It’s a new day, inside a new aquarium. We said our final goodbyes to our beloved Gama Gama in the previous episode, and The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 13 is here with fresh outlooks and new beginnings. Let’s see what the new environment brings in this review!
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 13 Overview
The Aquatope on White Sand is the latest anime by the Anime Studio P.A. Works, previously known for producing critically and commercially acclaimed anime like Angel Beats and Another. Toshiya Shinohara directs the series, a director whose career so far has been intrinsically linked with P.A. works, having previously directed Irozuku Sekai no Ashita kara and Nagi no Asu kara for the studio before. It is an original series by P.A. works, which means it is not based on a previously existing property, such as a Manga or a Light Novel.
If you want to know how I felt about the twelfth episode of the season, or if you want to catch up on it, check out my review of it here. This episode is also known in original Japanese as Shiroi Suna no Aquatope Episode 13.
– The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 13 Review does not contain spoilers –
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 13 Review- Art and Music
If you thought Gama Gama was beautiful, Tingaara is going to blow your mind away. The new aquarium is more than ten times bigger than Gama Gama and at least that much more beautiful, if not more. The animation in The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 13 felt like seeing Gama Gama for the first time, except even better. There is something mesmerising about calmly watching the fish float, especially when they are as well animated as they are here.
The music was also just as good as it has always been, with some moody tunes accentuating the feeling of helplessness and desperation that were present throughout the episode. That was on top of the calming melodies that usually play when aquatic creatures are on screen. P.A. Works are truly second to none in creating living and breathing surroundings that look as beautiful as anime has ever looked.
We also have new opening and ending songs, which have Fuuka in them. That was a relief to see as she wasn’t in the previews for the second part of the season, but she couldn’t not be in it, right? Also, the songs are also fantastic as well, so I’m not just excited about Fuuka being featured. Just good things happening all around, which you love to see.
The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 13 Review- Plot and Characters
The second part of The Aquatope on White Sand features Kukuru working alongside everyone but her grandparents and Fuuka in the Tingaara Aquarium. Naturally, she faces many challenges there as she gets assigned to a department that Kukuru knows less than nothing about and is working with people who couldn’t care less if she lost her job. A lot of new characters are introduced, and we welcome some old faces as well.
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The girl who came to Gama Gama for work experience, Chiyu, works at Tingaara. She is a natural rival to Kukuru and is written as a very conniving and two-faced individual. One can deduce from the start that she and Kukuru will clash a lot here, and it is going to be fantastic. However, she isn’t the only challenge that Kukuru faces in The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 13.
Kukuru loves aquatic life and creatures, and they are the only ones she feels comfortable around. This part sees Kukuru get out of her comfort zone and fight for survival among people who don’t consider her good at her job. It is good that the show already had a plan as to where to take this story, and the events feel like a natural progression from the previous part of the season. The show has a refreshing new direction that I absolutely loved.
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Some new characters look delightful, alongside the returning ones like Udon-chan, Karin-chan, Kai, Umi-yan, and Kuuya. They all had their roles to play in The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 13 and were a source of comfort to Kukuru at times when she needed them. Kukuru is a character that needs to grow and face new challenges, and the ones that she is getting are good for her morale and overall arc. In case you couldn’t tell already, I loved everything about this episode. I only wish I could finish the entire series right now, so I wouldn’t have to wait.
Verdict
The new direction The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 13 is headed towards was fantastic and a perfect continuation to the story and character developments of the previous episodes. It seems like only good things lie in the show’s future, but I can’t say the same about Kukuru.
If you liked this review of The Aquatope on White Sand Episode 13, you will also enjoy our review of the next episode in the series, available right here!