Jul 13, 2015
When I review or recommend an anime, I try to compare it to another from its genre. I simply can't do that with Bartender. Maybe it's because I'm considerably picky about the series's's that I invest my time into, so my frame of reference is limited, but I've never seen or heard of a series like this.
As you could probably guess, it's about a bartender. Ryuu, known by some as the "Glass of the Gods", is a passionate bartender who tends to the inconspicuous bar of Eden Hall. One way or another, troubled souls find their way into Eden Hall, and with his unwavering
...
demeanor and knowledge of alcoholic beverages, he helps them with their problems.
The most immediate praise I have to give Bartender is the soundtrack. It's unbelievable what they've done here. For all the applause I'm going to give the rest of the components of the series, the music is foremost in its quality. If you could find where to purchase it, I would highly recommend copping the OST. Each of the featured drinks has its own song, all immaculately composed, and of course, the opening and ending themes are fantastic as well.
The story is well written, meaningful, and remarkably moving. I almost never cry, especially not while watching anime/movies. Edgy, I know. However, Bartender's writing has a very rare quality that I can't place my finger on, but it gets to me in a way that other "emotional" animes, like Madoka Magicka for example, never do. The writers did an A+ job of incorporating the history of each drink into solving the featured customer's problem, so you're also sure to walk away with some kind of conversation fuel, or maybe just a new appreciation for one of your choice drinks.
The only thing that won't get a perfect 10 from me is the art. It's not even that I'm NOT fond of this particular art style, I just think there are better styles out there. It works, it by NO means looks bad, and the rest of the art is fantastic. The aesthetic is very unique, and combined with the soundtrack it makes this one of the comfiest animes I've ever watched.
The characters are all fantastically written. None of them feel "forced" or fall directly into some overdone archetype. They all feel very genuine, and that plays a big part in how engrossed into the story you'll be.
So if you haven't guessed by now, this is one of my favorite animes. I can't recommend this enough. It's a cozy, moving, enjoyable series, and the only thing you'll regret about it is that it wasn't longer. It gets a perfect 10 from me. Go watch it. Like, right now.
Oh, and as a bonus, they give you the recipe for the featured drink after the credits. So if you're into mixing drinks, it's just one more reason to watch.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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