Moé Moé Rabu

Snow has blanketed the entire city of Neo-Venezia which shows that it is now winter. Akari is staring out to the sea and a little while sees that its time to go gondola training. Whilst training, the girls stop and buy some meat buns to warm themselves up. Stopped at a gondola service stop, Akari serves Aika and Alice some herbal tea.

Talking about how much snow has fallen on the city, Akari makes an embarrassing remark which Aika tells her off as usual, but Akari is slow to respond. Akari then asks the two girls, when they were kids, what kind of adult did they want to become. Alice says that she hasn’t thought about it much, but Aika says that is because she is still a child. Alice bites back by saying that she has graduated from being a cry-baby. Aika says she has as well and wants to become an elegant lady like Alicia. Alice says that she’ll be scolded by Akira again, but Aika says it’s ok since she is herself and Alicia is another person. Akari asks if that’s what she decided and Aika replies that it is. Alice asks what kind of adult Akari wanted to be, after thinking for a bit, Akari says she also wants to be like Alicia, which Aika says copying is not allowed and that Alicia is not to be underestimated. To become someone like that she needs willpower and Aika says that Akari doesn’t have any willpower. Alice sees that Akari wasn’t listening and is thinking of something else. Then Akari asks Aika, what kind of adult Alicia wanted to be.

Over at Aria Company, Akari is watching Alicia drinks some tea and see how elegant she is. Alicia then suggests that they go out for a walk since there won’t be any customers. With that they close up and go out for a walk. As they were walking along, Alicia spots an alleyway with snow that no one has walked on yet and then goes hopping down the alleyway. Walking a bit more, Akari asks the same question that she asked Aika about what kind of adult did she want to be. Having stopped to think about it, Alicia then starts rolling a snowball along the ground, which takes Akari by surprise but then decides to help her out. As the snowball gets larger a man helps them out pushing the snowball. After helping for a bit, the man leaves the two undines and they thank him. Akari asks the question again but Alicia only continues to push the snowball. Later on a woman sees the snowball and decides to help them push it. After a while the woman says it was fun and takes her leave. Arriving at a bridge, the two undines are having trouble getting it across. A couple passing by decided to help them and Aria is on top cheering them on. Once they reach the top the snowball rolls down the bridge taking Aria with it, with Aria eventually falling off and being rolled along with the snowball.

As they keep pushing the snowball through the streets of Neo Venezia, various people help the two undines push the snowball as it gets bigger and bigger. Eventually the two undines arrive at the water edge and sees that there is nowhere else to go. As they were about to turn back a girl comes out and is surprised to see the huge snowball. Then the neighbours come out to see what the noise was all about and are also surprised about the big snowball. Akari and Alicia apologise about the disturbance but a lady says that it’s ok. Commenting on the snowball they ask if the two made it themselves but Akari says they had help from various people. The lady says that they’ll help them as well and so the neighbours bring out a table for the two undines to rest, serving them white cocoa whilst the children make another snowball. Whilst enjoying the break, the man that first helped Alicia and Akari arrives and sees that the snowball has gotten bigger and decides to help again with his children. Akari says that she’ll help as well but the girl corrects her that it’s them helping out Akari and Alicia. Bring out a few ornaments, the neighbours and the two undines then work together to make a big snowman. Once complete, a boat is passing by looking at the big snowman and the group decides to wave at the people on the boat. Looking at the snowman, the group all says that it looks good.

Snow is starting to fall and the two undines take their leave. Alicia says that it was fun and Akari agrees, noting that she built a snowman and meeting many people, gives her a warm memory and makes her love this city. Alicia then starts telling Akari that when she was a child, when it snows she would always play in the snow. Playing in the snow together they would make snowballs and when everyone is satisfied they would all return home. At that time Alicia figured out that she wanted to be that kind of adult and then smiled at Akari. Akari says that at that moment, she won’t forget that smile and sees that Alicia really is a wonderful adult. Akari thanks Alicia which makes Alicia wonder what’s the matter, with Akari saying it’s for encountering her. Alicia says the same for her. Akari gives her thanks to the city for the many wonderful encounters she’s had. Ai in her letter says that when she becomes an adult, she’ll come to Neo-Venezia and at that colony, her and Akari will always….

With that we see everyone that Akari has encountered and the various places that she has visited. Over at Himeya, Akira and Aika are going out for pizza, with Akira paying, but Akira says that Aika will have to pay back in double when she becomes a Prima. Over at Orange Planet, Athena suggests that when it gets warmer they go for a picnic. Alice asks where they are going but Athena simply replies that it’s a secret but it’s a wonderful place. Lastly over at Aria Company, Alicia and Akari are sitting in front of the fireplace. Alicia asks Akari what kind of adult she wants to be, Akari replies that when she was a child, she always wanted to be a fairy. Wanting to travel and make people happy is her reason. Alicia simply says that she will become one, soon, and we focus on Akari’s glove.

Impressions

At this point I still believe that episode 25 should have been the one to use for the ending, but this works as well. Especially at the very end where we see the the three girls with their seniors. It also shows that Akari and Aika are moving onto becoming Primas whilst Alice is going to be a Single. Although not explicitly mentioned, it gives that impression. But with having ARIA the Natural end in such a way can also show that there won’t be another season.

The use of Undine and Euforia ~Hikigatari~ versions added a nice touch to the episode, similar to that of ARIA The Animation episode 12. With the addition of Rainbow being used as the ending theme, the mood was set just right. Overall it was a good episode, but still, I would’ve had preferred episode 25.

Also do snowballs really goto that size when you roll them?