That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Review)
If You’re Not Watching That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, You Need to Be
Recently I’ve been on a bit of an isekai kick with the anime that I’ve been watching lately, and I’m glad that I finally got around to watching That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. I’d gotten wind of it when it first premiered in 2018, but was simply too judgemental to bother with a series that was about a lowly slime when there were so many others already in my queue. Well, after seeing it, I’m really kicking myself, because That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an absolutely stellar anime series. I was expecting your standard “human transported to a fantasy world with inexplicable video game mechanics in place to help them along” storyline, and to a certain degree that is what I got. But, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, really isn’t interested in simply being more of the same. Instead, it offers a really clever twist on typical themes and elements that allow it to stand out among a genre that is quite oversaturated at this point.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime starts off with the protagonist Satoru Mikami (Jason Liebrecht) getting killed. As the title suggests, he finds himself reincarnated as a slime. Not knowing what else to do “he” takes on the new name of Rimuruu Tempest (Brittney Karbowski) and sets out to figure out what to do with his new lease on life. Now, most gamers know that slimes aren’t exactly the most intimidating monsters in the world. They pretty much just roll around, absorb things they come in contact with an eating them. Rimuru though is no ordinary slime. He still maintains his human mind which allows him to make the most out of his slime powers, which are actually pretty incredible. Slowly he gains notoriety in the world not just because he’s a slime that can talk, but because he’s actually organizing the monsters of the world into a prosperous nation. Turns out becoming a slime is the best thing that ever happened to him.
One of the key themes in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is finding the hidden value in others. Rimaruu might seem like a harmless blob, but his special skill allows him to “devour” enemies and absorb their strength, magical and special physical abilities, and possessions. This stacks up pretty quickly and combined with a slime’s natural resistance to pretty much all elements from fire to electricity to ice, this little guy quickly becomes a heavy hitter. Despite this though, Rimaruu is a benevolent ruler who seeks to understand others and brings them to his side rather than oppressing them. He shows respect to the monsters that he meets and offers them “names” (something that holds great power in this world and is never bestowed on monsters because it “upgrades” them). As Rimaruu gets to know this realm, he seeks to use creativity over brute force to win the battles he faces and finds unusual ways to give the monsters he encounters greater purpose in the new world he is creating.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime has a lot going for it, but it’s true strength is in how rich all the characters are. No matter how small a role they might play, directors Yasuhito Kikuchi and Atsushi Nakayama take care to show them all love and support so that they can grow. This is mostly done through a keen sense of humor that kept me chuckling through most episodes at the various antics that take place. Of course, it also helps that Rimaruu’s kingdom is made up of outcasts, which makes it easy to identify and empathize with them, as they reveal just how incredibly meaningful even the small gestures of kindness are to them. Eight Bit studio keeps the designs for the characters light and cheery, but far from simple. There’s a lot of detail in there, but not so much that the scenes feel overly complicated or weighed down by the animation. One can’t help finding a bit of joy ever-present in the expressive and vibrant style within the series, making it one of the more optimistic series I’ve come across in a long time.
Anime is no stranger to social commentary and in some regards has been ahead of the curve when it comes to representation within the LGBTQ community. Perhaps the most notable representation in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is the Rimaruu is gender-neutral in the series. Sure, he was a man before but had never had a girlfriend and when he gets reincarnated he’s no longer sure he is even a he anymore (I call Rimaruu “he,” because there’s been no moment where he expressed preference or desire in another pronoun). Don’t get me wrong Rimaruu still creeps on plenty of babes, but also is careful to note just how cool and hot a few of the male characters are as well. When he does finally get the ability to create a human form, there are no sex organs because slimes don’t have a gender. Of course, there’s also plenty of commentary on racism, classism, and intolerance as we get to know not just how monsters are treated by humans, but also by each other. Rimaruu has no interest in that since he decides the value in beings and items not by societal standards, but though his own perspective. He’s far from a communist but definitely believes in finding a place for everyone in society so that they can have a part to play.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is quite simply a heartwarming series. I blew through the entire 24-episode first season in a weekend and still found myself wanting more. With everything going on in 2020, it just felt good to watch a series about solving problems in a way that benefited everyone rather than just bicker and shout at one another. Right now, I’m kind of wishing there was a Rimaruu Tempest platform for President because that little slime would definitely get my vote. Alas, that will never be, but you can get the next best thing by checking out this fantastic anime! While you do, I’ll be checking off the days until season two hits.
