'Thermae Romae'- A japanese film about a time traveling Roman bath builder

So yeah, I just learned of this movies existence. Its about a Roman bath builder who travels to modern japan and back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOmFSflNiQU


And now there is a sequel, 'Thermae Romae II'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Www2vf3Fas


I haven't watched many japanese films but I may watch this if I get the chance because of its odd and amusing premise.

(I can't get YouTube videos to work here)

what the hell?

have some rep

"An epic bath extravaganza."

...that line got me.

Originally Posted by Roma_Victrix

"An epic bath extravaganza."

...that line got me.

What about the opening scene?

"For the shake of the Roman Empire...build me a bath!" LOL

Seriously, though, is this supposed to be a commedy? I don't think it incites laughter the way they intended.

Muahaha Someone found out this! we have been talking about this for years in the Anime Thread
FLAT FACES!!

So yeah, I just learned of this movies existence. Its about a Roman bath builder who travels to modern japan and back.

Its based on a manga and Anime, if im not mistaken its not a new series at all ( from 2008 i think). Even though the movie adaptations are from 2012 and now 2014.
I would recomend to wacth the Anime though, its realy great.
The manga is much better then the anime from what i hear. And i have no ideia about this movies, but i wont put my hopes up on it. Given the nature of the Anime anyway. We will see, i personaly cant buy the films adaptation... hard to watch japanese playing romans.... on the other hand, it doesnt bother me, as this movies arent to be taking it serious, overal the anime is a great laugh, i expect the films to be as well.
The main character is suposed to be blonde btw

Seriously, though, is this supposed to be a commedy?

Of course. But what do you think given the synopsis?

The story follows a Roman architect named Lucius, who is having trouble coming up with ideas. One day, he discovers a hidden tunnel underneath a spa that leads him to a modern Japanese bath house. Inspired by the innovations found there, he creates his own spa, Roma Thermae, bringing in the modern ideas to his time.
Each subsequent chapter follows Lucius facing some sort of a problem, just to be swept to Japan once again. He visits modern bath houses, personal baths, waterparks, fertility festivals, and even zoos. There, he always happens to find the inspiration to solve the exact problem he has been tasked with.

yeah comedy

Well, other than the existence of Japanese Romans, who could be the product of low budget, it's not that funny so I am not sure if the movie tries to take itself seriously or not.

I didnt watch the movies, but from the trailers its pretty clear they dont take themselfs serious.
Im however familiar with the Anime. Yeah not serious... how could it be? the whole setting is ridiculous, and hilarious imo.

Of course it's a comedy; what other genre would you put it in? Science Fiction/Adventure?

I watched the movie; it's basically how Japanese ideas and concepts are just superior in a niche hobby/interest/pursuit/calling.

Originally Posted by Condottiere 40K

I watched the movie; it's basically how Japanese ideas and concepts are just superior in a niche hobby/interest/pursuit/calling.

How did you get that idea???

After having watched the first episode of the anime it gives me the first impression of 'an ancient guy visits a modern country that also has a bathhouse culture and ingeniously makes close aproximations with his own eras tech level', but thats only the first episode, I don't know how it continues.

But it wouldn't surprise me if the movie played up the 'japanese bathhouse culture is awesome' aspect and also play up the 'clueless foreigner in japan' trope too. But then again, I havn't watched the movies or seen more than one episode of the show so I can't make any judgments.

But what I can say is that the pisode I watched was funny and interesting, and the trailer for the movie looked neet so I am looking forward to seeing more.

I wonder, do they just gloss over the fact that the Roman architect should be speaking Latin and wouldn't understand a word of modern Japanese?

This is hardly the first time travel fiction involving Rome, too. For instance, Lest Darkness Fall (1939) by L. Sprague de Camp.

I think the trailers look awesome.

Roman Imperial engineer time travels, gets rescued by kind kawaii chick, has mind blown by modern plumbing and Japanese baths.

Sounds pretty reasonable to me

Originally Posted by the_mango55

Sounds pretty reasonable to me

Indeed. Not to mention japan is knowned to have the most advanced architecture n the world.

Japan why you so weird.