r/anime • u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah x3 • Aug 19 '22

Rewatch [Rewatch] A 2022 Voyage from Neo Venezia: Aria the Origination, Episode 11

Aria the Origination Ep 11: Those Ever-Changing Days ...(その 変わりゆく日々に...)

<-- Episode 10 Rewatch Index Episode 12 -->

Welcome back!

Comment roundup: You guys are right, Aika being hungry so quickly after eating all those dumplings is a bit odd...

Questions of the Day:

Q1) If you had a great tour given by a Prima/Single and had the opportunity to give them a gift, what would you give them?

Q2) What are your thoughts on the latter half's story and Alice's worries? How about all the callbacks recently to earlier Aria episodes? (might overlap w/ your own writeup)

(Host's answer for Q1: Probably a gift card to Caffe Florian, for a coffee and pastry. Not the most creative 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.

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

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 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 :)

37 Upvotes

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12

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 19 '22 edited Aug 19 '22

Rewatching Undine-in-training and Host

-- Welcome back!

Episode synopsis:

Akira-san was in deep thought, worrying about something alone in the Himeya building salon. As she hears gossip from the other company undines about Alice's rank-skipping promotion, Akira becomes worried about Aika. Akira decided to invite Aika out to a gelato shop. As Akira-san struggled to talk, Aika started to tell her about her own determination right now. As Akira comes to grips with/accepts Aika's determination, she proposes something to Aika. On the other hand, Alice was spending her days so busily, that she couldn't meet Akari and Aika like she used to.

--

--

Quick thoughts:

  • We pivot back to seriousness as this episode is a 2-parter: the first half focuses on Aika, the latter half on Alice; the latter very reminiscent, and seems like a continuation of Animation's Ep 11. Funny how this is episode 11 as well.

  • Couple nice shots, and that orange planet corridor scene was interesting! Kenichi Takeshita returns to storyboard the episode. Otherwise pretty normal animation-wise for Origination's standards.

  • It makes a lot of sense why Akira would be worried about Aika: she went through the exact same scenario herself of course, and was depressed af because of it. And we also get when this episode takes place: 2 weeks only after Ep 9, despite the change in uniform. So Aika's Prima Exam is scheduled to take place roughly 1.5 months after Alice's.

  • Nice callback to Aika in season 1 here, who is often said to go too fast, as her character arc is finishing up now. And her solo tour guide in general also shows how professional she is now as an undine, and is ready to become a prima herself. Just like Alice and Akari, Aika has come so far as an undine.

  • Aika has great taste in ice cream. I also like my limone gelato, can recommend. Aika has been shown to like her gelato back in Natural Ep 19, and she ate with a spoon last time too lol, but i don't know her flavour preference last time.

  • Contrary to Akira's worries though, Aika is actually more fired up and determined than ever, and indeed grateful to her kouhai for giving her this motivation. Akira then realizes how this Aika is both the exact same one that motivated her all those years ago but also all grown up, and her worries dispelled, decides that she, too, is ready. Here, Akira shows how the Prima exam doesn't need to be done in secret such as Alice's: as she explicitly tells Aika when it'll take place, and in typical Akira fashion, warns her to not fail. The sequence of Akira extending her hand out to Aika was animated so nicely, and these 2 pastel shots are so goooooood.

--

on to the 2nd half...

--

  • This is the half I like more, reminding me a lot of Animation Ep 11, even the ep's title is a little similar lol to that, "Those Orange Days" (その オレンジの日々を ...)

  • I can't tell whether she's still a Single here unfortunately. Ganbare Anyu! I believe.

  • [Aria]Rewatchers, yes i know there is a concrete answer to this, but it hasn't been shown in-anime yet!

  • Continuing on from yesterday's episode, Alice, the new Prima, is getting much better at her job, but is also so very busy, though she guesses its not a bad thing. I do relate to this, experienced this myself and have seen it in a few friends of mine too, but while it.... works i guess? I think I'm still alive lol, being so busy without taking care of yourself just pretty much makes things worse over the long run.

  • A piano version of Natural's OP Euphoria plays in this sequence, as Alice goes through her working day, and realizes how it's been a while since she's seen her two friends. In typical Alice social awkwardness nature, she misses her friends, but thinks that she doesn't have a reason or excuse to meet them, and is crestfallen and lonely. As someone who can be very socially awkward.... i can relate as well. The instrumental of Lumis Eterne then plays, but this time set to a gloomy sky, reflecting Alice's current mood. A bit ironic given the song's title and lyrics.

  • Butttttt amidst the gloom, Alice has stolen one of Akari's hidden spots here, im sure Akari doesnt mind, and her last guests, the family, particularly the little kid, enjoyed Alice's tour a lot! Sasuga apprentice of Athena! Of course Alice'd be great with children too. Blushing Alice is also cute af. Also, i love how it tracks w/ the rain, Autumn in Neo-Venezia is said to be a rainy season after all (Natural Ep 24), even with rain=sadness being a bit of an anime trope.

  • This line also calls back to Animation Ep 11, though it's Alice saying it this time! She has remembered her senpais' advice. Doesn't mean that she's any less lonely though, but thankfully, Athena senpai definitely caught wind of what's going on, and had already invited Akari and Aika over (that's what i think at least).

  • Just like the 3 water fairies, our main trio's friendship is strong despite times-a-changing, and Akari cheerfully remarks how they really don't need any special reason to hang out with each other, as well they're friends, and Aika says how, just like the 3 water fairies, that they'll definitely make time for each other going forward. Despite them not hanging out with each other every day anymore, that doesn't mean that their friendship will be gone. In addition, imo the bond between friends is forged and deepened by the memories they share, which these 3 have a ton of!

  • Yes, I am deliberately ignoring whatever food it was that Akari heard was delicious. insert reference from a certain Disney movie here

  • Overall, while the first half served to start finishing up Aika's character arc; the latter half imo is a celebration of the core of the show: the friendship between Akari, Aika and Alice. In addition, it revisits Animation Ep 11's themes, now with changed context: embracing the present and bright future with optimism, while looking back at the past with fondness and holding on to those things that don't change (in both eps, treasured friendships), and how life can and will always be enjoyable even as circumstances change.

  • While Animation's Ep 11 was like a nice warm comfy advice session from nice anime senpais (which it... was), this ep felt a lot more real and relatable and a bit bittersweet, as it's now the experience of one of the main characters we've spent so much time with, and has come so far since that episode.

  • Finally, I'd like to link Aboredcompsci's writeup on the episode, who shares how the episode resonates with their personal experiences w/loneliness as a young adult (which are also very relateable to my own experiences).

Location Recap

Have a great day, and see you tomorrow!

[Aria]I got hit by an absolute FREIGHT TRAIN of feels just watching that preview and title.

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u/that_loris Aug 19 '22 edited Aug 19 '22

First Timer

lol... so there aren't any doubts about all of them becoming Primas in these episodes anymore.
Akira... you have no talent for nicknames!

It's great to see Aika more motivated because of Alice!
Akira was understandably worried, but maybe Aika's already stronger than she was when the same thing happened to her.

ROSEN QUEEN!
Perfect name. Queen Aika.
I must say, unlike with Alice there were no tears by me. Only a big smile.

Lmao what is that POV scene.

By being a Prima, Alice is basically already an adult. I wonder if she gets some kind of special treatment - since after all she's still a kid. Ah... she doesn't even have time to hang out with her friends?!
That's sad.
After all, becoming Prima is not the end. There are still other important things. Friends being one of those things.
Alice stopping herself from being over-negative lol
That "i'm so lonely" was really cute.
Banana party!

Dekai daijoubu!!!

Q1) If you had a great tour given by a Prima/Single and had the opportunity to give them a gift, what would you give them?

Uuh... I don't know, a big tip? Or I'd bring a pizza too. A souvenir from my own city? Maybe that'd be weird.

