Aria (アリア) is a utopian science fantasy manga by Kozue Amano (天野 こずえ Amano Kozue). The series was originally titled Aqua (アクア) when it was published by Enix in the magazine Monthly Stencil, being retitled when it moved to Mag Garden's magazine Comic Blade.[2] Aqua was serialized in Stencil from 2001 to 2002 and collected in two tankōbon volumes. Aria was serialized in Comic Blade from November 2002 to April 2008 and collected in twelve volumes. The series has been adapted as an anime television series, with a first season broadcast in 2005, a second season in 2006, an OVA released September 2007, and a third season in 2008 that ended around the same time as the manga serialization.[3] ADV Manga released English translations of the first three volumes of Aria in 2004, before dropping the license. Tokyopop then acquired the rights to publish the English translation of Aqua as well as Aria. The Tokyopop editions of Aqua were released in October 2007 and February 2008, and the Tokyopop version of Aria volume one was released in January 2008, with publication on-going. The anime is licensed in North America by The Right Stuf International, which released the first season, Aria the Animation, as a box set under its Nozomi Entertainment imprint on 30 September 2008.
The series is set in the 24th century on a terraformed Mars, and follows a young woman named Akari as she trains as an apprentice gondolier. The series has been praised for its calm pacing, optimistic worldview, beautiful art, and, for the anime, the quality of the soundtrack.
Story
Aqua and Aria take place in the early 24th century, starting in 2301 AD, in the city of Neo-Venezia on the planet Aqua—formerly Mars, which was renamed after being terraformed into a habitable planet covered in oceans around 150 years ago. Neo-Venezia, based on Venice in both architecture and atmosphere, is a harbor city of narrow canals instead of streets, traveled by unmotorized gondolas. At the start of Aqua, a young woman named Akari arrives from Manhome (formerly Earth) to become a trainee gondolier with Aria Company, one of the three most prestigious water-guide companies in the city. Her dream is to become an undine, a gondolier who acts as tour guide (see Terms below). As she trains, Akari befriends her mentor Alicia, trainees from rival companies, Aika and Alice, and others in the city. Aqua covers her arrival on Aqua and early training as a Pair, or apprentice, while Aria continues her training as a Single, or journeyman, culminating in the graduation of her, Aika, and Alice as full Prima undines.
Each chapter is a slice of life episode of Akari's exploration of the worlds of gondoliering, Neo-Venezia, and Aqua itself. Amano frequently uses several pages of lush art to depict an environment, showing the wonder of both everyday activities as well as one-of-a-kind events. It has been described by reviewers as very similar in tone and effect to Yokohama Kaidashi Kikō.Main characters
Akari Mizunashi (水無 灯里 Mizunashi Akari) Voiced by: Erino Hazuki[9]
- A native of Japan on Manhome (Earth) who immigrates to Aqua when she is 15 to become an undine. While not as skillful at rowing a gondola as Alice nor as familiar with the history of her adopted city as Aika, Akari makes friends quickly and easily converses with customers and other strangers. She is depicted as optimistic and cheerful, finding enjoyment in things or events that others think humdrum and mundane, for which Aika and Alice call her "mysterious"; in the anime, Aika and Alice separately comment that Akari seems to attract mysterious phenomena to her. Akari often says hohe or hahi, which is her short version of "wow." When Akari used gondola simulations on Manhome, she accidentally learned how to row backwards and has to relearn the proper method when she starts at Aria Company; however, as Alicia puts it, "When rowing backward, Akari-chan is unrivaled!"
- Most chapters of the manga and episodes of the anime are framed with narration taken from e-mails written by Akari; in the anime, the recipient is a young girl named Ai, a customer in the first episode who becomes Akari's pen pal, but in the manga the recipient is never explicitly revealed.
- At the start of Aqua, Akari arrives on Aqua as a new Pair (apprentice) at Aria Company. In chapter 5 of Aqua, when Aika is promoted to Single (journeyman), Alicia tests and promotes Akari as well. Later, in chapter 58 of Aria and episode 12 of Aria the Origination, after Aika is promoted to Prima (full undine), Alicia gives Akari the test for Prima. When Akari passes, she is given the title "Aquamarine" (遠い青 Harukanaru Ao, lit. "Distant Blue").
