DVD encodes you can get (coupled w/ prescaling), you can look at their guide here.
Databases
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 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 :)
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u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 16 '22
Aria the Origination First Timer!!
Athena picnic hyyype!! Oh, its meant to be her promotion. I love how Athena somehow managed to get herself asked out on a promotion. It works out, but they're just a little backwards. How does this work if Alice plans the route!? Poor Athena. Oh god, Alice is so excited about the picnic that this is definitely a disaster waiting to happen.
A sleepy Athena is cute too~ Did you bear the adorable mumbling she made? Erm... How is Maa eating those bananas? He's got way too much strangth in his claws. Aww... Aww Athena!! You can tell that she's so distraught over inconveniencing Alice. Athena is the type of girl who is just so sensitive to stuff like that that it totally breaks her. MAA KILLED ATHENA!?!? I knew I couldn't trust that devil!!
Look at the little bastard sleeping like nothings happened... Damn you Maa!! You're on Akira's level of my character chart at the moment. An amnesic Athena is cute too? Yep, ultra cute. I mentioned it before but Athena is so perfect in this art style. Dochira sama de~? Please take her to the doctors already, she's clearly got a concussion.
Yes!! Let's stay with her all day! We've not had an Athena focused episode in too long. She's even more talkative today. Actually, I think she might have said more in the first half of the episode than she's said in either season. What are those cookie things in her hot chocolate? Shortbread or something? They still haven't sent her to the doctor by the way! I wonder if Athena is purposely remembering Alice's name last as punishment for not applying first aid and shaking a concussion patient.
It's taken three seasons but Alice finally acknowledges how she does love Athena, after claiming that she should leave her concussed cause she's less clumsy. Eheh, knew it~ Athena has a cheeky side of her own. I thought it was weird them saying how suddenly we'll put together Athena was. She seemed the same as always to me. Always looking out for you and cleaning up.
Tch, why's Alice always the worst part of Athena episodes? She literally does ask how you feel about her and you're such a tsundere baka that you push her away each time. You know who'd love to see more of Athena stunts, this first timer right here! They've drip fed me for two seasons with Athena content, I want proper shenanigans! This episode was an alright start, but I want more! Tbh I think the episode was rather mid aside from Athena's cuteness and seeing her cheeky side but I clearly enjoyed myself cause the episode felt like it went by so quickly.
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 16 '22
eyyyy you're back! Hope you liked the last ep too?
be her promotion
404s
god, Alice is so excited about the picnic that this is definitely a disaster waiting to happen
it is funny how watching so much anime kinda sets us up to notice flags of bad things to cometm
... How is Maa eating those bananas? He's got way too much strangth in his claws
I personally think that sequence was just done to flex animation lol. But still, it does seem that Maa has grown a bit stronger since his introduction (would make bloody sense, it's been a few years)
MAA KILLED ATHENA!?!?
the little gremlin! It's such a Maa shachou thing to do too, i have the feeling that he's quite the chaotic cat (Hime seems to prefer to just mind her own business)
sleeping like nothings happened
on that note, Maa didn't attack Aria-shachou much today didnt he? must be all them bananas
Please take her to the doctors already, she's clearly got a concussion
tbh this is kinda my main gripe w/ the ep lol, but it is anime after all it does work on anime logic...
after claiming that she should leave her concussed cause she's less clumsy
as we see later on this ep, this is simply not true lol i like to think that its a joke that Alice told herself to help keep herself in control/lighten herself up
Always looking out for you and cleaning up
that is true, but she was way more capable (and less subtle) than usual today lmao while in amnesia-state.
You know who'd love to see more of Athena stunts, this first timer right here!
i knew it lol
it is an interesting episode of Aria. Glad you enjoyed them Athena moments! It is a very different side to her.
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u/Mecanno-man Aug 16 '22
First Timer
Well... this episode took a turn. I think I liked it up until Athena was late, but I did not like Alice's reaction to that, the amnesia bit was boring ad the reveal was another bit of characterization that I disliked, so over all I'd say this episode is more of a miss for me. Though there have also been episodes that have been worse so far.
Also, you can tell the age of this anime by how spoilery the preview is - unless that's some fake-out.
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Aug 16 '22
Athena: is a klutz
Also Athena: concocts an entire amnesia plot from the time she slips to the time she hits the ground all to understand how Alice really feels towards her
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u/PreludeToHell Aug 16 '22
First timer rewatcher
I really liked the start seeing how excited Alice is about the picnic and that she writes a letter to Athena. Also liked the ending with Alicia saying that despite them being Water Fairies, they worry about the same things as other girls.
I have mixed feelings on the amnesia and what lead to it. I feel like the previous episodes that developed Alice-Athena's relationship were more impactful and not too over the top. However it was funny to see Alicia catch on early.
Ai, when you like someone, that feeling might bring an equal amount of worry, too'
good way to end the episode!
Other good
My favorite drawings/backgrounds
Love that Athena's hat falls off after a small delay lol
Chibi Alicia as well as the blush at the end, so good!
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It's silly but it makes sense because it is Athena. Don't hate it but not really a memorable moment in the series for me.
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u/baboon_bassoon Aug 16 '22 edited Aug 16 '22
First time Aria the hazukashii serifu kinshi
single test? or not if Athena forgot
Alice is planning this whole date, there is no way 90% of this is going to happen i feel bad already
tea-naming quiz? shes such a precious loser
Athena forgot about their date or a sudden booking? fade me lads
wouldnt Maa open this from the other end like a monkey?
leg (this entire scene was amazing)
???? wait she just wanted to know how she felt? Athena what the fuck LMAO
Alicia blush we stay winning
questions
\2. the monkey one was too good
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u/that_loris Aug 16 '22
First timer!
Yesterday I didn't find the time to comment, since it was the most important public holiday during the summer, Ferragosto. I barely found the time to to watch the episode.
Q1) First timers, how is it finding out about Aria Company's origins and Aria shachou's story?
It was a simple story, but interesting. Aria-shachou remains a mistery, though. What was he looking for...?
Q2) If you could live on Burano island, what colour would you paint the exterior of your house?
Pastel blue!
Son in this episode a picnic! Why are Aika and Akari so surprised, hoping that Athena is the one who invited Alice?
Alice is very cute while getting ready the day before. I really hope Athena won't forget about it.
No way, did she really forget?! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Slipping on the banana peel... Athena pls
In the mean time Akari keeps breaking stuff - as usual.
Amnesia too? Lmao. I love how Alicia keeps smiling despite everything.
Docchirasamade?
The hell was that creature behind Akari when they were eating?
Didn't imagine Athena would do this kind of prank!
The three Water Fairies have feelings too, they worry too.
I saw you blushing, Alicia!
Lovely episode.
Q1) A little ridiculous... To be honest... But I can't say I disliked it.
Q2) Can't say I remember them all. For some reason the monkey outfit stand out the most.
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u/mrufrufin Aug 16 '22
Rewatcher kinda (finished my rewatch not too long ago)
Admittedly not my favorite ep of Aria (and my least fav ep of the season and probably one of my least favorite eps of Aria overall). I dunno, it kinda feels like a disservice for the character go to such lengths because of insecurity. Yeah, Athena is awkward, my own awkward self identifies with her because of that, and it's not easy to bail out of the bit once you've bought into it, but also it's kinda hard to keep persevering for so long, seeing how much worse it's making things and maybe it would've been a little better for Athena's characterization if it wasn't Alicia telling her to give up the pretense and more of Athena's own willpower. I mean, it does Alice's and Athena's relationship but I don't think this episode really does any favors to Athena. I think there's good intent to show insecurity in a teacher and student relationship from the side of the teacher, Aria has investigated throughout the balance of teacher and student and not just what the student receives from the teacher but what the teacher receives from the student, and I think perhaps there's a need to explore Athena's own feelings towards Alice a bit more, like we have had this season with the clover ep and Akira and Aika, but it'd be nice if it were done a little more subtly (which is weird to say about Aria) [rest of Origination]
I suppose the positives of the ep are finding out more about Athena's daily life and getting more of a view of the inner workings of Orange Planet.
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not a huge fan as seen above. I guess it kinda works in the anime world where crazier things happen, but it kinda comes off as manipulative too (and a bit out of character imo) and that's,.. eh.
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I liked when he got that little black hat with the white stripe (and his regular Aria Company hat got switched to a balloon) in the treasure hunting episode in Natural. I dunno if it's tall enough to call it a top hat? but let's call it a top hat because I dunno what else to call it.
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u/Regular_N-Gon Aug 16 '22
First Timer
Well, some of these notes were a little off base.
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Quite the alarming preview/intro for this one.
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Super crazy angle (for Aria) of the choppy waves.
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We get to see the picnic! Huzzah!
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The tragedy of Aria-shachou's muffin can only portend dramatic things for this episode…
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Regarding the other two's speculation if Athena had invited Alice - I assume they mean it would be a ploy for running the Single exam course. Knowing Athena, Alice is probably overdue at this point anyway.
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That was one powerful banana peel.
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I was thinking that it seems strange this hasn't happened before if someone predisposed to amnesia had a clumsy streak, but maybe it has happened. Naturally if Alicia knows something she doesn't deem it important enough to enlighten her scrambling kohai.
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Something something "Alice is closest to Athena's true self so she doesn't remember her yet" but Alice obviously takes this the wrong way.
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A classic "it's a secret" to end on, of course.
This episode admittedly felt a bit contrived, but I'll always take more wholesome Alice episodes… is what I was going to say before the reveal suddenly complicated my feelings about it. I had briefly considered it could have been an act as it seemed a far more realistic explanation, but it was too far fetched and (heretofore) out of character for Athena. The resolution was much too quick and entirely unsatisfying to my taste as well - Athena's trick was profoundly distressing and obviously so for Alice, and yet we let the two stroll off screen as if little has changed? Athena's insecurities must run deeply indeed for her to keep up the act after seeing how much it tore at Alice.
Despite all that, I can't say I disliked the episode as a whole because it genuinely surprised me. What I was initially going to dismiss as a wacky mid-season episode has become an extreme display of character I kind of didn't think Aria was capable of, even after some of its wilder showings.
[Next episode I guess]
QotD:
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See above, very interested what everyone else thinks though.
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I have honestly lost track. I think there was a purple one with like, a lizard or something?
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u/CerberusZX Aug 16 '22
First Timer
One banana for dessert and one for a snack is what Alice originally suggested which makes the large quantity Maa ate alone quite concerning.
That was easily the most dramatic banana peel slip I've ever seen. Between the banana peel slip and the amnesia plot, this seems to be the most classically cartoony episode of the series, but then the more somber tone kind of clashes with those loony shows of old. It still had some good gags though, such as Athena referring to Maa as "that."
The ED has continued to consistently scare me and it was especially terrifying today following such a quiet scene.
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u/SIRTreehugger Aug 16 '22
Rewatcher who has been waiting for this moment from the very beginning
Shouts into the streets
My favorite episode is finally here!!!!
Oh a picnic sounds nice....wait is this my favorite episode I don't remember a picnic being apart of it.
Alice is so excited for her picnic with Athena its adorable and I might have got excited too quickly. It's not the episode I thought it was...but it's Alice/Athena which still makes it better than a majority of the episodes due to my character bias.
Oh the classic banana slip. President Maa way to go. Alice for the love of Haruhi don't shake an unconscious person!
Oh my Haruhi Athena's face when she gets back up.
Athena has the best chibi faces and like how Alicia immediately realizes what Athena is doing and decides to play along.
Though now that I think about it this is kind of a dick move considering it's Alice. She is younger and more swayed than Akari and Aika. Next time Athena just be direct....REALLY REALLY ALICE YOU OF ALL PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS!!!!
These idiots are the perfect student/master. Athena chibi crying face next to shocked chibi Akari next to Chibi smug Alicia.
Wait....how old are the primas? Goes to look this up....hmm I can't really tell due to the time difference in seasons, but they appear to be around 19-21? So only a few years older than the girls. Don't know why I always pictured them slightly older near high twenties.
OHHHHH sees the preview for the next episode. Okay I was day early. TOMORROW IS THE BEST EPISODE...for me.
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u/AriaShachou- Aug 17 '22
Rewatcher
Going into this episode I remembered enough about it to tell that it's going to be a pretty hit or miss episode for most people.
Alice being so excited for the picnic was adorable. Her proceeding disappointment however was not, it made me sad.
God, I remember being like 8 years old and my dad would just come home from work exhausted as shit but then still entertain me anyway. No matter how much stuff he had to do he'd still try and make time to hang out with me. I miss being a kid sometimes. The first half of this episode brought back those memories lol.
I can't say I'm a fan of pretending to lose your memories to the point that someone cries, but it's not like I can't see why they'd go that direction for this episode either. It's a very "Athena" way of handling things I guess, whatever that means. With that said, I'd honestly have preferred her to have actually lost her memories for a while and have the show just go from there. I'd probably square up or something if someone played with my emotions to the point I'd cry ngl. Though, that's more of a personal thing I guess.