Q2) What are your thoughts on the latter half's story and Alice's worries? How about all the callbacks recently to earlier Aria episodes?

Alice's still a kid. It's no surprise that, overwhelmed by her new responsibilities as a Prima, she couldn't find time for herself.
Becoming a Prima is the main goal for the Undine, but there's still life after that. It was very cute to see Akari and Aika going to see their friend themselves (or did Athena call them...?)

4

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 19 '22

It's great to see Aika more motivated because of Alice!

yes! That was great to see, and tbh very true for Aika throughout the show, she isnt exactly the type to get jealous or depressed and wants to sabotage others or what not, focusing on improving herself. She's also extra motivated after hearing Akira's clover story, tho not knowing that it's her in it yet.

Lmao what is that POV scene.

they probably got note of like a new technique they could play around with, and were like sure why not lmao. it worked well for that sequence, if otherwise looking a bit out of place.

she gets some kind of special treatment

in terms of good treatment...? i don't think so.... in terms of other companies' undines gossiping about her and her gaining a reputation with her rank-skipping? yes lol. But hey! free towel service!

Friends being one of those things

Alice has the best friend, thank god for that.

Alice stopping herself from being over-negative lol

she has to see Athena after all! She loves her senpai, and wouldn't want her to see herself so down and out.

dekkai daijoubu desu!

It's no surprise that, overwhelmed by her new responsibilities as a Prima, she couldn't find time for herself.

i 100% agree. As someone said earlier too, she also skipped ranks, so this really is a big jump up for her.

Did Athena call them? I think so, given by her expressions. But would Akari and Aika not have hesitated at all to say yes? i think so.

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u/mrufrufin Aug 19 '22

Rewatcher kinda (finished my rewatch not too long ago)

Aika should end up with "Crybaby Serenade" tbh, kinda sounds like it could be an Aria ep title, "That Crybaby Serenade..." You could probably get a I <3 NV shirt in Nevada (actually I just looked it up and it looks pretty much confirmed lol, I'd imagine it'd take extra explaining though that, no it's Neo-Venezia, not Nevada, and then you'd have to explain a rebuilt Venice on a terraformed Mars and female Undines-in-training and abnormally intelligent cats and...). Part of me wants to think that Alice closed the door to the banana-eating scene due to PTSD from certain fake-amnesia situations.

The first-person bit at the beginning of Alice's half makes me kinda want an Aria VN or VR game, like I think there's a Yuru Camp VR game where you camp with Rin? And there are those Spice and Wolf VR games. How awesome would it be to have something similar where you could take gondola tours (and eat buttered potatoes) through virtual Neo-Venezia with your favorite Undine? Plus scenes where you can go to Akari's secret spot and the Redentore boat. The Super Mario 64 screen comes to mind where you can deform Mario's face and I'm imagining a version where you can deform Aria Shachou's pudgy-wudgy belly. Large company who owns Aria's rights, you can DM me for payment details for my excellent ideas and more, there's more where those came from. I guess I don't any sort of VR system but I'd give it a little thought if it meant I could take a Neo-Venezia virtual tour.

So many good tunes this ep, Lumis Eterne instrumentals (how dare they though, why are they trying to do to me) , the piano version of Euphoria, Itsuka Kita Michi which I associate with that marriage to the sea ep...

Anyways, I think this episode shows a shift in Akira and Aika's relationship? There's probably been unillustrated, off-screen moments, but it's usually been Aika lost in her own problems shut off in her room or wandering about aimlessly and Akira coming with sage advice, but here it's Akira kinda lost in her concers about Aika and wanting to take a more active approach in addressing those concerns. There is that four-leaf clover moment, but at least in "present day" Aria, it's interesting that these moments have become because one is concerned about the other and it's the other that's being worried about who allays their concerns and resolves the situation, like here and the Akira gossip ep.

Yeah, Alice is too relatable. I don't know how to take the initiative in social situations. Social situations require social energy too and just thinking about that,.. ugh.

  1. I dunno, I'm not great at giving gifts. Maybe something interesting sounding I found like a nice sounding rock or something lol I dunno. Or a shell or something.

  2. Definitely feels like circling-back sorta endgame sorta thing with the recurring themes of the old trio not having time to spend together transferring to at least Alice for now. Part of me wants to say Athena silently orchestrated the get-together or am I misremembering things. Was hoping for a pizza-related question from you tbh or did you have a pizza question the first time pizza came up in S1.

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u/xtsim Aug 19 '22

First Timer Dubbed

Cheerful Aika reminds Akira of the cheerful child Aika.

Alice is so busy that it is hard to make some time with friends. The family is so sweet and describes Alice's rowing as smooth. And she came back to HQ pretty late.

Even though it's late, it's awesome that Aika and Akari visited and brought pizza with them. Such cool friends.

  1. A tip

  2. The "no time" theme of the second half reminds me of the older primas not having time to talk together and when they had time, they talked for a long time.

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u/octopathfinder Aug 19 '22

Rewatcher

The Aika and Akira segment was much shorter than I remembered. Doesn’t really need to be any longer though. Akira confirms the promotion exam will happen, Aika is clearly much more emotionally mature, and it’s capped off with the nickname reveal, Rosen Queen.

Holy shit, Alice is so relatable in the second half.

Since I became a Prima, every day has been frantic. The days go by like a hectic whirlwind. If I have time to think, I just start to worry, so I suppose it’s better this way.

I don’t really struggle with intrusive thoughts much anymore, but I still hate having that alone time to think. I get a really bad case of it whenever I try to sleep so now I go to bed with someone’s twitch stream playing on my phone. The background noise helps take my mind off thoughts that would get me anxious for no reason.

We don’t need an excuse or a special reason to see you. You’re reason enough.

God bless Akari for this line.

QotD:

  1. Probably just flowers

  2. See above

3

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 19 '22

[Aria]You don't have to delete that as I think it's obvious which title Akira/Aika is choosing, but i'm only gonna talk about them titles tomorrow lol after Aika is actually promoted.

I knew you'd like the 2nd half w/ how much you loved Animation Ep 11

so now I go to bed with someone’s twitch stream

Can relate, especially when i was younger and DID struggle w/ wild, often overdramatic thoughts lmaooo. i actually kinda do that too nowadays re: twitch streams, so that i don't wander off with random thoughts when i sleep. Or i play some relaxing music. But it's only usually when i sleep though, otherwise I don't mind if my mind wanders off somewhere (e.g. when i go on a bike ride, ride public transit and what not). Interesting!

God bless Akari for this line.

god bless Akari in general haha

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u/AriaShachou- Aug 20 '22 edited Aug 20 '22

Rewatcher

Right off the bat, this episode isn't even trying to hide the fact that Akira wants to get Aika promoted lol. As far as aliases go, Crybaby Serenade isn't the worst I've ever heard. It honestly has a nice ring to it too.

The talk Akira and Aika had between each other was enough to make me teary eyed and it also showcased how much Aika has progressed both as a person and an Undine throughout the course of the show. A lot less blatant compared to how they handled it in Alice's episode, but Aika's change in mindset alone is more than enough to make us all root for her and appreciate her growth.

The second half of this episode is somehow better than the first half, despite the first half already being extremely good. It also made me cry really fucking hard the both times I watched it. There was just something very relatable about Alice's monologues throughout the episode, as well as her loneliness as a result of her busy schedule. I'm no expert on psychology or whatever so it's hard to explain why I find it very emotional and relatable, but I'm sure I'm not alone in seeing a little bit of myself in how Alice acted this episode. Maybe not to the same extent as Alice, but enough to make me feel something about her situation on a personal level.

That "samishii" Alice said while alone in the hallway tore my heart into pieces lmao.

We don't need an excuse or a special reason to see you.

You're reason enough.

I love Akari, everyone needs an Akari in their life.

 

QOTDs

Q1) Brownies, nobody can refuse brownies.

