Aria

Story: N/A
There is no story, just relax

Art: 10/10
Distinct character designs that come in two "types"—a normal and a chibi version unique to each character. This helps differentiate the characters who frequently wear nearly identical uniforms. The background art is stunning, especially the depictions of water and the city. Additionally, the cats are incredibly adorable.

Character: 7/10
The cast features a diverse array of personalities. The main characters are delightful to watch, though they can sometimes be somewhat stereotypical. Each character has a well-defined personality with flaws and traits. No character felt unrealistic or overly clichéd, except for Alicia, who seems almost perfect. Their reactions to situations are relatable. By the end of the manga, you will undoubtedly feel attached to all of them.

Overall: 9/10
This experience was akin to soaking in a hot tub—it was extremely relaxing and enjoyable for anyone. There's an element of wonder that's hard to find elsewhere. It's not merely "feel good" content; there are valuable lessons embedded within. The supernatural chapters slightly detract from this otherwise excellent example of the Slice-of-Life genre.

Good
• Extremely relaxing
• Cats often appear in the background, providing humorous gags
• One character changes their appearance mid-manga, which adds a nice touch
• Well-developed characters who evolve throughout the story
• Contains meaningful ideas
• Chapters are long, usually over 30 pages
• Relatively short manga
• Fun extra chapters
• Excellent world-building, blending sci-fi futurism with old Venetian culture; Neo-Venizia feels like its own character
• The cat-presidents of the gondola companies are based on the mangaka's real cats
• This manga is magical—there's truly no other way to describe it, and I don't just mean the mild supernatural elements

Bad
• The supernatural elements seem to come out of nowhere and feel somewhat misplaced. They're meant as a metaphor for growing up and complement Akari's journey into adulthood but feel tonally inconsistent compared to the rest of the manga's mundane nature

This is my review for Aria. I'll be referring to the characters by their commonly used names in the manga. Please note that this review reflects my personal feelings towards the manga: objectively, it deserves an overall rating of 9 (with individual scores of 7/10/9 for story, art, and character, respectively), but subjectively, I give it a perfect 10.

Story: 8/10

The story is quite simple, proving that sometimes simplicity enhances quality. Set on the planet Aqua (formerly Mars) in Neo-Venezia, the plot revolves around Akari and her relationship with her senior Alicia, along with friends Aika and Alice. Their goal is to become prima undines, akin to gondoliers seen in Venice. While the three girls belong to rival companies—Aria, Himeya, and Orange Planet—they form close friendships. The chapters are episodic, loosely connected by daily life events leading to becoming prima undines. Narrated by Akari, most chapters begin with a panel showing her writing to a penpal (whose identity you discover near the end). Adventures they experience are realistic, like attending festivals or dining at cafes, though some involve folklore and encounters with certain animals (the mangaka loves cats). This manga blends comedy, slice-of-life, drama, adventure, and supernatural elements well, with a slow yet enjoyable pace typical of successful slice-of-life stories. The ending felt natural and realistically concluded the story, showcasing the growth of Akari, Aika, and Alice.

Art: 10/10

The artwork in Aria stands out as one of its highlights. Comparable to high-quality visuals in Shokugeki no Souma, the art style feels modern. Characters and backgrounds are drawn in a way that doesn't deviate much from contemporary styles, making guessing its publication date challenging. Every page offers a stunning view of Aqua, whether submerged buildings or starry nights, all aesthetically pleasing. Character faces are uniquely drawn; Akari has a curious face, Aika a surprised one, and Alice appears annoyed or grumpy. These distinct expressions made them memorable. Other characters like mentors Alicia, Akira, and Athena are equally well-drawn, with unique appearances. Cats are also beautifully illustrated. The consistent quality throughout ensures no rushed or subpar drawings. Overall, the artwork deserves a perfect 10.

