The setting of Neo-Venezia is a recreation of Manhome's (the name given for Earth) Venice on the planet of Aqua, which was originally what we know as Mars. Neo-Venezia is full of urban fantasy charm, with both familiar and unfamiliar technology being utilised througout the series. In some ways, despite taking place during a futuristic 24th century, ARIA is reminiscent of steampunk settings with its floating islands and zeppelins.
Both its basis as a recreation of Venice and its technology that mixes old and new lends itself to the central themes, plot and messaging in this series, particularly through Amano's use of various festivals, locations and rumours to enrich the world of ARIA. The most apparent use of this is through the characters' occupations as Undines, an equivalent to the gondoliers who propel tourists down the canals of Venice. As such, though the city of Neo-Venezia is undeniably beautiful and the background work on this manga makes it a treat to explore throughout the chapters, it's true strength shines in its concept itself and its link to tourism allowing the wonders of life and culture to be explored.

As an iyashikei slice of life manga, the story in ARIA has relatively low stakes for the characters, with their worries being linked to becoming a "Prima Undine" through a test which is repeatable even if failed multiple times. In place of high stakes, the series focuses on discussions about the setting of the series, alongside musings on change and relationships. The discussions on the settings are based around locations which are analogues to the real-life Venician versions and the history behind them on Manhome. As well as deepening the knowledge that the reader has about the setting, the chapters with these themes as the focus deepen the bonds between the characters and thus make the chapters based around highs and lows that the characters experience emotionally more compelling. Throughout the series, one important aspect of relationships and life that is discussed is change. In many scenarios, ARIA stresses the importance of enjoying the present and accepting change whilst cherishing the memories that have brought you to the point you are currently at. This theme can perhaps even be seen as the main story, as the small changes throughout the series in the cast and their relationships (as well as their skills), slowly pile up until the very end of the series. In reading the series, you experience the same memories as the cast, watching them change in ways that are either welcome or painful.

The cast theirselves have personalities that contrast eachother in ways yet do not clash in ways that would demerit the series, with Akari, Alice and Aika's interactions as the main trio of Prima Undines in training serving to prove Akari's optimism's strength. No matter how many times Aika prohibits embarrassing remarks, her fantastical worldview isn't dampered and in fact proves to be a boon to allof those who surround her. The bond between the two is deep and almost familial, with their regular interactions being almost akin to a manzai routine. Alice's role in this trio is initially quite brat-like, but as their bond increases by training together, new sides of her are revealed throughout. The mentors of the trio who are also referred to as the three Water Faries at times reflect their dynamic, particularly in various scenes that portray the memories of when they too were training to become Prima Undines. Their maturity and experience, however, seperates them from the others and ensures that their characterisation is more than just a copy-pasted formula. ARIA's side characters are also very endearing, with some of them acting as implied love interests to characters you may not expect them to be paired with (or, at least, I didn't)! Many of them have unique jobs seperate to the Undines, which equally aids the worldbuilding when Akari is introduced to what they do and how they do so. Of course, it would be impossible to forget the Undine company Presidents, martian cats who have their own unique interactions with one another and with the rest of the cast. Though they cannot communicate to the cast or the viewer with words, their actions and adventures add another layer to the soothing experience of ARIA, almost always being present.

ARIA is a manga which is filled with optimism that does not turn a blind eye to the painful, but instead asks you to remember the present will always be there for you to cherish alongside the world that you occupy. Though it is 60 chapters long (and there is a predecessor to enjoy before or after your time with it, as well as multiple anime seasons), it will make you feel sorrow when you have to part with its charm and beautiful visuals. But once you reach the end, if this manga has truly touched you, maybe the sorrow will pass by as you remember:

"Don't be thinking "that time was fun", because you should be thinking "that time was also fun" ... Being able to find the fun that's happening right now, is the best way to enjoy the present."