Aria ep.2

October 13, 2005 | 10 Comments

Hmm, I'm starting to wonder if I want to follow this series continuously now. I find this episode to be rather sleep-inducing. Maybe I'm just tired after work and gym but this seems quite dull to me. It's really unfortunate because I think the background and the animation are quite nice to look at. The soundtrack is also calm and peaceful and makes me want to go into relaxation mode. Maybe this series is only meant to be seen and not to be taken seriously and blogged like this. Because I really don't know what to say about a series where character development is minimal and the story is almost non-existent. The best I can do is to comment on the quality of the animation/music. But that will get repetitive after a while.

Anyway, in this episode Akari wakes up only to find her house/office flooded with water. She is surprised about this but Alica tells her that this is a natural phenomenon that happens every year called Aqua Alta. Later on that day, Akari receives an email from Ai, the little girl from the first episode. Ai tells Arika that she misses Neo-Venezia's bright sky. She can't see the sky from her room but she thinks it's probably cloudy. Despite this, when she receives email from Arika, she feels as if her heart is as bright as the sky. Ugh, I think that's a bit too poetic for my taste. Anyway, continuing with the no-theme story, Akari's non-eventful day leads her to buying cat food for President Aria. You know, I'd like to know how much the VA for President Aria gets paid to say "Myuuu", "Pweee", and "Buink buink buink".

However, on their way to the shop, Akari lost her way and got caught up in rain so the two have no choice but to find a shelter. When Akari contemplates the idea of going back, however, President Aria notices an elegant-looking cat sitting on one of the houses' window. As it turns out, the cat is actually President Hime (sorry but President Princess sounds oxymoron to me), the mascot for Himeya Gondola where Aika works as Undine. When she realises this, Akari decides to visit Aika. But before the two can converse much, they are interrupted by the arrival of Aika's supervisor, Akira. Akira doesn't like the fact that Aika is not doing any Gondola practice. Despite her attempt to remain calm, Aika finally loses her temper when Akira starts to badmouth Alicia, whom Aika has a lot of respect for.

Akira tells Aika that if she doesn't like what Akira has to say then she should leave Himeya. Aika takes up the challenge and decides to leave for real, shocking Akari. Aika then asks Alicia to accept her as an employee and proceeds to cook some delicious foods for Alicia, Akari, and President Aria. During dinner, Alicia tries to convince Aika that despite her mean exterior, deep down Akira is a kind person. Aika, however, wishes that she works for Alicia instead. She then tells Akari about how she first met Alicia when she was a sulky little kid. Even though back then Alicia wasn't allow to take a passenger on her own, she let Aika to ride into her boat and later on styled Aika's hair. Aika thinks that Alicia probably don't remember the incident anymore but it was the reason why Aika wants to become an Undine.

Unfortunately for Aika, the next day Akira arrives to take her back. Aika, however, is surprised to see Alicia on the spot as well and has to be informed that the place is Aria company. It is here that Akira reveals that she's not happy that Alicia, who's supposed to be her best friend, always imitates what she does and manages to do it better. Alicia, however, is not offended to hear this and instead just 'Ara Ara' and 'Fu Fu Fu' her way much to Akira's annoyance. Akira then orders Akari and Aika to race. If Aika loses, she has to come back and work for Akira. If she wins, she can do whatever she likes. But the truth is, Akira just wants to make things easier for Aika to return to the company. When Aika realises this, she decides to return to Himeya after bribing Akira with some Walnut breads.

Impression:

Ah, sorry, that was such a lousy summary but I just feel like going to bed soon and I have two other series to cover after this. Well, like I said before, I wasn't too impressed with this episode. I found this episode to be a bit slow and I was also quite annoyed with Akira's personality. Having said that, I was entertained by Alicia's trademark "Ara ara" and "Fu Fu Fu". I think that scene alone saved this episode from being a complete boredom. I also find the girls' name to be rather hard to remember by now because they all sound rather similar. Let's memorise their names for now: Akari, Aika, Akira, Arika...oops, that's Mai-Otome character :), I meant Alicia. Anyway, let me know what you think about this episode. I hope you enjoyed this better than I did.

© memento 2003