Aria Manga
Aria (Manga)
Genre: Fantasy / Iyashikei / Sci-Fi
Japanese Title: アリア (Aria)
Year of Release: 2013 – 2018 (15 volumes)
Writer: Kozue Amano
Original Publisher: Mag Garden (Eng.: ADV Manga, Tokyopop)
TV: Aria the Animation 2005 (13 episodes)
Anime Movies: Aria the Benedizione (2021), Aria the Crepuscolo (2021)
Setting
Aria unfolds in the 24th century on Aqua, the terraformed successor to Mars. Its crown jewel is Neo-Venezia, a city lovingly modeled after old Venice—complete with winding canals, sun-dappled stone bridges, and gondolas drifting beneath pastel buildings. Here, advanced technology hums quietly beneath a serene, water-wrapped veneer, and everyday life moves at a gentle, contemplative pace amid striking seascapes and tranquil skies.
Plot
The story gently follows the daily rhythms of young women training as undines—gondolier tour guides—at the small, intimate Aria Company. Rather than grand battles or sweeping catastrophes, the narrative revels in quiet moments: lessons on navigation and etiquette, small adventures across misty canals, and the steady unfolding of friendship and self-discovery. Each episode is a vignette of growth and gratitude, a meditation on finding joy in simple pleasures and the slow, meaningful work of becoming who you are.
Main Characters
Akari Mizunashi — The warm-hearted apprentice whose bright optimism colors every day. Akari’s curiosity and gentle determination make her a natural under the gondolier’s lantern, and her wonderment invites others to see Neo-Venezia anew.
Alicia Florence — Akari’s senior and mentor, graceful and skilled. Alicia embodies patience and quiet competence, guiding apprentices with a steady hand and a soft, encouraging spirit.
Aika S. Granzchesta — A fellow apprentice who balances competitive drive with genuine loyalty. Aika’s spirited energy pushes her friends to improve while revealing a tender commitment beneath her bravado.
Alice Carroll — The youngest and most reserved of the group, Alice watches and learns with keen eyes. Her calm, observant nature adds a thoughtful counterpoint to the others and hints at unexpected depths.
Together, these characters chart small, luminous arcs of friendship and growth, set against Neo-Venezia’s restful beauty—a series that invites slow appreciation and the gentle joy of everyday discoveries.