Characters: 9/10

The characters significantly enhanced my enjoyment of Aria. The diverse cast includes airheaded and optimistic Akari, motherly Alicia, and reserved Alice. Aria's president is a cat who accompanies Akari during training, providing hilarious and adorable reactions. Each character has strengths and weaknesses, none being perfect (though Alicia comes close). Their reactions to situations are genuinely relatable, fostering attachment. There was noticeable character development, particularly among the young prima undines. It’s hard not to like every character, including the small cast of boys. Most recurring characters are teens or young adults, making their personalities understandable. Supporting characters complemented the main ones well, each with unique traits ensuring memorability. The lovable characters will stay with me forever. This section also merits a 10/10.

Enjoyment: 10/10

I wish I could give a score higher than 10 because Aria deserves it. Even those unfamiliar with slice-of-life genres will enjoy it. There are no inappropriate scenes, making it suitable for all ages. Aria appeals to both children and adults. My enjoyment grew exponentially; initially reading sporadically, I soon found myself immersed, reading daily. I would definitely reread it for nostalgia. Aria is magical, offering solace during tough days and helping see the world positively. It did for me, and I hope it does for you too.

That's all I have to say. Thanks for reading!

I'm not entirely confident that I can fully express my love for this manga or explain why it resonates so deeply with me. However, here's what I can tell you: if you tried Aqua and didn't enjoy it, then chances are slim that you'll appreciate Aria. Essentially, Aria is just an extension of Aqua, featuring another 60 chapters with a similar narrative style. The primary distinctions stem from its length – more characters, deeper explorations of Neo Venezia and its inhabitants, some legends and references that benefit from the additional content. All these elements are fantastic, but they don't alter the fact that this manga remains slow-paced, relaxed, and overwhelmingly optimistic in tone.

Now, I will attempt to elucidate why this manga stands out as perhaps the best one I've ever read. If you're not genuinely interested in my personal take on what makes this manga great, there's little point in reading further. The critical points for deciding whether or not to read it have already been mentioned in the previous paragraph and my review of Aqua.

The aspect I adore most is also the hardest to articulate. Somehow, Amano infuses the story with a quality that can only be described as magical. Unlike anything I've encountered before, this manga drew me in so completely into the world of Aqua that it occasionally felt real. Part of this effect undoubtedly stems from the artwork, which is nothing short of breathtaking. Characters receive detailed treatment in most panels (with a noticeable bishoujo influence for the girls), but that's not unique. What sets Amano apart is her exceptional rendering of backgrounds and scenery. Her work would be commendable simply for its detail, but she goes beyond that. Every environment – be it a hill covered in windmills, a narrow abandoned canal in Neo Venezia, a dilapidated mansion, or an old train car from Aqua’s early days – all are drawn with such meticulous, loving detail that it's astounding. I firmly believe Amano can make anything beautiful through her art.

Another significant feature of Aria is what I call internal mythology. Many anime and manga, especially comedies, develop inside jokes that recur throughout their run, providing coherence and comedic continuity, along with memes for viewers to connect with. Amano, however, takes this a step further by introducing what initially seems like a joke but evolves into a genuine legend. It appears six more times in the manga, and each recurrence brings about a magical effect that's hard to put into words.

There are numerous other aspects that make this manga great, like subtle romantic elements and character designs, but those two major factors – the magic and the mythology – are what made me fall in love with Aria. They don’t change the slow pace or lack of tension, but if you can embrace the relaxed mood, these elements will significantly enhance your enjoyment.

Terraforming is a recurring theme in science fiction, appearing even in anime and manga like Cowboy Bebop and Trigun. However, these terraformed worlds of Europa and other celestial bodies are seldom explored in depth; more often, they serve as backdrops for grand space operas.

But Aria stands apart in this regard. The world of Aqua, a terraformed Mars, is depicted with remarkable depth, precision, and beauty. Neo-Venezia, the story's home city, becomes almost a character itself, defined by its unique features and personality. Inspired heavily by Venice, parts of real Venice have been transplanted to Mars within the story’s universe, creating an intriguing blend of meticulously researched history and Kozue Amano’s imaginative vision. This fusion transforms everyday occurrences into affirmations of life’s beauty, giving Aria its distinctive flair and wonder.

