Trailer Time: Thermae Romae, based on the popular manga series

Whenever you feel the need to bemoan the overuse of graphic novel or comic book adaptations here by Hollywood filmmakers, think about what's going on over in Japan. There they've taken a particular delight in adapting some of the most far out manga they have to offer into live-action films. Sometimes it works out(Death Note), and other times they simply don't translate.

One of the strangest adaptations I've ever heard is due to be released next year, and that's Thermae Romae, based on the popular 3-volume manga from Mari Yamazaki. Never mind that you've got Japanese actors like Hiroshi Abe(Godzilla 2000) and Aye Ueto playing Romans, but the premise is just flat out weird. The story follows Lucius, an architect bath houses in Ancient Rome who time travels to various modern day bath houses in Japan. Why? I don't know, but the manga was basically a way of exploring the two cultures that loved baths the most: the Romans and the Japanese. Told you it was strange.

A new trailer has been released ahead of the film's release next April, so if you're interested in checking out something a little different, you can take a gander at Thermae Romae below. It's in Japanese, but I think you'll get the idea...