Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Bartender, in brief:  
- A depressed customer walks into the bar;  
- The bartender seems to know every secret, including what you did last summer;  
- *Serves a mysterious 0.1% drink rumored to cure even cancer*;  
- HMM, DELICIOUS!!  
- And just like that, all problems vanish.jpg  

This formula repeats for 160 chapters.  

The artwork is stunning, with crisp and clean page layouts that make reading a breeze. The details about liquors are fascinating and well-researched. However, there's no real progression, minimal character development, and hardly any overarching story.  

If this manga had been around 20 chapters long, it might have been excellent. Unfortunately, that's not the case here.  

If you're someone who enjoys an ultra-slow pace, give it a shot. Otherwise, you may want to skip it and move on to another manga.

I'm a huge fan of slice-of-life mangas, as well as a big enthusiast of various styles of alcoholic beverages. This manga caught my attention when I first read its description.<br /><br />

It feels like a breath of fresh air among realistic mangas. There's no forbidden love story, no sudden magical powers, and no major plot twists. It's simply a great tale about a bartender, his daily life, the customers he serves, and the advice he offers for their problems at his bar.<br /><br />

Many drinks mentioned in this manga have inspired me to download a cocktail cookbook onto my tablet. I've been going through it and might even try some recipes out in the future.<br /><br />

Overall, I'd rate this manga a 9 out of 10. The only reason I didn't give it a full score is that some of the edges in the artwork seemed a bit too sharp, but thankfully, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the manga.<br /><br />

For anyone searching for a slice-of-life manga, I highly recommend giving this one a try and seeing if it suits your taste.

Review #1: Bartender  

Intro:  
My first review is about Bartender. By the score alone, you can probably guess how I feel about this manga—it's a hidden gem that I stumbled upon. It’s an exceptional read, though it might appeal more to a specific audience. As such, I'll do my best to explain why you should give it a try or perhaps leave it be.  

Story:  
This manga follows Ryuu Sasakura, a young bartender who returns to Japan after traveling the world. His philosophy is simple yet profound: there are two professions where you cannot lie to your customers—doctors and bartenders. A doctor heals the body, while a bartender tends to the soul. Ryuu excels at reading people and understanding their inner struggles, offering solace through drinks and lessons embedded in his cocktails. Beyond its narrative charm, Bartender also provides fascinating insights into the world of alcohol.  

Art:  
The artwork is stunning. Not only is it beautifully drawn, but it enhances the mood perfectly, amplifying the emotions conveyed by the characters. The style is soothing and refreshing, with meticulous attention to detail.  

Characters:  
Undoubtedly, this is Bartender's strongest aspect. The main characters are well-developed and likable. Each chapter introduces new characters, some recurring and others appearing just once, yet all are intricately crafted. They have distinct personalities and backstories that leave a lasting impression. Their interactions, especially with protagonist Ryuu Sasakura, create compelling scenarios. While I struggle to fully capture the depth of these relationships, they must be experienced firsthand.  

Enjoyment:  
Though I had limited knowledge of and interest in alcohol before reading, I found the information intriguing and entertaining. The manga as a whole—a blend of engaging characters, storytelling, and more—is nothing short of a masterpiece. Action enthusiasts may find it slow-paced, but for those who appreciate calm, dialogue-driven narratives, I highly recommend Bartender. It has its share of humor too. Most importantly, it's an easy and immersive read that makes time fly.  

Final Words:  
Give Bartender a chance; you won't regret it.

TLDR: Read it, enjoy it, think about it, and try not to turn into a drunk while doing so (xD).  

"Bar tender" is, like similar stories, all about the characters. A remarkably talented young bartender acts as both therapist and life coach to the diverse array of individuals who walk into his bar. They arrive with their troubles and depart with insights that help them tackle their lives.  

This kind of story structure has numerous strengths:  

- It's beginner-friendly. There are few recurring characters, and the ones relevant to the plot change from story to story until near the end, so you can start reading from almost anywhere.  

- It offers flexibility in storytelling. Aside from the bartender, the cast of characters rotates every few chapters. So, if you're not thrilled with the current storyline, you won't have to stick with it for long. This also allows for a wide variety of stories to be told.  

- You can pick it up whenever you like. Since the story is largely episodic, you don't have to read it continuously. You can read it during breaks, set it aside, and then return when the mood strikes. It's a very forgiving read. If you're like me, juggling multiple ongoing manga/anime series while dealing with real-life responsibilities, you'll appreciate having something this relaxing to dive into.  

- It provides closure. Every few chapters, a story concludes. Up until the last 10-20 chapters, "Bartender" could have wrapped up within a couple of chapters and still felt satisfying due to the nature of its narrative.  

The story is well-researched. The cocktails may serve as a gimmick, but the author did their homework on them and skillfully ties them into the tales being told. Typically, the bartender creates a drink that he feels encapsulates the person's situation and shares the story behind its name. I personally had a blast trying out some of these drinks, many of which are classic cocktails you won't often see on modern menus but can still order at most bars.  

The storytelling is mature. There's no over-the-top antics, fanservice, or people punching each other for comedic effect. If this appeals to you, go for it.  

