(Thanks to Aria fanlisting's Mazzie for this update!:)

According to this ad, Aria vols 7 & 8 will have special editions that come with chibi-figures of Akari, Aika, Alice, Alicia, Akira and Athena. From what I can tell, the Akari, Aika and Alice figures will come with vol 7 with one half of a gondola, and vol 8 will have Alicia, Akira and Athena with the other half, and the two gondola halves will fit together. Sounds really cute.:)

Release dates:
Vol 7: September 10, 2005
Vol 8: January 10, 2006

Each special edition volume will cost ¥1600 (about US$15). Which is not too bad, considering the regular volumes cost about ¥525.

There are also rumblings of a TV anime, but I'm holding out for confirmation on Amano-sensei's site. (btw, Aria-shachou's tail is flipping again...:) It may already be there, but I can't read Japanese fast enough, so bear with me if I keep my enthusiasm in check for a bit longer.:)

Misc housekeeping: Yes, the big site update IS coming. :) I've been kind of HTML-d out working on my friend's site, to get it updated in time for the summer con season (my goal, not hers). Please visit if you wish!

:edit: I read too fast. Vol 8 actually comes out January 10 2006, not October 6.XD