Hot springs are ideal for clearing one’s head and unwinding after a long day. This is what architect Lucius Modestus needs after losing his job due to his outdated ideas. However, even the shallow, warm waters of the thermae hold surprises. He soon discovers he is just one bath away from traveling to another time. Thermae Romae by Mari Yamazaki is a seinen comedy manga that combines time-travel shenanigans and historical accuracy. First published in 2008, it attracted the interest of both Japanese and Western audiences with its original premise.

When in Japan, do as the Japanese do

Rome, 128 AD. Lucius Modestus, like his father and grandfather before him, is a proud Roman citizen and thermal bath architect. However, despite his extensive education, he struggles to keep up with his employers’ requests for innovation. Dejected and uninspired, he decides to go for a bath, only to be sucked through one of the pool’s drains.

This might be the end… but shock takes over the relief once he manages to resurface. Surrounded by strangers, it appears evident that he is no longer in Rome. Instead, he finds himself in a much more advanced place: a public bath in modern-day Japan. It is an experience that inspires him to revolutionize his work, and it repeats itself anytime he falls into a body of water. Thanks to the ideas he borrows from the future, Lucius regains his status and even catches the eye of the Emperor, forever changing his life.

The comedy of the absurd in Thermae Romae

Thermae Romae was born with an episodic structure. Each volume features Lucius being given a new task, traveling through time to explore a new side of Japan – from onsen to waterparks -where he finds the solution he needs. It is a simple yet effective structure standard in manga, as with Gegege No Kitaro, and serialized comics in general. However, as the series gained traction, Mari Yamazaki expanded the story into a long-term narrative. This choice coincides with the introduction of two core characters. The first is Emperor Hadrianus, of whom Lucius becomes a confidant and through which the manga explores ancient history. The second is Satsuki Odate, a young woman who loves the classics and helps Lucius return to his own time.

Thermae Romae‘s comedy is based on the trope of unconventional protagonists in an unfamiliar world. A concept shared with Saint Young Men, a popular manga featuring young Buddha and Jesus as they take a holiday on Earth. But it can also be found in the TV series What We Do In The Shadows, which follows a group of immortal vampires in New York. They all dwell on the oddity of the conventional as seen through the eyes of an out-of-place narrator, like the amusing novelty of an ancient Roman’s first encounter with a bidet.

Thermae Romae‘s approach to history

Despite being a comedy with such an absurd premise, it reveals a surprising attention to detail, not unlike historical manga such as The Rose of Versailles or Vinland Saga. On the one hand, there are open historical references, like the Bar Kokhba Rebellion or the rise and fall of Hadrianus’ reign. On the other hand, more subtle details are conveyed through visuals alone. Such is the case for the backgrounds, whose architecture recalls that of Pompeii. Then there are the baths themselves, which feature the commodities of the time. From a gym to exercise to estheticians offering their services. All these aspects are the product of extensive research and contribute to the reader’s immersion. Moreover, each chapter features an endnote section about the cultural aspects referenced in the story.

Such commitment to history finds context when learning about the author’s life and love for baths. Despite being born in Tokyo, Yamazaki moved to Italy to study art history. She traveled to many countries that were once part of Rome’s Empire and learned about its hot spring culture. Upon her return to Japan, she resorted to writing manga to support herself and her son. That is when the author found inspiration in her nostalgia for baths and her love for Roman History. The result is an amusing short tale imbued with love. Thermae Romae is bound to interest even those unfamiliar with its historical side, as proved by its national success.

Two bathing cultures face-to-face

The core aspect that Yamazaki highlights is the social role of baths in both Japanese and Roman communities. As Thermae Romae shows, Roman baths were more than a place to relax: they were social areas. Open to free men and slaves, the community could get together as part of everyday life—an aspect lost to time but still alive in modern Japan. Lucius’ travels show the differences between the two cultures, yet most of all emphasize this cultural common ground. It is heartwarming how those common aspects that are innate to humanity manage to shine through. The Japanese welcome this foreigner, whom they believe to be a tourist, with open arms, and Lucius is happy to find kindred spirits. They bond over the shared appreciation for bathing, and Lucius’ wish to learn is a testament to the importance of foreign influences for cultural growth.

In the end, the manga is a celebration of tradition and innovation. On the one side, it shows the importance of the past and traditions – both for ancient Rome and Japan – while, on the other, it emphasizes their role in progress and development. It is by embracing innovation that Lucius can preserve the spirit of Rome. This light-hearted approach to universal themes granted Thermae Romae the Short Story Award at the 2010 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. The series received two live-action film adaptations and an anime in 2022: Thermae Romae Novae.