Aria the Origination

In the 24th century on the planet Aqua, three girls—Akari Mizunashi, Alice Carroll, and Aika S. Granzchesta—continue to work hard toward achieving their goal of becoming Prima Undines: professional tour guide gondoliers. Luckily, the girls have the guidance of the three best Prima Undines in Neo-Venezia—Alicia Florence, Athena Glory, and Akira E. Ferrari—who are known as the "Water Fairies" in honor of their skill. With their help, the young apprentices train hard and work to overcome any situations that they find themselves in.

Aria The Origination follows the hardships and daily lives of these three young girls, who are doing their best to improve as tour gondoliers in Neo-Venezia, a terraformed replica of Venice.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Mizunashi, Akari Main

Hazuki, Erino Japanese

Carroll, Alice Main

Hirohashi, Ryou Japanese

Florence, Alicia Main

Ohara, Sayaka Japanese

Granzchesta, Aika S. Main

Saitou, Chiwa Japanese

Pokoteng, Aria Main

Nishimura, Chinami Japanese

Glory, Athena Main

Kawakami, Tomoko Japanese

Ferrari, Akira E. Main

Minagawa, Junko Japanese

Aino, Ai Supporting

Mizuhashi, Kaori Japanese

Maa Supporting

Watanabe, Akeno Japanese

Izumo, Akatsuki Supporting

Nojima, Hirofumi Japanese

Beniya, Yoshikazu Producer

Iizuka, Toshio Producer

Uchida, Tetsuo Producer

Satou, Junichi Director, Sound Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Jan 31, 2025

AngeVNs

Recommended

After the slight disappointment of Aria the Natural (season 2), Aria the Origination (season 3) came back strong.

Despite the fact that the season actually starts with a few anime-original episodes (yes, I’ve read the manga in full—love this series), it sets the tone really well. The Origination, despite the goofy name, shifts the focus much more onto emotions and the inevitability of moving on in life.

More specifically, this is the season where the payoff of the character development of the main trio—Akari, Aika, and Alice—reaches its climax. And oh boy, for a so-called relaxing, chill slice of life series, these are some of the most ... emotional episodes I’ve seen in any anime. Not every anime needs random, shocking twists or out-of-nowhere deaths to convey real emotion.

In fact, it’s because Aria the Origination has a strange way of relatability that makes these emotional moments hit that much harder. Many anime try to do the whole emotional thing when characters graduate from high school, especially in the context of the whole "youth" aspect of Japanese high school life. But I thought, through Akari, Aika, and Alice being in training for their job as Primas (professional gondola tour guides), the show hits on something deeper. At this point in the series, they’re all working on their weaknesses while still maintaining their greatest strengths. They’ve even improved their relationships with their senpai (mentors) in Alicia, Akira, and Athena.

Every single pair from Aria Company, Himeya, and Orange Planet gets at least one, if not multiple, super emotional episodes that are the perfect fit to end the series.

I won’t say more in case I accidentally spoil anything. Let’s just say I’ve never seen a slice of life series that’s so emotionally satisfying, yet still somehow maintains its wholesome, relaxing "nothing ever happens" vibe. It just goes to show you don’t need a fancy supernatural plot with increasing stakes and villains to have a good, memorable story.

All you need is good, consistent vibes, solid character development, and knowing when and how to end the series properly—while still leaving room for potential sequels down the road.

Origination still isn't quite a perfect series. As said earlier, perhaps they could have shaved off one of the early anime-original episodes, there were a few emotional scenes that I think could have been executed slightly better (especially as someone who prefers the manga version of a few events), and maybe there were a few manga-only chapters that could have fit in this season.

But when I have to literally reach to find any flaws with this Season 3, that says a lot.

That is the beauty of Aria the Origination, or so Akari would probably say.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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May 23, 2024

Brittaman12

Recommended

To be honest, I still don't know how to define the genre, slife-of-life. I think it can sometimes be characterized by its more mundane qualities. Typically, the setting is somewhat average, the conflict of the story is more laid back, and the characters are also very average. There are obviously going to be other aspects, but those are typically what I think of when I think of Slice-of-life as a type of story. The Aria series definitely has most of the qualities, consequently, it has been tagged as a slice-of-life. I would also say that the Aria series is a Slice-of-life. But twice now (First ... with Clannad) I have watched a show with that tag and been completely blindsided by what I found.

