That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 Causes Controversy with Back-to-Back Meeting Episodes

Despite being one of the most highly anticipated sequels, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 has not met the expectations of many fans due to the abundance of episodes centered around meetings.

Despite the Saint-Monster Confrontation Arc being the focus of the latest season, which features the highly anticipated rematch between Rimuru Tempest and Hinata Sakaguchi, many fans were disappointed to find that the first six episodes lacked the expected action-packed scenes.

So far, each episode has centered on meetings conducted by both parties, with Rimuru meeting with his executives and Hinata meeting with Lubelius’ followers. In a noteworthy development, the sixth episode featured a third group, the Rozzo family, organizing a round-table discussion.

Consequently, these regular meetings have caused a rift within the fandom, with one group supporting the necessity of these gatherings, while the other group desires more action-oriented episodes.

Are the frequent meetings in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 disruptive to the viewing experience?

While the constant meetings in season 3 of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime may detract from the viewing experience for some fans, it has received mixed reactions since its premiere on April 5, 2024. Many have expressed frustration with the excessive focus on meetings in some episodes.

The repetition of seeing the same characters every week, sitting at a table and discussing strategies, has undoubtedly become tedious for the anime enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the return of the Isekai anime.

Despite this, it is important for fans to remember that this Isekai anime stands out from others due to its extensive world-building and political elements. The third season of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime has been gradually building up the story towards the final confrontation between Rimuru and Hinata.

Rimuru Tempest, as seen deflated in the anime (Image via 8Bit)

The most recent season utilized meetings as a device to unveil crucial details, including the consequences of Jura Tempest’s battle with Falmuth. Furthermore, these meetings served as a platform for Rimuru to receive updates from his executives, which were integral to the advancement of the story.

The anime’s storyline could have become convoluted without the presence of these meetings. In addition to Rimuru’s encounter, Hinata Sakaguchi’s rendezvous with her followers held significant importance. It allowed her to uncover the role of the Eastern Merchants in the Falmuth kingdom’s predicament.

Concurrently, she began to suspect that the Seven Days Clergies may have been involved in a nefarious plot. As a result, addressing these crucial issues through a meeting was a stroke of genius.

A scene from the anime's meeting (Image via 8Bit) — A scene from the anime’s meeting (Image via 8Bit)

Despite this, the handling of the first six episodes of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 could have been improved. The episodes primarily centered on meetings and lacked any action, with a rough run-time of 20-21 minutes excluding the opening and ending theme.

Understandably, viewers who were seeking action in the series may have been disappointed. However, from a narrative and world-building standpoint, these meetings were crucial as they provided insight into the characters and their motivations for fans.

How Fans Responded to Meeting-Based Episodes in Season 3 of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

It is clear that the latest season of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime has caused a split among the fandom due to its focus on information-heavy episodes rather than action. The frequent meetings in the sequel have caused some viewers to jokingly refer to the anime as “Reincarnated as a Conference Table”instead of “Slime.”

Many fans of this series are struggling with the weekly episodes that focus heavily on meetings, as they feel inundated with information. Some are even considering giving up on the series for this very reason.

It’s not that I dislike meeting scenes~but they really depend on how much you like and follow and understand the world of a story. Unfortunately~at some point~I stopped enjoying ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.’ I think it’s time for me to stop following this series.”- A fan said.

“Am I about to drop That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime? Every episode of season 3 so far has been a meeting with no action. If I wanted that, I would’ve actually stayed in an office job.”- Another fan said.

“Time for this week’s Team Meeting”- A fan jokingly said.

Overall, while some viewers may find the frequent meetings in these episodes excessive, others appreciate them as they add depth to the world-building. Additionally, there is a belief among fans that season 3 of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is using these meetings to further develop and connect all characters involved.

“I love the way that Tensura beautifully filters everyone in season 3 by having 6 consecutive meeting episodes.”- A fan said.

“I liked the world building”- Another fan said.

“Have you read the manga or the LN? Every volume has a ton of information, the anime is doing a great job delivering more than 90% of this info, meanwhile MT and tate no yuusha suffer from important content cuts and everyone complains about it”- A fan replied to the criticism.

Final thoughts

Rimuru, as seen in the anime (Image via 8Bit)

In general, the release of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 has generated significant excitement. However, it is undeniable that, as an Isekai anime, the show continues to captivate viewers with its intricate universe, familiar themes, and compelling characters. While the storytelling may be on the slower side, it is expected to pick up in the upcoming episodes.