Neo-Venezia and Aqua propel the narrative forward. For the residents, daily life is routine. But not for us or our protagonist, Akari, a newcomer to Aqua training to become an undine—a gondolier. Akari's curiosity leads her to find marvel in the mundane, and Neo-Venzia offers plenty of such moments. As Akari explores Aqua, we join her journey, discovering the workings of the postal service, the harmonious inner mechanics of the planet, and the city’s breathtaking festivities, both historical and fantastical.

Besides exploring Aqua, we delve into the lives of the characters, their interactions, and their pursuits of dreams. Each character's life intertwines with Akari and Neo-Venezia. We witness their growth, maturation, and evolution—how they come together and drift apart. There are no epic adventures or complex crime stories here; instead, we see them live out each ordinary day in Aqua.

Amane crafts the terraformed world with awe-inspiring detail. Technology’s advancements contrast with the human elements of Aqua’s inhabitants. Neo-Venezia is illustrated with care, and every page reveals insights into the city’s personality. By the end of Aria, we feel as connected to Aqua as its residents do. It’s not just about connecting with the characters but also developing an attachment to the setting itself, experiencing it alongside Akari, Alicia, and President Aria.

We are granted a direct glimpse into a wondrously captivating world. And that’s what makes Aria so remarkable.

Iyashikei, often translated as "healing," is a somewhat ambiguous genre that frequently gets attached to any upbeat slice-of-life title. However, in my opinion, Aria stands out as the quintessential example. It’s rare for a manga not only to help you unwind and relax but also to offer little tips on how to be happier overall, which is precisely what Aria achieves.

Art: Initially, the artwork might seem fairly ordinary, but it progressively improves with each volume. The character designs range from cute to adorable, helping you visualize the diverse inhabitants of the multifaceted planet Aqua, brimming with wonders. Amano has a genuine talent for capturing the beauty of both nature and industry, along with their unique harmony. There are numerous breathtaking spreads and textless panels that focus solely on the tranquil charm of the environment.

Story: While Aria does have some overarching plot progression, it primarily revolves around three main characters striving to become prima undines. The rest of the stories are contained within chapters, focusing on finding beauty and happiness in life. In my view, it excels remarkably in this regard. Aria won’t teach you how to navigate the real world filled with flaws, dangers, and unpleasant people, but everyone will find something relatable here; I’m certain of it.

Funfactor: I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone. It's simply an excellent general read, devoid of action or heavy drama, offering only the mellow joy of living.

Aria is a remarkably beautiful manga, by most definitions of the term. The artwork is stunning, featuring meticulously detailed backgrounds and charming designs of Neo-Venezia that are nothing short of captivating. Beyond its visual appeal, the themes and ideals presented in Aria are also "pretty," characterized by their optimism and pleasantness. However, this can sometimes make them feel overly idealistic and somewhat shallow. But this isn't inherently negative; stories can take various forms. While some narratives strive for realism with grounded settings and relatable characters, series like Aria embrace the fact that these characters are not real but rather "dolls" for us to admire and derive appealing qualities from.

Personally, I don't find this storytelling style as emotionally impactful as others. The messages about "enjoying the detours" and "anything can be happy if *you're* happy" seem less profound when they avoid the harsh realities of life in favor of idealized settings. This is particularly true in Aria, where Neo-Venezia is depicted as an objectively beautiful place filled with friendly people and an accepting culture. Nevertheless, this manga excels in this type of storytelling so much that even I was moved during the final 5-10 chapters. Throughout my reading, I consistently had a relaxed and enjoyable experience. It helps that the manga acknowledges the limitations of this approach as well. If you are more receptive to this style than I am, I guarantee you'll love this manga just as many others do.