Aria: The Masterpiece, Volume 2 (2) Paperback – June 17, 2019

This is a fascinating manga series that combines sci-fi, fantasy, and slice of life. The series takes place in the future, when Mars has been terraformed and renamed Aqua (because of all the water on its surface). The human colonies on Aqua are designed to resemble cities on Earth (called Manhome here). The people of Aqua prefer a much slower pace of life than people on Manhome, and aspects of life on Aqua more closely resemble Earth's past. A young girl, Akari, comes to Aqua to learn to become a gondolier in the city of Neo-Venezia (which resembles Venice). Female gondoliers, called Undines, give tours of the city, giving Akari plenty of time to admire the beauty of her new home and meet interesting people. There is a short prequel series to Aria called Aqua. Aqua covers Akari's arrival on the planet and introduction to life on Aqua. The series has received some criticism for being slow and lacking danger and adventure, but that is not really the point of the series. The main purpose is to show people how to appreciate the small pleasures of life. The sci-fi and fantasy elements (the spaceships, advanced environmental controls, intelligent Martian cats, and even the occasional appearances of the legendary Cait Sith) are mainly background to the stories about the magic of friendship and simple pleasures. Each volume contains a few short stories about Akari and her friends and the little adventures they have on a daily basis and the life lessons they learn. It's a great series for relaxing when you're stressed out.The stories included in this volume are:Snow Bug -- Snow Bugs (a kind of fluffy aphid) appear on Aqua at the onset of winter. Akari makes friends with one of them, but has to accept that her little friend must move on as it gets colder.Utopia -- Alicia takes Akari and Aika to visit a very special hot spring where the baths are built into a magnificent old mansion.A Day in the Life of the President -- President Aria may be an intelligent Martian cat, but he is still a cute kitty.Voices of the Stars -- Akari learns about the gnomes, a group of people who control the gravity on Aqua. One of them takes her and Aika to see where they live underground.Auguri Di Buon Anno -- Akari celebrates New Year's Eve with her friends. It's interesting how they compare Japanese New Year's traditions with ones from Venice.Carnival -- Akari is introduced to the traditions and wonders of a Venice Carnival, but who is that mysterious figure dressed as Casanova?

By far, the best, most rewarding manga I have ever read, brought to a beautiful collector's edition and in perfect condition. So far, Volume 1 and Volume are in my collection and I cannot wait to purchase the following volumes.If you want to just relax and drift off on a Tuesday from all worries and sorrows, this the manga to get.∞/10.

came as expected, as lovely as the first one.

Wonderful.

Not very pleased. I ordered volume 2 and received volume number one of Aria by Kozue Amano.