Thermae Romae Novae Season 1 Episode 3 Lucius Builds an Outdoor Bath

The episode titled "Lucius Builds an Outdoor Bath" is the third installment of the first season of Thermae Romae Novae. The episode continues to follow the adventures of Lucius Modestus, a Roman bathhouse architect who is transported through time to modern-day Japan every time he takes a dip in a bath.

In this particular episode, Lucius finds himself in Japan once again, where he discovers the beauty of a Japanese garden. Inspired by the natural surroundings, Lucius realizes that the Japanese way of building baths is completely different from the Roman one. As he is an architect of the baths, he decides to take inspiration from the Japanese culture and design an outdoor bath.

The episode is filled with various phases of construction of an outdoor bath, starting from the selection of a site to the designing process. Lucius visits various historical sites and Japanese gardens, and even a tea house to get inspired. At each site, he gathers a lot of information about the cultural elements of Japan, which he incorporates into his design.

One of the highlights of this episode is the sheer artistry of the animation and the design of the outdoor bathhouse itself. The artists have done an excellent job of representing the different elements of the Japanese culture through the intricate details of the bath design. From the placement of rocks to the selection of the plants, every detail is planned carefully to create a relaxing and soothing experience. The designers have ensured that the bathhouse complements the natural surroundings while still being luxurious enough to appeal to modern bath lovers.

Throughout the episode, audiences get to see Lucius's creative process. His thought process is quite intriguing, where he blends the sophisticated Roman architectural design with the simple and elegant nature of the Japanese design. He explains that the two cultures are completely different, yet they share a common core of creating a serene, tranquil, and luxurious atmosphere.

Another interesting aspect of the episode is the interaction between Lucius and his Japanese partner, Mori. Mori is fascinated by the Romans and is eager to learn their techniques and designs. Lucius, on the other hand, is intrigued by the Japanese culture and its rich history. The partnership between the two characters helps build better communication among the two cultures as they learn from each other and celebrate differences.

Overall, the episode "Lucius Builds an Outdoor Bath" is a captivating and well crafted piece of animation. It is a unique and exciting take on two vastly different cultures, and it manages to showcase the beauty of both in an appealing way. The story is engaging from start to finish, and the animation is stunning. Audiences can appreciate the level of detail that went into creating such a beautiful bath and learn about different cultural elements that are unique to Japan and Rome. This episode is entertaining, educational, and a must-watch for bath lovers and history buffs alike.