TV-Series
Description
"Aria the Natural" is the second season of the "Aria" series, continuing the serene and contemplative narrative set in the picturesque, water-filled city of Neo-Venezia on the planet Aqua. The story revolves around Akari Mizunashi, a young apprentice gondolier, or "Undine," working for the Aria Company. Alongside her friends and fellow Undines, Aika Granzchesta of Himeya Company and Alice Carroll of Orange Planet, Akari navigates her daily life, exploring the beauty and mysteries of Neo-Venezia while honing her skills as a gondolier.
The series is episodic, with each episode presenting self-contained stories that delve into the characters' interactions, personal growth, and the enchanting world around them. Akari's cheerful and optimistic personality serves as the lens through which the audience experiences the city's charm, from its tranquil canals to its vibrant festivals. The narrative often incorporates elements of fantasy and whimsy, such as encounters with supernatural beings or unexplained phenomena, which add a layer of mystique to the otherwise grounded setting.
Aika and Alice, though initially more reserved and competitive, gradually open up through their shared experiences with Akari. Their mentor figures, Alicia Florence of Aria Company, Akira E. Ferrari of Himeya Company, and Athena Glory of Orange Planet, provide guidance and wisdom, often sharing their own stories and insights. These relationships highlight the themes of mentorship, camaraderie, and the passage of time, as the younger generation learns from their seniors while forging their own paths.
The series also introduces recurring side characters, such as the enigmatic Cait Sith, a cat-like entity that appears in various forms throughout Neo-Venezia, and the mailman Al, who often crosses paths with the Undines. These characters contribute to the sense of a living, interconnected world, where even minor figures play a role in enriching the narrative.
"Aria the Natural" maintains a gentle, slice-of-life pace, emphasizing the beauty of everyday moments and the importance of appreciating life's small wonders. The narrative does not rely on dramatic conflicts or high-stakes events; instead, it focuses on the characters' emotional journeys and their deepening connections to each other and their surroundings. This approach creates a soothing and immersive experience, inviting viewers to reflect on the themes of growth, discovery, and the joy of living in harmony with one's environment.
The series is episodic, with each episode presenting self-contained stories that delve into the characters' interactions, personal growth, and the enchanting world around them. Akari's cheerful and optimistic personality serves as the lens through which the audience experiences the city's charm, from its tranquil canals to its vibrant festivals. The narrative often incorporates elements of fantasy and whimsy, such as encounters with supernatural beings or unexplained phenomena, which add a layer of mystique to the otherwise grounded setting.
Aika and Alice, though initially more reserved and competitive, gradually open up through their shared experiences with Akari. Their mentor figures, Alicia Florence of Aria Company, Akira E. Ferrari of Himeya Company, and Athena Glory of Orange Planet, provide guidance and wisdom, often sharing their own stories and insights. These relationships highlight the themes of mentorship, camaraderie, and the passage of time, as the younger generation learns from their seniors while forging their own paths.
The series also introduces recurring side characters, such as the enigmatic Cait Sith, a cat-like entity that appears in various forms throughout Neo-Venezia, and the mailman Al, who often crosses paths with the Undines. These characters contribute to the sense of a living, interconnected world, where even minor figures play a role in enriching the narrative.
"Aria the Natural" maintains a gentle, slice-of-life pace, emphasizing the beauty of everyday moments and the importance of appreciating life's small wonders. The narrative does not rely on dramatic conflicts or high-stakes events; instead, it focuses on the characters' emotional journeys and their deepening connections to each other and their surroundings. This approach creates a soothing and immersive experience, inviting viewers to reflect on the themes of growth, discovery, and the joy of living in harmony with one's environment.
Episodes
Staffel 1
1That Encounter At The Carnival...
Ai arrives at Aria Company for a visit during Neo-Venezia's Carnevale celebration. She helps Akari with preparations as President Aria leaves the company,a departure Akari notes happens each year during the festival. The group gathers with Aika, Alice, and their mentors at San Marco Square, where they select masks and observe the parade of Casanova, the event's legendary master of ceremonies. Later, Akari and Ai spot one of Casanova's attendants and give chase through the city's narrow alleyways, separating from Aika and Alice in the process. The two find themselves facing Casanova himself, who invites them to join his procession with castanets. They follow him until he stops at a concealed doorway, indicating they cannot proceed further. One attendant removes its hood to reveal President Aria, and Casanova removes his mask to show himself as Cait Sith, the mythical King of Cats. He gifts them jasmine flowers before the pair loses consciousness, waking afterward on a canal-side bench. Aika and Alice find them there, and when questioned about Casanova's identity, Akari and Ai answer only that he is a fairy. The episode closes with Akari reflecting on the encounter while Aria-shachou returns home, leaving the nature of Cait Sith and his connection to the city's cats as an ongoing mystery.
