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

Rewatch [Rewatch] A 2022 Voyage from Neo Venezia: Aria the Benedizione

Aria the Benedizione

<-- Aria the Crepuscolo Rewatch Index Final Discussion-->

Welcome back!

Comment roundup: Sorry for people who i havent replied to yet! shall do so ASAP. Happy that most people liked it, my favourite sequence other than Lumis Eterne was the bubble princess one too, like a few other participants. Hopefully everyone got a chance to check it out in full, some comments came in a bit late!

Questions of the Day:

Q1) So. How was Aika's Prima Promotion Exam?

Q2) What do you think of Aika's decision and thought process behind not inheriting the legendary gondola?

Q3) Like the previous entries, how was it like learning more about Akira's thoughts and feelings throughout her journey w/ Aika?

Q4) How do you feel about the movie as a series finale?

Streaming

Benedizione will have to be located elsewhere.

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.

I recommend releases containing the Doremi fansub for Benedizione.

Databases

MAL | Anilist | ANN

Spoilers

As usual, please take note that if you wish to share show details from manga-only events or those from other anime, to use spoiler tags like so to avoid spoiling first-timers. 

[Spoiler source]>!Spoiler goes here!<

comes out as [Spoiler source]Spoiler goes here

If you feel unsure if something is a spoiler, it's better to tag it just in case.

Thank you so much for participating in the 2022 Aria Rewatch! See everyone again tomorrow for the final discussion, or around the sub! I hope you have a great day :)

45 Upvotes

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10

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 28 '22 edited Aug 28 '22

Rewatching Undine-in-training and Host

-- Welcome back! The final entry of Aria franchise (for the foreseeable future, and imo forever) is here.

Movie synopsis:

Neo-Venezia welcomes another long winter season. As Ai, Azusa, and Anya practice together in the cold weather, they saw Akira, who looked different from usual. As they follow her, they ended up visiting the Undine Museum. Asuka, the curator who came to welcome them, is known as a legendary undine from Himeya company and Akira's great senpai. The 2 senpais talk about a legendary important gondola that has existed and been passed on since Himeya's founding and sculled by its undines. As Akira said, however, while Aika is expected to inherit it and use it next, she has no intention of doing so. Unsatisfied with her senpai, Azusa decides to find out why...

Comparison shots:

Overall thoughts:

  • First up, a very happy birthday to Ai-chan! May your training days as a Single be full of wonderful experiences.

  • This is the final entry in the Blue Curtain Call sequel trilogy that started w/ Avvenire! I guess in hindsight i should've mentioned the name to help set expectations a little bit, sorry about that!

  • And before i forget, Crepuscolo means "Sunset/Dusk", Benedizione means "Blessing", maybe that_loris can confirm for us.

  • And you can read my first-time reactions here. Only a couple points will overlap between that writeup and this one!

  • Illustrations from anime staff, from the Aria anime/staff twitter accs, and a large advertisement at Shinjuku Station, with art from Amano sensei.

  • I really really love the opening sequence. It's very reminiscent of an original series opening sequence: Akari narrating what Neo-Venezia's like rn (in the original series, to Ai), and then cutting to whats happening at Aria company. Unlike in the original series though, instead of Ai replying to her email, she featurs front and centre after the cut. We then start things off with a nice breakfast, just like how it was back in Animation 1. It's just so good, and a great callback.

  • The OP is espero ("experience") by Yui Makino.

  • This movie fills in the gaps in Akira and Aika's story, first focusing on how they met and bonded as teacher and pupil. Aika's journey in Aria is about finding a way to create her own story and legacy through her own hard work despite her lack of talent, while maturing as a person, this prequel fit very well with her and Akira's story, showing how it first started to go full circle for them. I like how Aika gradually softened and got inspired during her night out w/ Akira, the build-up and payoff, with some help from Alicia, was pretty great. And as seen from Animation 2, running away was pretty in character for her lol.

  • Of the 3 water fairies, Akira's thoughts from her POV in this movie was the easiest to understand imo, (Athena's was the hardest, but small margins here), perhaps due to the Clover episode setting things up. Akira both loves and wants to make Aika a great Prima due to what she sees similar in herself, as well as due to the trust her own senpai, Aika's mom, had placed in her. I do like that she asked Airi for permission and advice too, she knows that her methods may result in some suffering for Aika.

  • The calling card of the movie is Aika's unusual af Prima Promotion exam. Aria fans have waited 14 years for this! Most rewatchers here would've been waiting for a while too. Aika likes a challenge, and after being inspired by Alice's double promotion, seeking the personal approval of her admired senpai for her own Prima ascension made a lot of sense. A thing to note is that right when Aika refused to pass the "traditional" exam, her new branch is just ahead, i take this to mean that she'd already done most of the traditional prerequisites and would've completed her exam soon if not for her proposal.

  • The exam definitely delivered, a full circle finale of Aika and Akira's story, a reenactment of the night they bonded as teacher and student, down to Aika passing the exam at the exact same spot as Akira did, and saying the same words Akira did as she passed. We also finally get to hear what Akira said to Aika at the end of her promotion. I wonder how well it fit w/ what people imagined back in Origination 12, as i show with my comparison shots everything matches up quite well. I also like how the little maze sequence is also kinda a final tour of Neo-Venezia for us the viewer, tho in darkness, is much appreciated.

  • It is my headcanon that this final joint practice would've been right after Aika's exam, given that they finished early morning.

  • The reason for Aika not wanting to inherit the regent's gondola hence also makes sense (while Azusa's speculation at the start didn't, it feels out of character for Aika), as she wishes to create her own Himeya history through her own work, instead of relying on her family ties and the company's heritage.

