Aria 3
Posted: December 22, 2008 Filed under: Aria 5 Comments »This is a good series to read just before I go to bed. It is nothing but happy, mellow stories about life being good, which is sometimes all you really need.
I think any other series I would criticize for the lack of plot, but in this case the lack of plot is the point, and I would hate for the series to stop its meanderings around Neo-Venezia. The scenery is still quite lovely, and I can’t quite get enough of Akari’s “embarassing remarks.”
My favorite story of the volume was probably the one where Alicia takes Akari out for a spring walk and the two get a bit lost. They go through some lonely but beautiful scenery, and their discovery at the end of the day was really nice. I really don’t need anything more than a journey with an unexpectedly nice conclusion from this series.
Another good journey with an unexpected conclusion was a treasure hunt that Akari, Aika, and Alice (a new character) happen into when they find a series of maps that point to other maps. There’s a rare moment of drama when Aika almost leaves the party, but things are smoothed over pretty quickly.
In addition to Alice, a new pair trainee from a company called Orange Planet, we also meet Akira, the head of Aika’s Himeya company. She’s also a highly-ranked undine and a former good friend of Alicia’s. The interaction between those two is pretty comical, in a kind of corny and understated way.
My second favorite story was yet another involving Akatsuki. The chapter was based around a flower festival where one gives a red rose to a loved one. The legend behind the festival is explained, and Akari and Akatsuki spend most of the day finding flowers so that Akatsuki can give them to Alicia. You can see where this goes.
I can’t find fault in such a simple and pleasurable series. The release schedule is just right, too, because each volume is such a pleasure that I actually enjoy looking ahead quite a bit. I am a little behind, and I’ve got the fourth volume already, but I think I’ll save it for a rainy day.
I think I really need to read Aqua and Aria. I’m always impressed by the way artists render scenery, and it sounds like this story would deliver magnificently in that regard.
[...] 3 of Suppli, vol. 2 of Time Stranger Kyoko, Dear Myself, vol. 1 of Croquis Pop, vol. 6 of Bastard, vol. 3 of Aria, and vol. 8 of Let [...]
It really does. There’s not much to it, but it would be a shame if it was about anything except stopping to smell the roses, so to speak.
“I’ve got the fourth volume already …”
How lucky. I was doubtful regarding its existence until I read this sentence – now I’m envious ;) It’s insane to see its price goes through the roof on amazon market :(
I, uh… wow. I didn’t know about that. I preorder almost everything I buy several months in advance in order to get it cheaper, which I guess is lucky in this case. Still, that’s a really insane shortage of that title. I’ve never seen the newest volume of a series shoot up in value like that.