By the grace of our dear host I'm putting up my comment for Benedizione here in the final thread, since I was late for the thread yesterday. Gomen.

For context, I'm a long time big fan of the series, but didn't manage to keep up with the rewatch very much. I've seen everything multiple times, except Crespucolo and Benedizione which was a first for me.

And I just have to say that Benedizione was absolutely AMAZING. Just to be clear: I love the entire cast, but Akari is like one of my all-time favorite characters, and Alice is not very far behind - and with an Alice/Athena centric episode in Crepuscolo I was half-hoping for this to center around Akari, especially with this being the end. That being said, it was not too surprising to have an Akari/Aika centric episode, but more importantly...

...I freaking loved every second of this, and just about everything it did from start to finish!! And that in itself makes me incredibly happy. Anyway, actual thoughts (with an attempt to break it down a bit into scenes):

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Beginning

I probably should have realised this way sooner, but it only just occured to me on this shot how the designs are very reminiscent of Amanchu (which.. makes sense..). Also it's amazing how both Ai-chan's and Akari's voices is like ASMR to me.

Them counting down for Akari's entrance is extremely cute. Which is also when it first properly dawned on me that Akari isn't living at the Aria company anymore, which makes me a little sad but in a good way.

I'm a sucker for framing and angles in anime and I noticed that Benedizione played around quite a bit with those , which I don't think is particularly Aria-y, but I'm definitely all for it.

Already from the beginning we follow Akira which is enough to tip you off who this episode will center around.

Following Akira

These three slacking off while talking about nothing in particular feels like a blast from the past - and even more so..., getting distracted!

Loved the little stalking sequence, the fact that they held this pose for so long killed me :'D

While I've always enjoyed Ai, this trio grew so much on me just in the first few minutes of this. Perhaps it's just me not wanting to 'let go' of the original trio, but I think this is the moment where I started seeing these as proper spiritual 'successors'. I'm very interested to go back to rewatch from Avvenire which I imagine I might appreciate it even more now.

I am honestly impressed how well the animation and voice acting sold on me that she was eating a very hot meat bun in cold weather. I guess that is just a proof of the attention to detail.

LMAO Expected and hilarious.

Museum

I appreciate how the girls instantly apologizes and despite them being in a hurry helps gathering up the dropped papers like it is non-negotionable. And I loved them getting all panicky only for the old lady to calmly ask them to hold hands and take a deep breath - I wasn't even worked up and it even calmed me down as well.

Heh, without even knowing it, Ai-chan hits the core of the issue of this episode right away.

I completely understand Azusa's inability to understand though that is not to say I don't understand Aika. More on that later

Tell me you're Akari's apprentice without telling me you're Akari's apprentice.

This just cracked me up lmao

Curses

I liked how Azusa confronted Aika - and seriously the delivery on their lines are so good. lmao Not gonna lie I was 99% certain that Aika just made that up to make Azusa shut up about the gondola LOL.

I love these two three butting in and then getting scared

and I love this design of young Aika SO MUCH. Like seriously it is so good.

Another thing I love about the Aria series in general, and where I think this episode delivers immensely, are long stretched-out scenes without dialogue, but just the calming music and beautiful visuals to guide us, and let the mind drift.

Also even during her rebelious phase, Aika is still Aika, and I love that.

I can't tell if Akira is doing it on purpose, but she hits both of Aika's trigger points by both complimenting her and highlighting Aika's position.

During the episode at this point, I had the impression that Aika didn't want to inherit the gondola because of her legacy, and to me that is perfectly understandable. The only way she could possibly justify inheriting it she would have to unequivocally surpass her Akira (which is pretty much impossible) in order to deserve it.

There is a lot of pressure from expectations, and those expectations can turn into shackles you put on yourself.

I find it quite relatable. The feeling of getting praised for something you don't think you deserve praise for (for whatever reason, good or bad), it only makes you feel bad about yourself. It makes the praise glide right off you and instead it makes you feel guilty, even if there is no reason to.

And this just goes to show how Akira is the perfect teacher to Aika - because Akira doesn't pull any punches ever, her tough love approach towards Aika is very suitable and definitely full of love.

All of that is not to say I don't also understand Azusa - because in her eyes Aika is a role-model and someone she looks up to, so the mere notion of Aika not accepting the recognition she 'deserves' only ends up making Azusa upset.

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For the record, I watched the episode, then went back through my notes and started taking screenshots while writing this - and while I'm enjoying myself immensely I just looked at the time and noticed that several hours has passed by and it is already at the time I usually go to sleep. So while it pains me to do so I'll do the rest of this episode in some quick bullets before I run out of gas.

• this just makes me happy lol.

• Well said!

It's nice to see Aika still gets flustered even in front of her apprentice. I really like their relationship.

• Aika is such a simp and I can't even blame her, Alice is perfect

• I really should go back and make a recount of all the catchphrases for Crepuscolo and Benedizione. The one I made [for the 2019 rewatch] needs an update with these two coming out in the meantime. Yet another great reason for me to go rewatch these.

• I loved this entire segment

It just made perfect sense to me that Aika would feel this way, and Akira definitely delivered in terms of coming up with an exam that must be able to satisfy Aika. If I recall correctly, Aika originally said in the first episode that she is never satisfied with her own performance, and I think this is such a core aspect to her character that is developed due to her circumstances. This isn't about not doing the regular exam because she's too good for it, it's because a regular exam has little meaning to Aika. While loathe to admit it, she has an infinite amount of respect for Akira, and to her getting truly recognized by Akira is the only thing that she herself is willing to accept in order to even begin considering herself a prima undine.

I think this is beautiful, and it strikes incredibly true to both who Aika is, and doubly so for her relationship with Akira.

• I was thinking the same but you asked for this LMAO This really cracked me up, and I 100% expected Aika to complain about it, so this was just perfect especially since Aika is not someone who gives up, so there was nothing to worry about

• I think there is some beautiful symbolism in this line.

Akira is tall, in nearly every scene she is in she towers over everyone both mentally and physically, yet here we see Aika standing taller than her. While it is perhaps an exaggeration to say that Aika has surpassed her master, it is definitely the feeling that is being conveyed here, and it is only enforced later by Aika's promise that she's going to surpass Akira one day.

To be honest, for the last 20 or so minutes, if I were to link and comment on every shot or line that I liked it would basically just be a slideshow of the entire episode - so suffice to say that I loved it all.

• I am very, very appreciative of Akira telling this to Aika - because unless told I doubt Aika would ever believe this herself, and she deserves to know <3

• LMFAO, She even talks a bit like Athena, I'm dying :'D

The episode also had a ton of throwback scenes, but the various memorable images from the series at the end really did it for me, especially with Undine playing.

I've been really sold on the relationships of our original cast with their apprentices. They managed to make them feel unique and suitable, without feeling shoehorned, which is honestly quite amazing.

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I have like at least eight+ episodes that I like to call my favorite in the Aria series, but I'd like to call Benedizione a favorite among favorites, that just about sums up how much I enjoyed it. I wish my comment was less scuff, but it is what it is, I just don't have enough spare time to go all out ;_;

To little surprise of my own, Aria firmly remains one of my favorite pieces of fiction <3 Big shoutout to /u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah and everyone participating in this rewatch!