2Looking for that Treasure...
Akari,Aika, and Alice practice sculling in the springtime canals of Neo-Venezia. Aika discovers a small box hidden beside a statue. Inside the box, they find a riddle that sends them on a treasure hunt across the city. The riddles lead them to the San Marco Square, where they stop for coffee. Akari strikes up a conversation with an elderly man who sits alone at a table every day. He explains he has become a master at enjoying the square’s atmosphere. The clues eventually guide the three girls to a narrow alley and up a set of stairs. At the top, they find a scenic overlook with a view of the city’s rooftops and the surrounding sea. A message carved on the wall asks if they have found their own treasure. Akari expresses that the creator of the hunt must have wanted others to love the city more deeply. They return the box and map to the original spot for someone else to find. The elderly man from the cafe appears and reveals himself to be the shopkeeper. The episode closes as the girls row home, realizing they have become part of the treasure’s continuing story.
3The Night of the Meteor Shower...
Akari learns of an approaching meteor shower and makes plans with Aika and Alice to watch it. While in town,the three encounter Al, a Gnome who regulates Aqua’s gravity, and they help him recover from dizziness caused by the sunlight. To thank them, Al invites the girls to a mushroom hotpot restaurant, where Aika grows noticeably flustered in his presence. Aika later invites Al to join their meteor-watching group that evening, a suggestion that makes her immediately self-conscious. When the group assembles at night, Alice declines to join, leaving Akari, Aika, and Al to find a viewing spot. They search the narrow streets of Neo-Venezia, avoiding the crowded and brightly lit Piazza San Marco, and eventually climb onto the roof of a Himeya Company building. From the rooftop, the three enjoy an unobstructed view of the night sky and the meteor shower. Akari briefly moves to another vantage point, leaving Aika alone with Al. Aika becomes deeply embarrassed and, in her nervousness, playfully blames Al’s gravity-control work for pulling the meteors toward the planet. As they walk home, Al remarks that some meteors do not burn up in the atmosphere but survive to reach the ground, a statement that lingers with Aika. Al’s gratitude for the evening and his matter-of-fact insights leave Aika grappling with her unresolved feelings for him.
4That Neo-Venezia-Colored Heart...
The mailman arrives at the Aria Company with a request: his gondola requires repairs,and he asks to borrow Akari’s boat for a day to complete his postal route. Alicia agrees and suggests Akari accompany him, turning the day into a practical lesson. The next morning, Akari rows while the mailman collects letters from canal-side postboxes, demonstrating his skilled use of a special hook. During their afternoon deliveries, they encounter a boy named Sora who desperately needs to send a letter to his former teacher, whose wedding is taking place that very moment. The mailman decides to deviate from his route and take Sora with them to deliver the letter in person. Sora explains that he missed his teacher’s farewell and behaved badly before she left, and his letter contains both an apology and congratulations. Akari navigates quickly to the church, where they arrive as the ceremony proceeds. The mailman hands the letter to the teacher, who reads it and is moved to tears by the boy’s written words. After the delivery, Akari brings Sora alongside the teacher’s gondola, allowing him to exchange a final goodbye and receive her promise of a reply. At the end of the day, the mailman explains to Akari that Neo-Venezia’s residents prefer handwritten letters because they carry the sender’s heart in a way digital messages cannot. He tells Akari she has been painted with the color of Neo-Venezia, and the next morning she receives his handwritten thank-you note, demonstrating his lesson through the personal gesture.
5The Wonder Of That Rainy Day... / The Discoveries On That Spring Day...
Alicia takes Akari to an island that preserves Japanese culture,featuring a long path lined with torii gates leading to an Inari shrine. At a small shop, Akari buys inari sushi, and the shopkeeper warns her not to go with any fox spirits she might encounter. A sunshower begins while they walk, and Akari loses sight of Alicia among the gates. She finds herself in a forest clearing where a wedding procession of fox spirits passes by; a young fox holds out its hand to her. Frightened, Akari gives it her inari sushi instead, and the procession leaves her alone. When she returns to the main path, she finds the sushi placed at the base of a fox statue. For the second outing, Alicia guides Akari to another island to show her a scenic spot she remembers. They walk along the tracks of an old railway from the early colonization period but take the wrong fork in the path. Ready to turn back, they discover an abandoned rail car with its roof collapsed, sitting beneath a cherry tree in full bloom. Inside the car, they lie down and watch the blossoms through the missing roof until President Aria accidentally activates the car’s lights. Alicia recounts a story about a traveler who lost his way while searching for something but found a world more wonderful than what he sought. She explains that some discoveries only come through making mistakes or taking detours. The two enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms before returning home.
6The Smile Reflected In that Mirror...
Athena notices Alice leaving the other Orange Planet Pairs to spend time alone after practice. Akari and Aika visit Athena and Alice’s dorm room,and Athena invites them to stay the night when it grows late. During the evening, Alice observes Athena’s clumsiness has intensified and accuses her of being happy. Athena confirms this, saying Alice’s enjoyment with her friends makes her happy. Alice receives an invitation to a party for Orange Planet Pairs but marks it as declined despite Akari’s encouragement. Alice believes the other trainees envy her for becoming an Undine at a young age and that they reject her. Athena explains that people act as mirrors: Alice’s perception of others’ envy reflects her own fear of being rejected. Alice watches Maa, President Aria’s cat, repeatedly try and fail to climb onto a bed to bite Aria’s belly. Maa persists until it finally succeeds. The next morning, Alice wakes early, dresses in her uniform, and changes her invitation response to attending. Athena smiles as Alice leaves for the party, having chosen to smile more and engage with her peers.
7その 猫たちの王国へ…
Akari changes into her summer uniform as Neo-Venezia transitions to the warmer season. During a joint practice session with Aika and Alice,the three undines spot President Aria steering a miniature gondola alone. Aika navigates her own gondola through a narrow canal to follow him, but Alice must leave for school, and they stop before a gated waterway. That evening, Akari mentions to Alicia her hesitation about following the president further. Alicia recounts a legend from Manhome about a Kingdom of Cats that humans cannot enter. The next day, Akari and Aika decide to pursue President Aria again. They pass through the previously closed gate and navigate a labyrinth of abandoned warehouses and flooded ruins. Despite rowing for some time, they repeatedly return to the same basin, traveling in circles. Akari recalls Alicia’s warning that Cait Sith, the King of Cats, uses magic to confuse humans who intrude on his domain. As fear and regret set in, President Aria appears on his gondola and signals a new passageway. Aika rows quickly toward the exit. Looking back, Akari sees a building filled with cats, and a large cat, Cait Sith, bows to her from a distance. Days later, Akari and Aika return to the canal entrance only to find the gate firmly closed again.
8その ボッコロの日に…
The seasonal high water phenomenon,Aqua Alta, floods Neo-Venezia’s streets and suspends Undine work for the day. The date coincides with Festa del Bocolo, a tradition where men give a single red rose to the women they admire. Akatsuki calls Akari to help him transport an excessive number of roses he intends to give to Alicia. As Akari navigates the flooded paths in boots, she observes women wearing roses, recalling the festival’s meaning. Akatsuki struggles with nervousness, using Akari to rehearse his delivery and later dropping all the roses into the water when he finally encounters Alicia. The floating roses drift away, and bystanders misinterpret Akari’s presence with Akatsuki as a romantic gesture. Defeated, Akatsuki gives one remaining rose to Akari, who receives it with genuine happiness. Elsewhere, Aika receives a rose-colored gemstone from Al, while Alice accepts roses from others but asserts she does not give obligatory roses in return. The episode closes with Akari reflecting on the joy of receiving flowers, while a city-wide blackout later that night sets the stage for Akari to discover a new wonder in a room illuminated solely by starlight.
