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So, I get asked about Aria ALL THE TIME. Here are the answers to all the basic questions I get:
Q: Should I watch/read Aria? Why is it so great?
A: It all really depends on your preferences. Are you okay with a slow, peaceful and relaxing series, or a fan of slice-of-life/iyashikei works in general? Then absolutely, positively yes! Aside from the YKK manga, it's really the pinnacle of the genre, and in my opinion, has the potential to inspire or even change lives. I'm a bit reluctant to recommend it to people who aren't a fan of these kinds of works, though I also see no harm in giving the series a try if you're curious. If you're hesitant about trying it and need more of a push, I can't recommend Archaeon's reviews of the series enough. Not only do I agree with 99% of what he says, but he also keeps them spoiler-free for the entire series (even in his review of Aria the Origination). Feel free to read through all three without fear of ruining the impact of the show.
Q: Is Aria really your favorite series, or are you just some elitist trying to flex on others with your taste?
A: Yes, it's my favorite series. My actual collection of Aria-related content on my hard drive is pretty... extensive. This includes the entire series and all corresponding OVAs and specials, the entire lossless OST, the full manga series (Aqua & Aria), hundreds upon hundreds of fanart images, etc. I own the first two volumes of Aria the Masterpiece, with volumes 3 and 4 on pre-order, and I plan to collect the entire re-released series when volumes 5-7 become available. On another note, I even wrote a blog about how the series changed my life.
Q: In what order should I watch the series?
A: The short version would be:
Animation, Natural, Arietta OVA, Origination
***Do NOT start with Origination!!!***
For the most immersive experience, check below:
Q: What's your order of favorite characters?
A: Alicia > Akari > Alice > Athena > Aika > Akira
But to put things into perspective, I love Akira almost as much as Alicia.
Aria just wouldn't be the same without any of them; they're all special.
Q: Why is Alicia your best girl?
A: This is copy-pasted straight from my interview with MAL Interviews:
Q: What's your favorite moment from the entire series?
A: