Aria the OVA: Arietta
Synopsis
Akari Mizunashi dreams of life after attaining her goal of becoming a Prima Undine, but upon waking realizes that she might not actually have the confidence to run Aria Company on her own. Wary of the future, she seeks advice from her mentor Alicia Florence—one of the three great "Water Fairies" of Neo-Venezia. Much to Akari's surprise, Alicia reveals her own struggles of the past, but also shares the steps she took in overcoming her self-doubt of running the company and taking on an apprentice. Finding solace in her teacher's words, Akari prepares to embrace whatever trials she must overcome on her path toward achieving her dreams. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
The OVA is generally well-received as a valuable addition to the Aria series, deepening the characters and themes. While the animation is praised, some stylistic choices and Akari's characterization received critique. The story resonated with fans, providing closure and enhancing the overall experience of the franchise, despite minor issues.
Strengths
- Excellent animation quality with rich textures and attention to detail, even surpassing previous seasons.
- Story effectively explores themes of self-doubt and growth, fitting well within the series.
- Well-integrated characters contribute to a heartwarming and satisfying narrative.
Weaknesses
- Some viewers found the character designs, particularly the faces, to be disproportionate and distracting.
- The opening song was criticized for not fitting the established sound of the series.
- Some felt that Akari's sudden shift to being 'emo' was out of character.