9その 素顔の星たちは…
Akari rows her first formal sightseeing tour with Alicia and Aria社长 accompanying her. A female guest spots a small flower garden along the canal that Akari has never noticed before. Akari thanks the guest for showing her something new and decides to find more undiscovered beautiful places. She meets Aika and Alice,and the three spend the afternoon searching. Aika leads them to a large tree whose leaves rustle with a distinct musical sound when wind passes through. Alice later explains the scientific reason behind the sound, which sparks a friendly competition between her and Aika to reveal other secret locations. The group visits several spots until sunset, but Akari finds no hidden place of her own. Alicia informs them that a citywide power outage will occur that night. After returning to the Aria Company, Akari cannot sleep due to her fear of the dark. Alicia arrives with a box of candles, arranges them around the room, and lights them one by one. They share tea while Akari expresses frustration over how much she still does not know. Alicia recounts her own apprentice days when she failed to show a guest the gardenia flowers they requested because rain had destroyed them the night before. Her mentor, Grandmother, visited her that evening with candles and told her to keep a small flame burning inside, explaining that doing so allows one to see the beauty hidden in things. The next morning, Alicia found the fallen gardenia petals scattered on the damp ground, releasing a sweet fragrance she had never noticed. Akari realizes that the unknown holds not a lack of knowledge but infinite opportunities to encounter beauty. She and Alicia extinguish the candles to sleep, but extinguishing all at once leaves the room in complete darkness. They climb to the upper floor and find starlight streaming through the rooftop window—a sight the power outage and the extinguished candles revealed. The episode ends with Akari accepting that her training will continue to hold discoveries she cannot yet imagine.
10That Heartwarming Town And Its People...
During a joint practice session on the canals,Alice observes that Akari greets numerous people around the city. Aika and Alice, both Neo-Venezia natives, find it mysterious that an immigrant like Akari knows more locals than they do. They decide to play detective and secretly follow Akari to uncover the secret behind her sociability. The two trail Akari onto a vaporetto, hiding while watching her converse easily with a fellow passenger. Aika and Alice become so absorbed in their covert operation that they miss their intended stop. They spot Akari disembarking with a man carrying large suitcases, and their suspicion grows that she may be in danger. Following President Aria’s voice, they discover the man is a traveling puppeteer performing a street show. Akari joins the performance, handling puppets with genuine delight. Watching the scene, Aika and Alice recall watching the same puppeteer perform when they were children, reconnecting with a forgotten happy memory. After the show, Aika remarks that Akari’s ability is not a mystery but a result of her perspective, calling it an 'Akari filter' that makes ordinary moments shine. The episode closes with Akari happily noting she had another wonderful encounter that day.
11That Precious Sparkle...
Akatsuki’s older brother gives Akari her first solo commission to transport Neo-Venezian glassware by gondola. Alicia accompanies her to the glass workshop,where Akari overhears a tourist dismiss the local glass as an inferior imitation of Venetian work. The apprentice glassmaker supervising the cargo rudely refuses Akari’s offer to help carry the fragile pieces. During the journey, the apprentice remains sullen and explains his frustration: customers reject his master’s creations as mere copies, ignoring the skill and effort poured into each piece. When a passing gondola nearly collides with them, Akari swiftly pushes her own gondola aside, averting the accident. She then tells the apprentice that Neo-Venezia is not a fake; although it resembles Venice, its construction, its people, and the lives lived within it are entirely its own. The apprentice apologizes for his earlier hostility and admits he admires her dedication as an undine. After they deliver the glass on time, Akatsuki’s brother teases the apprentice, calling him a new rival for Akatsuki’s affections.
12Sono Nigemizu wo Otte... / Sono Yakou Rin no Hikari wa...
On a sweltering summer afternoon,Akari walks through Neo-Venezia and sees the streets empty of people. She follows President Aria into a small café that serves only iced milk. The café owner welcomes her as a special place where cats gather to escape the heat. Akari notices a clock fixed at 2:00 and dozens of cats watching from the counter. When she finishes her drink, a customer in a hat tips it toward her, revealing himself as Cait Sith. Akari steps outside, and the café transforms back into a boarded-up building with the streets full of people again. Later, Akari visits a market selling nightshine wind chimes, a summer tradition on Aqua. A pink chime catches her attention, and she buys it without hesitation. She takes the chime everywhere: to gondola practice, to tea parties on the water at night, even to the bath. As the month passes, the chime’s glow gradually fades. Alicia explains that when a nightshine stone reaches the end of its life, custom requires rowing out to the bay at night to let the clapper drop into the water. Akari joins Alicia on the gondola, lifts the chime, and watches the clapper sink beneath the surface. Instead of vanishing, it leaves behind a single tear-shaped crystal floating on the water. Akari touches the crystal, then begins to cry, unable to explain why. Ai later suggests the stone left its heart behind, echoing Akari’s own feelings. The crystal remains with Akari as a reminder of the bond she formed.
13その でっかい自分ルールを…
Alice fails a personal challenge the previous day and tells Aika and Akari she blames her bad luck on that failure,prompting Akari to call the habit childish. On the following afternoon, Alice imposes a new rule: she must walk home from school stepping only on shadows. She adds a second rule allowing half steps onto non‑shadow areas when necessary and later crosses a bridge by stepping under a passing airship’s shadow. Reaching the final stretch near Orange Planet, she loses her balance and steps outside a shadow, visibly upset. Athena witnesses Alice’s frustration from her gondola and changes her song to a lighter melody, which lifts Alice’s mood without Athena explaining her intent. The next day, Alice repeats the shadow‑stepping challenge. Athena, whose afternoon work has been canceled, appears beside Alice and walks with her. When Aria社长 jumps under Alice’s feet, Athena catches Alice from behind to prevent a fall. Alice resents the help, declares it a violation of her rule, and restarts the section, adding a new rule that forbids assistance from others. Approaching a bridge with no shadows, Athena steps onto the pavement and offers her own shadow. Alice refuses, walks back to an earlier point, and tries again. At sunset, extended shadows make the bridge easier to cross, but the final bridge before Orange Planet has only small stone posts for cover. Alice jumps between them, loses her balance mid‑jump, and begins to fall onto a sunlit area. Athena swiftly rows her gondola to the side and positions her shadow directly beneath Alice, catching her within the rules. Alice protests, and Athena replies that she is not a hero character but Alice’s ally, like a hidden character in a game. Alice acknowledges that Athena has always stood by her and adds a new rule: Athena is not an outsider and may help. Alice walks the final distance on Athena’s shadow while Athena sings again, and Alice realizes the previous day’s song was also meant to encourage her, recognizing Athena as her ally all along.
14その いちばん新しい想い出に… (That Newest Memory…)
Akari wakes earlier than usual and rows out to an empty canal. She observes that many water guide companies display decorated palina poles for hitching gondolas,but Aria Company has none. Alicia gives Akari full permission to create a palina for the company. Akari searches through the company archives for inspiration and finds old sketches of a palina design. Grandma Akino visits Aria Company while in the city on business. She explains that one of her first employees drew the sketch, but the company never executed the design because the official colors remained undecided. Akari draws inspiration from the blue sea and the white wind. She creates a new palina design using blue and white, combining the old sketch with the current company uniform colors. Akari paints the palina herself over the course of a day. Alicia returns from work in the evening as Akari finishes. The three celebrate with a dinner on the gondola to mark the new palina. Alicia tells Akari that one day, after Akari becomes a Prima and has her own junior employee, the palina will represent Akari as she exists in this moment. Akari responds that Alicia and the original designer are also part of the palina, as the object carries multiple memories within it.
15その 広い輪っかの中で…
On a hot midsummer day,Akari eats lunch alone under a tree by the water. Akira passes by and joins her, followed by Akatsuki running an errand nearby and Al finishing his shopping. The group discusses Akatsuki’s hotheaded nature, prompting Al to recall a childhood memory involving Akatsuki and Woody. In the flashback, young Akatsuki and Woody play on playground equipment, feeling proud of their skills, until two unknown children arrive. One of them, a boy, challenges Akatsuki to a slide race and wins after Akatsuki crashes. Back in the present, Alicia arrives and reveals that the two children were herself and a young Akira. Akari listens as the four share memories from their shared past, recognizing her own absence from their long-standing connections. She voices her feeling of being an outsider, having come from Manhome only recently. Akira directly counters this by stating that Akari now sits at the center of their circle. Following this reassurance, the episode shows Athena rowing by, followed by a sequence of chance encounters connecting multiple characters across Neo-Venezia. These overlapping meetings visually affirm Akira’s words about the widening circles of connection on Aqua. Akari accepts her place within the group, understanding that her own experiences are adding new threads to the larger tapestry of their relationships.
16Parting With That Gondola...
