Rome as Dystopia and Japan as Utopia in iThermae Romae/i (2012) and Netflix Anime Series iThermae Romae Novae/i (2022)

The popular manga series by Mari Yamazaki (2008–13) has been adapted as a live action film, Thermae Romae (2012), followed by a sequel, and anime series in 2012 in Japan, and 2022 worldwide for Netflix. The comic time travel story features ancient Roman bath designer Lucius Modestus as he is transported to modern-day Japan and brings new ideas to ancient Rome based on Japanese bath culture. Proto-capitalist Lucius is an unlikely hero for modern viewers, with his unswaying devotion to the Roman Empire, and his xenophobic behavior. However, by highlighting the dystopic aspects of ancient Roman culture, alongside the utopic possibility for an exchange of cultures to benefit everyone, the overall message of both the 2012 film and the 2022 anime series is a positive one.