Aria is the continued story started with the two volumes of Aqua, but if you haven’t read those don’t worry about jumping into Aria in the middle of the story. The manga starts off with an introduction to the storyline and characters so that you know who everyone is and what’s going on.
“One hundred and fifty years in the future, terraforming on Mars has caused its polar ice caps to melt, coving 90 [percent of the planet’s surface with water and making it habitable for humans. Mars is now referred to as Aqua, the water planet, while Earth has become known as Manhome. On Aqua lies the port town of Neo-Venezia, which is modeled after the Italian city Venice on Manhome. Venice itself ceased to exsist in the latter half of the century. Much like Venice, Neo-Venezia features a labyrinth of water canals navigated by gondolas.”
Akari has come from Manhome to Aria to be an Undine, the guides that ferry people on gondolas through the canals of Neo-Venezia. She was recently promoted to journeyman status, but has yet to become a full-fledged Undine. Once Akari does, she will be able to take passengers on her gondola without her mentor Alicia having to be present.
Alicia and Akari both work for the Aria company which is run by President Aria, a Martian cat that doesn’t speak, but that doesn’t stop him from being an integral part of the story. Another character you are introduced to is Aika, who works for Aria’s sister gondola company Himeya. She also happens to be Akari’s best friend.
In this first volume there are three stories that flow into each other. In the first, Akari helps a tourist find his missing daughter, but more importantly shows him that life is about slowing down and enjoying the small things.
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Article comments
1 - Rhino
I LOVED this manga! I've only read the first volume--but I can't wait to read the next! And it's right about the cover art, That was the only reason I picked it up. It has an amazingly beautiful cover! I highly recommend as a feel-good story! 5 stars!