(L) Aria the Natural

[Radiosity]

Anyone here played Suikoden II on the PSX? If you have, you'll remember that you are given command of a company of troops fairly early on, and of course you have to name them. What does this have to do with Aria, you say? Well... I couldn't resist:

Spoiler:

[eggplant]

From episode 16, there will be a new ending song titled Smile Again, sung by Hazuki Erino, who plays Akari. The song will be included in an album titled ARIA The NATURAL Vocal Song Collection, to bre released on Septmber 6th.


Interestingly, included in this album is an insert song sung by Saitou Chiwa (Aika) titled:

Spoiler for title of insert song:

髪とヘアピンと私 Kami to Hairpin to Watashi (Hair, Hairpin, and Me). Put this with the episode title for episode 18 新しい自分に… (A Brand New Me), and it's likely that this episode will be the Aika story many have been waiting for.

----------------------------

Argh, edited for typo fix.

[StarCreator]

Nice... episode 16 is the perfect place to start a new ending theme, considering which story it will be. It can't come fast enough x_X

[Shiroth]

Hmm, i had a feeling we'd get a new ending, but by the same VA behind Akari.. it must be love!

I wanna hear now~

[Radiosity]

Originally Posted by eggplant

Spoiler for title of insert song:

髪とヘアピンと私 Kami to Hairpin to Watashi (Hair, Hairpin, and Me). Put this with the episode title for episode 18 新しい自分に… (A Brand New Me), and it's likely that this episode will be the Aika story many have been waiting for.

Spoiler:

And the story some of us haven't been waiting for. I don't know the story, but I know what happens to Aika's hair, and I don't much like it. Long hair ftw.

[Woland]

Now I know that I'll cry at episode 18 :°

Originally Posted by ando

Episode 14.

Spoiler:

Akari notices that there isn't a Pallina(sp?), a tricolored stake to moor gondolas, at ARIA Company and asks Alicia why. Then Alicia asks Akari to make a Pallina.

It's "Palina" with a single "L". Venetian dialect don't use so much double as common italian language

[ando]

Originally Posted by [Woland]

It's "Palina" with a single "L". Venetian dialect don't use so much double as common italian language

Thanks for the correction. I hope they don't forget the Palina at ARIA Company in the next episode.

[Maceart]

That's just awesome. Maybe that spoiler pic I posted from the manga from chapter 45 will actually be animated! Hooray!

[Shiroth]

Hmm, i was just wondering - would someone do me a avatar from episode 11?

If so, then i'll say which scene. ^_^

[Zhemos]

Originally Posted by Angelsama

Hmm, i was just wondering - would someone do me a avatar from episode 11?

If so, then i'll say which scene. ^_^

I can try. Which scene?

[Shiroth]

It starts at around 00:17 untill 00:19 right at the start of the episode - its just Akari swaying side to side.. so cute. ^^

And if so, could one be 100x100 & 125x125, and both with black border's around them - thanking you very much! ^__^

[Zhemos]

Well I got the 125x125

I can't get the 100x100 the right file size without making it look absolutely horrible. Darn animesuki and their 50k limit!

I'm sorry, I've failed.

Might want to ask the guru's in this thread to work on it for ya.
http://forums.animesuki.com/showthre...=26329&page=21

[Shiroth]

Its alright, the 125 version is just what i wanted - thanks a lot Zhemos. ^__^

[Woland]

Background is a real pain to handle in that sequence so I have to do some editing (I hope Aria Company will not crumble after "that" °_°)

[Shiroth]

Heh, i love it - thanks a lot. ^^

& as for Aria Company.. i'm sure it'll live.

[ando]

Episode 15. Animation collapsed last 5 minites.

Spoiler:

Akari has lunch alone outdoors. Then Akira comes, next Akatsuki, Al. They talks about their childhood, but Akari feels alienated...

Screencaps:
http://uploader.fam.cx/data/u13360.jpg

Kozue Amano's third artbook "Cielo" is out 30/8/2006.


Some figures:


Animedia magazine August issue:

Spoiler for future episode:

Aika in short hair.

[metronome]

ah....aika with short hair, bad hair day gonna come!noooo!

btw how long will the manga version be? 12 volumes? or more?

[aikming]

Originally Posted by ando

Spoiler for episode 13:

I could not remember this from manga. I thought the "alice and shadow" arc was a standalone since the animation has covered quite a lot of aside that is not in manga. Which navigation file was it?

Aria is one the most consistent animation in terms of its animation qualify. 14 episodes so far and I havent seen any deformation, (not even sligh, if I remember correctly), apart from the "intended deformed version/chibi version". Bravo to the animation team and the director. I remember that the director and crew actually travel some countries for inspiration and background designs. Happy to hear that PS2 game could be made from Aria, though I wonder how interesting it's going to be but excellent art graphics.

[DaFool]

Originally Posted by ando

ARIA The NATURAL PS2 game "ARIA The NATURAL 〜遠い記憶(ゆめ)のミラージュ〜" info, 28/9/2006 on sale.
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/...60630/aria.htm

Hmmm I might finally succumb to getting a PS2 just for this Hows the gameplay mechanics? I'll try to see what I can learn from babelfish.

Just an off-question: How does Kozue Amano get the lighting right (I'd say it's almost Shinkai-style). Anything I do on Photoshop becomes flat, and the actual anime itself has pretty drab colors.

Hmmm...turns out the upcoming game is a visual novel! While I'm a fan of visual novels, and while a visual novel will definitely suit the slice-of-life idyllic feel, I was hoping more of a gondola simulator, lol! Or some open-ended free-roaming RPG like Shenmue.

[eggplant]

Just saw Episode 16.

Spoiler for Episode 16:

Was anticipating this for the new ending song, so was taken by surprise when the opening song from the first series, Undine was played. Wondering if this was a one time switch or not, not that I have any qualms about it, as both songs feature the wonderful singing of Makino Yui.

The story itself was a sentimental one about the final trip on Akari's gondola after reaching its lifespan, although President Aria probably had more voyages on it than she did. I guess that was the reason why they chose Undine for the opening song.

As for the new ending song Smile Again, I think Hazuki Erino (Akari) did a good job on it. The medium tempo shuffle beat matches well with the positive lyrics, as well as the overall ARIA image. Never heard her sing before besides the opening song from Tonagura! where I can't tell who's singing what (anyone notice the ARIA, N.H.K., Tonagura! relationship?) , so it was better than I imagined.

Then again, I think we're in for some drama in the upcoming episodes, so I'm savoring the heartwarming stories while I can.