Bartender: Kami no Glass

As someone who had a close relationship with alcohol from eighteen to thirty (and my liver now pays the price) and started binge-watching anime during that time, I, of course, watched the original Bartender adaptation from 2006. I remember its charming atmosphere, filled with philosophical musings about life, fascinating drink facts, and a cast of genuinely interesting and relatable characters. It was the kind of show that you either completely buy into and enjoy the ride or find silly and not your cup of tea. I was fortunate to be in the former group, even getting the impression that having a few drinks at a bar could be a great experience! Coincidentally, around the same time I was watching Bartender, my favorite pub tried opening a cocktail bar. It felt like one of those serendipitous moments from the show, or perhaps fate, hinting at an unforgettable evening with a charming bartender. It ended up with me having a massive hangover because one of the first rules any bartender should tell you is that mixing different types of drinks is a bad idea — something my dad warned me about when I was seventeen. Despite that, it was a memorable experience, and I have fond memories of the anime — it was great; I was just a fool. Now, much wiser and mostly sober for the past three years, I was curious to see if I could tune into the same vibe with this new remake. Even though I swapped shots for a glass of juice while watching each episode, I thoroughly enjoyed it. This Bartender has its charm, offering a mix of deep, philosophical moments, pleasant interactions, and a generally soothing atmosphere. You learn interesting tidbits, the characters are delightful, and it's fun to reconnect with them after all these years. This adaptation turned out pretty well; the drink preparations were beautifully animated, and each bar had its own personality, as did the bartenders. It was a nice way to end the day, like a comforting nightcap before bed. It won’t drive me back to drinking, as I've moved on, but it did make me thirsty. Any significant drawbacks? While the cocktail preparation animation was top-notch, the final episode revealed that the team struggles with animating smooth body movements, like our bartender throwing a ball — not as fluid as the drink shaking. 7.5/10 (19.06.2024)