ARIA the Animation: Girls with Gondolas
 

So Aria turned out to be the best show of last season. Why lie.

In fact, it's so good that they made a second season! More gondolas, more President Aria, and most importantly, more Alicia Alice!

HnK has put out the first episode here:
http://torrents.hikarinokiseki.com/A...iD.avi.torrent

As usual they're probably going to stall on it forever and CrystalNova will take over, or something.


I'll be fixing up this post later with PRETTY PICTURES

No need to lie. I would have done a Akari Mizunashi AV/sig combo but too bad Kusanagi wanted in so bad ;_;. The 1st season ended off with a little bit of a bang, but it does have a lot of potential for the second season. Come ARIA SA-CHOU. !!!

Also, CrystalNova all the way. They did take their time getting the last episode out, but I have no complaints with them. Why lie.

http://www.gamingforce.com/forums/im...ploads/617.jpg
Damn, my journal banner makes her look fat. ;_;

You know, I've downloaded the whole first season, and bought the three volumes of the manga that ADV actually released before their manga department up and died, but I've yet to actually watch past the first episode.

This means I'll have go through season one it Nanoha style. Why lie.

On the other side, I was quite addicted with ARIA (believe it or not) because it had one thing many other current animes lack, that is the lack of actual action. While this is quite a paradoxal statement, the sense of "not much happening" in the ARIA world was a beatiful thing to behold. Watching this series was a very peaceful experience that had bouts of comedy and witty dialogue to keep the story progressing.

The way that the animators portrayed the city of Neo-Venezia was filled with a very peaceful and happy populace. It would make a grand vacation spot for a couple's honeymoon, riding and enjoying the Udine's task of guiding around with the gondola's as a major transportation system.

Another note is that this is the first anime series that I've actually bothered to watch the opening credit sequence for every episode without skipping ahead. Mainly the reason is that they do part of the episode with the episodes dialogue simultaneously with the OP theme, but I think another reason is the OP Theme (Undine by Makino Yui) is beautiful to listen to and gets your mind to slow down from the daily hassles of life, allowing you to mentally change gears and match the slow pace of ARIA.

Do you have to have watched the first season to understand this second one? I heard ARIA is basically slice of life, I assume it wouldn't be critical.

It would help to watch the first season (as with many other anime series) to get to understand each character and their respective personality. Watching the first season wouldn't be critical in understanding the second season provided:

1) The second season follows the same style of an easy going approach to life in each episode.

2) Few new characters are introduced from other Gondola companies. Actually this won't really hurt the understanding of the new season, however it will seem too convoluted with too many new characters to an audience who has not seen the first, again, this can be said for many other anime series with multiple seasons.

But of course it would help to see both seasons whenever you get a chance. I watched Rozen Maiden Traumend before I saw the first season, so seeing Jun react when first laying eyes (and hands) on Shinku wasn't as compelling as would I have seen the first season first. So in short, even if you did finish getting the second season, I highly recommend to start watching the first season first.

Just finished watching season one so this is EXCELLENT timing. =D

The first episode gave off a vague Ghibli vibe. Okay, it wasn't vague, it was practically screaming in my face. I really, really like the new ending animation sequence.

Also, apparently Carnivale usually takes place in February (assuming that Neo-Venezia follows the customary dates, which is likely since they're still wearing their winter uniforms), so it'd be about four months since Ai's last visit for the new year (since the Martian year is almost twice that of Earth).

And since Akari's been there for two years already, that translates into nearly four Earth years. Looks like they're taking a long time with training >_>

I downloaded ARIA last month but haven't watched it yet ... If you people are saying it's so good I should problably rush things and watched it.

Yeah, old thread is old. Hopefully this post is a good enough reason for a bump.

Anyhow, after finishing the awesome that is ARIA the NATURAL, I'd have to say that it's really hard to find a series that manages to make everyday life seem like a brand new experience that hits you like a breath of fresh air. Everything is just so well-done, from the atmosphere of the show to the way the characters were set up and managed. All in all, ARIA definitely rivals Yokohama Kidaishi Kikou for the best slice-of-life series that I've ever seen.

For those of you who aren't aware, a one-episode OVA is due out soon sometime next season as well as a new TV series that's currently in the works. ARIA the ORIGINATION will be the title and I'm definitely eager to see how their lives will develop as the Singles move up to become Primas. Or for more Alice as the case may be.

Scans are below for those who're interested:

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7...6001ek0.th.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/5...0019da4.th.jpg

And as usual, embarrassing remarks are not allowed.

Hmm, never seen this anime before, I'm gonna download it and see how it is. Its intriguing.

September 21, to be precise.

The bigger question is, "when will crystal-nova sub it?"

Probably when it comes out on blu-ray. =I

Wow, this series is beautiful and relaxing. I'm watching the first season right now and I am loving it!

Anyone know who does Athena's singing voice? Its beautiful.

Eri Kawai, who's also done stuff like Utawarerumono's ending theme.

Oh my god, checking her official site, she also sung for Kirite by Mitsuda! No wonder I thought she sounded familiar and why I loved her voice!

I hope her vocals are in the OST.

I believe the track that you're looking for is Barcarolle, which is indeed on the first soundtrack. Speaking of which, I've pretty much become a big fan of the Choro Club's output after being introduced to them through ARIA the ANIMATION. Their additions to ARIA the NATURAL are definitely a good continuation to the first season and their work on Yokohama Kidaishi Kikou ~Quiet Country Cafe~ is on the same easy-listening/relaxing trend.

I should also note that the ARIA Piano Collection Stagione is beautifully done. Not often that you get to hear piano arrangements in the realm of anime soundtracks.

Anyone care to upload the OSTs and piano collections of Aria season 1 and 2? I asked about it in the audio request thread, but no response so far...

I have the ARIA stuff but I'll only be home after another 2 weeks or so.

Its ok, I'll wait. Thanks!

I have all (I think) of the ARIA soundtracks, I can upload them to sendspace, or whatever your preferred download source is.

In my opinion, they are some of the best anime soundtracks out there, with many truly memorable songs.

Oh please do! Sendspace, megaupload, anything! Thank you so much!

Ok, but it will take a while.

Additional Spam:
Ok, here's the first couple:

File
EDIT: File 2
EDIT2: File 3


Be sure to keep checking this post for updates.

Thank you so much! The OST is fantastic!

Yes, it is isn't? What are your favorite songs so far? Mine would have to be AQUA, Mangetsu no Dolche, and Mizu no Kagami. There is a series of "sad" sounding songs in the middle of the OST. Todokanu Omo is the best of those, IMO.

Also, there is one more file coming up:

Edit: File