Akari and Alicia bring Akari’s personal gondola to the repair yard for a routine inspection. The head craftsman declares the gondola too worn for tourist service and recommends selling it for freight use. Akari initially asks to keep it for training,but the craftsman explains the gondola would find more purpose in daily active use. Alicia suggests Akari take the gondola on a final tour to visit places tied to their shared memories. Akari departs the next morning with a camera and a picnic. At the Piazza, Akatsuki waits to join her as her first and now last passenger. They retrace the route of his first ride, ending at the cable car station where they take a photograph. Aika and Alice meet them there, and the group rows to the meadow where Akari first encountered Alice. They share lunch under a tree, and Aika grows emotional thinking about her own gondola. Alice later teases her for hiding tears. Akari continues alone to the canal lock on the Single examination course. She recalls the day Alicia removed her training gloves after she passed the promotion test. While waiting for the lock to refill on the return trip, Akari falls asleep. She dreams an elderly man appears in her gondola and asks for a ride. He says their meeting is fate and asks to stay on the boat longer after reaching his stated destination. A noise wakes Akari inside the empty lock chamber with no passenger present. She returns to Aria Company at dusk, where Alicia waits. Akari rows the final approach backward, mirroring her first attempt with the gondola, and thanks Alicia for the day.
17After That Rainy Night...
Alicia and Akari spend the final evening together on the worn-out training gondola,sharing a picnic dinner on the water. Alicia reveals the gondola was also her first vessel at Aria Company, recounting a flashback where she collided with a bridge during her initial lesson with Grandma. More flashbacks show both Alicia and Akari learning to clean the gondola during their Pair days. Aika, Alice, Akira, and Athena arrive to join a "Thank You, Gondola-san" party. Looking at Akari's photo of the three trainees, Athena remembers a similar picture of the three mentors, which Alicia produces from a flashback taken on the day of her Prima promotion, when she surrendered the black training gondola for a white Prima gondola. After the party ends, Akari stays alone with the gondola into the night. Rain begins to fall, and Akari falls asleep; the gondola's spirit places an umbrella over her. The next morning, movers take the gondola away. Several days later, Akari rows her replacement gondola and passes her old one now carrying a full load of cargo. Akari looks back in surprise, but Alicia calls her forward, and Akari greets her new partner.
18その 新しい自分に・・・
Akira organizes a barbecue to help Akari,Alice, and Aika beat the summer heat. Aika arrives with her long hair styled differently and beams when Alicia praises its beauty. While Akira grills rice balls, a burning smell alerts her to Aika‘s hair catching fire from the grill. Akira quickly extinguishes the flames by covering Aika‘s head with a tablecloth. Aika flees in tears, with Akari and Alice chasing after her. Akari and Alice find Aika by the waterfront and comfort her before taking her to her room to cut the damaged hair. Aika confesses she grew her hair long as a charm to become an undine like Alicia. Akira overhears this from the hallway and harshly tells Aika she cannot become Alicia. When Aika tries to run out again, Akira stops her and explains that only Alicia can be Alicia, and Aika must become the best undine in Neo-Venezia by being herself. The next day, Aika hosts another barbecue at the same location to apologize. She arrives with her hair cut short into a new style, and Alicia compliments its suitability. Aika smiles at Akira, acknowledging the lesson she has learned.
19That Crybaby... / That Young Girl's Heart...
A week after cutting her hair,Aika catches a summer cold and stays in bed to recover. On the third day, restless and bored, she sneaks out of Himeya Company to buy pudding. She purchases hairpins at a market stall and eats gelato while wandering the city. From a distance, she spots Akari and Alice conducting their joint practice without her. Seeing them continue as normal triggers a sudden panic, and she runs back to her room. When Akari and Alice later visit to deliver pudding, they find Aika crying. She confesses her fear that the world moves on without her and that her presence holds no meaning. Akari empathizes, and Alice produces the pudding Aika had wanted, helping her regain composure. Two days later, Aika returns to practice but remains distracted. She has not yet shown Al her new hairstyle and feels an urgent but confusing desire to do so. After Akari and Alice encourage her, she travels to the underground world where Al works as a Gnome. She encounters Al on a staircase, and he remarks that her short hair and hairpins suit her well. His casual compliment dispels her anxiety, and she returns to the surface satisfied. The preview shows Aria社长 catching a cold, hinting at the next episode's focus.
