Thermae Romae Novae

Netflix does it again: another terrible show. And as true Netflix style, this show is animated quite horrendously, to say the least. That, however, is one of the many host of flaws that this show has.
Sure, the CGI that's ubiquitous, the lack of fluid movement, scenes of walking or monologuing dragging just a bit too long is bad, but how about adding a 3-5 minute live action sequence about baths in Japan? I don't really care about how the author of the manga is the host, or how "informative" it is. It's just lazy, and of course, more importantly, makes it so that the show ... does not need to animate that much more. Hey, better package this live-action sequence as a unique "feature," rather than cutting corners.
Okay sure, the animation and live action sequences are bad, but that's not all. The general episodic format of Lucius going into a different Japanese bath and experience its culture is also terrible, too. First of all, you're stuck in the perspective of Rome for half the show, and the Rome portion of the show is extremely lackluster. There are absolutely no characters that matter other than Lucius himself. Sure, he technically has a couple of friends that are recurring side characters, but they just are husks of a real character that just make small talk with Lucius, but really, anyone would have been fine, as long as Lucius gets some conversation in.
In fact, this show could have been good if the show actually cared about Lucius building baths. The format is that Lucius isekais to Japan and implements the bath culture into his own baths in Rome. However, none of the build or design process is actually shown, and you're just shown the of course, successful finished product. It would have been nice for the show to have Lucius struggle to get ideas approved, or trying to replicate the bath culture from Japan. But nope, you kind of just see his finished product. Other than that, the time the show is in Rome is pure boring exposition that sets up how Lucius needs to yet again, implement a new feature in a bath, serving not much purpose.
Ok, the time in Japan is probably the best part of the show, but it's still not that good. I definitely like the culture shock, and it depicts someone of Lucius's time period well, thinking that the Japanese people are slaves. However, it's still not very funny. Is it relaxing? Um, not really? you're kind of just seeing Lucius react to how different baths work. It kind of gets really old real quick, not that it was particularly good to begin with.
So yep, should have guessed that Netflix would butcher another show.