Name: A wonderful ending to a once in the lifetime adventure
Item: ARIA The ORIGINATION
Rating: 98
Author: kc2rxo

Waifra

A wonderful ending to a once in the lifetime adventure · Waifora

Before I begin this review I want to thank the reddit user 'thisismyanimealt' for hosting a rewatch of the entire series on /r/anime. While this show may have been in my PTW for sometime I probably never would of finished it without the rewatch. Spoilers ahead (maybe...)!

I sat looking at this blank space for a long time trying to think what to write for this show, the whole "Review must be greater than 2200 characters" is really frustrating. The reason so is because this entire series can be boiled down to probably way less than that for me and filling space is not my forte - I was always told I write too little and get straight to the point too quickly (which is rather ironic as I type this section filling this space with meaninglessly prose [thank Kizumonogatari chapter 0 for this]).

Aria as a whole is a wonderful example of showing us all the beautiful and mystical things around us. It teaches us to accept things in the world as they come to us (even if the event is unexpected or predetermined) and embrace them with enthusiasm and learn to love everything (be it happy, sad or any other emotion).

We see this with every character by the end of the season (and series). Each one of them faces a slightly different aspect of life but with one common thread: they must learn to embrace change and move forward on the path in front of them (chosen for them, chosen by them, or handed to them).

Spoiler, click to view

With Alice its the unexpected decision for her to skip ranks (becoming Orange Princess), surpassing both Aika and Akari before they came become Primas. With this happy moment comes inevitable loneliness as she finds herself without them.

Spoiler, click to view

For Aika, no matter what she would do, she was bound to become a Prima (Rosen Queen) as the heir to the family company. For her it was the stress of taking such a prestigious position so early and having to leave her friends behind to fulfill her duties.

Spoiler, click to view

Akari must learn to continue forward without that safety net beneath her. With Alicia leaving, Aria becomes her own company which she must embody. Something rather unexpected for a brand new Prima (who is aptly name Aquamarine).

With this season it marked the end of the story (that is until Avvenire came out in 2015). To be honest I would be fine without the special 10th anniversary OVAs (even though I have yet to watch them yet). It is sad Aria (and more or less Akari's) story is over, however its ending was nothing short of perfect. To me the OVAs are just additions to a fantastic series which proudly sits in my all time favorites. This show also sits as one of 5 that has made me cry - so there is that if it means anything to you.

What is wonderful is that Aria is shows that everything in its own way is a cycle.

Spoiler, click to view

This is especially true when we finally get to see Ai wearing her Aria uniform as a pair and Akari gazing at her the same as Alicia once did.

Overall this season is perfect. So why no 10/10 (instead its a 9.8/10 for me)? To be honest it is probably something to do with toying with me for a few episodes teasing the main casts imminent promotions - and that its only 13 episodes instead of The Naturals 26. Also it may be due to giving it a 10 would make me feel like this show is perfection - which seems odd considering I called it perfect a few times. I have given a lot of shows 10s and to be fair its significance has been lost to me. A 10 feels over praised and biased - something I don't want to have happen to this show for me.

I hope that whoever is reading this will take Akari's hand (when she asks for us to do so) and let her and everyone else of Aqua show you the wonders of life and enjoy every last second of it. I know I did and I can't wait to ride in their gondolas again in the future.