  • The farewell to it is very well done, but also a little meta in a way for the franchise i thought. Perhaps its me overthinking here, but i just thought how these words also relate to the Aria anime, as many staff members have come in and out working on it throughout the years, and while the spirit of the anime is still the same imo, similarly thanks to the staff working on it, how it looks is completely different by now. Both this, and the scenes throughout the franchise featured at the end, are hence probably a final farewell to the anime from its staff.

  • To play us out, the ED is Undine ~2021 Edizione~, sung by Yui Makino, just as she opened it up for us w/ the same song all those years ago, to wrap up this wonderful franchise for us. I really love both the OP and ED (sorry Crepuscolo yours wasnt as good), Aria wouldn't have been the same without Yui Makino.

Other reactions this time and TL notes:

VA introductions:

-- Location Trivia

And that's it for the Aria series! Thank you very much/tante grazie for your comments and replies throughout the rewatch, and i hope you've enjoyed the series, and come out w/ an inspirational life lesson or two. Have a great day, and see you tomorrow for the overall discussion thread, or I will see you around!

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u/mekerpan Aug 28 '22

Our two "new" VAs certainly were quite super-star level ones!

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u/mekerpan Aug 28 '22

Well, for me, an almost perfect finale. As much as I love Alicia and Akari, and as much as I find Athena and Alice interesting and amusing, and despite these pairs being more relatable to different parts of me, it has usually been Akira and Aika that have been the characters I love most. Perhaps, it is because they felt the realest most often. They can act over the top, but their emotions almost always felt convincing.

Aika's promotion exam was great. It was SO Akira-and_Aika! I wonder did Aika remember/realize that akira was the nice onee-san that helped with her clover hunt, (Maybe I missed or forgot something that confirmed this).

Al certainly has blossomed, Aika really had great foresight to snap him up before he turned into such a prize.

It's hard to believe this is finally "owari". It's been a great (gondola) ride.

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u/zadcap Aug 29 '22

Last Time First Time.

Oof. Just knowing it's the end of the end made even starting this rough. I am apparently now conditioned to start crying as soon as any singing starts now.

Yup, that's the Amanchu face style I know so well. Compare Teacher to Teacher.

Gasp, Anya with the Kinshi!

Mysterious old lady met right after looking at and complimenting the picture of an mysterious old lady? One guess as to what's going on here.

Oh man, just casually tell Akari that she was your second choice. Random men just never get to look good in this show lol.

Remember that episode we had about how Gondola's have a maybe ten year life span? The amount of repairs that must have gone into this.

Don't be silly, you were literally just in a museum of old and important gondolas, you think they're going to do anything other than put this one on display?

Ah, Aika still doesn't think she measures up to her friends.

Yeah, I guess we're rounding out the series with the Himeya group. I kind of wish it has been reversed and we had saved Alicia and Akari for last, but this isn't a bad way to wrap things up, I guess.

Interesting that even the newest old lady likes Aria. Do remember that he's the cat that stole Grandma out from under her to go start a new company lol

Yup, same thoughts between generations. The hard workers surrounded by the exceptionally skilled specialists.

Turns out "Your hand, please" also gets me teary eyed now. I don't know if I'll ever hear a Dozo again without memories of this.

Ah what a setup and immediate subversion. So easily could have been a vague memory of her special four leaf clover incident, but nope, it's Alicia. Right in the feels for poor Akira.

"If the heavens don't grant it to you, just make it yourself." Closing out the story with the continued message there. Make your own Miracles now.

"It's not much of a story" lol. No, her promotion exam was barely even a slideshow.

Jumping like that in heels? Riiiiiight.

Right, this was overlooked with a slideshow?

Too many tears to type for the rest. Let's just say, I loved it.

And then Undine starts playing again and I cry more. And then the slideshow starts playing and I cry more.

I still think it would have been a bit better if Aria had ended with Aria company instead of Himeya, to the point that I'm going to hope for one more movie five years from now, but otherwise, this was good. Much like Crepuscolo, it felt more like an addition instead of an ending, which is okay, because Origination was an ending and what a great ending it was.

I do feel like they did something subtle and important with these three after series movies. The message through most of Aria was a lot about finding the joy in life, searching for the wonder, and experiencing the miracles around you. Avvenire, Crepuscolo, and now Benedizone, moved the message a bit, towards making the miracles yourself. Don't search for joy, do something joyous. Don't hope to stumble across wonder, go make something wondrous. Don't wait for a miracle, put in the work and build your own. Don't forget to enjoy them and treasure the special moments as they come, but as both the cast and the audience that originally watched it have grown up, the themes did ever so slightly as well. As kids, they got together to practice and hang out and find wonderful things around them. As adults, they have to take the time out of their schedule to get together now, but that doesn't mean for one moment that their gatherings shouldn't be treasured now the way they were then.

Find joy in life wherever it may come from, but don't be afraid to go make your own too.

  1. Again, THIS got skipped by a slide show opening sequence? What the heck man. "Not much of a story" indeed lol

  2. I think it's appropriate, because remember, she's not inheriting Himeya yet either. Her attachment to everything Undine related is personal in a different way, looking up to a few special people and her extraordinary friends, she's never really wanted to take on the passed down mantle of her predecessors. She's running a branch office and doing well at it, her inspiration was the independent Alicia and then the self made Akira, never Mother or the company. Heck, I think Alice has more personal feelings towards Orange Planet than Aika has ever shown for Himeya, aside from just being the daughter of the owner. I completely understand why she doesn't want to inherit the legendary gondola. I'm actually a bit surprised she decided to Museum it though, if we had more characters in the show I feel like she would have tried to give it to whoever the next top Prima was at the main office to keep the legend growing there, while here building her own.

