Aria

Aria The Masterpiece

Manga8.611745 votes12 volumes · 67 chaptersFinished

Sci-FiSlice of LifeIyashikeiShounen

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About this title

Synopsis

In the distant future, humanity has terraformed Mars into an oceanic planet to suit their needs. Now known as Aqua, the planet serves as a new home for people discontent with living on Manhome—the planet formerly known as Earth. Being a perfect imitation of Manhome's Venice, the town of Neo-Venezia has inherited all of the rustic charms of the original. Gondolas weave their way through the waterways of the dreamy town while nostalgic alleys await those who travel on foot. Akari Mizunashi, a young Manhome native, has recently made Neo-Venezia her new home. To pursue her dream of becoming a gondolier tour guide—or Undine—Akari joins the Aria Company, one of the most renowned water guide companies in town. As she basks in a simple lifestyle unavailable on Manhome, Akari cheerily ambles through her daily life in Neo-Venezia: the town where magic and miracles abound. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

Publication notes

Aria was published in English by ADV Manga, releasing the first three volumes from April 1, 2004, to November 1, 2004, before dropping the license. Tokyopop published the first six volumes from January 8, 2008, to December 28, 2010, before publication was discontinued. The publisher rereleased the series as Aria: The Masterpiece in 2-in-1 omnibus volumes. The manga was also published in Spanish by Ivrea España from July 2006 to April 2010.

Published

Feb 28, 2002 to Feb 29, 2008

Authors

Amano, Kozue

External links

MyAnimeList page Wikipedia Wikipedia

MAL rank: #96
Members (MAL): 44,836
Favorites (MAL): 2,720

Related titles

Prequel

Aqua

Adaptation

Side Story

Main characters

Akari Mizunashi2976 fan favorites
External profile
Age: 15 Birthday: January 30 Birthplace: Man-Home Height: 155 cm Blood type: A A native of Man-Home, Akari is a happy and easy-going person, who we rarely see angry or upset, a quality which she shares with her supervisor. She is best described as a romantic, and seems to find enjoyment in things or events that other people might think humdrum and mundane. Akari often says "Hohe" or "Hahi," which is her short version of "wow." While she is not quite as skilled in rowing as Alice, nor is as familiar with the history of the city as Aika, her carefree and laid-back manner often endears her to the many people she encounters. As such, she seems to make friends very easily, and can hold a warm conversation even with complete strangers, a fact that causes her to be labeled as "mysterious" by her closest friends Aika and Alice. She also accidentally learned how to row backwards on the gondola back when she was at Man-Home, which Aika states, "Akari is almost invincible when she rows backwards" (from the anime and the manga). She is frequently writing letters about her adventures on Aqua to an unnamed person back on Man-home (revealed in the last chapter of the manga); in the anime, these letters are directed to Ai. (Source: Wikipedia)
Alice Carroll983 fan favorites
External profile
Birth place and date: Aqua, September 1 Height: 145 cm Age: 14 Blood type: B A girl introduced in volume 3, Alice is a trainee for Orange Planet, a company who currently holds the first place in the water guide business. She first appears as a very standoffish, snotty young girl; however, exposure to Akari's mood begins to lighten her up as the series progresses. This does not stop her from telling the other girls to be quiet when they argue, however. She is just a trainee when Akari and Aika are apprentices, but is already showing a talent for rowing that might surpass both of them (in fact, this is the reason why she was scouted by Orange Planet despite her age). Despite this (and the fact that Akari and Aika are from rival businesses), she often joins the two in joint practice sessions, and she sincerely enjoys their company. Alice speaks in a very deadpan manner, and tends to use the word dekkai (でっかい - meaning "huge") often in the course of speaking. Aika also commonly addresses her as "Kohai-chan" (後輩ちゃん - or "junior" said in a friendly manner). (Source: Wikipedia)
Alicia Florence639 fan favorites
External profile
Status: Prima Birthday: October 30 Height: 165 cm Blood type: A The only other undine with Aria Company, Alicia is one of the Three Water Fairies of Neo-Venezia, known by the title "Snow White". At the start of the series, she is 19 years old and the most popular undine in the city, noted especially for her graceful rowing style. She was promoted to Prima at 15, the youngest ever to do so. Like Akari, she is relaxed and easy-going, but she also likes to tease others, especially her childhood friend Akira. Her favorite phrase is ara ara and she frequently giggles, to Akira's annoyance. According to Grandma Akino, she is an excellent undine because of her ability to enjoy everything.
Aika S. Granzchesta340 fan favorites
External profile
Birth date and place: Aqua, February 2 Height: 160 cm Age: 16 Blood type: O The first friend Akari ever made on Aqua, Aika is an undine for Himeya, the oldest and currently second-ranking water-guide company in Neo-Venezia. As the only daughter of its owners, she is also Himeya's heir, but does not enjoy the distinction that much, as she feels that she is fawned upon too much by the company's employees. Aika often speaks in an open and blunt manner, and goes out of her way to cut off Akari's many idealistic comments with a preemptive "Embarrassing remarks are not allowed!" (恥ずかしいセリフ禁止！, Hazukashii serifu kinshi!). Despite their contrasting personalities, she gets along quite well with Akari, and later with Alice. She is very proud of her undine abilities, and tends to be very competitive in this aspect. She also worships Alicia, and finds any excuse to go over to Aria company and spend time with her. Aika once said that if it was not for the obligation to her family, she would join Aria company. Aika has feelings for Al. (Source: Wikipedia)
Aria Pokoteng309 fan favorites
External profile
Amongst the undine companies, it's a tradition to keep a blue-eyed cat (breed is not a problem here) as mascot for good luck. President Aria is the Aria Company's mascot, a male Aqua breed feline (common trait are bigger than Earth breed and human-level intelligence). He is smart enough to understand human speech. President Aria was a stray cat before being taken in by Grandma twenty years ago and has been the company's mascot ever since. He really loves to eat, coupled with Alicia and Akari doting on him, making him really chubby. He has a crush on President Hime and is mortally afraid of President Maa and her tendency to latch her jaw on to his sizable stomach. (Source: AnimeNfo)
Athena Glory230 fan favorites
External profile
Status: Prima Birth date and place: Aqua, December 24 Height: 170 cm Age: 21 Blood type: AB The third "Water Fairy", who works for Orange Planet and acts as Alice's mentor. She tends to be a total airhead who does not really pay attention to anything (in the anime, she once rowed under a bridge and forgot to duck), but genuinely cares about Alice. She was a trainee undine with Alicia and Akira, and often joined them in joint practice sessions much like Akari, Aika, and Alice do now. Athena has a beautiful singing voice, which she uses to entertain her customers and also to help Alice when she is in some kind of trouble. Athena has a strange laugh, it usually comes out sounding as though she is angry. She came to know Alicia and Akira when they were still trainee undine and practised together back then. She tends to be quiet most of the time but happy to join in having fun. Her appellation as a prima undine is "Seiren" (denoted as "Heavenly Voice"). (Source: Wikipedia)
Akira E. Ferrari166 fan favorites
External profile
Status: Prima Birth date and place: Aqua, July 29 Age: 20 Height: 168 cm Blood type: O Akira is one of Neo Venezia's three Water Fairies, and is Aika's supervisor with the Himeya company. She is nicknamed the Demon Instructor for her strict training regimen as well as her loud and brusque personality. She is particularly harsh with Aika, in spite of the fact that the girl is her employers' heir, though she does so since she honestly thinks that there is potential in her. As such, she is the only Himeya employee who does not fawn on Aika, though even the latter admits that it is only due to Akira's strictness (and honesty) that she has been able to become a good undine. As a prima undine, she is known as "Crimson Rose" (真紅の薔薇). Akira is famous for her conversational skills as well as her intimate knowledge of the sights to be seen in Neo Venezia. She has a lot of admirers among her customers, though surprisingly enough these are more female than male (which seems to bother her a little, as she considers herself very feminine). Akira and Alicia's relationship mirrors Akari and Aika's, though Alicia is far more teasing when Akira is around. This isn't that much of a surprise, as Akira and Alicia are childhood friends. However, Akira is still galled that Alicia became a Prima earlier than her, despite the fact that Alicia initially became an undine to tag along with her. (Source: Wikipedia)