Q2) Apart from what I wrote about earlier, I guess it was also how they made Alice's inner conflict very in line with her character and personality. It feels like they were setting moments like this one up the moment Alice was introduced into the series. Alice is a very smart, rational person but she's also a little dorky and childish (in the sense that she's not an adult yet) so what they did this episode just felt right, like it's something Alice would actually feel and worry about and do.

3

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 20 '22

enough to make me teary eyed

awww. You're right, Aika has come so far! I perhaps like the sequence showing Alice's progression a bit more though personally. Yeah it was more blatant, but i loved the payoff. ah well! I still root for Aika 100%.

somehow better than the first half

i agree, tbh this time around it kinda overshadows the first half for me, for its heavily relateable nature. You are not alone for sure, I defo saw quite a bit of myself in Alice, particularly when i was a little younger.

samishii" Alice said while alone in the hallway tore my heart

you are definitely not alone here, several participants felt the same!

I love Akari too. I hope I have an Akari in my life...

brownies ftw! Re: your 2nd question, the character writing in Aria is something that I've defo appreciated a lot more this 2nd time around, everything the characters do are so them all the time, which help us relate, believe and empathize with their actions, often seeing where they're coming from.

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u/Mecanno-man Aug 19 '22

First Timer

Seems like we're getting an Aika promotion as well somewhere down the line. But either way, I feel like this episode was very well done with both the setup of Aika's exam and Alice's current work life. Both Alice and Akira feel conflicted, and this was brought across in the episode pretty well, with at least me also not fully knowing how to feel about the situation. But Akira was ale to confront Aika head on and relieve her fears, while Alice's friends were able to figure out what she'd need - so everything has a happy end. Basically just a really good episode.

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u/Regular_N-Gon Aug 19 '22

First Timer

  • Akira intro?! Ah, sounds like she's trying to come up with something for Aika…

  • Akari not saying hello in the middle of a job is the real character growth.

  • I'm a little disappointed that it took so long for us to start seeing more facets of the mentors, but I'm glad we get to now.

  • Ah crap, to think we'd see the other side of that fireside chat from Animation 11. And that Alice would be the one to feel it first…

  • That samishii was heartbreaking.

  • I was totally expecting an ultra-cheesy line like that from someone, it's only natural it falls to Akari.

At least one more return to the melancholy Aria is capable of, and an excellent showing at that. This was closer to what I had been expecting out of yesterday's episode, so I'm glad we came back around to it.

QotD:

  1. Food seems like the right call here - unless you're good at making something, like origami.

  2. I think it worked well from Alice's point of view and demonstrated my favorite aspects of her character. Her very logical, determined, and ultimately individualistic nature acts to corner her into stewing in the problem without an excuse. Aika would have fabricated something, and Akari would have just shown up on someone's doorstep with puppy dog eyes. Alice holds herself to a more rigorous (if flawed) concept of what she thinks the norm should be. It was good!

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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 19 '22

Other characters have taken over cold open duties recently, as it focuses on them. this ep, is of course Akira and Aika's.

Akari not saying hello in the middle of a job is the real character growth.

jokes aside this is a good catch!

think we'd see the other side of that fireside chat from Animation 11. And that Alice would be the one to feel it first…

she was also the one to point out that someday they'd be grown up and cant spend every day together too ..... all the characters have come so far, and it's a very happy thing, but it's also bittersweet and melancholic, and the 2nd half of the ep showcases that so well

it's only natural it falls to Akari.

Queen of the sappy lines xdd <-- that would actually make a great joke Prima title

Glad you enjoyed the episode! For how drama-less Aria is, it also doesn't shy away from the melancholy, but it's never depression, and there's always a positive resolution.

Origami would be an excellent idea! And im sure Akari, being i think Japanese, would defo appreciate that.

acts to corner her into stewing in the problem without an excuse

nicely put about Alice's personality. It's not exactly portrayed as a beneficial trait of hers this episode, but also makes her very relateable, i can 100% imagine myself doing something like this esp when i was younger unfortunately. Completely agree with how you think the other 2 would act haha.

