That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea

by Mike McGranaghan

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea gets my vote as the year’s most awkward title. Fans of the anime series on which it’s based will presumably take pleasure in seeing the characters and their world brought to the big screen again. If you’re a newcomer and can get past the moniker, you might be pleasantly surprised by the film’s distinct charms. This was my introduction to Slime, and I had a great time watching it.

For the uninitiated, here’s a quick primer: Minami Satoru died at age 37 and was reincarnated as a slime, the lowliest possible being. Renamed Rimuru Tempest, he went on to build a peaceful nation where humans and monsters could live together harmoniously.

In this standalone story, Rimuru and friends head to a luxurious resort for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Their peaceful time is upended by the arrival of Yura, a priestess who comes from the undersea kingdom of Kaien. Her people are in grave danger, thanks to a conspiracy to revive an ancient deity known as the Great Water Dragon. Finding himself in the middle of this situation requires Rimuru to lead his team in helping to prevent a catastrophe.

Tears of the Azure Sea’s story is interesting because it embraces a semi-political angle. The Great Water Dragon watches over Kaien, keeping it free from conflict. Evil forces seek to maximize their power by creating conflict and allowing it to flourish. Thematically, the movie deals with groups who try to use chaos for their own benefit. Genuine stakes are created as a result, leading to an epic finale where you can feel everything that hangs in the balance.

Aside from striking animation, the film additionally has a terrific sense of humor. Parts of it are very funny, especially the early scenes where the characters take advantage of the resort’s offerings. There’s also an unexpectedly touching love story between Yura and Rimuru’s goblin cohort Gobta. It brings a deeper emotional quality to the tale, particularly at the end. Whereas some anime features focus on battles and power-ups, this one admirably takes the time to explore other areas.

I’m sure there were plenty of references I didn’t get in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea. Fans of the series will certainly get them. Newbies, meanwhile, will still be able to follow the plot and enjoy an imaginatively conceived adventure.