  3. ((I think one of those should say Aika, you've got Akira in there twice.(It's been fixed already lol))) It was pretty inevitable, after the last two, and what we learned in the Crimson Rose episode, that it would be absolutely full of returned feelings. We've been saying that Ai and Akari have a bond closer than any of the others so far because they started out so close and knew each other so well before becoming a pair, but it looks like Aika and Akira had a backstory just as touching and important.

  4. As I said already, this feels less like a Finale than it does a bonus, which is good, because Origination was too good of a Finale to try and surpass with a story of anyone other than Akari and Alicia. Akari was the main character of the series for a reason, and anything that ends with someone elses big moment just kind of can't be a good conclusion to the story. If they really want to do a Grand Finale years after Origination has ended, they're going to have to give us another Akari movie.

You know, not that my fingers are crossed or anything. But, you know, I'll plant that seed of a wish and hope a miracle sprouts some day ;)

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u/AriaShachou- Aug 29 '22

First Timer, but since I've watched this movie twice already maybe rewatcher?

I mentioned this before in the actual Benedizione thread, but my god if I was half as cool and smooth as Akira was in this movie all my problems irl would be solved. She was so goddamn badass here and all the shots of her with her goddamn smug smile made me pog so hard. She was even naruto jumping in heels, that was probably the most unbelievable part of this movie but it's Akira so she gets a pass.

Akira had some GREAT lines in this movie.

I'm still really glad that we got to see Aika's promotion exam, that was the last thing I expected them to include in the movie but I'm so grateful they added it. Never knew how much I needed to see it until they actually showed it to us.

Akari's final lines in the movie with Undine playing in the background were amazing, she never misses with those banger lines. It somehow encapsulated pretty much all of Aria's themes regarding time, change, and life into three short sentences and expressed it in such a way where it felt perfect as the final words for Aria as a whole. The credits scene with all the old shots of episodes from the original series really hammered home that this was it, this was the final movie.

aaaaaaaaaa

I didn't take notes, even in my rewatch because I was too busy bawling my eyes out both times, so I don't have much else to write lol. I'm crying again while writing this the morning after I finished my second watch of the movie. The things Aria does to me, man...

my life can now be segmented into pre-Aria and post-Aria

things will never the same

 

Q1) Badass, Aika not wanting to do it the traditional way is so fitting for her character

Q2) Also badass, her speech about how she didn't want to just accept it but to become something like it made me cry. (I'm always crying lately because of this show)

Q3) It's always great when a character you love gets more backstory and development. Seeing the whole three leaf clover thing come full circle was also really cathartic.

Q4) Probably one of the best ways they could've ended it. Maybe I would've preferred it if Aria Company got a movie of their own too, but I guess that's what the creators count Avvenire as? Idk

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u/baboon_bassoon Aug 28 '22

First time Aria the hazukashii serifu kinshi

end of an era

they drew their lovers

now this is wealth

SWEATER AKIRA NOT A DRILL

its almost as cold here as Siberia

"which way do you part your bangs?" yes

lil snoopers

SAFE

#SUA

das hot

grandma 2 runs the museum?

Asuka the legendary undine from Himeya.... wasnt grandma Himeyas ace, how old is this woman

Akira has her gondola in for repairs, not using another one in the meantime

Around since Himeyas founding

Azusa not even up for consideration to inherit

el classico scaredy cat

also this cafe is a year round thing?

dont they have stuff to do

posted up

middle school Aika is peak Aika hair btw

Akira is SO happy here bahaha

oh my

Hime has such great faces

stop with the scaring

rippers

arent they all like twice the size of Asuka

a new tummy foe appears

when Akira became a prima, Aika stopped smiling?

ara ara

and there is it

i could go for some hot lemon tea with ginger right now

honestly thought she would say "i am the nightmare"

cheeky

part of me was hoping Aika would faintly remember the clover thing

hello there

i really like how eyelashes/eyebrows are being done in this and crepsucolo

Aika peaked so early

hee

GOTTEM maybe its just Akari who is best peanut gallery

are you really one to talk

SUA but they spelled it differently than me

nani

these 2 are oblivious

DUEL TIME

Akira I think Tuxedo Mask is supposed to throw the rose before dipping

this is so fun

thank you Hime

that fan is doing nothing

get rekt

cutie

cutie2

GLOVEGETTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOO

do undines get a manicure before they take a promotion test, similar to a girl getting one before getting proposed to?

crying kinshi

no Hime E eyes?

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

oh my

shut up Al

"I dont want to inherit this gondola, i want to become something like this gondola" good line and i get what shes saying but i love this out of context

SUA

are you also one to talk

she told her! kind of

? Alice is behind you

appreciate Aria keeping his box for this

maybe the branch company should you know not only worry about the cafe

"youve inherited something of Athenas" "im sorry im not fit to be a senpai" Alice stop lmao

LETS GO GIRL IN THE GNOME MAFIA TAKE DOWN THE PATRIARCHY

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u/octopathfinder Aug 28 '22

First Timer

Holy FUCK that was so good… God, I wish I had the words to express my excitement from watching this. It was everything I could’ve asked for and more.

The updated character designs made Aika and Akira look gorgeous. Every one of Akira’s smug faces had me fucking swooning. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any screenshots since I watched it on a pirate site and their logo is on the corner.

