Set in the 24th century, mankind has successfully terraformed Mars, making it a habitable planet and renaming it to planet Aqua. Now living in a planet mostly made up of water and ocean, humans use unmotorized gondolas to travel around their cities.
The story follows Akari Mizunashi, a young woman who just arrived at Aqua from Manhome (formerly known as Earth). Her dream is to become an Undine – a gondolier that acts as a tour guide. Starting her journey in Neo-Venezia, a city that closely resembles Manhome’s city, Venice.
Watch Akari Mizunashi and her friends explore the wonder filled planet of Aqua, and how they face the problems in a gondolier’s life.
Aria the Natural is the second season of the sci-fi drama anime series Aria the Animation. Produced by studio Hal Film Maker, the series aired a total of 26 episodes between April 2, 2006 and September 26, 2006.
Episode 1: That Encounter at the Carnival…
Ai visits Akira at Aqua for the Neo-Venezia’s Carnivale. There, they meet the enigmatic master of ceremonies, Casanova. Later, Casanova reveals himself as the legendary king of Aqua’s cats, Cait Sith.
Episode 2: Looking for that Treasure…
During practice, Akira, Aika, and Alice finds a box that sends them into a treasure hunt through Aqua’s streets. After gaining the final clue, they later learn that they were not the first ones to find the treasure.
Episode 3: The Night of the Meteor Shower…
Akira, Aika, and Alice plans on watching the meteor shower that will occur the next night. Together with Al, the gondoliers end up at the rooftop of Himeya Company, with an unobstructed view of the night sky.
Episode 4: That Neo-Venezia-Colored Heart…
Akari is temporarily hired by Mr. Mailman while his gondola is still under repair. During their rounds of mail delivery, Mr. Mailman explains to Akari why the people of Aqua prefer hand written mails instead of e-mails.
Episode 5: The Wonder of that Rainy Day…/ The Discoveries on That Spring Day…
Akari goes with Alicia to an island where Japanese Inari Shrines are produced. After getting separated from Alicia, Akari wanders off to the forest and meets a fox spirit. Later, she and Alicia get lost on the road.
Episode 6: The Smile Reflected in that Mirror…
Akari and Aika stays at Alice and Athena’s room for the night. Later, Alice learns a valuable lesson from Athena and her friends.
Episode 7: To the Kingdom of Cats…
Akari and Alicia secretly follow President Aria, after seeing him travelling alone in his own boat. Their curiosity is even more aroused, when President Aria goes to an area which was usually restricted. The gondoliers follow him inside, and find themselves trapped in a labyrinth of flooded buildings.
Episode 8: The Day of Festa Del Bòcolo…
While peacefully riding her gondolier, Akari remembers that it is Festa Del Bòcolo, a day similar to Manhome’s Valentine’s Day. Later, Akatsuki and Aika compete on winning Alicia’s affection. Akari receives her first rose after helping Akatsuki.
Episode 9: Those Honest Stars…
Akari gives a tour as an undine, under the supervision of Alicia. They then discover a garden of flowers, a location Akari never knew existed. Later, while Alicia accompanies Akari in her room during the blackout, she tells her story as a Single to encourage the undine.
Episode 10: That Heartwarming Town and Its People…
After noticing how Akari easily makes friends, Aika and Alice decide to stalk her in order to learn her secret. Later, they learn that all they had to do was to take joy in whatever they were doing.
Episode 11: That Precious Sparkle…
Akari is assigned to transport some glassware by her gondola. Later, she discovers from the apprentice glassmaker that the glassware, and even Neo-Venezia itself, is criticized by tourists as being a poor imitation of Manhome’s Venice. Akari comforts the upset apprentice by expressing her appreciation of Neo-Venezia and its people.
Episode 12: Chasing that Mirage…/ The Light from that Nightshine Chime…
Akari once again meets Cait Sith in a dreamlike state. Later, Akari buys a special nightshine windchime.
Episode 13: Those Really Self-Imposed Rules…
Alice struggles after consistently failing her self-imposed challenges. Later, Athena helps her finish her challenges.
Episode 14: That Newest Memory…
Akari is assigned to create a distinctive palina, after asking Alicia about its absence in their company. With the help of Grandma Akino, the gondoliers now have their own special blue palina, which represented the sea and sky.
Episode 15: In the Center of that Large Circle…
Akari is joined by Akira, Akatsuki, and Al during her lunch. Al reminiscences about their childhood after seeing Akira and Akatsuki squabble.
Episode 16: Parting with that Gondola…
Akari’s gondola is declared unfit for tours, after it was found to be too worn-out. She then takes her gondola for a final goodbye, followed by a series of flashbacks involving special events with her gondola.
Episode 17: After that Rainy Night…
Alicia reveals that Akari’s gondola was also her first. Alicia then shares with Akari her memories during her early days as a gondolier.
Episode 18: That New Me…
Aika takes on a new hairstyle, in order to look more like Alicia. However, her hair catches fire from a barbecue grill. Akari comforts her as they cut away her damaged hair, and encourages Aika that she should aspire to be the best gondolier not like Alicia, but as herself.
Episode 19: That Crybaby…/ That Young Girl’s Heart…
Aika catches a cold and misses practice with Akari and Alice.
Episode 20: That Shadowless Invitation…
Akari ferries a ghost lady who drags her into a cemetery. Fortunately, Cait Sith arrives to rescue her, and Akari wakes up safe at Aria Company.
Episode 21: That Night of the Galaxy Express…
President Aria gives a ticket sealed with Cait Sith’s paw print to Akari. She then meets Cait Sith at the train, and thanks him for saving her from the ghost lady.
Episode 22: That Mysterious World…/ That Guardian of Aqua…
President Aria accidentally ends up in a parallel world where everyone he knows at Aqua are now of the opposite sex.
Episode 23: That Sea, Love, and Heart…
Akari, along with the other trainees, help an older couple after they were rejected from renting a special wedding boat.
Episode 24: Those Undines of Tomorrow…
During a rainy day, the trainees decide to do a group study instead of gondola practice. There, they discover that Akira’s colleagues are badmouthing her behind her back.
Episode 25: The Fruits of that Encounter…
The trainees are assigned to host the Redentore houseboat.
Episode 26: That White, Kind City…
Akari spends a snowy night with Alicia. Together with other people from Neo-Venezia, they enjoy making a snowman.