(L) Aria the Natural

[StarCreator]

Production values do in general seem a little more off this season. Episode 2 was definitely much better than episode 1 - maybe because the focus returns more towards our main characters rather than depicting the entirety of the cast.

The scene where Akari and Ai are skipping along the streets -really- bothered me from an animation point - it's just not well done at all. Their movements don't seem humanly possible (how are they sliding like that?) and the camera movements just seem forced and unnatural.

[NoSanninWa]

It is rather disappointing after last season. Especially since the beauty of this show is one of its biggest selling points.

[Maids! Maids! Maids!]

[Sonhex]

Originally Posted by StarCreator

Production values do in general seem a little more off this season. Episode 2 was definitely much better than episode 1 - maybe because the focus returns more towards our main characters rather than depicting the entirety of the cast.

The scene where Akari and Ai are skipping along the streets -really- bothered me from an animation point - it's just not well done at all. Their movements don't seem humanly possible (how are they sliding like that?) and the camera movements just seem forced and unnatural.

The skipping scene in Ep 1 was wierd; almost surreal. Which is, I think, what the animators were aiming for. Akari and Ai passing through the twilight world of Casanova. But they didn't quite pull it off. I did like Casanova's little helpers, they look like chibi Kaonashi's

Ep 2 was much better. Was that yet another Jiji cameo?

[Shiroth]

The tresure map chapter from the manga was always a good read, and wasen't more interesting to see in anime format. Brilliant episode with some classic moments. ^_^

Some of the music used for the anime really is just beauitful, to think such amazing music can be made & also to fit parts of a series each time its used.. i love it!

[NoSanninWa]

At first I was thinking that episode 2 was disturbingly eventful. The discovery of a strange chest was made. Our party set off on a quest, clues were deciphered and more puzzles were discovered. That was shockingly un-Aira-like. Then I came back to the show when we were in the piazza with Akari talking to the cafe's master. I reconnected with the episode with the discovery that this "quest" was about discovering more of the beauty of Neo-Venizia. That is the show I love.

By the time we got to the treasure at the goal, I was expecting something much like that, and wasn't at all surprised, but I did love it. This show is so amazing. If YKK is ever animated, I want it to be done just like this.

[Dragnfly@Gamefaqs]

Aria and Utawarerumono are the only shows I'm seen in two decades that have me smiling the entire time I'm watching them.

Someone asked me if I had porn on my PSP or something, wondering why I was grinning ear-to-ear so much.

Anyhow, does anyone who's read past ADV's manga entires know if any other new characters get added? Especially any other undines?

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by Dragnfly@Gamefaqs

Aria and Utawarerumono are the only shows I'm seen in two decades that have me smiling the entire time I'm watching them.

In some ways, they both carry the same style of good feeling you get after watching a episode.

[StarCreator]

Originally Posted by Dragnfly@Gamefaqs

Anyhow, does anyone who's read past ADV's manga entires know if any other new characters get added? Especially any other undines?

Aside from Woody and Athena, who weren't introduced until later in the manga, there are no additional main characters so far.

Both episodes two and three of ARIA The NATURAL have borrowed material from volume 5 of the ARIA manga (the cafe was a standalone chapter, as was the meteor shower we will see in episode 3).

Some scenes in episode 3 make me really wish I still had something to make animated GIFs installed...

[NoSanninWa]

Originally Posted by StarCreator

Both episodes two and three of ARIA The NATURAL have borrowed material from volume 5 of the ARIA manga (the cafe was a standalone chapter, as was the meteor shower we will see in episode 3).

Well, I am glad that the cafe chapter was put into episode 2 since that was my absolute favorite part of the episode. That was the moment I connected with the show in that episode. I wouldn't even have enjoyed the ending if the cafe scene hadn't brought it out.

Originally Posted by StarCreator

Some scenes in episode 3 make me really wish I still had something to make animated GIFs installed...

Why don't you post the scenes' times here and I'm sure that someone will satisfy your needs by producing those avatars for you. Or do you just want them as non-avatar sized gifs? Those would probably be produced as well by some dedicated fan who things that you deserve them for... something that you do.

[Radiosity]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly

Aria and Utawarerumono are the only shows I'm seen in two decades that have me smiling the entire time I'm watching them.

Sorry, but I'd have to add The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi to this rather short list. Mind you, I'm too busy laughing myself silly while watching it to be bothered smiling much, but trust me when I say I'd be smiling if I wasn't laughing

[Shiroth]

But i believe the type of smile you get from watching Aria to be different to the smile you get from Haruhi. ^^;

[NoSanninWa]

An Aria smile is simply filled with the simple and uncomplicated pleasure of being alive.

[Sorrow-K]

Originally Posted by NoSanninWa

An Aria smile is simply filled with the simple and uncomplicated pleasure of being alive.

Embarrassing comments are not allowed.

Episode 3. Aika was so adorably cute in this episode. And I have to say, Al turned out to be quite the charmer. Obviously this is slice-of-life, so there's no neccessity to develop the relationship between them, but given how cute they are as a couple, I certainly wouldn't complain if they do.

[Shiroth]

It looks like Aria really can pull of a bit of love in the story, even my heart was pounding juring the rooftop scene with Al & Aika. Hope to see more of the love-side of Aria.

& Akari saying "Mushroom Hot Pot" outside the place was just genius, that just has to go on the list of Akari's 5 most cutest moments.

[NoSanninWa]

Originally Posted by StarCreator

Some scenes in episode 3 make me really wish I still had something to make animated GIFs installed...

You still haven't told us which scenes! Please tell, so someone can make. (I'm guessing you want the falling star scene?) And do you want it avatar sized, or large? I think that your efforts on behalf of Aria fandom certainly should earn you a few gifs.

[StarCreator]

Originally Posted by NoSanninWa

You still haven't told us which scenes! Please tell, so someone can make. (I'm guessing you want the falling star scene?) And do you want it avatar sized, or large? I think that your efforts on behalf of Aria fandom certainly should earn you a few gifs.

No, it's nothing avatar sized. ^^;

I've actually been working on it myself since I got ImageReady to work properly (only on a fresh reboot, for some reason...), but I just haven't had time to finish it between classwork and social obligations.

[StarCreator]

Eep, no posts in a week. x_X

I'm just going to say that while I hate finals week, I hate the weeks that come before finals week all that much more. I had a pretty easy workload up until the past week for the semester too >.>

Why am I saying this here? No reason... *whistles*

[Shiroth]

Something to do with not being able to watch episode 04? ^^;;;;;;;

[StarCreator]

Originally Posted by Angelsama

Something to do with not being able to watch episode 04? ^^;;;;;;;

Check again on that one. =p

My finals technically begin the week after this coming week, but one of my classes is giving the final exam early. That, and I have two papers due...

To get back on topic, I should note that with episode 04, all stories in ARIA manga volume 5 have been animated. It's too bad that one of the cuter chapters in volume 6 will probably not be animated, since the anime will probably not return to winter by the end.