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

Directed By: Yasuhito Kikuchi
Written By: Toshizo Nemoto and Yasuhito Kikuchi; Based on the story created by Fuse
Runtime: 104 minutes
MPA Rating: PG-13 for some violence and suggestive material

Brittney Karbowski – Rimiru Tempes
Allegra Clark – Yura
Ryan Reynolds – Gobta
Christopher Corey Smih – Zodon
Yuri Lowenthal – Djeese
Michelle Rojas – Shion
Tia Ballard – Shuna
Amber Lee Connors – Elmesia
Lucien Dodge – Lete
Jad Zaxtton – Ramiris
Chris Rager – Veldora
Jill Harris – Luminus
Natalie Van Sistine – Mio
Marianne Bray – Yori

Crunchyroll and Sony’s latest anime movie release brings the tales of Rimiru Tempest and his companions to the big screen in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea. Putting aside that mouthful of a title, Tears of the Azure Sea presents as a standalone side story and picks up after the events of Season 3 and the Founder Festival arc.

Basically, this is a big-screen movie adaptation of an ongoing anime series adapted from the Japanese light novel series created by Fuse. The story follows average 37-year-old Minamu Satoru, who was murdered in his previous life, and promptly gets reincarnated in a fantasy world as the lowest form of monster, a slime. However, through various circumstances and events, Satoru, who takes up the new name Rimiru Tempest, builds up fabulous powers and skills, making him vastly overpowered compared to every other being on the planet, basically a god in slime form.

The good news is that Rimiru is a very affable and charming fellow. He gains many powerful companions and allies over the course of his adventures, and he eventually seeks to build his own kingdom, one where humans, monsters, and creatures of all races can live in peace and harmony. In the opening ceremony of the Demon Kingdom Federation Tempest, Rimiru and his companions receive a prestigious invitation from the Eleven Celestial Emperor Elmesia to visit her private island resort, which is where the events resume.

However, unbeknownst to Rimiru and his friends, an underwater kingdom exists near the private resort called Kaien. One of Kaien’s royal advisors, Djeese, conspires to wage an all-out war using a magic flute that controls the kingdom’s most powerful weapon, an ancient water dragon.

Kaien’s shrine priestess, Yura, purloins the magic flute Djeese needs to control the dragon. Seeking to prevent a war that will put her kingdom and its gentle civilian populace at risk, Yura pursues the assistance of Rimiru and his friends. Facing a formidable enemy, it will take the Tempest’s team’s combined skills and might to overcome this threat.

Obviously, this type of story will experience significant barriers to entry because it’s a middle standalone chapter of a larger ongoing storyline. It’s more or less a filler adventure, but coming in to the movie cold resembles picking up a later novel in a longer series without reading earlier entries. Plus, it’s an isekai fantasy story, which can be off-putting to a certain subset of anime fandom.

Tears of the Azure Sea heavily caters to fans of the light novel and anime series, but in doing so, performs that job fairly well. The plot’s main issue concerns how it generally sidelines Rimiru throughout the narrative. Rimiru is present and takes action throughout the movie, but he’s mostly a passive, reactive character.

The story does not revolve around Rimiru; instead, Gobta, Rimiru’s diminutive hobgoblin subordinate, emerges as the story’s stealth protagonist. The narrative generally focuses on Gobta and Yura, which begins with their awkward meet-cute, which eventually develops into an unlikely romance.

For the most part, the romance between Gobta and Yura is cute and bittersweet, and it encapsulates the Tempest’s grander theme of togetherness and peaceful coexistence. However, Rimiru and his other allies don’t have much to do for the rest of the movie. Even during the big action moments sprinkled throughout the plot, it’s not Rimiru driving the action forward, but Gobta, Yura, and the other villains.

This speaks to a larger issue that derives from isekai stories with overpowered protagonists, similar to another Crunchyroll anime series, which recently had a theatrical movie release, Overlord. The main characters become so powerful that even formidable enemies are no match for them. Tears of the Azure Sea isn’t immune to this either, as it must contrive ways for Rimiru to hold back or not take more direct action. Even during the final act, Rimiru comes off as a passive supporting character.

Nevertheless, Tears of the Azure Sea is not devoid of fun, action-packed moments, especially when the heroes all Team up and start unleashing their most powerful attacks. Gobta and Ranga display one of the more exciting action beats.

Another big attraction entails viewing Rimiru and his allies on the big screen in a splendid theatrical production. There’s always something stunning and unique about watching an anime feature on the big screen, with high-quality picture and sound.

Director Yasuhito Kikuchi and the animators at Eight Bit pull off some visually gorgeous sequences, exceptionally rendering the new locales, including the elven nation’s island resort and the underwater kingdom of Kaien, which serve as the story’s primary settings.\

The movie opens with Rimiru and his allies riding aboard a spherical airship carried by a dragon. The fantasy realm of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie is an intricate one, mixing medieval fantasy with other historical eras. However, the Kaien kingdom takes some more imaginative flourishes at a conceptual level.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea generally works as an extension of the existing anime series, but there’s still some fun to be had, along with a cute romance. It doesn’t rock the boat in terms of affecting the larger plot, but it still provides some epic, action-packed moments. Despite the writers opting for a glorified side quest, the plot might leave viewers unfamiliar with the ongoing anime series rather confused. However, established fans who have been enjoying Rimiru’s adventures for years will probably have a good time.

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

Fans of the anime series are in luck as Tears of the Azure Sea is getting a dedicated theatrical release in the U.S. and Canada, both subbed and dubbed. Ticket and showtime details are available at the movie’s website.

7.0

The final score: review Good

The 411

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea is not without its issues, as the plot largely sidelines Rimiru and other cool characters in favor of a cute, unlikely love story between Gobta and Yura. Although villains come off as a bit boring and one-note, the animators at Eight Bit craft some impressive action-packed animation utilizing the theatrical canvas, and the plot picks up once Kaien is revealed in the second half. The story heavily caters to viewers of the anime, so moviegoers new to the storyline will likely be confused. However, established fans of Rimiru Tempest will likely have a pretty good time.