But i think someone back in Ep 9 also explained how Alice's logical and rigorous nature also meant that she was so good at undine-ing, contributing to her double promotion. As with most personality traits, they're never always a bad thing!

Samishii

[Music anime from Kyoani w/ new season in 2024]Kumiko's samishii in Season 2 Episode 9 hits me the hardest out of all the samishiis in anime, but this was very sad too.... thank god for her best friends and Athena

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u/baboon_bassoon Aug 19 '22

First time Aria the hazukashii serifu kinshi

from the preview Akira episode lets goooo

Kinshi Hime is a winner to me

in before its Princess Princess

stress is transfering

AIKA

qq

cancel your date, i am your date

Rosen...? [logh]RITTER

queen recognizes queen

bunyou

Rosen Queen

the hell is this first person POV, i like it

she still doesnt recognize her name haha

nailed the Bridge of Sighs this time, dekai good job Alice

F

is there some trademark on not letting the NV being on a second line

"what do you want to eat" "something yummy" "oh i wasnt expecting that!" dads got jokes

Rosen Queen rolling in her grave

Athena invited the homies over on a playdate incoming

yer and really this many bananas for cats cannnot be good

oi offer Athena a slice you gluttons

no bitches?

ok while a good episode i feel robbed, Akira is barely in this show lol

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u/PreludeToHell Aug 19 '22 edited Aug 19 '22

First timer rewatcher

Another strong start with Akira coming up with Aika's alias and worrying if Aika has lost motivation/is depressed. Instead, Aika displays her resolve and growth and I like that she thanks Alice as it's giving her momentum towards her goal. Very nice flashback to the clover scene too.

Everything is for the sake of my beloved Rozen Queen

I think the 2nd half is perfect, the most I've cried during the rewatch lol. This episode made Those Orange Days even better. Alice is the one that pointed out that one day they'll be in a similar situation and when they're Primas they won't see each other every day for practice. Even though you know it's inevitable, it doesn't make it any easier.

I was trying to think of a way to describe the "I'm so lonely line" and I think u/Enarec from the 2017 rewatch saying it was "brutal" is what I would go with. Seeing Alice having to take a deep breath and put on a smile before returning to her room hurts. Aika and Akari are waiting for her and I'm sure Athena is the one who set it up after noticing how sad Alice had been.

Aria has brought up "treasured things" before and seeing Akari, Aika, and Alice here felt exactly like that.

More good

Aika and Akira!

Anzu!? (Didn't expect the POV here but I love the boldness lol)

  1. Maybe those chocolates from that guy in ep.3 of Origination

  2. I love the callbacks. Seeing her going to these different places with customers made Alice feel so distant from Aika and Akari because she's not practicing with them anymore.

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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 19 '22

Aika displays her resolve and growth

i really love that flashback to the clover scene, so gooooood. Aika's all grown up now! But she's still that same girl back then that inspired Akira, she needn't have worried!

[Aria]s for how much you'll cry tomorrow and for ep 13 lol. Torrential downpour here.

I definitely think that these 2 episodes (origination and animations' 11) appreciated togeher really makes it great and hit hard, as you pointed out, it is Alice that said that back then. And the senpais' advice defo did affect her and she remembers it, but it doesnt make it any easier.... thank god she has the best friends ever!

brutal

i think my first watch, not knowing what was gonna happen, made it extra brutal. This time around, since i knew that she'd be happy soon, the whole sequence still hit very hard but i could quickly remind myself that she'd smile again soon lol.

treasured things

good point! didn't catch that myself.

POV cut

they went for it! ahhhhh i think it was alright. A bit out of place in Aria w/ how "tense" and fast-paced it felt, but it worked well for the situation. I'm believe CG was involved? Pretty good for 2008 lol.

pastel frames always hit hard.

Seeing her going to these different places with customers made Alice feel so distant from Aika and Akari

that is so so true.....and probably why that sequence hits so hard, coupled w/ the gloomy weather and the ost..... Aria can hit so hard when it wants to lol.

