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If you liked Aria the Animation add

...then you might like So Ra No Wo To add

Aria the Animation is about a group of young female gondoliers learning with their seniors and generally having a good time with each other in a slice of life, futuristic setting. Sora no Woto is about a group of young female soldiers learning with their seniors and generally having a good time with each other in a slice of life, futuristic setting. There are heavy sci-fi implications on both shows' universes, but these seem to be secondary, and almost overlooked. Both stories focus more on the girls learning about their worlds, their trade, themselves and each other, while exploring and interacting with their surroundings. There's drama, but not necessarily conflict. Both shows provide the viewer with slow pacing, relaxing music, beautiful scenery, lighthearted comedy, interpersonal relationships, character development, warm fuzzies and the occasional sappy line. The characters are almost a direct match to each other: Akari/Kanata - they're both pure-hearted main characters, rather awkward about their skills, very friendly to everyone they meet, easily excited about new things and very prone to sappy lines. They both say "suteki" a lot. Aika/Kureha - they're both bratty tsundere types, very perfectionist and quick to point out other people's flaws. They constantly act like know-it-alls, though deep inside they're just insecure and eager to please and impress their seniors. Alice&Athena/Noël - Noël is the quiet, reserved and serious type, like Alice, but she can resemble Athena a lot in carelessness when she's tired. She seems to be naturally talented at what she does, using her impressive skills with little effort. Akira/Rio - they're both "cool big sister" types who try to enforce strict discipline, though beneath their assertive attitude they care deeply about their juniors. They both confide and share a deep bond with Alicia/Filicia, who are closer to them in age and maturity. Alicia/Filicia - for crying out loud, not only are they a complete clone in appearance and personality, they also talk in similar fashion and even share the same quirks. Even their names are remarkably similar. And they're both #1 ranking in their groups. In Aria they have cats, which act as mascots and represent each company's president. In Sora no Woto they have a owl, which acts as a mascot and represents their organization logo. Having watched Aria first, and considering the chronological order, I suppose I can say that Sora no Woto is by far the closest thing to Aria I've seen so far. The major difference is that Sora no Woto might occasionally address some disturbing war related themes, which are completely absent from the slightly more lighthearted and optimistic Aria universe. But even these, while expected in a war setting anime, are actually very rare. Also, in Sora no Woto, embarrassing remarks seem to be allowed! ^^