by Kozue Amano

Publisher: Tokyopop

Format: softcover, 5x7, black & white, $9.99 (order with code JUL073835)

ISBN: 9781427803122

Reviewed by: Library Journal

This cheerful, gentle, two-volume manga, a prequel to the Aria series ( LJ 11/04), opens as young Akari Mizunashi arrives on the planet Aqua (a renamed Mars, mostly covered with water after terraforming) to begin her training as an undine (gondolier and tour guide) for the Aria company in the city of Neo-Venezia. While her kind and beautiful instructor, Alicia, shows her the ropes, Akari makes friends with fellow trainee Aika (who idolizes Alicia) and comes to enjoy the beautiful scenery and laid-back pace of life on Aqua. ADV previously released three volumes of the 12-volume Aria before dropping the series; Tokyopop is now publishing the complete Aria, with a new translation for Vols. 1-3, and is also releasing Aqua for the first time in the United States. A curious note: though ADV rated Aria for all ages, Tokyopop rates Aqua for ages 13+ because of language (though Vol. 1 includes no profanities or obscenities) and rates Aria for ages 16+ for "non-sexual nudity" and alcohol use. Based on the evidence available so far, both of these charming and appealingly illustrated series are recommended for teens and adults at all libraries. —Steve Raiteri