That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: What to Know How to Watch In Order (2025)

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime has become one of the anime community's favorite isekai series alongside other giants like Re:Zero and Konosuba. Known as TenSura for short, the Slime anime tells the tale of a salaryman who gets reborn as a blue slime in a fantasy world, but he won't stay humble for long as a tiny monster. Dubbed Rimuru Tempest, the reborn slime gains new powers, new forms, and most importantly, new friends and allies as he sets out to build a nation where all monsters can live together in peace.

For the most part, watching the TenSura anime in order is a simple affair, with three chronological seasons of the main anime to watch. But there's more content to be had with extra material such as the Slime Diaries and a few OVAs sprinkled in, and fans must know where in the timeline those extra adventures are placed. There's also the matter of the TenSura movie which is best watched at a certain part in the overall story, as it may be non-canonical but isn't exactly a standalone feature.

Updated on December 1, 2024 by Lauren Younkin: With Season 3 coming to a close, followed by an announcement for Season 4 and a second movie, there's a lot for TenSura fans to look forward to. As such, this article has been updated with the most current information available and now complies with CBR's current standards of formatting.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Season 1 Launches the Isekai Adventure

Episodes 1-24

The first season of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime remains the best starting point for viewers. From the first few minutes of Episode 1, main character Rimuru Tempest and the legendary dragon Veldora are introduced as the story quickly develops. Throughout the first season, new characters, locations, and intricate worldbuilding details are regularly unveiled, so skipping any of these episodes would be inadvisable for new viewers.

While blending elements of slice-of-life, action, and comedy, TenSura's first season effectively sets the stage for future parts of the overarching story without it ever feeling like any of its large roster of characters is being neglected. The first season also makes it clear that TenSura doesn't merely focus on escapism and power trips in the way that some isekai series do; it embodies constructive, positive themes as Rimuru builds a new nation where all monsters can live together in peace. In a way, the story is about everyone except Rimuru, and that narrative continues in TenSura's other seasons and spin-off features.

Tales: Veldora's Journal 1 Recaps the First Season

Special Episode: Season 1, Episode 24.5, "Tales: Veldora's Journal 1"

See Also

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Though this episode was initially listed as Episode 25 of Season 1, it was later changed to Episode 24.5 and categorized as a special episode. This is likely due to the fact that Tales: Veldora's Journal 1 is a recap episode that primarily goes over the events of Season 1, although fans might find it interesting simply for the fact that these events are described from the perspective of characters that are not often present in the show.

In this special episode, Veldora and Ifrit have a conversation about all that has happened so far while playing shogi in the confines of Rimuru's stomach. Some were disappointed with this episode when it first aired as it was thought to be the finale of Season 1, and even as a recap episode it doesn't smoothly convey information due to the way in which they jump between the events they are discussing. This episode can be easily skipped for those watching through the show in succession, although fans of Veldora or Ifrit may find it worth the watch.

Original Animation DVD Episodes (OAD) Are Technically Canon to the Story

OAD 1-5

Usually, OAD episodes are non-canonical extras designed as exclusive content for people who buy the DVDs and Blu-ray discs. This isn't the case with these episodes, though, as they have adapted content from the manga's Ingrassia Arc. The five OADs are all based on this arc, meaning viewers should consider these episodes important to the story.

Some fans have recommended watching the first two OAD episodes after Season 2, Episode 4 to follow the correct chronological watching order. However, watching these two fluffier OADs after the more story-intense episodes of Season 2 breaks up the story's pacing in a way that feels incongruous. In the OADs, Rimuru is once again an inspiring and supportive leader for everyone around him, except this time he's teaching a small handful of young students in the classroom rather than leading ogres and orcs into battle. It's a new challenge for Rimuru, but he's willing to try it in part so that he can honor Shizue Izawa's memory.

Visions of Coleus Adapts a Manga Side-Story

Official Video Animation 1 (OVA)

The events described in Visions of Coleus occur between the end of the first season and the start of the second season. Originally, Visions of Coleus was released in four parts, with each part spread out across the Season Two Blu-ray discs. They were then released as a three-part OVA.

This special sees Rimuru travel to the Kingdom of Coleus, a place that previously had not been otherwise mentioned in the anime. While Visions of Coleus may feel like filler, it is nevertheless a canon story with the events taking place during the manga's Ingrassia Arc. This means Visions of Coleus occurs around the same time as the 3-5 OVA episodes.

Digression: Hinata Sakaguchi Sets Up the Series' Second Season

Special Episode 1 (S2 Episode 0)

This special episode is referred to as Episode 0 of Season 2 and precedes the anime season, refreshing viewers' knowledge of previous events. The new parts added to this episode introduce a character called Hinata Sakaguchi and new information about Clayman.

TenSura's English VA for Millim, Kristen McGuire, said at the time that new lines of dialogue were recorded for this episode, meaning it isn't just a rehash of previous events. While Clayman's new lines could be considered a slight spoiler for the first four episodes of Season 2, his dialogue functions more as a teaser for the upcoming season.

Season 2: Part 1 Greatly Expands the Series' Story

Season 2, Episodes 1-12

The second season of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime packs a lot of story into the first 12 episodes to prepare viewers for the second part of the season. While it does slow down the overall pacing, these story-heavy episodes are necessary for the later parts of the season to make any sense. Despite the slow start, this part begins to pay off from Episode 4 onward when more eventful elements of the narrative are introduced.

