Aria

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

Aria is a very pretty manga, by most meanings of the word. The art is gorgeous for one, the detailed backgrounds and endearing setting design of Neo-Venezia is attractive to say the least. But beyond that, so too are its themes and ideals “pretty”; optimistic and pleasant to behold, but overly optimistic and consequently a little shallow. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, there are different ways a story can present itself. While some favour having as close to realism as possible, with grounded settings and relatable characters, series’ like Aria prefer to embrace the fact that these characters aren’t real, but are instead ... “dolls” for us humans to look upon and draw out the qualities we find most appealing.

Now I personally don’t find this type of storytelling as moving as others, I find the messages of “enjoying the detours” and “anything can be happy if *you’re* happy” to fall somewhat flat when paired with the aversion of perspective from the grittiness of real life in favour of idealised settings, and this is definitely the case in Aria, because as I say, Neo-Venezia is an objectively beautiful place with objectively friendly people and objectively accepting culture. However, this manga perfects this kind of storytelling, to such a degree that even I was moved by it for the last 5-10 chapters, and even throughout I was always having a relaxed and good time. It helps that it does acknowledge the shortcomings of this style too, and if you’re more open to it than me than I guarantee you’ll love this manga as much as I know many others do.

While Aria is not of my typical genre of manga, I managed to find enjoyment in it.

I picked up a few volumes from a friend, then moved away and hadn't finished it. I cosplayed one of the characters and figured I should at least finish the series. 12 Volumes isn't a bad number at all. Found it online and completed it.

I kept reading thinking something interesting would happen. But wait, this is a Slice of Life series; Nothing dramatic or terribly interesting happens! Yet, I still found myself reading it. The art is definitely engaging and charming. The characters are sweet and silly. Slice ... of Life series tend to do nothing forever and lack plot and I think that's why I didn't give it a higher rating. I was bored most of the time and reading mostly to look at the art and if it would strike me more than "This is an okay read." It wasn't until the last volume that I really enjoyed what I was reading and not just going through the motions of clicking the next button.

I could file this series on the cute, sweet, sugary, girl-power, borrow from a friend or read online when you are bored kind of series. If you are looking for something exciting and fast-paced, stay clear of this one.

This review only applies for the first 6 chapters of the series and it does not constitute for the overall experience of the manga itself and it will be comprised of what I liked and disliked about the manga and the reason I have had dropped it for.

So the best way to describe this manga is by putting it in terms it has put it in itself. I'm gonna give a synopsis for one of the chapters I read and don't worry, it shouldn't impact the way you will experience it once you read it. So there's one chapter of this manga where basically the ... main character is supposed to meet another character. But the person ends up running late and she ends up meeting another character. So they pass the time. The other character was growing more bored and bored and was curious about how the MC could handle wasting time so well. Then they continue to waste their time until the person who was to meet other character appears, after 6 hours. Then MC turns out to have misunderstood and she was supposed to meet with the person she was supposed to next week.

This is how all the chapters go, with basically you waiting for something to happen and nothing happening and then expecting something happening later on. So the story is basically comprised of the main character doing things that amount to nothing that could interest anyone. The manga is uneventful and there's nothing really to draw out from its chapters, except for the fact that, perhaps, you should try enjoying the time in which you are doing nothing a little more. I'll give it that the fact that they had the tact to establish the theme as bluntly as they did is at the very least refreshing since they establish the the purpose of the manga early, wasting time that is. I'll also give the manga the fact that it does develop on the traditions of its people and does talk about the universe it's set so you might develop some interest in the world's setting I suppose, but I personally didn't find it that interesting.

Something I'd like to bring up is that the character's designs are kinda dull, in the sense, most characters look very similar, having similar faces and such. The Undines you can't tell apart at times, especially if they are of the same height and if it just so happens you don't pay attention to their hairstyles, you'll confuse who they are. The most recognizable out of all of them is the one who constantly has this face: -_- . The overall design of the manga is simple and decent, but I am personally not a fan of some of the character designs I've seen so far in it due to how similar they were. (As far as Undines went at least)

The manga does try to convince you early that you should enjoy wasting your time and every moment of your life and treasure it, sure, that's a good idea to pass on, but unfortunately, what you didn't pass on for me at least, is any events and characters that would keep me interested in it, nor do you exactly try. The manga is mostly comprised of nothing happening and there's no conclusions to draw on from it other than the main theme. To be carefree you have to have cares to free yourself from. There's nothing to free yourself from here.

I guess my point is, is that if you would like to read something about how to enjoy wasting your time, this is it. There you have it. But if you put significance in wasting your time, then perhaps you have better ways to waste your time, more enjoyable ways. I know that I have. Thanks for the lesson, however, Aria. If you wanna find something bigger than wasting your time in this manga however, at least from what I've seen so far, I doubt something will come. But I waited for 6 chapters and nothing came. You could wait for more if you think you can enjoy that.