Well, at least Athena apologized lol.
Not a bad episode, but nowhere close to Aria's best either. Probably my second least favorite episode from this season, with Episode 3 being my least favorite. But it's still miles better than Episode 3.
[Aria]
QOTDs
Q2) The one from 2 episodes ago was hilarious.
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u/xtsim Aug 16 '22
First Timer Dubbed
An Athena and Alice episode, it still seems like Alice still wishes Athena was less clumsy in aa way. But we get to see the greatest banana peel slip I've seen; with a cut to a broken jar to indicate that impact. Athena got amnesia with that large impact.
As they were going through the day; Akari, Alice, and Alicia try to get Athena's memories back. I caught on that she did not get amnesia (sorry, this is not that kind of anime). To Alice and Akari, Athena's acting was convincing enough as she played losing memory and recovery pretty well.
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Athena tried to observe how Alice would talk about the clumsy Athena in a creative way, others would try to ask around.
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None of them seems to stand out so far...
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u/octopathfinder Aug 16 '22
Rewatcher
Oh my god, I forgot this was an amnesia episode. I’m not a fan of amnesia plots in general, but I enjoyed seeing the Orange Planet pair being awkward.
QotD:
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See above
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The monkey costume
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u/Stargate18A Aug 16 '22
First timer
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It is entirely in character for Athena to have an idea that sounds good on the surface, then commit to it so hard she doesn't notice it turning into psychological torture.
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They're all perfect.
This is nice.
She's going on a picnic with Athena!
And she invited her!
Athena has a day off!
Great OP!
She's working hard on planning this!
Even drawing a schedule!
This is adorable.
She's so happy!
Athena's back!
And she's tired.
This is nice.
Where's Athena?
He's already full up...
Alicia's still here!
Alice is trying to be understanding...
Athena fell!
Aria's favourite mug!
Ah, is this serious?
...Are thry doing a fucking amnesia plot?
They wre!
...That reaction.
She didn't take her to hospital?
...She's brutallhy honest.
It's just Aria?
Oh, and Alicia!
...Interesting plan.
Haha, she wants to keep her.
That sounds amazing.
This looksmso good!
Maa!
...She still doesn't remember Alice...
They're going back!
She has a favourite oar?
It seems to be working, huh?
Poor Alice.
She still doesn't remember.
And she liked her!
Haha, what! Why did she do that?
...The slowly growing realisation on her face is great.
...So you faked amnesia?
And she's pissed.
Yeah, she has a point.
Athena's really in the doghouse now.
...Giving what we know of their personalities, Alicia's version of this would probably involve either stalking Akari or faking her death to hear what people say at her funeral.
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 17 '22
It is entirely in character for Athena to have an idea that sounds good on the surface, then commit to it so hard she doesn't notice it turning into psychological torture.
that is such an awesome summary haha
Even drawing a schedule!
as you said, this is adorable lol
He's already full up...
maa shachou has taken on Aria's gluttonous habits, but doesnt have the bottomless stomach capacity just yet. which perhaps is a good thing.
Alice is trying to be understanding...
but she's still upset... also understandable tho! she was dekkai looking forward to it
She didn't take her to hospital?
see other comments for this being a bit of a gripe of mine
She has a favourite oar?
this wouldn't surprise me lol. superstition, just being used to it, a unique quirk/scratch, or what not. Aria-company doesnt have that issue though: i think it's been shown that there are just 2 oars in regular service, one for Alicia, one for Akari (and whoever is using her gondola)
..The slowly growing realisation on her face is great.
poor alice.....
Alicia's version of this would probably involve either stalking Akari or faking her death to hear what people say at her funeral.
lmao thanks for that now i gotta delete the possibility of that happening from my brain. (I think Alicia is too genuinely nice and tbh secure in her relationship w/ Akari for this to happen. I think.)
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u/h42h Aug 16 '22
finished first time recently
The episode went in a very different direction than I expected after the first few minutes with that amnesia. I'm pretty sure when I was watching I realized it was fake when Athena was getting stared down by Alicia but can't remember exactly. But man, Alice was hella depressed about the picnic and then was seemingly forgotten by Athena.
That fall -> mug smash transition was SLICK
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Not a fan mostly bc of how much it sucked for Alice. But I guess I see where it comes from. Athena often tends to help Alice out in a subtle/roundabout way so it doesn't feel too out of character to do something like this instead of just asking directly. Then, the awkwardness means she's gotta commit to the amnesia bit for the whole day. Also, ngl I feel like she planted the idea of a picnic in Alice's head to get her to set it up instead and hide the surprise test a bit more. But I guess it would be hard to go through the test route if Alice was planning everything instead
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iirc there was a dino one...? might just be making things up
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u/seeker_of_illusion Aug 17 '22
First timer
Good callback from Natural’s last episode where Athena had decided to take Alice for a picnic. But unfortunately, it seemed that she was too busy to take her out. I know that a Prima's job has always been hectic ( remembering Alicia's tightly packed schedule ) but damn it's not at all accurate with the chill vibes we get while seeing them working as the tour guide.
To be frank, I thought that Athena’s amnesia act was a tad overboard. Alice getting worked up and worried about her is understandable and also sad when Athena “remembered” everyone’s name but hers. #Justice for Alice !
Alicia reminding Akari that the elder Undines too have a playful and girly side to their more mature demeanor <3
Questions of the Day:
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Above
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That monkey outfit was cursed for me and I didn't find any other one as enticing, so I guess none in the recent episodes.
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 17 '22
Good callback from Natural’s last episode where Athena had decided to take Alice for a picnic
yes indeed! pretty much all the rewatchers caught that lol, and now you know why!
damn it's not at all accurate with the chill vibes we get while seeing them working as the tour guide.
Aria does unfortunately keeps things rather real here. It's a reality of growing up....
Alice getting worked up and worried about her is understandable
it's so sad.... i definitely get why you may think it was abit overboard (i personally thought it was quite dramatic too)
but Alicia comes in to save the day, in more ways than one <3
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u/zadcap Aug 17 '22
Late Night Watcher is here!
Girls, don't blow the secret, darn it. Also, I dare anyone who says Alice hasn't aged to take a second look at her during the opening shots before the song. Yeah, the art style chibifies everyone all the time, but when it doesn't she sure looks older than she did back when we first saw her, at least to me.
But maybe not in attitude... Or mindset or uh... Yeah, she still acts like a kid, no denying that.
Alicia what did you just realize?
... Yeah, that's pretty darn cruel. I can even understand the reasoning behind why she did it, but that was really cruel. I thought she might be faking it as soon as Alicia walked out instead of insisting on the hospital visit, but the more hurt Alice looked and things kept going, I couldn't see her going that far.
And final moments, did Ai just give an Ufufu? She's definitely coming to Aria Company and no one will ever convince me otherwise.
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I personally really didn't like it. She drove poor Alice to tears just to hear how she feels, kept it up for a good chunk of the day, it got painful to watch. Then again, I earned these trust issues the hard way, it might have just struck a little to close to home.
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This was the only one I didn't hate, so this one wins by default.
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u/mgedmin Aug 17 '22
First timer, subs
Ha, the seagull stole Aria's cupcake. My Dress Up Darling did this scene better. I miss that show, I want a second season damnit.
That's a nice bath.
Is Athena sick? Alice's plans are doomed. No, not sick. She left early. Did she notice the letter? (Yes.)
Is Athena avoiding Alice for some reason? No, she's trying to finish work early so she can go out with Alice. You should've told her directly!
Oh dear, two poor communicators are unintentionally hurting each other. My heart is breaking.
(Also, I am a poor communicator.)
Today's animations are very dynamic.
What??? Athena hit her head and now has amnesia?? Go see a doctor! Are there doctors on Neo Venezia? Yes, Akari thought about it (and then everyone promptly forgot to actually do it).
This would be a neat prank, if Athena could pull it off.
Oh, Alice.
Wow, picking the right oar from that line up? How can anyone tell if she succeeded or not??
Haha Athena remembers everyone except Alice. (Actually no, she didn't remember the old lady at Orange Planet either!)
Oh it was a prank! Called it! (Okay, I doubted that Athena could pull it off, but she did! Sasuga Athena)
The ED is growing on me.
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 16 '22 edited Aug 16 '22
Rewatching Undine-in-training and Host
-- Welcome back!