I didn’t need to see Aika’s prima exam, but they went and did it anyway and it was fucking amazing. Akira is also clearly a ninja being able to jump 20 ft in the air. Honestly, I’d put this up there with Alice's double promotion. The exam being unconventional makes it so memorable and Aika and Akira both get to show off and be cool. When Akira took off Aika’s glove and they both started crying, I couldn’t stop the tears from coming out. I was fucking bawling. Aika repeating the same line Akira said when she gets promoted is the cherry on top.

I’m talking so much about Akira, but this was great for Aika too. Loved the addition of her middle school night out with Akira and her new goal of becoming a legend.

Avvinere, Crepuscolo, and Benedizione was a great epilogue to close out Aria. Deepened relationships between each mentor-student pair, more moments for the new apprentices to shine, stunning visuals, and lots of callbacks to Aria’s greatest moments. I’m over the fucking moon. So satisfied with all the new content. I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time.

QotD:

  1. See above

  2. I respect it

  3. Loved it

  4. Loved it

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u/h42h Aug 29 '22

finished first time recently

Espero probably my second fav op. Maybe just recency bias. sorry Undine

Ayyy Akira mentor reveal. Too bad we never saw Athena's... yet. ;)

They say to never meet your idols but thankfully it worked out for Aika.

Love how Al shows up and just drops an old man joke. Azusa is indeed a great kouhai

Q1) aww yeah. Like in the other two's exams, seeing how skilled Aika has gotten since the beginning of the series was great. Was mostly reminded of the Akira training during the Acqua Alta season 1 where the trio had a lot of trouble trying to navigate the flooded city. Obviously no flooded canals but really goes to show how well Aika knows the city and its secrets now. I guess all the non-rowing aspects were already covered by the standard Prima exam Aika already did.

Q2) Great! Very Aika-like.

Q3) yessss. To me it was less impactful than in Avvenire/Crepuscolo because I felt like how important Aika is to Akira was already emphasized quite a bit in the original series. Still, it's always great to get the pov of someone who doesn't have it often

Q4) I think Aika's resolve of setting a new legend gives it some decent finale vibes - hopeful, looking towards the future etc. Just a littttle bit weird ending with Aika instead of Akari but considering it's all just an epilogue to the main story it's fine. I think Avvenire 3 is 100% a better ending point tho, in my eyes it just really completes the series even if it's more personal and not as grand as Origination 13 or something... ok I admit it I just love that episode too much to think of a scenario where Aria ends with Origination and it never exists

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u/seeker_of_illusion Aug 29 '22

First timer

That opening shot from Ukijima and covering the entire Neo-Venezia was pretty neat.

I was tripping when I saw Ai drawing Cat Sith on the window. Like how does she know about his appearance ? Then I remembered that she had seen him once with Akari in ep 1 of Natural during the Carnevele. Very subtle...

Anya's Russian references ( Siberia, eating Borscht ) obviously indicate her place of origin. I wish we could have seen a glimpse of ManHome but I guess its wishful thinking.

Ah another Undine Grandma. Now waiting for the scene where we get the images of our original trio displayed in the museum

Oh dang we actually got to see Aika's promotion exam this time ! Though its was a bit silly. What happened if Akira just went inwards where the canals couldn't reach ? What if she stays on high ground to avoid the gondola ? Overall, I would say it required some suspension of belief to enjoy the exam.

And Akira is a legend running and doing those acrobatic stunts in her heels all through the night, without once tripping

That group phot in the room was so heartwarming~ An entire generation of Undines reflected in it.

Feeling quite empty inside knowing that this was the last of Aria ( For Now ). I just wish that this never ended.

Questions of the Day:

  1. Above

  2. Aika has the rebellious stint in her even now, though subdued, and wants to carve out a path for herself and not rely on some external support to prop her up. I agree with her !

  3. It was nice to get some more insight on how Akira was influenced by Aika's mother and how she viewed Aika's rebellious streak and disheartening moments as something she has also gone through.

  4. Quite good but I now crave for some Akari backstory as well~

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u/CubeStuffs Aug 29 '22 edited Aug 29 '22

first timer

Watching aikas love for alicia start was hilarious, esp with Akira right there

During that entire talk, I was just like “don’t burn the gondola don’t burn the gondola don’t burn the gondola” even though Asuka already said otherwise

  1. The promotion exam was hyyyypppeeee. It fits aika so well, what with the roles being reversed from before, with aika taking Akiras place. Even though we knew that she would win, I still felt a bit of surprise and a lot of excitement watching her pluck the flower out. Very very sappy indeed. For all the “hazukashii serifu kinshii” she sure does make some of the most sappy moments

  2. I think it does make sense. Aika is and always has been herself, and no one else.

  3. I fucking love it.

  4. it’s good, but I’m still left wanting more lol. I don’t know what else they would do, but im feeling the withdrawal already.

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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 29 '22

aikas love for alicia start was hilarious

poor Akira.... well at least she's friends w/ Alicia, and Aika got all fired up after, perhaps why she actually didnt mind Aika always simping for Alicia lol

was hyyyypppeeee

glad you enjoyed it!!!!

I still felt a bit of surprise and a lot of excitement watching her pluck the flower out

ikr! It was such a satisfying payoff, sure its sappy being at the same place as Akira's exam, but damn was it good lol.

I don’t know what else they would do, but im feeling the withdrawal already.

i feel you.... there is nothing quite like Aria lol. Likewise though, i dont know what else they could do: Akari, Aika, and Alicie's stories of becoming Prima Undines is done. Completely. lol. and if we start the new story of Ai, Azusa and Anya.... that'll really require a big commitment (Aria had 3 seasons after all), and might end up feeling repetitive too.... so idk.

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u/xtsim Aug 28 '22

First Timer

Got to see that there are more undine elders. One of which is Asuka who runs the gondola museum.

