Title

Thermae Romae

Also known as: テルマエ・ロマエ, Thermæ Romæ, Terumae Romae, Terumae・Romae

by Mari Yamazaki

Score from AniList: 75/100finished6 volumes38 chapters

ComedySlice of Life

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When Roman architect Lucius is criticized for his “outdated” thermae designs, he retreats to the local bath to collect his thoughts. All Lucius wants is to recapture the Rome of earlier days, when one could enjoy a relaxing bath without the pressure of merchants and roughhousing patrons. Slipping deeper into the warm water, Lucius is suddenly caught in the suction and dragged through the drainage at the bottom of the bath! He emerges coughing and sputtering amid a group of strange-looking foreigners with the most peculiar bathhouse customs... over 1,500 years in the future in modern-day Japan! His contemporaries wanted him to modernize, and so, borrowing the customs of these mysterious bath-loving people, Lucius opens what quickly becomes the most popular new bathhouse in Rome—Thermae Romae! (Source: Yen Press) Note: Won the 3rd Manga Taisho Award in 2010.

Chapters available: 38
Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 4/5

A charming, inventive slice-of-life comedy about a Roman architect who finds inspiration in the country's public baths.

Pros

Clever, original premise with real charm
Warm, gently funny storytelling

Cons

Episodes can feel repetitive over time
Historical nuance may be missed by newcomers

Read this if you liked:Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou Barakamon

Read the full take

When Roman architect Lucius is criticised for his outdated bath designs, he retreats to a local bath to clear his head. What he finds there is a new kind of inspiration. The premise is an unusual slice-of-life comedy that uses the world of ancient bathing as its playground.The strength is the imagination. The story finds a surprising amount of warmth in the everyday pleasure of a good bath, and Lucius's earnest attempts to learn from Japanese bathing culture are funny and sweet. The art is clean and gives the baths a lovely presence.The weaknesses are about rhythm. Some episodes follow a similar structure, and readers unfamiliar with the history may miss some of the jokes. The charm is more in the mood than in the plot.Recommended for readers who enjoy relaxed, character-driven comedies. Expect a warm, gently funny read that is best enjoyed in small doses.