20その 影のない招くものは…
A scorching summer heat wave blankets Neo-Venezia. Akari spots a woman dressed entirely in black mourning clothes,her face hidden behind a thick veil, sitting by the canal. Aika recounts a Manhome legend: the ghost of a woman denied burial on San Michele Island haunts the waters, and any gondolier who takes her aboard vanishes. Later that evening, after her practice, Akari encounters the same woman alone by the water. The woman requests a ride, and Akari, though still a Single undine unable to take paying customers, agrees to treat her as a friend and transports her. When they reach the destination, the woman grasps Akari’s hand and pulls her away, running until they reach the cemetery on San Michele Island. The woman confesses she likes Akari and wishes to keep her, at which point her face disappears beneath the veil. As Akari freezes, the gigantic Cait Sith appears behind her, causing the faceless woman to flee. Akari thanks Cait Sith, who gently touches her face with a soft paw, causing her to fall asleep from exhaustion. Akari awakens at home with Aria President at her side; Alicia had been searching for her and expresses relief at her safe return. The next day, Akari recounts her encounter to Aika and Alice, confirming the event as more than a mere story.
21その 銀河鉄道の夜に…
Akari hears a distant train sound in the middle of the night,even though Neo-Venezia’s railways do not operate at that hour. She shares her experience with Aika and Alice, who note that Akari often encounters strange phenomena. President Aria observes Akari rereading the novel Night on the Galactic Railroad and later brings her a sealed ticket stamped with Cait Sith’s paw print. Akari hesitates to use the ticket, recalling her previous encounters with Cait Sith, but Alicia encourages her, suggesting that just as Akari wishes to know more about Aqua, Aqua may also wish to know her. At 2:00 AM, President Aria leads Akari to the tramway, where tracks that did not exist during the day now appear. A train arrives, and numerous cats gather to board. At the boarding platform, a kitten loses its ticket and cannot join its parents; Akari gives the kitten her own ticket. She approaches the conductor and recognizes him as Cait Sith, thanking him for saving her previously. The conductor cradles her face and stamps her forehead along with President Aria’s. As the train departs, Cait Sith removes his conductor’s hat and bows to her from the rear of the train. The next morning, Akari and President Aria discover the stamps still on their foreheads, confirming the night’s events were not a dream. Akari resolves that her connection to Cait Sith and the spirit of Aqua continues.
22That Mysterious World... / That Guardian Of Aqua...
Akari wonders what lies between the stairs at Aria Company and jokingly suggests a parallel world might exist there. President Aria squeezes into the narrow gap and emerges to find Akari transformed into a boy. The gender-swapped version of Akari carries the confused President through Neo-Venezia,where Aika and Alice also appear as boys while Akatsuki and Al appear as girls. President Aria grows distressed and flees back to Aria Company, attempting to return through the stairs. A male version of Alicia finds him and tries tossing him in the air to lift his spirits. Woody, now a woman, takes President Aria on her air-cycle but drops him. President Aria awakens back in his original world and clings to the real Alicia. In the second segment, Akatsuki’s brother Arata visits Alicia and Akari, then recounts a story from Akatsuki’s childhood. Young Akatsuki believed himself to be an android, the designated protector of Aqua. Returning home with his brother to find their mother absent, Akatsuki grew frightened when his brother pretended that aliens had replaced them. Akatsuki ran through the town, hiding in an alley until his mother found him and calmed him by placing his superhero cape over his shoulders. Back in the present, Arata teaches President Aria the superhero pose from Akatsuki’s childhood. Later, Akari and Alicia encounter Akatsuki on the canal and show him President Aria striking the pose. Akari explains that Arata shared the story. Akatsuki freezes in stunned silence.
23Sono Umi to Koi to Omoi to...
Alicia and Akari guide an elderly couple through Neo-Venezia during the couple's wedding anniversary trip. The husband frequently dismisses his wife's suggestions and orders her to meet him at the harbor later in the afternoon. Later,Akari, Aika, and Alice encounter the same man arguing with a shopkeeper who refuses to rent him the bucintoro boat for the "Marriage of the Sea" ceremony. The husband explains that work always prevented him from taking his wife anywhere, and he now wants to fulfill her long-held wish to see the ceremony. Akari offers her gondola as a substitute and enlists Aika and Alice to help decorate it. Aika recruits a volunteer band to provide music for the event. Alicia, Akira, and Athena arrive with their own customers, who ask to join the ceremony as spectators. When the husband cannot find the ring he prepared for the ritual, his wife produces a ring she bought earlier that afternoon, explaining it reminded her of the ceremony. The couple stands in the gondola and makes their vows, comparing their enduring love to the bond between Neo-Venezia and the sea. The husband tosses the ring high into the air, and it falls into the water as the assembled group applauds. The wife then asks her husband to love her forever, concluding the ceremony.
