Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2012

Recently, many Japanese comedies have been hit-and-miss, and this is only made more intense by the currently popular over-the-top style advocated by the likes of Satoshi Miki (Instant Numa) and Kankuro Kudo (Brass Knuckle Boys).

Thermae Romae is a time-slip comedy, based on a manga series by the same name, that delivers the goods. It only demands that you buy Hiroshi Abe as a gaijin, and while he doesn’t really look non-Japanese, it’s not too much of a stretch. The story centers around Roman-bath architect Lucius (Abe), who is stumped at inventing a future-oriented bath. One day he discovers by accident an underground tunnel that mystically leads him into a sento in modern day Japan.

Hilarity ensues, or at least chuckles, as Lucius moves back and forth between the two realities, falling in love with modern-day Japanese woman Mami (Aya Ueto) and taking her with him. Naturally, Lucius uses his newfound knowledge to design great Roman baths. Good fun. (108 min)