- Alicia Florence (アリシア·フローレンス Arishia Furōrensu) Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara[9]
- The only other undine with Aria Company, Alicia is one of the Three Water Fairies of Neo-Venezia, known by the title "Snow White" (白き妖精 Shiroki Yōsei, lit. "White Fairy"). At the start of the series, she is 19 years old and the most popular undine in the city, noted especially for her graceful rowing style. She was promoted to Prima at 15, the youngest ever to do so. Like Akari, she is relaxed and easy-going, but she also likes to tease others, especially her childhood friend Akira. Her favorite phrase is ara ara ("Well Well") and she frequently giggles, to Akira's annoyance.[14] According to Grandma Akino, she is an excellent undine because of her ability to enjoy everything.[15]
- At the end of the series, Alicia announces her upcoming marriage (though to whom is never stated) and retirement to take an administrative position with the Gondola Association. She tells Akari she had put off her Prima exam because she had been planning to retire after that, and did not want to leave her student and friend.[16] According to issue #6 of Monthly Undine, after her retirement, "Snow White" is designated the 8th "honored appellation" by the Gondola Association, as an undine who made great contributions to the industry.
- Akino Ametsuchi (天地 秋乃 Ametsuchi Akino) / "Grandma" Voiced by: Yoshiko Matsuo.[17][18]
- A famous and long-serving Prima undine, who started Aria Company with Aria Pokoteng after realizing she was missing too much of life as Himeya's top ace. She was Prima undine for 30 years and mentor to Alicia, her last disciple, to whom she left the company on her retirement. She is highly respected by younger undines, who call her "Grandma".[19]
- Ai (アイ Ai) Voiced by: Kaori Mizuhashi[9]
- A girl from Manhome. In the anime, she befriends Akari in episode 1 and becomes Akari's e-mail correspondent, while visiting Aqua whenever she can. In the manga, she first appears in chapter 60 as Aria Company's newest employee. In both versions, at the end of the series she becomes a Pair under Akari after Alicia's marriage and retirement.
- Anna (アンナ Anna) Voiced by: Risa Hayamizu[20]
- A retired undine who trained under Grandma Akino, becoming a Prima before Alicia. She left Aria Company shortly after Alicia was promoted to Prima to marry a fisherman named Alberto. She has a son named Ahito, and she began working lace while she was pregnant with him. She lives with her family on Neo-Burano Island.
Himeya Company
Himeya Company is the oldest and currently second-ranking water-guide company in Neo-Venezia. It employs 80 undines, with a uniform lined with red. Its president is Hime.
- Aika S. Granzchesta (藍華·S·グランチェスタ Aika S. Guranchesuta) Voiced by: Chiwa Saitō[9]
- The first friend Akari makes on Aqua, Aika is 16 when they meet. Aika is a Pair and then Single at Himeya Company. She is the only daughter and heir of Himeya Company's owners, but does not enjoy the distinction as she feels the company's employees fawned on her too much.[21] Aika speaks bluntly and often responds to Akari's idealistic comments with "Embarrassing remarks are not allowed!" (恥ずかしいセリフ禁止! Hazukashii serifu kinshi!).[22] Despite their contrasting personalities, she gets along well with Akari and Alice, but frequently squabbles with her mentor, Akira, whom she resembles.[23] Aika considers herself reliable, especially compared to distractable Akari and antisocial Alice,[24] but both her friends call her a crybaby for her tendency to tear up when emotional. She is proud of her gondola skill as an undine, and can be very competitive about it. She also greatly admires Alicia, and finds any excuse to visit Aria Company—and once tells Akari that if not for her family obligations, she would have joined Aria Company.[25] Over the course of the series, Aika develops feelings for Al.
- In chapter 58, Aika becomes a Prima, taking the title "Rosen Queen" (薔薇の女王 Bara no Joō, lit. "Queen of Roses"). She takes charge of a newly opened Himeya branch office, in preparation for one day taking on the whole company.
- Akira E. Ferrari (晃·E·フェラーリ Akira E. Ferāri) Voiced by: Junko Minagawa[9]
- One of Neo-Venezia's Three Water Fairies, and a native of Aqua. As a Prima undine, Akira is called the "Crimson Rose" (真紅の薔薇 Shinku no Bara) and is famed for her conversational skills. She has many admirers among her customers, especially her female ones,[26] but she considers herself very feminine.[27] Akira is mentor to Aika, who calls her the Demon Instructor for her strictness and her loud, brusque personality.[28] Akira is particularly harsh with Aika because she believes there is potential in her, and Aika admits that it is only due to Akira's strictness and honesty that she has become a good undine.[28]
- Akira and Alicia are childhood friends, and their relationship mirrors Aika and Akari's, though Alicia teases Akira far more than Akari does Aika. Akira still resents that Alicia became a Prima before her.[29] Upon Alicia's retirement at the end of the series, Akira becomes the undisputed top undine in Neo-Venezia.
- Ayumi K. Jasmine (アユミ·K·ジャスミン) Voiced by: Ryōko Shiraishi[30]
- Ayumi is a cheerful Single for Himeya Company, who often works as a traghetto rower with Atora and Anzu from Orange Planet. Unlike many undines, Ayumi doesn't plan to become a Prima because she wants to specialize on the traghetto, which gets her involved with the city and its people as well as lets her make money.
Orange Planet
Orange Planet is the largest water-guide company in Neo-Venezia, employing 81 undines (including 20 Primas). Its uniforms are lined with yellow, and its president is Maa.
- Alice Carroll (アリス·キャロル Arisu Kyaroru) Voiced by: Ryō Hirohashi[9]
- Alice is an undine for Orange Planet. She first appears (in volume 3 of Aria/episode 3 of Aria the Animation) as a standoffish, detached girl of 14.[31] Aika later describes her as anti-social and complains about her tendency put on a grim face and speak in a quiet voice. Alice speaks in a deadpan manner, though she frequently uses dekkai (でっかい, literally, "huge") as an intensifier. Although initially only a Pair, her rowing already surpasses both Aika and Akari's—for which skill she was scouted by Orange Planet despite her young age.[32] Despite working for rival companies, Alice, Akari, and Aika often practice together, and Alice sincerely enjoys the others' company, though this does not stop her from telling them to be quiet when they argue. Because of her age and lower status, Aika often addresses her as "kōhai-chan" (後輩ちゃん, "junior" said in a friendly manner). Through her friendship with Akari and Aika, Alice lightens up as the series progresses, though she still struggling with her detachment.[33]
- For a long time, Alice is not confident in singing skills, until Athena advises her simply enjoy what she sings and not worry about her performance. In volume 11 of Aria, Alice graduates from middle school. She is later promoted to Prima straight from Pair, the first undine to do so, and is given the title "Orange Princess" (黄昏の姫君 Tasogare no Himegimi, lit. "Twilight Princess"). Her name comes from Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland.
- Athena Glory (アテナ·グローリィ Atena Gurōrī) Voiced by: Tomoko Kawakami[9]
- One of Neo-Venezia's Three Water Fairies, known by the title "Siren" (天上の謳声 Tenjō no Utagoe, lit. "Heavenly Voice") for her beautiful singing voice. She is Alice's mentor at Orange Planet. She is quiet most of the time and often appears to be an airhead who does not pay attention to her surroundings (in the anime, she is shown more than once forgetting to duck while rowing under a bridge), but she genuinely cares about Alice. Athena has a strange laugh that comes out sounding as though she is angry. She was a trainee undine with Alicia and Akira, and joined them in joint practice sessions much like Akari, Aika, and Alice do now. At the conclusion of the series, Athena semi-retires from being an undine in order to debut as an opera singer.
- Atora Monteverdi (アトーラ·モンテヴェルディ) Voiced by: Houko Kuwashima[34]
- Atora is a Single for Orange Planet and often works as a traghetto rower with Anzu as well as Ayumi from Himeya Company. Atora took the Prima exam once, but did not pass and became too discouraged to try again. After meeting Akari during her stint on the traghetto, she decides to train harder to retake the exam.
