Aria the Animation Hazukashii Serifu Kinshi!      Studio: ARIA Company Format: 13 Episodes Released: 10/05/2005 - 12/28/2005 by Aisakku - October 14, 2006 With a Studio "Ghibliesque" magic, Aria reminds us why children find wonder in the world. Just as Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, Junichi Sato succeeds in creating an undeniably human atmosphere that we all can relate to. Years into the future, on the planet Aqua (formerly known as Mars) is the city of Neo Vanezia. Within the watery city of Neo Vanezia, much of the traveling is done by gondola. Professional Gondoliers, known as Undines, employed by one of the several companies of the city, act as tour guides, escorting people throughout the city. The Aria Company, smallest of the three, is home to the Undine in training: Akari Mizunashi. Aria begins slowly. While Akari wanders through Neo Vanezia, she discovers the hidden beauty of Aqua and the amazing inhabitants. The slow pace relaxes, allowing one to be calmly absorbed into the story, to experience the emotions alongside the characters. Training exercises and chores are among the typical tasks for Akari as she strives to become a professional Undine. Akari quickly forms a close group of friends with two other Undine-in-training, Alice and Aika. Together, they experience how training and daily life can be a truly rewarding experience as they work to become as skillful as their charismatic mentors Alicia, Akira, and Athena. The further we journey with Akari, the more people we become acquainted with. Friendships with other undines, customers, and various others teach Akari not only about the world of Aqua, but also reveal to her more about herself and her own true feelings. Each episode, ending with some sort of realization, leaves a placid and content feeling, similar to ones of a Studio Ghibli movie (Totoro, Ocean Waves). While the cutsie pet antics get old and somewhat annoying after a while, there isn't too much else in Aria that feels lacking or out of place. Certainly, if you start watching in a mood for hard-core action, or dislike relaxed paced shows, then you will come out disappointed; that however, will be your loss. Just sit down, relax, and let Aria sweep you up in its comfortable flow, and it will undoubtedly lead you on an enjoyable ride. * * * * (Very Good) Updated: Wednesday, August 12, 2009