<p>

As someone who frequents bars, I found this manga to be a truly engaging read. It's packed with insights into various cocktails, the history of liquors, and the unique bond between bartenders and their patrons. There's an air of maturity to it, given its focus on alcohol, which might not appeal to younger readers. However, I believe it can be enjoyed by all ages.  

After delving into several chapters, I approached my bartender armed with newfound knowledge, sparking a lively discussion about cocktails and the challenges of being a bartender. What resonates with me most about this manga is its realism. It’s highly educational—you’ll be amazed at how much you can learn about alcohol. This knowledge can be a valuable asset in social settings.  

The narrative centers around Sasakura Ryuu, a prodigious bartender renowned for his "Glass of God." He is a principled young man who seeks neither wealth nor fame but strives for perfection in the art of bartending. Throughout the story, he works at different establishments, earning praise from owners, coworkers, and customers alike for his kindness and exceptional skills. Ryuu is a likable character who consistently does what is right and isn't afraid to acknowledge his mistakes.  

The patrons who frequent his bar often arrive feeling down, facing personal struggles. Ryuu serves them drinks accompanied by stories about the origins of these beverages, connecting them to the customer's situation and offering hope. Occasionally, his approach backfires, offending a customer, but he confronts such issues directly without hesitation.  

Beyond Sasakura Ryuu, other characters don’t leave as strong an impression or play significant roles. For instance, Miwa Kurushima, the first customer introduced, develops an interest in Ryuu and becomes a regular at his bar. However, her role feels superficial; she merely acts as another customer, despite occasional mutual support during tough times. Her presence doesn’t add much depth to the story.  

One drawback of the manga is its repetitiveness. The plot follows a predictable pattern: a customer arrives, Ryuu addresses their issue with a drink, and the cycle repeats. While this structure doesn’t make the manga dull, it does feel somewhat monotonous. Other events do occur, but they often seem like filler rather than integral parts of the narrative.  

This manga is akin to an unpolished gem. Its art style and setting are well-conceived, yet it lacks the ability to sustain consistent interest. I find myself unable to read more than one chapter at a time. Still, it attempts something unique and, in my view, succeeds. It’s an informative manga with elements of slice-of-life. If you have an interest in alcohol or bartending, I’d recommend giving it a try.

Story: 8/10 - The narrative does tend to repeat itself quite a bit. A significant portion of the tale centers on the history of certain cocktails or liquors, the essence of being a bartender, and the myriad challenges adults encounter. There's barely any deviation into other subjects. Nevertheless, I still derived pleasure from the story.  

Art: 8/10 - Nagatomo's illustrations can appear somewhat quirky at times, particularly when it comes to character design. The primary male characters possess intricately detailed faces, yet other figures often suffer from repetitive facial features, especially the female characters who frequently exhibit an odd fish-like expression :D. In general, I appreciate his style, but the character designs could use improvement; occasionally, I genuinely struggle to discern whether I'm encountering a new character or revisiting one from an earlier chapter.  

Character: 7/10 - Bartender is an exceptionally tranquil and composed tale, and as a result, character growth progresses at a glacial pace. This might be forgivable if we accept that the crux of the story revolves around beverages and individuals' issues. However, I believe these largely static characters aren't sufficient to sustain the narrative over such an extended duration. Several main characters morph into milder versions of Mary/Gary Sues due to this, as nothing seems to genuinely go awry for them—they merely make cursory mentions of their ostensibly difficult lives.  

Enjoyment: 9/10 - I enjoyed it.  

Overall: 9/10 - I initially rated it a 10, but as the series unfolded, I yearned for more—more character development, a more profound exploration of the psyche, and so forth. If the goal was solely to educate about cocktails, this series would undoubtedly merit a perfect score.

<p>Without a doubt, one of the best stories that has truly captivated me. The narrative is also exceptionally unique, even though all we witness is customers enjoying drinks at the bar, with Ryuu Sasakura being the one who serves them. However, each individual character who finds themselves wandering into the bar has such diverse stories, which genuinely makes you eager to continue reading. Additionally, I find it intriguing that some chapters even include the recipes for the drinks, a feature that is seldom found in any manga. This sets it apart from other mangas, with its varied content and characters that are distinctive in their own right. My only critique is that the artwork of the manga could have been a bit clearer in certain parts. Other than that, if you're looking for an unconventional storyline, with a remarkable leading character, and each chapter introducing you to new tales, then you should definitely read Bartender.</p>

I have to admit, the number of alcoholic drinks I've learned about from this manga could probably fill a thesis. I didn't even know that there were real drink names like Cinderella, Eye Opener, Red Eye, Didercar, Black Velvet, and so many more — it's overwhelming so fast, haha! Honestly, I just couldn't keep up with this manga because of all the alcohol-related content involving different characters in every chapter! While this manga was unique, it eventually became too much for me. Unless you're really serious about learning about various drinks, you might find it quite boring.

Also, the art style changed near the end, which was disappointing since I preferred the original design from the beginning...

By the way, for those who want to check out this manga, remember to drink responsibly and please don't drink until you're legally allowed to do so in your country. Thanks!