Learn about Japan’s Bath Culture through Manga: Thermae Romae (By Mari Yamazaki)
Manga Reviews / 作品紹介
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What is the Manga Thermae Romae?
Thermae Romae is a smash-hit comedy manga created by Mari Yamazaki. It presents a unique and humorous tale of cultural exchange by blending the historical setting of Ancient Rome with the modern bathing culture of Japan.
The protagonist is Lucius Modestus, a serious and diligent bathhouse architect living in the Roman Empire (around 130 AD). Frustrated by a lack of creativity, he suddenly time-slips through a drain to a modern Japanese sentō (public bathhouse).
Upon discovering Japan’s surprisingly advanced and efficient bathing customs (washlets, soaking tubs, onsen inns, etc.), Lucius is convinced they are gifts from the “Flat-faced Tribe” (Japanese people). He struggles to return to Rome and incorporate these “future technologies” into his own designs. The narrative brilliantly exploits the comedic potential arising from this cultural clash, as the earnest Roman engineer is constantly filled with shock and awe (ikei) at Japanese innovations like fruit milk after a bath or automated tub fillers.
Why is this Manga Recommended for Foreign Readers?
An Introduction to Sentō and Onsen
For foreign readers, Thermae Romae serves as an enjoyable introduction to Japan’s deep-rooted bathing culture. Through Lucius’s eyes, you can discover the following differences and charms:
Sentō (銭湯 / せんとう): Public bathhouses where locals gather, often featuring giant murals and acting as community social hubs.
Onsen (温泉 / おんせん): Bathing facilities using natural hot springs, ranging from luxurious resorts to rustic rotenburo (露天風呂 / ろてんぶろ / open-air baths).
Beyond simply teaching bath etiquette, the manga uses the Roman comparison to teach the philosophies behind Japanese omotenashi (hospitality), food culture, and history. Crucially, the story addresses common foreign questions—like “Why do people share the same water?” or “Why is cleanliness so prioritized?“—not as explanations, but as experiences filtered through Lucius’s perpetual astonishment.
The “SF (Sugoihuro) Movie” Sensation
The manga was adapted into a live-action movie series starring Hiroshi Abe (阿部寛 / あべひろし), which became a massive box office success and received high international acclaim. The author also won prestigious awards, including the Manga Taishō 2010 and the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Short Story Award. The humorously redefined “SF”—standing for Sugoihuro (すごい風呂 / Super Bath) movie—symbolizes the fusion of science fiction time-travel and bathhouse comedy. As its success in Taiwan and Europe shows, the humor in this cultural contrast transcends language barriers.
Movie and Anime Adaptation Information
The cast of the live-action movie, especially Hiroshi Abe, was praised for his sculpted, intense facial features which closely resembled an Ancient Roman, lending visual plausibility to the comedy.
There are two animated adaptations of the manga. A short-form anime (5 episodes) was broadcast on Fuji TV’s “Noitamina” block in 2012. If you prefer a more recent adaptation that is faithful to the original manga, the Thermae Romae Novae series (11 episodes), which premiered globally on Netflix in 2022, is recommended. This newer version includes original episodes that add new context to the classic story.
🎥 Must-Watch Clip: The Power of Bathing Culture!
項目 / Item
日本語 / Japanese
英語 / English
タイトル/ title
映画『テルマエ・ロマエII』予告編
Movie “Thermae Romae II” Trailer
チャンネル名 / Channel Name
シネマトゥデイ
CINEMATODAY
About the Author: Mari Yamazaki and Her Fascination with Geniuses
The author, Mari Yamazaki, whose unique perspective stems from her long residence in Italy, is key to Thermae Romae‘s success. Her deep understanding of Roman culture combined with her ability to view Japan through an outsider’s lens makes the manga so engaging. Yamazaki-sensei excels at depicting eccentric, driven individuals like Lucius, a talent that propelled this work to global success.
漫画は、阿部寛（あべひろし）主演の実写映画シリーズとして映像化され、興行的な大成功を収め、国際的にも高い評価を受けました。作者は、マンガ大賞2010や手塚治虫文化賞短編賞といった権威ある賞も受賞しています。ユーモラスに再定義された「SF」は、「すごい風呂」（Sugoihuro / Super Bath）映画と称され、この映画の持つSF的なタイムトラベル要素と銭湯コメディの融合を象徴しました。台湾やヨーロッパでの成功が示す通り、この文化的な対比のユーモアは、言語の壁を超えて広く受け入れられました。
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