This year, author Fuse will bring his hit light novel series That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime to a close. The story officially ended with volume 23, which was released in November. But fans of Rimuru and his world won’t have to say goodbye just yet - the fantasy adventure continues on screen with a new movie and a fourth season of the anime.
The upcoming film is titled That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Blue Sea (Gekijō-ban Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken: Sōkai no Namida-hen). Unlike previous adaptations, it will feature an entirely original storyline not based on the novels. The movie is set to debut in Japanese theaters on February 27.
The anime’s highly anticipated fourth season will be released in five parts. The first arc will premiere in April, with the second expected to air soon after, possibly in the summer. Details about the remaining parts are still under wraps. According to Anime News Network, the creators are planning an extended adaptation that promises to explore new aspects of Rimuru’s world and its expanding alliances.
Fuse originally serialized the novel online between 2013 and 2016 before it was released in print starting in 2014. Over the past decade, the series has evolved into a full-scale multimedia franchise that now includes multiple light novel spinoffs, manga adaptations, feature films, and even games. As of today, total sales have surpassed 56 million copies worldwide, placing it among the top-selling isekai series of all time.
The anime is produced by studio 8-Bit, known for maintaining the series’ high-quality animation and lively world-building. Their continued involvement has helped the franchise maintain a consistent tone and distinctive style that fans across the globe recognize instantly.
The story follows Satoru Mikami, a 37-year-old office worker whose mundane life takes a fatal turn when he’s stabbed by a thief. As he dies, an otherworldly voice offers him a second chance - he awakens in a new world, reborn as a blob-like slime creature. Adapting quickly, Satoru meets a mighty dragon named Veldora and forges a bond that changes both their fates. Taking on the name Rimuru Tempest, he begins to build a new community and face challenges that blur the lines between monster, hero, and ruler.