When I began watching the Aria series, I had some good expectations. I was hoping to see a relaxing show with a cool setting and good, heartwarming story-telling. And that is exactly what I got from the Animation. And because of that, I gave it a 9. Realistically, if I really followed what I preach, I should've given it an 8. But before I watched the show, I had convinced myself that I wanted to enjoy it. I'm not sure why, but I did. And because of that I rated even higher than I normally would have. What the Natural did, was it took what the Animation had created/set up, and began to really drive it home. The story developed. This is where I began to really get attached to Akari and her friends. This is when I began to relate to these characters. The Natural develops and develops, and by the end, I began to realize that I really have no idea where this show is going to go. However, the OVA gave me a glimpse into what I was going to see, and I loved it. As for the Origination, I was completely humbled.

I don't know what the right words are to convey this message, but the Aria series is good. Really good. And I don't mean it's good in the sense that it is enjoyable and pleasing to watch (even though it is). I mean that it is good in the sense that it fills you with happiness and is genuinely healthy and rejuvenating. It has a magical, wonderful ability to uplift you and make you want to love what you have. It shows you that the only thing that you need to be happy is your own heart, and that loving the world around you is the first step towards that. I never thought in a million years that a pink haired anime chick from a 16 yr old Japanese cartoon would help me understand that, but that's how it goes sometimes. You really never know. And because you really never know, I think that you should give this show a shot. A lot of people like this show, and fewer love this show. I would put myself in the ladder. But, what I am certain of, is that there will be something about that you will be able to appreciate.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Aug 13, 2022

Doofenheimer

Mixed Feelings

Wow, what an improvement. I gave Animation and Natural both 6's and now I give Origination an 8. I was very unimpressed in this anime, thinking it was just another episodic slice of life with a unique setting. And honestly, I would agree with that statement for the entire show until the last 5 episodes of Origination, where somehow everything just comes together perfectly. Think like a present that has horrible wrapping and is all beat up but has the most perfect red bow on top of it, and that was my experience with Aria. But now that I've watched the conclusion, I feel that ... the entire build up of those episodic slice of life episodes is why the ending was so perfect. Anywho, let's begin.

The story is easily the weakest part of this show, because it didn't really need one. Aria is a character driven show and it knows it is too. The story was just a set up for the characters to flourish and make you feel warm inside. If you come in expecting some action packed thriller, I implore you to never watch Aria. This series can be summed up in one word: Relaxing. Aria is something you chill out to on a cold December day with hot coco and sit with a blanket on. If you go in trying to analyze everything and everyone, you will just ruin the vibe this show is trying to set up for you. Just turn off your critical side and let yourself sink into the land of Neo Venezia. I will say, however, that it does get quite repetitive and boring after the first dozen or so SoL episodes, which is the entire show basically. You can only use the same formula for so long before even if you are into the relaxed side of the show, can still feel like a drag. And if you think this show does anything more, then go look for something else. Cause the 52 episodes that make up Aria, up until the last 5, is just an episodic SoL about 3 girls and their trip to being a Prima Undine. If you have the tolerance to sit through that, then congratulations because you will be crying your eyes out in the last 5 episodes. All of the SoL elements the show creates for 40 episodes straight all pay off magnificentely and create a dagger that stabs you right in your heart, with love, of course. Overall, the entire show was a 6/10 and then the last 5 episodes singlehandedly brought it to a 7.5.

Now let's talk about the characters. We follow Akari, Alice and Aika as they pursue the position of Prima Undine. They do so in their own style and it's a joy to watch them be on screen. The dynamic they share is really something special and without them, this show would be nothing. Of course you have the already Prima's: Alicia, Akira and Athena as the teachers of the 3, representing the contrast of what the younger 3 will become. The show really just sat down and let these characters do their thing and let it run with them, and I really don't think anyone is bothered with that. Just sit down, relax, and let these girls take you on a trip you can chill to.

Overall, I really do think (after the ending) that this show had a clear beginning, middle and end. It was tied up perfectly and should be left to rest (I know there's a sequel movie but I'm not going to bother). If you want something that will keep you on the edge of your seat, dying to see what happens next, go watch something else. However, if you want that seat to turn into a blanket and pillow as you chill out to some SoL, try a few episodes why don't you.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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