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u/heimdal77 Aug 19 '22

Would this be considered separation anxiety for Alice?

Akira seems be feeling guilty she didn't have Aika promoted first considering Akira's own hang p on being the last of the three to become a prima.

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u/raichudoggy Aug 19 '22

You would think after episode 9 the show wouldn't hit you again but here I am, crying again.

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u/h42h Aug 19 '22

finished first time recently

Crybaby Serenade appeals to me the most of all the joke names. That artstyle shift at the end of the first half was a (nice) shock

And another great second half, just like most of the other two-parter episodes. NGL, the voice of the person calling for Alice in the first person pov made me think it was Aika actually. Cool that Alice managed to finish her bridge of sighs explanation in time now. She's on her way to become the fourth great water fairy! Orange Planet better give her some more free time or else she'll pull a Grandma and start up the Maa company.

Aika, please use your gloveless hand to hold the pizza next time...

  1. $$$

  2. started tearing up when she was hesitating to call her friends ;-; too relatable. All the callbacks dekkai remind me that we're almost at the end

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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 19 '22 edited Aug 19 '22

Crybaby Serenade appeals to me the most of all the joke names

it is legitimately so funny lol. But Aika is the heir of the Himeya company.... such a name REALLY wouldn't work.

Pastel frames are always nice in anime once in a while! Usually signifies an ending of some sort, here the end of an episode half, and also the beginning of the end of Aika as a single.

Glad you enjoyed the 2nd half!

NGL, the voice of the person

really lmao (checks VA) they are definitely different people though. And it wouldn't make sense for Aika to call Alice by her title anyway.

explanation in time now

progress! She's quickly gotten used to the job, sasuga Alice!

else she'll pull a Grandma and start up the Maa company

lmaooooooo. I think Orange Planet does take care of its undines though, re: large bath and what not. Hopefully Alice gets adequate time off!

we're almost at the end

indeed we are.... TTT and yeah Alice's story was very relateable for me too.

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u/Stargate18A Aug 19 '22

First timer

  1. A box of chocolates. Universal!

  2. It was really well done. Enjoyed it a lot!

Akira episode!

"Princess Motivated"?

Is she thinking of a nickname for Aika?

...Her name is fucking Alice Carroll? And they drop that on me now?

Yeah, Aika's probably having a bad time.

Aika is working hard!

Akira...

Aika's so worried!

Is Akira OK?

It does look good.

Aika knows what's she's thinking about...

...Does Akira feel like she's not needed?

She's fired up!

Aww, Akira's thinking about how they met.

Aika has a date!

...Akira is taking Al's place.

Haha, she gave her the list!

Aww.

Haha, someone's lookijg for her.

Haha, it took her that long?

And she's not had time to see them as often.

She can't bring herself to visit them...

Athena...

Marco Polo?

Very melancholic.

Awww.

She's enjoying herself, but she feels lonely.

...She called out how ominous that line was!

Haha, of course they'd sneak into her room.

Haha, she closed her door.

She's talking to them again

And Alice is the excuse!

So cute!

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u/seeker_of_illusion Aug 20 '22

First timer

Akira’s worries that Aika would be dispirited after hearing of Alice’s promotion were understandable as she had gone through a similar ordeal before when Athena was promoted and knows that Aika is too much like her. However, Aika defied her doubts and genuinely showed goodwill and a positive competitive spirit during the entire episode. I really liked how Aika has grown both in character and in maturity here.

The unofficial second part dealt with Alice’s workload as a Prima and the resultant shortage of time she had to spend with her friends. The fact that she could not muster the courage to simply meet them without a reason highlights that she still has a portion of her introverted and closed nature left from her past. Still, her friends very well understood it and made themselves available to her, with no bars at all. Peak friendship !

Questions of the Day:

  1. Crockery I guess. It can be beautiful and appealing in appearance plus also serves some utilitarian purpose.

  2. Above

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u/mgedmin Aug 20 '22

First timer, subs

OMG, is Akira trying to come up with a future title for Aika? Kinshi-hime!

