Bartender: Kami no Glass

Miwa Kurushima and her colleague Yukari Higuchi hunt for a skilled individual to run the counter bar at the famous Hotel Cardinal. The chairman of the hotel demands only one thing of the potential hire: the bartender must be able to craft the ultimate drink known as the "Glass of God." Because Miwa does not fully understand the requirement, her search runs dry after everyone she has scouted cannot get past the chairman's scrutiny.

Nestled in a quiet and secluded place among the bustling alleys of Ginza is Eden Hall. This cozy bar is maintained by Ryuu Sasakura, a prodigy mixologist who knows exactly what drink will ease his customers' worries at any given time. Every glass that he serves is garnished with humility, providing much-needed solace to people from all walks of life in their time of need.

In a chance encounter, the chairman is left speechless by Ryuu's astute bartending skills and is determined to have him join Hotel Cardinal. He becomes one of Ryuu's regulars, attempting daily to convince Ryuu to leave Eden Hall. But even with the assistance of Miwa, it is more difficult than expected to recruit this particular bartender.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Sasakura, Ryuu Main

Terashima, Takuma Japanese

Kurushima, Miwa Supporting

Nanjou, Yoshino Japanese

Kurushima, Taizo Supporting

Mugihito Japanese

Kitakata Supporting

Touchi, Hiroki Japanese

Kawakami, Kyouko Supporting

Matsui, Eriko Japanese

Kinjou, Yuri Supporting

Shiraishi, Ryouko Japanese

Chen, Kelvin Supporting

Furukawa, Makoto Japanese

Higuchi, Yukari Supporting

Shiraishi, Haruka Japanese

Chief of Lapin Supporting

Maeda, Hiroki Japanese

Kase, Gorou Supporting

Horiuchi, Kenyuu Japanese

Cao, Cong Producer

Kuraya, Ryouichi Director

Aketagawa, Jin Sound Director

Kunisawa, Mariko Script, Series Composition

Reviews

Apr 7, 2025

duskwoven

Recommended

Bartender: Glass of God is the chillest anime I never knew I needed. It’s all about sipping on a well-crafted drink and watching people figure their lives out, one cocktail at a time. Ryu Sasakura is the bartending guru of our dreams. His skill goes beyond mixing drinks. He's understanding his customers' hearts and helping them sort through their emotional baggage. Ryu doesn’t solve problems with drama or big speeches, but with a perfectly crafted drink and a dose of empathy. The show takes its time, letting everything breathe, and while that might be too slow for some, I loved it. It’s the kind of ... show that doesn’t rush. It lets you marinate in its quiet, thoughtful moments.

In terms of visual, it’s got that classy vibe. Like a fancy bar where everyone’s just vibing. The animation is sleek, and the setting of Eden Hall feels like a secret haven where people go to confront their feelings (and occasionally spill some tea). The drink animations are chef’s kiss. I’ve never seen cocktails look so poetic. Honestly, it’s like watching art being poured into a glass. I found myself lowkey fascinated by the small details, like the clink of ice cubes or the sound of liquid flowing. Makes you wanna go grab a drink... or at least pretend you know how to mix one.

The pacing is slow, but in a good way. It’s not dragging, just letting you breathe with each character and their emotional journey. The characters themselves? Lowkey underrated. Ryu is super calm and collected, but not in a boring way. His empathy is on another level, and the way he just gets people without saying much is pretty impressive. The supporting cast? Each person who walks into Eden Hall feels like they’re bringing their own little slice of drama, but not in an over-the-top way. It’s real, quiet, and almost therapeutic. And don't get me started on how wholesome it all is. Every episode leaves me with a weirdly peaceful feeling. It's like after you’ve had a really good conversation with a thoughtful friend.

I went into it after dumbscrolling Netflix and expecting something just an okay watch, but came out genuinely appreciating the whole show’s vibe. It's a show that doesn’t try to be anything more than it is: a slice of life drama with a little soul. We’re not gonna get the wild twists or plot shocks here, but sometimes all you need is a moment of calm in the chaos. It’s like a warm hug in anime form, and honestly, I didn’t know I needed that.

TL;DR: Bartender: Glass of God is like that cozy bar where you go to unload your problems and leave feeling lighter. It’s got slow pacing, in a good way, letting you savor every moment. With fantastic drink animations, solid characters, and a peaceful vibe, it’s a perfect watch for when you need something soothing and peaceful. If you’re into heartwarming slice-of-life stuff, this one’s got you covered.

Thanks for reading.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Feb 6, 2025

logic340

Mixed Feelings

Bartender: Glass of God aims to be a reflective and mature series centered around mixology, human connection, and personal struggles. The premise is strong focusing on an exceptional bartender who serves up cocktails tailored to his patrons' emotions and problems. However, while it has the ingredients for something special, it ultimately fails to mix them into a truly satisfying experience. Despite its stylish setting and intriguing premise, the series never fully realizes its potential. It has all the tools to be something special. This show has great themes, a unique setting, and a protagonist with an interesting profession but it fumbles its execution too often.

Plot: ... 7/10
The plot revolves around a prestigious hotel searching for the perfect bartender. However, once he is introduced, the story shifts into a more episodic format, exploring the lives and struggles of various patrons who visit Edenhall bar. The themes range from regret and ambition to love and self-acceptance, giving the show plenty of room to be compelling. While some episodes manage to deliver heartfelt moments, others feel repetitive or underdeveloped. The emotional weight of the series often falls flat because it doesn't capitalize on its own setup. Unlike deeper psychological dramas which masterfully dissect human emotions, Bartender: Glass of God feels like it only scratches the surface. While the intent is commendable, the execution leaves much to be desired.

Characters: 7/10
The characters are a mixed bag. Some, like Miwa's grandfather, are genuinely engaging and add warmth to the narrative, while others feel more like plot devices than fully developed individuals. Ryu himself is portrayed as an all-knowing bartender with an almost supernatural ability to read people’s emotions, but his wisdom sometimes feels artificial rather than earned. The supporting cast is a blend of forgettable and surprisingly insightful. Some of the side characters add genuine depth to the show, giving it moments of authenticity, while others exist purely to move an episode’s moral lesson along. The main issue is that the show doesn’t always give its characters enough breathing room to develop naturally, making some interactions feel too neatly wrapped up.

Animation: 5/10
Visually this series is a not the strongest. The background art is stunning, meticulously capturing the ambiance of high-end bars with warm lighting and elegant décor. However, the animation itself is disappointingly stiff, particularly in moments that should have been its visual highlight—the drink-making sequences and consumption. For a series centered around bartending, you’d expect more attention to detail in how drinks are poured, stirred, and served, but these moments lack the fluidity and visual appeal they deserve. The presentation of cocktails should have been one of the most mesmerizing aspects of the show, yet it falls surprisingly short.

Sound: 6/10
The sound design is serviceable but unimpressive. The voice acting lacks emotional nuance, making certain conversations feel more scripted than natural. While the soundtrack tries to create a relaxing, sophisticated atmosphere, it wasn't memorable enough to enhance the viewing experience.

Enjoyment: 5/10
I really wanted to like this more than I did. I went into this hoping for a series that it would lean more on introspective storytelling, but it ultimately left me underwhelmed. While it has a solid foundation, the execution is lacking in key areas, from character depth to emotional impact. Rather than evoking the depth of a show like Death Parade, which masterfully weaves human psychology into its premise, Bartender: Glass of God feels like a shallow imitation. It had the potential to be a compelling, thought-provoking series but fails to deliver on its promise.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Jun 22, 2024

mydorys

Not Recommended

I was looking forward this series so much since I loved the 2006 version. However, it was a let down. Yes the graphics are better but the whole romanticizing a "bartender" and the side stories, were so cliche and lacked the depth of the original one. Also it supports the idea that you need to be the "best" in order to validate what you do, which is ridiculous. Tons of people have won prizes or achieve high-level of educations, but they lack common sense, making them useless. When you do things because you actually love them, that makes you the best, because you are ... doing it for your own gain and not because what others will say about you. I hate this mentality of power over craft. A lot of people can BS but just a few can actually do. Sadly the BS usually wins in this society. I also despise people who "always get what they want", imposing your will into others despite their feelings makes you an ass. Respects goes both ways. The original series on 2006 was centered on the craft and how the bartender helped people, but this one is more on background stories, which are LAME and so incredibly SAPPY. It is ridiculous overall. Anyway, it is ok if you have the time to waste, but definitely a let down.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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	Poll: Bartender: Kami no Glass Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Jun 19, 2024	82 replies	by Emeraldking6 »» Mar 25, 3:11 PM
	Poll: Bartender: Kami no Glass Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 ) Stark700 - Apr 3, 2024	152 replies	by EpicPharaoh »» Mar 2, 3:51 PM
	Question Shubhamb1996 - Feb 26	1 replies	by SATAN19 »» Feb 26, 7:08 AM
	Poll: Bartender: Kami no Glass Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Stark700 - Apr 10, 2024	103 replies	by mal_user_2022 »» Feb 17, 7:36 AM
	Poll: Bartender: Kami no Glass Episode 11 Discussion Stark700 - Jun 12, 2024	33 replies	by logic340 »» Feb 6, 2:48 AM