The 2024 anime Bartender: Glass of God stands out to me because of how different it is from the previous Bartender anime from 2006. 

Both series adapt a manga about a bartender named Sasakura Ryu whose observation skills and alcohol-mixing expertise allow him to help customers work through whatever problems plague them by providing them just the right drink. But the 2006 version came from director Imagawa Yasuhiro and leaned more into the director’s roots with Mister Ajikko and its establishment of the now common trope of “seeing characters make exaggerated reactions to the incredible food and beverages they consume.” It feels more like a healing anime not far from the slice-of-life titles that usually populate that genre, and Sasakura’s presence is downright therapeutic.

In contrast, Glass of God does show Ryu as a generational talent in bartending, he’s situated in a greater world. He may be amazing, and there are characters who want him for their hotel bar, but Ryu is not necessarily the best. He’s in the middle of his own journey that has him occasionally cross paths with those who are even better at making and serving drinks. Whereas the 2006 series feels like one where time stands still, the 2024 series gives the impression of progress, however gradual it might be.

While this might sound like a cop-out, I feel there are benefits to both. Sometimes, you might need meditative work to repair a bruised soul. Other times, you might need something that invigorates and motivates instead. Right now, I think I need a bit of both.