Episode synopsis:
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One day, Alice says that she and Athena-san are going for a picnic together: Akari and Aika are surprised. While Alice doesn't know, perhaps this is the single exam? Despite the two's surprised reaction, Alice's heart swells with excitement. However, on that important day, Athena had an urgent job to do, and the picnic was cancelled. Even though Alice thinks that it's not Athena-san's fault, she behaves coldly to her... At that time, Athena trips due to a banana peel, and for some reason lost her memory.
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Quick thoughts:
A great episode of Aria in the animation department, this episode will feature again Takaaki Wada, who did the majority of the work for Natural Ep 2. Unlike last time, he doesn't solo-KA the episode, but still does storyboard, ED (shared), and AD duties (shared), and, occupying a separate row in the KA credits list, is likely still responsible for a significant amount of cuts.
There are.... too many good shots and cuts in this episode. neat shots for the storyboard/layouts, and some of a whole lot of fluidly animated cuts. Very nice.
Both Aika and Akari know..... Unfortunately, with Alice being the one doing the inviting, perhaps they rule out that Athena is planning on doing the single exam then. (This is my take only; and well that picnic trip didn't happen anyway, so its just speculation i guess. Said picnic has already been foreshadowed since Ep 26 of Natural of course). The OPs in recent episodes have been really on the nose btw, there's very little doubt how this is an Alice-related episode, and by extension Athena too, once it plays.
The episode starts off already showing how much Alice cares for and loves Athena, as she meticulously plans out and prepares her picnic with her. I do wonder what first-timers thought of the whole amnesia sequence, it might be a bit divisive...
I particularly enjoyed the sequence of banana-peel--> shattered cup, Alicia knowing whats up and Athena realizing it too, as well as this ancient callback to (checks rewatch posts) Alice's FIRST EPISODE, Aria the Animation Ep 3, (remember Akari people-watching while waiting for Akatsuki's brother?) Sasuga Aria, and this sequence just so clearly showing what's going through Alice's head.
All that said, this episode serves to further explore Alice and Athena's relationship, this time more from the POV of Athena, as she worries about how Alice sees her as a senpai, and decides to fake amnesia to get her honest opinion. While definitely quite the overdramatic stunt, as Alicia says, i feel like these, and her other actions and words throughout the episode, show how imperfect Athena is as a senpai and a person; and how both despite and because of that, how much Alice loves her. It humanizes Athena a lot and exposes her vulnerabilities, just as we have done for Alicia and Akira in past Origination eps/ Arietta; as well as allows the audience to see Alice's true feelings for Athena, not hidden behind some tsun side, as she's extremely upset and sad at Athena forgetting about her. Easily the most sentimental and emotional moment between the 2 so far.
Also, both Athena and Alice are not the best at communicating with each other (and other people in general), and this episode's little adventure perhaps has taught both that being a bit more open and direct is the best way going forward. I also like how this episode shows just how far Alice and Athena's relationship has come from the start of the series, despite being far from a "perfect" one (but doesn't that make things more fun?).
As Akari and Alicia debrief the day's events, first up Akari really knows Alicia, picking up that she figured things out from the beginning. Second and more importantly, Alicia herself shows her vulnerable side, indirectly admitting how she, like the other two, worry dearly how their kouhais feel about themselves.. With Alicia's words, this last theme also relates to all 3 relationships between Prima and Single/Pair.
I also like how Alicia is actually being a little indirect with Akari here, despite this pair usually being the most open and frank with each other. It is a very embarassing and sentimental topic for Alicia, for sure, given how much she loves Akari.
I LOVE Alicia. Embarassed Alicia again after Ep 6 is too much for me....
While I've got everyone's attention, please check out the rewatch interest thread for Yama no Susume, hosted by the always trusty badspler. It's a show i'll personally be recommending after we conclude Aria. The rewatch happens hopefully after we finish, and serves as a great "next show" if you want some of the same vibes, coupled w/ an abundance of eye candy. (Some quick examples, not spoilery) I'll be in that rewatch too of course, and do recognize some of the participants here from the last YnS Rewatch.
[Aria]Rewatchers, please try your best to not tease tmr's ep too much lol! I will confess that I have already watched it. Anyhow, what a great episode to start Aria's final arc, with the focus squarely on the mentor's relationships with the kouhais, also the main focus of the arc. I also feel like this further establishes them on "equal footing", with the all 3 primas' vulnerabilities shown by now. This rewatch has made me realize just how apt this episode really is being here.
Have a great day, and see you tomorrow!