Merman in My Tub – Anime Review

Tatsumi is a high school student who lives by himself. One day, he finds a weak and injured man by the river near his home. He is Wakasu, a merman who accidentally got washed up to the shore. The kind-hearted Tatsumi brings Wakasu home to take care of him. Later, Tatsumi discovers his acquaintance is actually a merman who can't survive without water.

Instead of returning to the river, Wakasu enjoys the comforts of Tatsumi's modern bathroom. The water is clean, warm, and safe, unlike the outdoors. Tatsumi allows his new friend to take permanent residence inside the bathtub. The two men would share baths together, getting over any initial bashfulness.

Wakasu has a colourful personality and enjoys a lifestyle of extravagant luxuries. He loves bubble baths, gourmet food, and beauty products. In contrast, Tatsumi is more frugal and practical. Wakasu constantly tries to get Tatsumi to pamper him and sometimes even succeeds.

As Wakasu lives in Tatsumi's bathroom long-term, he invites his various buddies to stay with him. They are mainly creatures from the sea, including Tatsumi the octopus, Mikuni the jellyfish, and Maki the snail. Tatsumi is overwhelmed by many new friends, all crammed inside the tiny bathtub. They also have eccentric personalities, turning every day into a memorable new adventure.

Recently, a Taiwanese remake of Merman in My Tub has generated attention and interest in BL circles. I don't know anything about the original Japanese manga, but the drama looks promising based on pictures and casting. A comedic series about a shirtless mermaid in a tiny bathroom sounds pretty quirky, right? So, I wanted to watch the short anime adaptation first, giving me an idea of what to expect.

The Merman in My Tub anime is a goofy, lighthearted slice-of-life series with offbeat comedy. The series isn't complex at all, so don't expect logical explanations about how or why a mermaid would live in a human's bathtub. There's no need to overthink the silly jokes, endearing characters, or their amusing interactions. Each self-contained plot passes by quickly with mindless delight. Merman in My Tub can be lots of fun, but the only caveat is that it has zero romantic content.

Merman in My Tub is not BL. However, some elements could appeal to fans of the genre, including a lightly implied bromance. The series panders to this demographic, highlighting the closeness between the two male leads. The characters blush when they do something kind for each other. They also share naked baths together a lot. While the dynamic is ultimately platonic, Merman in My Tub plays around with the ambiguity just enough to interpret their relationship differently. It dips a toe into the BL waters, but doesn't take the full plunge.

As a dedicated BL website, I write my reviews primarily from this perspective. Therefore, Merman in My Tub loses points because it doesn't match my BL expectations. The anime gives the slightest tease about Wakasa and Tatsumi's bond, but I can't perceive it amorously. Tatsumi is more like Wakasa's concierge than a love interest. As adorable as their exchanges are, the interactions lack seductive flirtation and passionate desire. If you compare Merman in My Tub with any true BL story, the romantic content is practically nonexistent.

Merman in My Tub gets a higher review score if I don't view it through BL lenses. The rest of the anime is hilariously whimsical, with random subplots just strange enough to fascinate me. Even though the art is drawn averagely, its cute visual style is brimming with distinctive charm. I'm also fond of Wakasa, a memorable figure with a vibrant personality. Unfortunately, the supporting characters are less enchanting and get on my nerves. I like Merman in My Tub most when it focuses on Wakasa, but less so when the others share the spotlight.

Admittedly, Merman in My Tub veers on the shallow side. The novelty wears off after the beginning, once the similar storylines blur together and repeat the same beats. The good news is that everything moves along rapidly and breezily. Its brief four-minute episodes ensure the weaker subplots don't drag, so there's rarely a lull in the narrative. While I finish this series with a positive impression, I feel underwhelmed by the lack of BL content. Without a romance anchoring it, Merman in My Tub just doesn't have enough substance to stand out as a regular anime.