LEGENDARY WIN.
I had voiced my thoughts on 12 kind of leaving off on a somber tone. I suppose they were saving the full effect of emotion for ARIA in the last episode. That being said, rather than having the feeling of winding down I had from reading the progression of the events in the manga, this actually left more more spirited by the time I finished watching.
The animators and art directors must have said "lets go crazy!" and went the direction most animation studios go - blow the rest of the budget on the last episode.
Spoiler:
Excellent way to start the episode! Kozue Amano had mentioned in an interview that since she did that particular chapter of AQUA, she already had a vision of how she wanted it to end. Try sitting on that for 8 years!
Ahhh, no need to recount the events in full - you guys have already seen it so I'll just make a few comments here and there.
Akatsuki = accurate depiction of all the male reactions to news of Alicia getting hitched and leaving.
The second Akari turned around to the empty room, I knew it was "cue the waterworks" time. Needless to say, the more she spoke, the more I couldn't help myself.
Well done with Alicia's sending off party. I'm guessing the Gondola Assoc. had a hand in it all, and I imagine no Undine or customer was reluctant to participate. I'm guessing... no, I'm sure this was a joint effort on Amano and the director's part - it felt more meaningful watching this animated, and I am glad it was added in.
Seeing the mailman all laid back made me wish I was old. Well, uhm, in a good way, of course. AND LOOK AT HIS HAIR.
I was sort of worried that we might have a mad rush at the end, but I guess the pacing worked out.
Awesome bringing back Undine, although I would have preferred Rainbow o3o (natural got it instead, so I ain't upset). I'll admit, though, Undine is the tune that more or less defines Aria.
And, of course, the last moment ties in 8 years of manga and 4 years of anime into one bright future.
They even kept the last page of the manga as the final shot in this episode. Truly wonderful.
I finished it with a laugh.
Most anime endings elicit a so-so, not bad, shrug, questioning, or a gesture that it has failed to have satisfied me. In the back of my mind, I sort of had this fear when it came to ARIA. I question why I felt that way in the first place.
Now, bring on the DVD ONLY episode!
