Aria

I mean, I can only say that the last time I had such a pleasant and great feeling was probably when watching Natsume's Book of Friends, or Mushi-shi. However, there is practically nothing supernatural or exciting in this show. Still, this is exactly the kind of calming, laid-back affair that is absolutely wonderful to relax to. It is calm, cute, funny, and has an unpretentious plot, which makes this show great to switch off and relax. I get the feeling that I am watching something magical. It is like a nice gondola ride through beautiful Venice, sitting quietly, enjoying all the beautiful things around me and just drifting away. 9.7/10. (01/01/2016)

There really are few experiences as perfect as making a good cup of tea (or even hot chocolate), crawling under the covers, and listening to something pleasantly relaxing and sweetly magical. The whole world, everyday worries, and even bad weather simply do not matter at all to you afterward. The anime series Aria is exactly the kind of anime series that lends itself perfectly to such an experience. I have not seen a more pleasant, beautiful, and calming anime series yet. The second season is even more interesting than the first one, thanks to the slight touch of mystery, although the vibe of the anime series and the pleasant feeling I get from it is still the same. Wonderful. 10/10. (01/02/2016)

Aria the OVA: Arietta is qualitatively the same as the anime series. However, compared to the first two seasons, there is a shift concerning the animation; some details are more rendered, some exteriors are more sophisticated. The change in animation quality does not always help the "magical" impression that the anime's creators wanted to produce. Nevertheless, it is still beautiful and magical, so the special episode fully met my expectations. 9.5/10. (01/07/2016)

If the entirety of the Aria anime series were one coherent anime series, I would not hesitate to put this show in my top ten of best anime series. Unfortunately, in my opinion, you cannot pick just one season out, in isolation without the context of the entire anime series because even though each season is beautiful and magical, each one is still just a part of the whole picture. Overall, the narrative is the most enjoyable and beautiful I have ever seen. Aria the Animation was a lovely introduction that brought us to the world of "New Venice" and introduced us to the characters, pace, and style of the narrative. Aria the Natural was a vehicle that worked beautifully within its setting, worked gently with the characters, and slowly revealed everything at the same wonderful and enjoyable pace. Aria the Origination is a wonderful and emotional conclusion, where everything ends in a way we had wished for in our minds and which you can enjoy a lot. On its own, it is beautiful, although together it is perfect. So I am awarding this 10/10, and I am completely satisfied with all three seasons of the anime series. (01/17/2016)