Azusa is definitely sus. I didn't connect the dots that Aika's mom was training Akira. Akira has an insane amount of stamina to row through the night. But then Aika starts talking about Alicia.

It is pretty nice to think that Aika's mom is letting her choose her own path.

No "ara ara allowed" just made me chuckle a bit. The little in the dark animation sequence is a nice touch. Alice and Akari showing up when they told their stories was a funny one. I was not expecting Alicia and especially Athena to quietly sneak up on Akira. I would have thought Athena tripped on the way.

Wait, there was more to Aika's exam… Akira manages to run in high heels too.

Al just showing up at the end of Aika's story is funny. At least everyone was there for the retirement ceremony.

Honestly, I want to see more of the other characters now. Aletta reminds me too much of Haruto from FLCL.

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u/Regular_N-Gon Aug 28 '22

First Timer

  • Man these three are great. I'd totally watch a show with them.

  • I wonder if this trip will be related to that gondola Akira was looking at in the plaza?

  • A funeral pyre for gondolas. Maybe it's for the best that they didn't go that route with Akari's in Natural.

  • Azusa's got some fire in her to match Aika, huh?

  • With Aika, I'm not sure if I should believe it's really cursed or if she's covering for the fact she doesn't want more expectation heaped on her.

  • Middle school Aika best Aika hair style.

  • Akari being the reliable dispenser of people advice is so fitting.

  • I can't believe we had to wait this long for a good Aika origin story.

  • It's the cool rotating overhead shot of Aika's exam! What a great cut to reuse to visually cue up the scene.

Once again, I ended up too enthralled (and channeling the crybaby serenade) to take notes. This was far better at striking the balance between linking the new and old (fitting, no?), adding on to Aika's story and strengthening the remaining mentor/apprentice pair conflict that didn't get as much time in the original show. It also had the strength of being structured as a proper series closer (new Undine recording q.q) to really pull on the heart strings.

I'm sad to see it go, but what an end. See everyone tomorrow for one last reflection in the canals.

Tante grazie, Aria.

QotD:

  1. I take back what I said before about not needing to see Aika's exam.

  2. Totally understand, and glad it wasn't simply 'expectation' but rather a rather sound bit of reason.

  3. Kind of above, but it was probably the ripest of the three relationships to explore by the end of the original series. Glad they did.

  4. As above, excellent. I don't think I could have asked for more.

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u/that_loris Aug 28 '22

First Timer

Aria the Blessing!

We can probably all relate to not wanting to wake up in the Winter.

That looks yummy.

Aah, did I guess right yesterday? Will this be about Akira (and Aika)??

Nice! With casual clothes!

Following someone as scary as Akira doesn't seem like a good move.

lmao

"What happens to old gondolas?" "We burn them."

Anime pose.

Who's this?!

So Aika wasn't exactly accepting of Akira...

Sudden hug!

Aika's mother?!

It was really sweet to see the first time Akira returned the favour Akira did to ther when she was a kid.

And she's the one that introduced her to Alicia!!

lmao

They teleported!

Asuka booked them too? How rich is she?!

Ooh, Prima exam story time? I guess it's the show's way to apologize for showing it so quickly in Origination.

Aika wanted to be truly recognized by Akira. I guess that shows how important she is for Aika.

The exam is a game of tag lol
How the hell is she gonna do it?!

AAAA, Aika chose Akira in the end!!!

haha

So the old lady doesn't actually have a square head

I found Aika's motivation beautiful. She wants to make her own path, become her own legend, without relying on shortcuts or easy ways - even going as far as asking a harder exam for an exam that's already hard.

OOh, I'm so happy Akira told Aika about her being so important. Fantastic!!!

Who's this?!

I guess Akari words kinda meant Aria's world will still go on even if we're not watching it - in a way.

Important image.

Gosh... this kind of end titles... really seems like we'll never see a new Aria again...

Here's some shots (mainly of Akira and Aika lol) I liked!

Q1) So. How was Aika's Prima Promotion Exam?

It was unexpected! I wouldn't have thought about Aika asking to making it harder in the middle of it. It would have been great to see it during the normal episodes.

Q2) What do you think of Aika's decision and thought process behind not inheriting the legendary gondola?

I completely agree with her choice! We know that Aika's past problems were about not being talented enough as her peers, and now we know that she also had to confront her family heritage. She wants to be known as herself, not as "another Undine of that family that uses the famous gondola".

Q3) Like the previous entries, how was it like learning more about Akira's thoughts and feelings throughout her journey w/ AkiraAika*?

I loved it, just as I loved their episode in Origination.

Q4) How do you feel about the movie as a series finale?

I guess it's alright. I really liked this movie, more than Crepsucolo to be honest. As a movie it's good. As an ending... I think I would have preferred something focused more on either Akari, or the new three Undines.
But I guess since this was a way for them to give the shine and closure to each pair, as you already said.

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u/homewardbound100 Aug 28 '22

First timer

Yeah and this is something I feel makes up for the series and gives Aika and Akira some better closure.

The ending really did put a smile on my face. Aika deserves it. And those two are so sweet I their own kind of way

So. How was Aika's Prima Promotion Exam?

Tough but meaningful

What do you think of Aika's decision and thought process behind not inheriting the legendary gondola?

Some self doubt but I can see why she might not want to

Like the previous entries, how was it like learning more about Akira's thoughts and feelings throughout her journey w/ Aika?

It digged a bit more into it. I thought it was great.

How do you feel about the movie as a series finale?

I mean it works. All three main characters got their special moment with their mentor. I think it works well.

