Review of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3: A Rewarding Sequel with Minor Flaws

Review of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3: A Rewarding Sequel with Minor Flaws

One of the most awaited sequels of Summer 2024, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 wrapped up its two-cour run on Friday, September 27, 2024, captivating fans with a total of 24 episodes. This adaptation primarily focused on the Saint-Monster Confrontation Arc and the Founder’s Festival Arc from Fuse’s acclaimed light novel series.

As with previous seasons, 8Bit Studios handled the adaptation, featuring many familiar voices and crew members. However, the return of the anime faced mixed reactions from fans, partly due to the initial “meeting”focused episodes. Nevertheless, as the story progressed into action-packed segments, the season experienced a surge in positive reception, enticing more viewers to engage with the series.

Overall, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 can be categorized as a “mixed bag.”While it showcased moments of brilliance, it also encountered several pitfalls during its run. From an adaptation standpoint, however, 8Bit Studios effectively captured the essence of the source material right from the start.

Disclaimer: This article may contain potential spoilers from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 Review: Delving into the Key Controversies and 8Bit Studio’s Adaptation Approach

Rimuru Tempest as depicted in the anime (Image via 8Bit)
Rimuru Tempest as depicted in the anime (Image via 8Bit)

The third season of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime undoubtedly divided the fandom. While some fans praised the season for faithfully representing the light novel’s intricate political settings and layering, others criticized it for its slow pacing and heavy exposition.

It is evident that Season 3 distinguished itself from earlier seasons, as it placed a stronger emphasis on world-building rather than action. This shift led some fans to disengage from the series and voice their critiques. The validity of both sides of the argument can be acknowledged from a critical standpoint.

The first cour of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 covered the Saint-Monster Confrontation Arc, which began with Rimuru Tempest’s promotion to a new Demon Lord.

Rimuru Tempest Returns to Jura Tempest (Image via 8Bit)
Rimuru Tempest Returns to Jura Tempest (Image via 8Bit)

Subsequently, Rimuru considered the possibility of a mysterious “mastermind”orchestrating the conflicts with the Western nations. He also held discussions with his close allies to strategize ways to establish a harmonious coexistence between monsters and humans in his realm.

A glance at the opening episodes of Season 3 reveals a primary focus on world-building and political drama. Unlike more mainstream Isekai fantasy series, which often center around a hero’s personal growth in a new realm, this season aims to enhance the complexity of its world.

The narrative of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 adds significant layers of depth, enriching the overall story. Readers of the light novel who understand the series’ core will likely appreciate this detailed adaptation.

Diablo and Shion (Image via 8Bit)
Diablo and Shion (Image via 8Bit)

Nevertheless, many fans enjoy anime for its entertainment value and action sequences. The relative lack of action in Season 3 compared to previous arcs may lead to disappointment for those viewers.

Despite that, the wealth of character motivations and plans presented in each episode was crucial to building anticipation for the season’s climax. Without this essential information, the series could have fallen into mediocrity.

The dedicated team at 8Bit Studios understood these challenges. Adapting an anime episode from a light novel filled with vital information can be a daunting task. Consequently, certain sections of Season 3 may come off as monotonous to some viewers.

Rimuru Tempest at the Founder's Festival (Image via 8Bit)
Rimuru Tempest at the Founder’s Festival (Image via 8Bit)

As the anticipated season progressed, it struggled to satisfy every viewer with its pacing during the first cour. The situation improved in the second cour, which shifted focus to the Founder’s Festival. While it continued to feature “meeting”scenes, the engaging narrative maintained the audience’s interest.

The emphasis was on Rimuru and his companions, such as Mjollmile and Ramiris, working together to prepare for the “Founder’s Festival.”From planning sessions to Ramiris’s role in designing the Dungeon, these elements contributed significantly to the season’s overall experience.

Rimuru, Elmesia, and others in a meeting (Image via 8Bit)
Rimuru, Elmesia, and others in a meeting (Image via 8Bit)

Though the second half also lacked significant action until the final episodes, the planning of the festival offered a compelling narrative for the audience. Additionally, the underlying political tension and the schemes of the Rozzo family served as an intriguing subplot, enriching the season’s depth.

From a critical lens, the narrative elements of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 catered to a diverse spectrum of viewers. However, satisfaction was often marred by several inconsistencies. Despite these hiccups, it is essential to recognize that 8Bit Studio remained faithful to the events outlined in the light novels.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 Review: Animation Quality, Production Standards, and Voice Acting

Rimuru and his executives (Image via 8Bit)
Rimuru and his executives (Image via 8Bit)

There’s little critique warranted regarding 8Bit Studios’ animation quality in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3, as the season didn’t offer many opportunities for spectacular captures. That said, the visual quality remained consistently high throughout each episode, solidifying its status as one of the studio’s noteworthy projects.

There were, however, moments where the series truly showcased its animation prowess. For instance, the Saint-Monster Confrontation Arc included some fantastic action sequences, most notably Rimuru Tempest’s fierce battle against Hinata Sakaguchi.

Rimuru vs. Hinata (Image via 8Bit)
Rimuru vs. Hinata (Image via 8Bit)

Another standout scene featured Diablo unleashing his powers against the Seven Days Clergy, highlighting the level of excitement achieved through 8Bit’s production quality. The second cour also delivered thrilling fights during the Battle Tournament, showcasing the strengths of Gobta, Boyix, Gaiya, and others.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that the standout aspect of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 was not merely the combat scenes but the storyline as a whole. In this regard, director Atsushi Nakayama, series composer Toshizou Nemoto, and the production team successfully adapted the narrative from volumes 7-9.

Masayuki in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 (Image via 8Bit)
Masayuki in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 (Image via 8Bit)

The voice acting cast also contributed significantly to Season 3. Returning actors include Miho Okasaki as Rimuru Tempest, Takahiro Sakurai as Diablo, Sayaka Senbongi as Shuna, Tomoaki Maeno as Veldora, and Makoto Furukawa as Benimaru, among others.

Given the dialogue-dense nature of almost every episode, these actors had to deliver performances that kept audiences engaged. Their effective use of voice modulation ensured that the storytelling remained captivating. Overall, the voice actors performed exceptionally well.

Conclusion

Rimuru Tempest after the Founder's Festival (Image via 8Bit)
Rimuru Tempest after the Founder’s Festival (Image via 8Bit)

While That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 may not have met everyone’s expectations, it undoubtedly featured various highlight moments, such as Rimuru’s intense confrontation with Hinata, the strategic plotting of the Rozzo family, Hinata’s backstory, Diablo showcasing his incredible powers, and the festivals’ episodes.

8Bit Studios has done commendable work on the adaptation, ensuring fidelity to the light novels while effectively tailoring the narrative to suit the show’s pacing. As such, the minor setbacks are worth overlooking, as they did not detract from the series’ overall plotline.

    Source

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *