Netflix anime 'Thermae Romae Novae' reimagines ancient Rome with Japanese baths

The anime series 'Thermae Romae Novae,' based on Mari Yamazaki's manga 'Thermae Romae,' premieres on Netflix on March 28, 2022. The story follows Lucius Modestus, a young architect in ancient Rome under Emperor Hadrian, who accidentally time-travels to a modern Japanese hot spring. He learns from Japanese bathing culture and applies these ideas to his Roman projects. The manga, first published in 2008, was inspired by Yamazaki's studies at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, where she moved as a young adult. The series draws parallels to the Italian comedy film 'Non ci resta che piangere' (1984) by Roberto Benigni and Massimo Troisi. Previous adaptations include two live-action films (one shot largely at Cinecittà in 2012) and a short anime. The series blends historical absurdity with cultural exchange, highlighting the influence of Japanese and Italian traditions.