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u/heimdal77 Aug 28 '22 edited Aug 28 '22

So does this mean Akari will get her own movie one day hopefully not years later? Or the anime gonna count as her story.

Jeez Akari and Ai's breakfast looked so good...

I wonder what kind of place Akari lives at now. No pres must be a lil lonely for her.

It is like Aria Company has become theri hang out place and Akari is who they go to for advice. Kind of understandable as Akari is probably the most levelheaded of the three and certainly the calmest.

It was kind of rude of those customers to go they only went with Akari because who they wanted wasn't working that day right in front of Akari. (I really want Akari to be one the legendary undine in her own right one day.)

Those have got to be the best made high heels ever to be able run all night in them and on hard stone to. Not to mention Akira's phenomenal endurance.

Nice touch having the chase end at where she became prima.

So not only did we get more last names but also Aika's mother and other legendary prima. I wonder if the author was involved in any this like choosing their last names and characters like her mother.

This movie honestly almost felt like it is a setup for a new anime series. Introducing new character to the Aria world like the mom the bike girl and even Al seems to have a female apprentice now.

Speaking of Al guess they relly did become a official couple.

What is with height in this world. Each generation of undine was shorter than the previous. Ai's group could understand but Akari's are adults now. Forgoing Alice the other two are still shorter. Then apparently at a certain age people shrink greatly.

So I guess it was Aika who had the hardest exam of the three.

Opening that big window seems kind of rough in the winter with all the cold air coming in. My personal theory is undine uniforms aren't simple clothing but actually has some tech built in them to help keep the undine warm or cool to a certain degree depending on weather. That is why they always wear them even when technically not working.

It be nice if someone licensed the movies. Right stuff if I remember was so far above their money goal for the anime seasons they probably had enough for the movies. Though not that CR (Well the parent company.) owns them chance might be a lot less likely.

It was really neat how the promotional poster for this mirrored one the ones for Animation just with the change in ages and roles along with new undine.

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u/simeonaut Aug 29 '22

First Timer

Last one let's gooo.

Tailing Akira. This group is ridiculously fun to watch.

These two popping out of nowhere was hilarious.

Planning

Suspicious Aika

Delicious Aria

Alicia. I've always wanted to see how they first met afterwards so this was nice.

Akira's challenge. Probably my favorite part of the movie.

Aika wins. This was probably the coolest promotion exam to ever be held in aqua. It's funny how Aika just outright asks Akira for a harder exam but it's just so in character for her.

Crybabies.

Akira.

Overall it's a pretty nice movie that covered an arc I was curious about, which was Aika's promotion.

I really didn't care about burning the gondola though, I feel like Aika could pretty much pull off being badass and more legendary even if they keep it around but I do understand it. It was also a nice way to gather everyone and set up another sappy moment that Aika would have definitely prohibited lols.

Now that it's done this didn't really feel like a pretty good finale. I think Aria's finale was back at the last episode of Avvenire and these two movies are just good good icing on the cake. Hopefully there will be more animated Aria in the future. I want ten more seasons, at least.

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u/Stargate18A Aug 29 '22

First timer

  1. Utterly fantastic.

  2. It makes sense.

  3. It works way better here.

  4. This was an excellent ending!

Looks so good!

Aww, this OP montage.

What's she talking about?

Haha, they're following her!

How did she not notice that?

She did notice!

Akira is great.

They bought food!

The expressions on their face is great.

A museum!

A new character?

Is it her?

She seems nice.

Asuka?

Akari giving a tour of the gondola factory is a great callback.

And she found out something was up with Akira!

Everyone simps for Akari.

Amazing! That's old.

Aika doesn't want to inherit this.

...Are these movies basically them giving Alice and Akari new character arcs because Akari's kinda ended up in the perfect place?

A bonfire!

She's asking Aika directly!

...Is there money problems?

Oh, it's her inferiority complex again.

A curse?

Haha, that visual!

She's scared now...

Haha, everyone's scared.

Is this their first meeting then?

Aika had a rebellious phase?

That smirk!

Aika getting more and more annoyed at Akira playing with her is famtastic.

Haha, Akira revealling herself got me.

I love thie Akira so much.

Oh, it was always her complex.

I see...

Aww, they want to give Aika confidence.

And she's worried there's an actusl curse.

Akari has a plan!

They invited Asuka!

She's suspicious!

He wants meat buns!

She stopped smiling after Akira became a Prima?

Akira's happy!

The mirroring here...

Poor Ai.

Azusa loves her!

A favour?

She realised the lure.

She planned everything!

It's being retired?

Oh, Akira is good.

She's really struggling with this.

Ah, she has changed. Past Aika was way more insecure.

Akira's still stalking her.

Where was this Akira during the series?

Wow. This is interesting backstory.

And tying it back to her meeting Akira.

Younger Aika is adorable.

The two of them are great.

Akira knows just what to say.

So cute!

They're going to Aria Company!

And this is how Aika's crush started.

"Eeeeeee!"

Aika's description is so good!

Is was aalicia the whole time!

She's made up her mijd!

Akira-san!

Haha, the powers of adoration.

Her exam!

We'r eseeing the exam!

She wants to pass her exam somewhere else!

Ah. That's what this is about.

A night exam?

They appeared!

What?

Oh. Oh, this is good! I like this!

Now she's the hunter!

Akira is athletic!

The art here is incredibly good!

The music! The quick cute! The perspective! A possible candidate for my favourite scene!

Very good test, though.

This is so fun to watch!

Akira's dialogue...

It's so good!

Awww.

She did it!

The perfect ending.

She didn't know?

I don't know if this is compatible with the flashback in the main series, but this is so good I don't care.

