The inclusion of "Number 20" strips the subject of a proper name, replacing individuality with a cipher. Numbers belong to systems: queues, prisons, collections. Here, the number suggests a series—a lineage of water princes who came before, or perhaps a catalog of elements and archetypes. Twenty is not an infinite number; it is finite and specific. It implies a position within an order, a ranking that both elevates and confines. The Water Prince is not the first or the last; he is a chapter in a longer story. This numerical identity creates a tension with the word "Prince," which typically demands uniqueness. By numbering the prince, the title democratizes royalty or, conversely, reveals the loneliness of being one of many in a repetitive cosmic cycle.
Most fans agree that the final segment of Number 20 is what elevates it to legendary status. Set at an indoor pool at twilight (practical lighting only, no studio floods), the scene involves the Water Prince and an older, experienced COAT veteran (many fans believe it is the semi-retired actor "Tatsuya").
What makes this scene unique is the "underwater kiss." For approximately 45 seconds, the camera submerges via an underwater housing. The two actors hold their breath, kissing and embracing below the surface, hair floating like seaweed, bubbles rising. The act itself is not explicit underwater, but the transition—from water to air, from holding breath to gasping—parallels the emotional climax of the film. It is an arthouse move in a pornographic film.
The subtitle "WATER PRINCE" is not arbitrary. In COAT’s nomenclature, "Water" typically refers to a thematic setting involving swimming, water sports, or an aesthetic of "clean, refreshing beauty" (the Mizugi or swimsuit motif). The "Prince" (Ouji) denotes the archetype of the featured models: slender, handsome, often with a somewhat reserved or princely demeanor, as opposed to the rougher "Athlete" or "Wild" types found in other series volumes. COAT - Number 20 WATER PRINCE
Thus, Number 20 WATER PRINCE focuses on models who embody the ideal of a swimming club prince—athletic but not bulky, graceful, and possessing a "cool beauty" that contrasts with the passionate, sweaty aesthetic of other COAT lines like Babylon or Power Grip.
Today, COAT – Number 20 WATER PRINCE is considered a "Holy Grail" item for physical media collectors. Here is why:
Released in the late 2000s (exact dating varies among private collectors, but it is widely placed in the 2007-2009 window), COAT – Number 20 WATER PRINCE arrived at a pivotal moment. The DVD market was peaking, digital downloads were nascent, and COAT was experimenting with higher budgets. The inclusion of "Number 20" strips the subject
Why is Number 20 specifically so revered? Three reasons: The Model, The Cinematography, and The Scenes.
The concept of the “WATER PRINCE” became a full-blown trope after Number 20. COAT themselves reused the theme in later series like Style One and Only Shining Star. Moreover, the title influenced other studios (e.g., Exfeed, G@MES) to create their own “swimming club” narratives, many of which directly reference Number 20 in their promotional copy.
In the broader context of Japanese pop culture, the “Water Prince” resonates with the Free! (anime) and Men’s Dive (manga) fandoms, creating a fascinating cross-pollination between all-ages sports anime and adult video aesthetics. Twenty is not an infinite number; it is finite and specific
COAT – Number 20 WATER PRINCE is famous for arguably the most beautiful opening sequence in the studio’s history. The first 15 minutes contain no explicit content. Instead, we see the prince standing alone in a glass-walled shower. The camera focuses on the refraction of light through water droplets on his skin.
The director (rumored to be a freelance art director hired from the mainstream J-drama industry) employed three critical techniques: