Bartender

[Skane]

I think I must have missed the train of though in the earlier posts. Why are people comparing Bartender to Mushishi, and not ARIA?

[Lilith]

Ep 1
I immediately thought of a Yaoi manga called "A Sex Therapist" by Kazuma Kodaka which is about a bartender who heals his customers.

Despite my absolute hate for alcohol inreality, I decided to give this series a chance (especially since Ryuu is a bishounen ).

I liked the definition of "Bartender". It never crossed my mind that it actually means something. Also, I liked that glass of Edenhall. It's just so pretty. <3

I loved the atmosphere, BGM, character design and using real images (for glasses, wood, etc.). The ending song was average, but the sequence was beautiful. The fishes, the glasses and making the "drink of the day", hehe.

I dislike "episodic" series in which every episode has a different tale, so I hope there will be a story and plot or something. I can feel the high quality of this anime, it'll be a shame to quit watching it.

[SilentBob]

At least the first episode left me wanting for more. I've always been a fan of drama/slice of life stuff, so I'll be watching this as it goes on.

[wilsonx81]

I just watched the first ep, I liked the opening, and I really liked the anime, at the end I wanted to go back to try mixing cocktails XD

[Srin Tuar]

Originally Posted by Li Jianliang

Spoiler:

This show redefines the definition of ‘bartender’ in the very first episode. According to the nearly-gay bartender, ‘bar’ = ‘perch/barstool’ and ‘tender’ = ‘tender/kind’…so there’s tenderness at a bar because a bartender exists. This is where I’m gonna say ‘no’ to Bartender and move on with other animes.

Spoiler:

Lol, I hope that mis-etymology was on purpose... it was just as you described a bit .... uncomfortable. The whole scene was a bit... eww.

Ignoring that aspect of it, I'll probably watch a few more episodes just to see the names of drinks and stuff. (I guess its like watching yakitate for the bread )

But I doubt I'll follow the series all the way.

[justinstrife]

Saw the first episode. It's definetly soothing. And maybe it's because i'm in my mid/late twenties, I already knew about the meaning behind the word bartender.

Will continue to watch for the slice of life and slow pace(as well as character growth I expect to see).

[ZeusIrae]

nice......I like it,I love the animation.
And waht's the voice at the beginning,just after the OP.It's a really nice voice,I won't to hear it more often.

[Lost]

I find the subtitles quite obtrusive, the way they cover half of the screen. On a more positive note, the effort they put doing notes for each drink name is impressive.

I liked very much Ryuu's explanation of the Bar being a "hideout" and hence, that need for the heavy door. Basically took the Chief's concept and turned it inside out; theres a bit of intellect here yet. (Its scary but I think I'm going gay for Ryuu )

Okay, way of story telling here is very unique, but one has gotten used to it, and basically has no qualms about it for this episode, and for it being used in the rest of the episodes, if they deliver a good story, which they did here. Of course, nothing complicated or emotionally spectacular about this story (tho I felt touched that Ryuu's consideration for Chief, truly, God's Gass) but does a story need to be that complicated to be good? enjoyable? refreshing?

The theme of this episode was really: Redefinition.

In everything else, Animation, Music, OP, ED, Choice of using real photos; Bartender was spot-on, and for a first episode, I am very satisfied. Animation is just delightful, sorry I dont have the words to describe it.. clean and bright perhaps? especially the city scenes. I enjoyed the OP very much, and the ED; just wow.

This is a totally different type of show from what I'm used to, perhaps even the first of its kind for me personally, but I like it so far and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Quajafrie]

That was really something. The first episode of Bartender exceeded my expectations.

Visually, it's nothing really impressive, but it's so delightful to watch. The animation is minimal, but it doesn't matter at all. Everything is so clean and the character designs are pretty good. But what really stood out was the wonderful music score. It was great, and it was suitable. The OP and ED songs were very good as well, and everything seemed to be perfectly fine.

This isn't the kind of show that will make you want the next episode right away, it's one of these 'slow and soothing' shows that are always appreciated. Even if the story of a bartender is not the kind of story I thought I'd enjoy (In fact, I wasn't even planning to watch this show at all), I'll definitely continue watching this.

[physics223]

It may only be temporary, but I didn't think much of it. I'll be watching more of it to further judge if it's a show worthy enough in my books, but it paled IMO in comparison to Mushishi, if anyone's comparing it to that show. I loved that show; I dropped it because I had to cater to shows like NHK and H&C II, and my disk space wasn't really enormous. From what I've seen of that show, however, I think that was better than this.

I don't disagree with the opinions on the music, however; it is very well made and very well mixed into the story and the ambiance of the episode as well as the series.

[Nemo_N]

It was just what I expected; nothing more, nothing less. Just a laid back show. Loved the atmosphere and the insight on the drinks.

I am just wondering what kind of stories are ahead...

Originally Posted by Lost

I find the subtitles quite obtrusive, the way they cover half of the screen.

Are you using Haali Splitter? If so, go to Media Splitter Settings (somewhere in All Programs or CCCP) then Options, Output, then SSA fontsize scale percentage and set it to 70 or less.

[mit7059]

I enjoyed it, but I hope it doesn't become too episodic, and I hope it goes deeper into Ryuu's story.

[lordblazer]

Originally Posted by Srin Tuar

Spoiler:

Lol, I hope that mis-etymology was on purpose... it was just as you described a bit .... uncomfortable. The whole scene was a bit... eww.

Ignoring that aspect of it, I'll probably watch a few more episodes just to see the names of drinks and stuff. (I guess its like watching yakitate for the bread )

But I doubt I'll follow the series all the way.

Spoiler:

you guys are just bieng homophobic. Or just ain't use to anothe rmale being kind to another male plutonicly. I like the show so far. Bartenders in real life tend to be Entrepenuers, and have to set up their own bar or work for a hotel. SO the ones that set up their own bars usually tend to design their bar to an atmosphere that would reflect them, and would attract certain customers. Plus its awesome how this show displays recipes.. This is like the History Channel.. Except it makes the drinks more romancticised. Also cocktails are really sweet. Depending on what you get. Theres some were you can only taste the juice, and not the alcohal. Depending on the chemical balance you're looking for. ANyway this looks like a promising show. IT releases a certain type of atmosphere. In America Alcohal is pretty much demonized. We associate it with getting durnk because people do get drunk, but that's only because the crap is illegal to adults ages 18-20, and these are the ones who tend to get drunk. Heck even 21 year olds goto to a bar, and gets hammered real badly, and very few that turn 21 have a real education on Alcohal. Rather than the crap we get at Uni now..Which is "Don't drink at all is the best thing to do."

Originally Posted by Lilith

Ep 1
I immediately thought of a Yaoi manga called "A Sex Therapist" by Kazuma Kodaka which is about a bartender who heals his customers.

Despite my absolute hate for alcohol inreality, I decided to give this series a chance (especially since Ryuu is a bishounen ).

I liked the definition of "Bartender". It never crossed my mind that it actually means something. Also, I liked that glass of Edenhall. It's just so pretty. <3

I loved the atmosphere, BGM, character design and using real images (for glasses, wood, etc.). The ending song was average, but the sequence was beautiful. The fishes, the glasses and making the "drink of the day", hehe.

I dislike "episodic" series in which every episode has a different tale, so I hope there will be a story and plot or something. I can feel the high quality of this anime, it'll be a shame to quit watching it.

Lol this may not be the naime for you. It seems very episodic, and I like it. Because it'll potray tales of different people. Different customers. YOu know. Each one has their own story. This series would work out perfectly if its episodic.

[liehcas]

I was dissapointed in the animation, a lot of stills and cg. I guess you can argue it fits with the mood, but I think they just half-assed it.

[lordblazer]

Originally Posted by liehcas

I was dissapointed in the animation, a lot of stills and cg. I guess you can argue it fits with the mood, but I think they just half-assed it.

lol I'm never picky with the animation. Depending ont he type of anime. Sure if it was an action like Bleach. I want to be awed with freaking awesome animation, but when it comes to something like this anime. I wanna be awed by the atmosphere, and story.

[Kikaifan]

I have to admit, I enjoyed this mostly because it takes what to me is a very trivial matter and attends to it not just seriously but with anime-levels of drama. Still, I enjoyed it.

Apparently someone failed to realize that 'tend' was a verb, though. Oh well... better than 'I can be shot.'

[aikming]

wasnt as bad as people said, the knowledge on the liquor & cocktail sure captivate my interest.

[Dop]

I really enjoyed it.

Maybe enjoyed is the wrong word? I liked it anyway, and I'd certainly want to watch more. Ryuu shows Holmesian powers of deduction as he explains the choice of drink, and I'm sold on the whole idea.

I mean. they show you cocktail recipes, and the live action segment at the end even shows you how to mix it! Brilliant!

Although, mind you, a Bartender drinking game would be a bit of a killer!

[TougeSil80]

It's a pretty cool show, I enjoyed it so far. I don't mind it being episodic, because it's only going to be 11 eps. The live action drink mixing is very cool, I didn't know you can stack like this. Now it makes me want to go to a bar.

[Clarste]

Ironically, the contrast between "barkeep" and "bartender" is so much more meaningful with the proper etymologies. Well, I don't think they were literally saying barkeep in Japanese anyway... (well, their meanings overlap in the middle, but ignoring that)

I liked the stage-play like presentation, but I'm not sure the content of this play interested me very much. I'll probably keep watching at least until we figure out who the heck that woman is and why she's worthy of narrating.