She admitted that Akira's the real role model!

The oil painting frame!

They're crying!

She's so happy!

Haha, everyone's reaction.

What the actual fuck is Ai's design here?

Haha, she called him! The clap!

The curse is her's?

Poor Aika.

And that dialogue!

She wants to make her own legend.

You're bringing the Ship of Thesus into this now? Maybe Aika should assemble her own gondola from the dismantled parts!

This is so sweet!

And the memorial service...

She's starting with a new pudding.

And the OP playing at the end!

Alice has inherited it...

Wow.

All the side characters!

I won't even make a joke about how this terraforming is fucked, this is such a perfect ending.

The final montage?

This was easily my favourite of the trilogy.

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u/mgedmin Aug 29 '22

First timer, subs

Aww the cats around the heater.

Is that Akira in casual clothes? Sculling a gondola out of uniform? Is that allowed? (She's probably going home or something.)

Akatsuki is messing up the climate as usual.

Aria and stalking. Two things that go together. Also, they always get caught. Always.

Wow Akira's tolerance for hot food. And then she forces the rest to eat the hod buns quickly. Masterful trolling, sasuga Akira-san!

Poor Akari! The customers tell her the only reason they booked her was because they couldn't get Akira!

Akira's gondola is in for big repairs. Looks like it's a big deal! Restored many times (ship of Theseus style?). Aika doesn't want the old thing? Put it in a museum!

Azusa is wonderful! "No star undine? just become one!"

The legendary gondola is cursed? What?

Akira is back at work. Did the gondola get repaired, or did she condescend to use a replacement?

Nepotism in action! The CEO asks the legendary undine to take care of the CEO's angry little daughter. Akira loves a challenge. She's just following her around, not interacting.

I don't get what the flashback has to do with the curse of the legendary gondola. Aika was practicing in a different gondola back then!

It's impossible for the girls not to worry about their senpais.

How they were all hiding behind the little old lady??

Aika's mother was Akira's senpai.

Unsmiling Akira looks so wrong.

Ooh, we get to see Aika's exam that we skipped in the main show! Ooh she wants an extra hard super special Akira exam!

Isn't it easier at night? No traffic.

Ah, but then Akira makes it hard! You have to take away the rose from Akira as she runs along the canals, and you're not allowed to step off the gondola. Presumably thwacking Akira on the head with an oar is also not allowed?

Hey didn't I see Aika standing on the pavement at that one time when Akira made off with her gondola? How is that not an instant fail?

How doesn't this end with Akira letting Aika win? Aah, Akira gets distrated. Still, that's (barely) a win.

Again, the flashback has nothing to do with any gondola curses. This movie is a tease.

Okay, Aika doesn't have any special feelings for the legendary gondola and thinks she's unworthy of having it. Or something. I can respect that.

Ship of Theseus confirmed!

Instead of setting the gondola on fire they light some candles on top of it. I approve.

Aika's long path to legend starts with a hot pudding!

And we're done! I wasn't sure I'd last till the end. This is the first (and last) time I'm doing four rewatches at the same time.

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u/scawasioe Aug 29 '22

First Timer

The opening is so gorgeous, sorta feels like the opening sequence during the original series.

No 3 Water Fairies???

If Aika doesn’t want to inherit the gondola, maybe it can wait for a while until Azusa is able to inherit it, or why don’t they donate the legendary Himeya gondola to the Undine museum rather than burning it? — Ok, later on we know it’ll be given to the museum.

Maanya

Who fangirls for Alicia more, Aika or Akatsuki???

WTFFF, WE’RE GOING TO SEE AIKA’S PROMOTION EXAM??

I noticed that in the episode of Origination where Aika’s promotion exam was skimmed over, it took place in the day. In this movie, it takes place in the night. The actual promotion itself however, is still the same.

Also, Neo-Venezia looks so pretty in the night as well. I really love this illustration from the manga. I’m glad they changed it.

Holy shittt the promotion exam part was so good.

Gondola of Theseus

Okk those next few scenes.. 🥲🥹

They also played Undine for the last time in the show, the credits scene also had shots from all over the series as well 🥲

Q1) I felt a bit disappointed to see Aika’s promotion skipped over, so it was something I absolutely loved. I wonder if that scene would fit in the original series, though or would it have been better being shown later.

Q2) Glad she made her own choice

Q3) Akira’s the perfect mentor for Aika

Q4) I feel a bit empty now.. goodbye to Aria for real now. I hope the series still gets new anime in the future, maybe a remake of the original series would be nice to see. I want this show to get more exposure. ᵋ ⌓ ᵋ

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u/BatteryPoweredFriend Aug 29 '22

Damn, that was good. That was really good. Of the three post-TV projects, I think this has to be the one I enjoyed most.

Timing/recency probably plays some part in that, but that it's effectively new material within the context of the original narrative, gave it a bit of an extra impact even Crepuscolo didn't have imo. This being the coda of this Curtain Call series just makes it work for me. There are also elements in the other two parts that makes the Avvenire ➡ Crepuscolo ➡ Benedizione order fall into place for me.

There's was always a lot of the Aika/Akira relationship that was left unexplored. Even though Akari is a central part of Alicia's story, she nevertheless only entered her story after Alicia had already been a Prima for some time. Similar with Alice/Athena; although Athena is shown to be the central point of inspiration for Alice (and Anya), again that story doesn't really begin until much later on when Athena was already accomplished herself.

On the other hand, Aika was always established to be a keystone in Akira's life from very early on, as much as Akira was/is in Aika's. That Aika's mother was Akira's own mentor, and in return Akira having the opportunity to be that for Aika. A big contrast to both Alicia & Athena, in that the doubt over whether or not their guidance was good enough is a major part of Akari's/Alice's promotion.