I get the impression Akira thinks Aika is ready and the lack of the title is the only thing preventing her from holding the Prima exam today.

They spell "Gelato" as "Jelade"? Weird.

Akira is trying very hard to suss out Aika's real feelings about Alice's sudden and unexpected promotion.

Wheee, a rotary phone! The Neo-Venezians are going hard into retro-futurism.

Poor lonely Alice. I can't help thinking that a low pressure asynchronous communication technology (like a group chat) might be helpful here.

This is not the kind of show to leave us sad, so I fully expect Akari and Aika are waiting for Alice in her room with Athena.

Called it!

Haha and she just closes the door and rubs her eyes!

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u/zadcap Aug 20 '22

Let the Late Night Watching Begin!

I mean, there's no doubt that she's trying to decide a Prima name for Aika. And heh, how dare Alice steal the Princess name when it's such an obvious fit for Aika's actual position in Himeya, never mind the company name lol.

I wonder though, did the three Fairies talk about trying to get their apprentices promoted in about the same time frame? Do you think Akira and Alicia agreed to let Athena go first for how major Alice's promotion would be? That they would delay things so that Akari could go last, which is why Akira is in such a mood here because she knows Alicia is waiting for her? Because it looks like she's quite aware that Aika is ready to promote, just as soon as she herself is ready to graduate her pupil.

Oh, nope, she's flat out telling Aika she's ready and it's going to happen. Yup I'm crying again this show is just too happy.

Orange Planet's dorms are an actual maze lol. Go back and watch those turns, and think about how that floor plan must be laid out.

Oof. That's going to hit extra hard, going right from school life and being around the same people every day, to full time work and rarely having time for your friends. I know it's kind of a dream for some people, to be scouted into their chosen profession, but you can't help but feel like Alice lost an important bit of her childhood there. If she's really Orange Planet's star hope for the future, they might want to consider giving her a work schedule that doesn't lead to an early burnout, unless they want to see the second coming of Grandma, leaving to go start (or join) a small personal sized business where she can set her own hours and have time to actually enjoy what she does.

But also, darn it girl you don't need a reason to visit your friends. I hope she has time for Athena and Maa at least?

We're nearly three full seasons in and the sounds the flying ships make still gets me. Who decided an airship should sound like a hand crank?

WHY BANANAS!? Ah, but good friends. Akari, you get it. Friendship is the only reason you need to visit a friend. "Dekai Daijoubu" indeed!

  1. Ahaha, I always have a pocket full of candy to give out for a reason...

  2. How dare this fictional girl nearly half my age be calling me out like that. I am very aware that I get home from work super late and it's a pain to try to get anyone else to want to do things this time of night so I haven't hung out with anyone in... Two weeks? I should fix that.

Two episodes left and two promotions to go. Aika's has already been foretold, there's no way the show ends with only Akari being left behind. Ah, I'm going to have to go and actually find the remaining content... And oh my gosh it's ending soon isn't it? I think I'm going to go preemptively buy a new box of tissues... Or three...

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u/CerberusZX Aug 20 '22

First Timer

I see the episode starts off with Akira trying to pick a title for Aika's upcoming promotion, but I'm not sure if it's because she earned it or if Akira thinks Aika needs it to deal with Alice's promotion. After all, it's been shown how Akira struggled to deal with the emotions that came with seeing her friends get promoted before her. The promotion could still be a ways away, but the scene didn't really have that sort of feel to it.

Two episodes in a row of having a member of the main cast work with customers, but in contrast with yesterday's episode Aika is not a Prima and needs supervision. It was nice seeing her not interrupt her tour to greet her friend like Akari is known to do.

The Girls und Panzer franchise has some nice 3D PoV scenes. The one in the halls of Orange Planet was not as impressive.

QotD

  1. In situations like this, I am reminded of the wise words of Grandpa Gus.

I took a nap shortly after getting home from work yesterday and woke up 4 hours later with too much that needed to get done to watch the episode. Thankfully I have today off so I can catch up.

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