Aria the OVA: Arietta
Summary: 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]
Description
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]
Aria the OVA: Arietta Trailers
Aria the OVA: Arietta Pictures
Aria the OVA: Arietta Review
Aria the OVA: Arietta — 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. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Sci-Fi, Slice of Life conventions as a OVA work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 7.98). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Aria the OVA: Arietta offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Sci-Fi, Slice of Life, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Florence, Alicia
Main
Ohara, Sayaka
Japanese
Florence, Alicia
Main
Spinelli, Elisabetta
Italian
Florence, Alicia
Main
Lee, Hyeon Jin
Korean
Florence, Alicia
Main
Lenti, Marissa
English
Florence, Alicia
Main
Jara, Betzabé
Spanish
Florence, Alicia
Main
Giraldi, Karen
Portuguese (BR)
Mizunashi, Akari
Main
Hazuki, Erino
Japanese
Mizunashi, Akari
Main
Ponticelli, Benedetta
Italian
Mizunashi, Akari
Main
Wu, Jeong Sin
Korean
Mizunashi, Akari
Main
Taylor, Veronica
English
Mizunashi, Akari
Main
Hernández, Gabriela
Spanish
Mizunashi, Akari
Main
Teixeira, Nani
Portuguese (BR)
Pokoteng, Aria
Main
Nishimura, Chinami
Japanese
Pokoteng, Aria
Main
Valenti, Federica
Italian
Pokoteng, Aria
Main
Tisch-Wallace, Tara
English
Pokoteng, Aria
Main
González, Desireé
Spanish
Pokoteng, Aria
Main
Rolim, Talita
Portuguese (BR)
Aino, Ai
Supporting
Mizuhashi, Kaori
Japanese
Aino, Ai
Supporting
Clerici, Serena
Italian
Aino, Ai
Supporting
Ortiz, Lisa
English
Staff
Hatta, Shinsaku
Producer
Iizuka, Toshio
Producer
Uchida, Tetsuo
Producer
Satou, Junichi
Director, Sound Director, Script, Storyboard
Takeshita, Kenichi
Episode Director
Hazuki, Erino
Theme Song Performance
Kitagawa, Katsutoshi
Theme Song Arrangement, Theme Song Composition
Kubota, Mina
Theme Song Composition, Theme Song Arrangement
Sakurai, Yasushi
Theme Song Arrangement
Abe, Takatoshi
Special Effects
Amano, Kozue
Original Creator
Choro Club
Music
Hagiwara, Tatsurou
Planning
Haruta, Katsunori
Planning
Hashimoto, Kazunori
In-Between Animation
Hirayama, Takaaki
Key Animation
Ishihara, Tomomi
Special Effects
Itou, Tatsufumi
Key Animation
Iwasaki, Mitsuhiro
Key Animation
Iwasaki, Atsushi
Planning