By the halfway mark of Part 1, the story has escalated to the point where a massive battle is about to kick off and things start to ramp up from there. In Season 2's first half, a variety of new characters and factions are introduced or fleshed out. This includes the Beastketeers, among whom is the aggressive white tiger lady Suphia who clashes with Shion in a test of strength soon after they meet. Season 2: Part 1 is also one of TenSura's darkest phases, with Rimuru's enemies marching into his territory and laying waste to his nation while Rimuru is busy fighting Hinata elsewhere.

The Slime Diaries Provide a Brief Respite From the Serious Tone of Season 2

Main Series Spin-Off, Episodes 1-12

The Slime Diaries was released following the first half of Season 2, changing pace by transitioning from the story-intense episodes of Part 1 to light-hearted slice-of-life comedy. The Slime Diaries provides a moment of respite, allowing viewers to appreciate the wonderful worldbuilding featured in the series.

While it's debatable whether The Slime Diaries is canon or not, it's best to watch this spin-off after finishing Season Two: Part 1. It utilizes the world and story described in the previous parts and has fun with the characters in ways that wouldn't fit the tone at the time of Season 2's story. The Slime Diaries also shows Rimuru sharing his Earth culture with all his monster friends, including summer festivals, a secular version of Christmas, and more. It's common for anime series to have obligatory Christmas episodes, and TenSura is no different when the main story is put on hold.

Tales: Veldora’s Journal 2 Recaps the First Half of Season 2

Special Episode 2: Season 2, Episode 12.5, "Tales: Veldora's Journal 2"

Tales: Veldora's Journal 2, the second of Season 2's special episodes, serves as a recap of the first part of Season 2. While this episode isn't essential for fans who have recently watched Season 2's first twelve episodes, it's the perfect jump-off point for fans looking for a refresher before delving back in. It generally follows the format of the original Tales: Veldora's Journal.

However, while Tales: Veldora’s Journal 2 is a recap episode, it is humorously narrated as a conversation between Veldora and the Greater Fire Spirit, Ifrit. Given that there was a break in between the release of Parts 1 and 2 of the second season, it makes sense to have a recap episode for those who forgot what happened in the first half, but anyone binging the series can comfortably skip this episode.

Season 2: Part 2 Utilizes the Series' Diverse Cast

Season 2, Episodes 13-24

The second part of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime's second season may be the high point of the entire series. The story developed in Part 1 is finally paid off, with the previously mentioned drums of war now transitioning to a climactic battle. Everyone from goblins to the powerful oni have fight scenes during these episodes.

Part 2 gives most of the main characters their moments to shine, providing them with an opportunity to show their unique strengths during their respective battles. One of TenSura's best qualities is its diverse roster of characters, with the series showing them becoming progressively more powerful as the story develops. For example, princess Shuna gets a chance to shine while fighting the skeleton mage Adalman, an ally of Clayman's. Shuna is much more powerful than anyone might have expected, and her big brother Benimaru proves to be an effective battlefield commander against Clayman's army. The Beastketeers also outdo themselves fighting foes like Yamza.

Scarlet Bond Is the Franchise's First Foray Into Film

The First Movie

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime's first movie, Scarlet Bond, begins after the final events of Season 2. Though its canon status can be called into question, fans of the series are sure to enjoy this extension to the story. The film focuses on original character Hiiro, an orgre that deserted from Clayman's army following his defeat at the end of Season 2.

The movie's setting is a new location called Raja that, while previously unmentioned in the anime, is a story-canon location from the spin-off manga How to Spend a Certain Vacation. Scarlet Bond also uses environmental themes with Raja to create brand-new stakes for Rimuru Tempest to deal with, which helps the movie stand out from the other TenSura offerings.

Season 3 Shows Rimuru Getting Used to the New Peace With Falmuth

Season 3, Episodes 1-24

Chronologically, Season 3 of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is the most recent piece of the story. The third season follows an "aftermath" storyline as the dust settles across the land. Season 2 ended with explosive, climactic battles against villains like demon lord Clayman and his army, with Rimuru and Benimaru both going all out against their worst enemies. The war against the Kingdom of Falmuth has ended, and Rimuru demands stiff reparations from that nation with Diablo there to enforce his will.

Since it finished airing, Season 3 has been divisive amongst fans. The first half of the season centers almost entirely around political meetings, with many of the characters confined to one setting as they discuss what to do next. For fans of the novels, this close adaptation of the source material and emphasis on worldbuilding was welcome, but for many other viewers this section of the anime dragged in a way that could have been avoided by tightening up the story. While the latter half of Season 3 eventually returns to a slice-of-life dynamic, this came a bit too late for those who were already unhappy with the season.

The Future of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

Season 4 and a Second Movie Have Been Announced

On September 27, 2024, following the release of the third season, it was announced that a fourth season of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is scheduled for production, as well as a second movie. A short trailer was posted on X/Twitter with Rimuru and Raphael sharing the news, along with a promotional image of Rimuru.

Though not much information is known at this time past the initial announcement, this gives TenSura fans a lot to be excited about. With the content of Season 3 being what it was, many are eager to move past this point in the story and hope that future projects will recapture what they originally loved about the series. It is unlikely that fans will be seeing either Season 4 or the second movie anytime soon, but TenSura continues to be a popular series and people will be eagerly anticipating its return.

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That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

TV-PG

Action-Adventure

Average 37-year-old Minami Satoru dies and is reincarnated as the most unremarkable creature imaginable-a slime.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast

Miho Okasaki, Megumi Toyoguchi, Mao Ichimichi, Makoto Furukawa

Studio

Eight Bit

Creator

Fuse

Release Date

October 2, 2018

Main Genre

Anime

Sequel

The Slime Diaries

Number of Episodes

48