After the slight disappointment of Aria the Natural (season 2), Aria the Origination (season 3) came back strong.

Despite the fact that the season actually starts with a few anime-original episodes (yes, I’ve read the manga in full—love this series), it sets the tone really well. The Origination, despite the goofy name, shifts the focus much more onto emotions and the inevitability of moving on in life.

More specifically, this is the season where the payoff of the character development of the main trio—Akari, Aika, and Alice—reaches its climax. And oh boy, for a so-called relaxing, chill slice of life series, these are some of the most emotional episodes I’ve seen in any anime. Not every anime needs random, shocking twists or out-of-nowhere deaths to convey real emotion.

In fact, it’s because Aria the Origination has a strange way of relatability that makes these emotional moments hit that much harder. Many anime try to do the whole emotional thing when characters graduate from high school, especially in the context of the whole "youth" aspect of Japanese high school life. But I thought, through Akari, Aika, and Alice being in training for their job as Primas (professional gondola tour guides), the show hits on something deeper. At this point in the series, they’re all working on their weaknesses while still maintaining their greatest strengths. They’ve even improved their relationships with their senpai (mentors) in Alicia, Akira, and Athena.

Every single pair from Aria Company, Himeya, and Orange Planet gets at least one, if not multiple, super emotional episodes that are the perfect fit to end the series.

I won’t say more in case I accidentally spoil anything. Let’s just say I’ve never seen a slice of life series that’s so emotionally satisfying, yet still somehow maintains its wholesome, relaxing "nothing ever happens" vibe. It just goes to show you don’t need a fancy supernatural plot with increasing stakes and villains to have a good, memorable story.

All you need is good, consistent vibes, solid character development, and knowing when and how to end the series properly—while still leaving room for potential sequels down the road.

Origination still isn't quite a perfect series. As said earlier, perhaps they could have shaved off one of the early anime-original episodes, there were a few emotional scenes that I think could have been executed slightly better (especially as someone who prefers the manga version of a few events), and maybe there were a few manga content that could have fit in this season.

But when I have to literally reach to find any flaws with this Season 3, that says a lot.

That is the beauty of Aria the Origination, or so Akari would probably say.