24Those Undines of Tomorrow...
Heavy rain cancels outdoor gondola practice,so Akari and Alice join Aika in her room at the Himeya Company for a study session. Aika notices colleagues whispering when she passes and believes her improving skills are finally gaining recognition within the company. The three trainees study until their conversation drifts to the street names they will take upon becoming Primas, prompting Akira to assign them paperwork to complete. Aika returns the finished paperwork and overhears the same colleagues speaking negatively about Akira, calling her arrogant for being one of the Three Great Water Fairies. She returns to her room upset and tearfully tells Akari and Alice what she heard. Akira overhears and explains that backbiting is inevitable in the competitive undine profession and must be accepted as part of the job. When Aika expresses frustration that people remember one bad thing amid all the good, Akira opens the window shutters to reveal the rain has stopped. Akira tells her to take neither praise nor criticism for granted, teaching that becoming a Prima requires enduring both the visible and invisible burdens of the role. The three trainees conclude they must grow stronger in skill and heart to become Primas, understanding now that the gloves they wear protect more than just their hands. The episode ends with the rain clearing and the three affirming their commitment to the difficult path ahead.
25The Fruits Of That Encounter...
On Aqua,the calendar marks the beginning of autumn, and the trainees practice in their winter uniforms. A week before the Festa del Redentore, Akari grows concerned because she has not received a reply from Ai, who had planned to visit for the festival. After a joint practice, the three great fairies—Akira, Alicia, and Athena—present Akari, Aika, and Alice with an assignment: they will host a houseboat for the Redentore festival. The trainees must handle all planning, decorating, and entertainment themselves as part of their training. Alice quickly designs the invitations, spurring Akari and Aika to match her enthusiasm. Akari sends an invitation to Ai even without confirmation of her arrival. Throughout the week, the three dedicate themselves to preparing the food, decorations, and flow of the evening. On the night of the festival, all the invited guests gather at the dock, but Ai is not among them. As the boat begins to pull away, Ai arrives running, explaining that she had not replied to Akari’s emails in order to surprise her. The dinner proceeds successfully, with the guests enjoying the meal and the atmosphere. After the table is cleared, a comfortable silence falls over the group, which Akari describes as peaceful. As midnight approaches, fireworks launch above them, and the guests raise a toast to their hosts, acknowledging that the three made their gathering possible. Alicia tells the trainees that everyone present is a beautiful crystal formed by the encounters they made possible. After the festival, Akari and Ai promise to spend the following day exploring Aqua’s wonders together. The episode ends with the arrival of winter, setting the stage for the final chapter of the season.
26That White - Kind City...
Winter arrives in Neo-Venezia,covering the city in snow. During a practice break, Akari asks Aika and Alice what they wanted to become when they grew up. Aika admits she wanted to be like Alicia, while Alice deflects the question. Later, Akari walks with Alicia through the snow-covered streets and asks her the same question. Instead of answering directly, Alicia begins rolling a snowball. Akari joins her, and as they push the snowball through the city, passersby stop to help. The snowball grows larger with each new person who lends a hand. The group eventually reaches a dead-end square, where residents begin rolling a second and third snowball. They stack the three snowballs to form a giant snowman and decorate it together. After the crowd disperses, Alicia tells Akari that as a child, she noticed how rolling a snowball naturally brought people together to share in the fun. She decided then that she wanted to become an adult who creates that same feeling of satisfaction and happiness in others. Back at the Aria Company, Alicia asks Akari about her own childhood dream. Akari says she wanted to be a fairy who travels and makes people happy. Alicia smiles and tells Akari she will soon become one, glancing at the single glove on Akari's hand.
Relations
Anime overview
Music
Opening
Ep. 16-17
“Undine (ウンディーネ)”
Ep. 1-15, 18-25
“Euforia (ユーフォリア)”
“Euforia~Hikigatari ver~”
Ending
Ep. 1-15
“Natsumachi (Waiting For Summer)”
Ep. 1-15
“Natsumachi (夏待ち)”
Ep. 16-25
“Smile Again”
“Rainbow”