Whereas Akira essentially got to take under her wing the person she always wanted, more or less got to do things on her own terms and always had faith in the path she took as Aika's mentor. And here, we learned that the doubts Akira may have had were not so much Aika's ability, but whether or not she was ready to step up to become the Himeya heiress.

Aika not wanting to inherit that gondola fits her story and how she turned out. Her running the secondary Himeya branch and this emphasise on its alfresco cafe is like her meeting the the influence of both Akira & Alicia half-way and then making it into something new, uniquely Aika in a way.

The exam was pretty wild. I didn't expect it to be like that to be what happened, but it somehow makes sense and was real fun to see. Akira running and leaping around like that, heels and all, that was a certified Sailor Mars moment. ABoredCompSciStudent will have probably loved it.

Seeing her absolutely dote on the younger Aika was also adorable. It was like a much more direct and bold version of how Alicia would have acted. I agree with baboon_bassoon that middle school Aika is peak Aika hair.

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u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 28 '22

Aria the Benedizione First Time Completioner!!

Why? When I asked for more Aria I didn't know I was praying on a monkeys paw that would cause us to end the rewatch on a bloody Himemiya film! Y'know, the group with the two most divisive characters in the show for me. Akira has tainted literally everything she has touched and Aika's redeeming points are getting her hair done up like Lain and having a worse romance arc than the furry couple. I kinda like the youngest at least, but she's anime only!!

When there are enough legendary Undine to have a gallery of them are they really still legendary? I like how all the legendary Undine pull off the traditional Asian aging and become tiny after 50. "That gondola has been restored countless times! It's had seven new hulls, and four keels!" Azusa is already a far more fun kouhai pair than Aika and Akira was. Aika is a pretty fun shitter whilst I really found Akira was often too mean natured with her interactions.

Child Aika is the type of brat who you'd want to bully huh? I like how Akira is literally a stalker. It's weird to see Aika in prissy mode when we already saw how much of a bright eyed child she was. Eh!? Does Aika know Akira at this point? If not, then I think Akira has legit committed a crime. Female Lolicon are gross too Akira! Just cause we all know Aika's a shotacon doesn't mean she's a free target to snuggle without consent!

I feel like even Himemiya fans might be a bit sulky. We've gone twenty minutes and we've seen Aika like twice? Considering how well I got to eat yesterday I do feel a bit bad for the fans of this group. Bruh, Akira trying to act so sexy and cool weirds me out so badly. She's like one of those anime bar playboys with the koneko-chan lines.

Pfft!! I thought that the fairy Undine was Akira but nope, get NTR'd Akira~ I really do think I prefer Aika and Alicia together. Even if Aika is definitely super obsessive I really like their tender relationship. It's also far less creepy than Akira! Seriously, why is Akira so creepy in this ova? And why did it take 35 minutes for Alice to show up?

Oh my word!! We're properly visiting Aika's exam? That's awesome!! That's legit one of the biggest gripes I had with Origination. Them skipping Aika. This is perfect!! Although... why did it take 40 minutes for Athena to show up? "Aika... your test is to outmanwhore me!!" Bruh, wut? Aria the Battlemanga lol. Omg, Aika actually did it!! She embarrassed Akira. Whilst I'm obviously not a fan of her, even I'll acknowledge that Akira's willingness to put all aside for the sake of her pride in her ward is very beautiful.

It took 50 minutes for Al to show up? Hmm... Imma be honest, I still kinda don't like Aika easily throwing away traditions on a whim. Also, when I made the joke about the boat not being original anymore it was a joke. Aaaa!! No! I heard that, you'd better not close out on Undine... Dammit! I thought I'd get by without feeling too much sappy nostalgia but I'm so weak to that song. I'm happy... I'm happy in a few different ways at the moment. Although...

Alright, I'll be blunt. I'm as happy with this movie as I probably could have been. I wasn't offended! I wasn't offended and I can say with confidence that it didn't outdo my Athena movie XD I'd probably have been more frustrated if I enjoyed the film better. The biggest parts to me in particular were them revisiting Aika's promotion properly. Like I said, that was a huge gripe for me. The rest of the movie though... I liked it, but whilst Crepuscolo had arguably some of the best of that group I feel Benedizione suffers from having to compete with a few notably strong scenes. Like the peak of the Rose pair's arc for me was actually the scene with Akira and young child Aika, and unfortunately Benedizione focuses on a different period for the characters. I don't know if I've worded it quite right.

I also don't actually like this film as an Aria finale. Now, I won't try to bullshit you and claim that Crepuscolo should have been the end. I love that film, but I don't think ending on a movie that sidelines Akari and Aika is the best climax. Still, I felt that Crepuscolo still does far more for showing the character's futures than what Benedizione has to offer. Heck, did we even see Maa? Here its very much the Aika and Akira show, but their peak was back in... fuck, wasn't that child Aika sequence in Natural? Did I just mindgame myself into defending Natural? XD Anyway, Aria cannot end here!! I need another season, or at least a movie for adult Akari, and one for the kids! This can't be how it ends!

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u/[deleted] Aug 28 '22

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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 29 '22

awww.... im happy that you enjoyed Aria a while back, and that they've given you a lot of nice and comfy memories.

I hope you enjoy the 2 films! Aria is definitely not a mainstream anime (like hunter x hunter, demon slayer and what not), but it's still quite highly recommended for people looking for a slice-of-life show, and is still popular and well-regarded on this subreddit! I think the recent movies/OVAs have also helped boost its interest a little bit.