Welcome to the World of Roman Bathing#
Imagine being a talented architect in Hadrian’s Rome, only to have your designs constantly rejected. Now imagine being sucked through an underwater hole in a public bath and popping up in 20th-century Japan. This is the premise of Thermae Romae, a unique blend of historical fiction and slice-of-life comedy.
If you are considering diving into this series, you might be wondering how much content is available and where to start. Whether you want to watch the anime on Prime Video or dive straight into the books, we have you covered.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
When asking “is the anime finished?”, the answer depends on your definition of a conclusion. There are two distinct anime adaptations based on the original manga: the 2012 series and the 2022 series, Thermae Romae Novae.
While these adaptations cover the core concepts of Lucius’s time-traveling adventures, the story continues in print. The original manga ran from 2008 to 2013, but the world of Lucius has expanded. A sequel manga titled Thermae Romae Redux (also known as Zoku Thermae Romae) began serialization in February 2024 and is currently ongoing, with recent news indicating serialization resumes as late as 2026.
If you only watch the anime, you will experience the humor and the premise, but for those seeking the most current developments in Lucius’s journey, you will eventually need to buy the manga to stay up to date.
Themes and Audience Appeal#
Thermae Romae is best suited for viewers who enjoy:
- Historical Comedy: The series juxtaposes the grandeur of Ancient Rome with the modern efficiency of Japanese bathing culture.
- Slice of Life: Much of the appeal lies in the mundane yet hilarious observations Lucius makes about modern amenities.
- Time Travel: The plot utilizes a whimsical approach to time travel that serves as a catalyst for cultural exchange.
It is a lighthearted series that appeals to anyone with a curiosity about history or those who simply enjoy a good laugh at the expense of cultural misunderstandings.
Recommended Watch and Read Order#
Because of the multiple adaptations and a recent sequel manga, the order in which you consume the media matters. You can refer to the relationship tree provided on this page for a visual breakdown of how these titles connect.
Release Order#
If you want to experience the series as it was released to the public:
- Thermae Romae Anime (2012)
- Thermae Romae Novae Anime (2022)
- Thermae Romae Redux Manga (2024–Present)
Completionist Order#
For those who want every single detail and the full context of the architect’s journey:
- Original Thermae Romae Manga (2008-2013)
- Thermae Romae Anime (2012)
- Thermae Romae Novae Anime (2022)
- Thermae Romae Redux Manga (2024–Present)
The “Anime-First” Path#
If you prefer watching before reading, we recommend watching both the 2012 and 2022 anime series first. Once you have finished Thermae Romae Novae, you can transition to the source material to fill in gaps or jump straight into the Redux sequel manga to see the newest stories.
Further Exploration#
If you’ve fallen in love with Lucius and his architectural struggles, you might want to pick up some Thermae Romae merchandise to celebrate the art of the bath.
If you find our investigation helpful and want to help us keep the site running, please consider supporting us on Ko-fi! Your support helps us analyze more series so you know exactly what you’re committing to.
Thermae Romae • manga • 2008-01-11 to 2013-03-12 (serialized in Comic Beam, Feb 2008-Apr 2013)
└─(adaptation)→ Thermae Romae • anime • 2012-01-12
└─(adaptation)→ Thermae Romae Novae • anime • 2022-03-28
└─(sequel)→ Thermae Romae Redux • manga • 2024-02-06 (serialized on Shonen Jump+)