- Anzu Yumeno (夢野 杏 Yumeno Anzu) Voiced by: Kana Asumi[35]
- Anzu is a Single for Orange Planet and often works as a traghetto rower with Atora as well as Ayumi from Himeya Company. Although Anzu has failed her Prima exam several times, she continues to work hard at it and is determined to become a Prima.
Cats
Because blue-eyed cats are considered lucky on Aqua, all undine companies have a blue-eyed cat as a mascot, who is given the title President.[36] Cats on Aqua have been bred to be as intelligent as humans, though they cannot speak.[37]
- President Aria Pokoteng (アリア·ポコテン Aria Pokoten) Voiced by: Chinami Nishimura[9]
- President and namesake of Aria Company, and an Aqua cat. Aria is large and fat, massing 10 kg.[38] He is attracted to President Hime, who does not appear to reciprocate his sentiments; his pursuit of her is a common comic relief scene.
- President Hime M. Granzchesta (ヒメ·M·グランチェスタ) Voiced by: Kaori Mizuhashi[39]
- President of Himeya Company, a small, delicate, black female cat from Manhome.[40] "Hime" means princess in Japanese.
- President Maa (まぁ) Voiced by: Akeno Watanabe[41]
- President of Orange Planet, an Aqua kitten with very tiny blue eyes.[42] Alice calls her "Maa-kun" after her unusual meow.[43] Maa often bites President Aria's belly. The volume 8, Special Navigation, reveals that Maa is a female cat and much attracted to President Aria.
- Cait Sith (猫妖精 Kyeto Shii)
- A very large cat with mysterious powers, said to be Cat Sìth from Scottish folklore. He has been the king of the cat kingdom in Aqua for at least 100 years. In the anime Alicia and Akari suggest that he is the spiritual guardian of Aqua.
Other characters
- Akatsuki Izumo (出雲 暁 Izumo Akatsuki) Voiced by: Hirofumi Nojima[17]
- Akari's first customer as a Single. He is a tall, impatient young man who calls Akari "Sideburns" (momiko) to tease her.[44] He works as an apprentice Salamander, someone who helps maintain Aqua's climate in the floating buildings that are tethered overhead. Although drawn like a typical bishōnen, his constant scowl combined with a loose-fitting robe usually cover up his more "attractive" features, which he rarely displays. Akatsuki has an older brother who teases him to the point of rage.
- Akatsuki is not on the ground often, so every visit to the surface is an adventure for him. He claims to be in love with Alicia,[45] though Alicia and his older brother suggest that he is really attracted to Akari.[46] In any case, every visit to Neo-Venezia, no matter his official reason, he spends most of his time with Akari.
- Udo Ayanokohji the 51st (綾小路宇土51世) Voiced by: Yuji Ueda[47][48]
- More commonly known as "Woody." Woody is a Sylph who delivers packages and other goods to people in Neo-Venezia. He has a bad sense of direction and cannot navigate without a map.[49] His physique is well-built, and he is usually seen wearing goggles. He was childhood friends with both Akatsuki and Al.
- Albert "Al" Pitt (アルバート·ピット Arubāto Pitto) Voiced by: Akeno Watanabe[50]
- Al is a Gnome, a person who lives underground regulating the Aqua's gravity so that it is the same as Manhome's.[51] Gnomes rarely come to the surface except to shop. He looks younger than Akari and Aika, but is actually three years older.
- Namihei Anno (庵野波平 Anno Namihei) / Mr. Postman (郵便屋さん Yūbin'ya-san) Voiced by: Motomu Kiyokawa[47][48]
- An elderly mailman in Neo-Venezia, called Mailman-san or Mr. Postman by Akari. He is the first person that Akari meets after arriving on Aqua. He is a kind man who is devoted to his work and his younger co-workers. Akari does not learn his name until near the end of the series, when he hires her for a gondola ride after retiring from his job.
from wikipedia
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar