23 minSeason 1 • Episode 11
LatestRyuu finally decides to end his apprenticeship at Eden Hall in this final chapter. The episode revolves mostly on the life of a bartender. A few cocktails are featured in the episode, such as the Red Eye, No Name and Rob Roy. "The Macallan 1946" is referred to by Ryuu and his senior bartenders as "The Water of Life", and it is mentioned that its bottle is passed through every generation of bartenders who has completed their time at Eden Hall. The main narrator of the series makes an appearance in this episode and visits Eden Hall and sat down by the counter to have a talk with Ryuu, although the rest of the episode is told from Ryuu and both his senior bartenders' perspective. Ryuu mentions that he feels fortunate to be able to live through his job, choosing not the craft of bartending, rather the life of a bartender. Therefore, the final featured drink is "Bartender".
Genius bartender, Sasakura Ryuu makes the most incredible cocktails anyone has ever tasted. Seeking his "Glass of God", individuals from all different walks of life visit his bar. With both a compassionate ear and a godly drink, Ryuu helps people with their problems.
Production
Meticulous cocktail animation that'll make you thirsty and depressed about your home bar.
Writing
Philosophy disguised as drink recipes. You'll quote it at parties uninvited.
Sound
Jazz score so smooth it should come with a nicotine patch.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'bartender as confessor' trope draws directly from Japanese 'sunakku' culture of the 1980s bubble economy, where exclusive bars served as private sanctuaries for salarymen.
The manga ran in Super Jump, a seinen magazine targeting working men in their 30s-40s — explaining why every episode feels like it understands your quarter-life crisis better than your therapist.
JP
