The audience finally gets a glimpse into Ryu’s past in episode 9 of BARTENDER Glass of God and unfortunately, it is not a happy one. Between encountering old friends that change Ryu’s perspective of bartending, and a devastating secret about Ryu’s past that comes to light, episode 9 throws a shocking curveball that has me both stunned and desperate for more. Here is the ninth episode review of BARTENDER Glass of God.
BARTENDER Glass of God Episode 9 Recap
BARTENDER Glass of God episode 9 starts with Miwa and Ryu getting lost looking for a hidden bar, stumbling into the wrong bar where Ryu’s old bartending senpai, Kitakata, is working. There’s tension between the two men as Kitakata makes a Bloody Ceasar that contains 88% alcohol. Ryu comments on how a bar is like a hospital meant to treat wounds of the customer’s souls, something Kitakata taught him. Ryu compares the drinks Kitakata makes to poison instead of healing. Kitakata however, compares the bar he works at to a hospital on the front lines. That people come in to get one drink to get them started on their day because some guests need that poison. Kitakata then asks Ryu if he knows what happened to their mentor Kase or what he’s doing.
Turns out, their mentor has been in the hospital for almost 7 years following a work injury and closed the bar he owned. Kitakata informs Ryu that if he continues to follow the mentor’s advice of “Bartending is a way of life,” Ryu will eventually fall down the same path as his mentor; overworking himself to the point of hospitalization. Miwa goes to Kitakata’s bar and tells him about how the hotel her grandfather has wants to hire Ryu for their bar, but she doesn’t want to interfere with his work anymore and that Ryu constantly refuses. Kitakata informs Miwa that the reason Ryu would possibly be hesitant to join their crew is that a drink Ryu had made had tragically ended the life of a customer.
Review of the Episode
BARTENDER Glass of God episode 9 finally gave us a hint into Ryu’s backstory and delivered a surprising curveball by the end of the episode. The tension and stakes the series has given to us so far culminated into a shock that both myself and I assume the audience weren’t expecting. More questions arise now however. What happened with the customer and Ryu? Is there more of a reason as to why Ryu fled to Tokyo when he had such a perfect bartending streak in Paris? Did that incident spark Ryu’s quest in finding out the Glass of God?
After wanting to know more about Ryu’s backstory, the anime finally delved a bit into it and has me desperately craving more in the worst way possible. It gives a glimpse into Ryu’s character and provides a better understanding as to why he’s so adamant on not joining the hotel. And also why he adapts the mindset of making sure every drink is curated perfectly for each person. All in all, I am very excited to see the next episode and hopefully learn more about Ryu and his past.
BARTENDER Glass of God is streaming on Crunchyroll.
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