It might look like a beach vacation at first, but That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Tears of the Azure Sea is an emotionally grounded, heartfelt, and visually beautiful story that has a lot to say.
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Tears of the Azure Sea Review
Anime movies are either canon or non-canon (aka stories that only happen in the anime). The blockbuster hit Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part I and Chainsaw Man The Movie Reze Arc are both canon to the manga. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea is more like One Piece Film Red, a breezy side story that gives us a chance to see our favorites on the big screen for some fun. These films are usually light on the stakes heavy on the let’s enjoy this. Underneath the vacation premise of relaxing on the beach, Tears of the Azure Sea has something important to say. It’s an emotionally grounded, heartfelt, fun, and beautifully animated side quest for the Tempest crew in which Gobta gets his moment to shine.
Set between the third and fourth seasons of the anime, Tears of the Azure Sea sees Rimuru and his group heading to a resort island after receiving an invite from the Celestial Emperor Elmesia. Fun in the sun quickly turns into something more serious when they meet Yura, a priestess from the undersea kingdom of Kaien. Yura is trying to get Rimuru’s help in stopping a plot to awaken an ancient aqua dragon that could spell doom for her people. Never one to turn down the opportunity to help others, Rimuru gathers his team to protect Kaien.
Much like the beginning of Chainsaw Man’s film, Tears of the Azure Sea takes awhile to get started in favor of spending time with our hero in order to feel connected to him. Nope, I don’t mean Rimuru. Gobta is the star here and it’s perfect. I love seeing side characters get their often much needed time in the spotlight. Gobta is typically the comedic relief – lazy, unserious, serving as the punchline for all the jokes while everyone else gets to appear capable and important. That’s not to say that the main storyline hasn’t hinted that Gobta could be more, we just haven’t seen it yet, until now. Tears of the Azure Sea finds Gobta focused, level-headed, and involved in a romance arc. He’s still the goofy and awkward guy that we know but in this story, those are his strengths.
That relationship with Yura is what grounds the film and gives it emotional weight. Yura isn’t some damsel in need of saving or a shallow plot device that shows up and leads the protagonist from point A to B. She is conflicted, earnest, and refined after years of rituals and political burdens. Which makes her nothing like Gobta. Their differences and how their dynamic runs on those contrasts is exactly why fans will adore their chemistry. They develop a mutual admiration for the other and Gobta’s outlook on life helps Yura see through the lies and uncertainty that surround her. Thankfully, the movie lets their bond strengthen as action unfolds around them rather than lengthy (and unnecessary) exposition.
Nothing against power escalations or mega insane fight scenes, after all I was raised on Dragonball Z and my favorite anime are shonen, but it’s refreshing to once in a while take a step away from that and see fights that don’t rely on OP moves. There’s not really any magic combat happening here and Gobta doesn’t have Rimuru’s powers. He has to succeed through strategy, trust, and a little bit of luck. The combat feels more like martial arts and less like power sets colliding on screen. None of that means the animation isn’t up to par. It’s sharp, vibrant, and takes full advantage of that blessed big screen budget boost. The resort and surrounding environments stick out from the usual Tempest fare with bright palettes and eye-popping visuals.
Verdict
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea is more than a beach comedy. It’s a political thriller with romance, grounded emotions, and some very exciting fight sequences. Gobta was the ideal choice to lead this adventure and it’s nice to see the little guy get his long awaited depth. Without spoiling anything, the ending may divide some viewers on whether it was the right choice. Regardless, Tears of the Azure Sea isn’t some filler excursion drenched in fan service. It’s a meaningful side quest that not only introduces consequences that tie back into the main storyline but also opens the door for a future alliance. Additionally, it contains an end credit scene that fans of the show (and Diablo especially) will want to see. All in all, Tears of the Azure Sea proves Slime has what it takes to branch out and keep upping their storytelling for more exciting adventures with the Tempest crew.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea is now playing in theaters. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes.
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