That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Why Rimuru Still Rules
Recently, I wrote a piece on Mushoku Tensei, and somewhere along the way, it made me nostalgic for the show that made me fall in love with isekai in the first place: Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken or simply, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Let’s just call it Tensura moving forward. With Season 4 officially announced and a new anime-original movie on the way for 2026, now’s as good a time as any to talk about why Tensura still works and why I’m seated, excited, and 100% ready.
It’s Not About Power... Mostly
Tensura isn’t really about the fights although when they do happen, they’re hype as heck. It’s about world-building. It’s about seeing Rimuru create a nation from scratch, full of monsters with real emotions, real problems, and a dream of peace. It’s about watching him navigate politics, prejudice, and alliances without instantly jumping to violence.
Rimuru Tempest is what makes this show stand out. In a sea of isekai leads with cheat powers and ego trips, Rimuru genuinely tries to lead with empathy. He’s not out there looking to be a hero or some god-king ruler. He just wants manga, good food, and a chill life with his friends. And if he has to accidentally become a Demon Lord to make that happen, well, so be it.
Yeah, It’s a Power Fantasy — But a Smart One
Now I won’t pretend it doesn’t dip into power fantasy. People love pointing out how Rimuru always seems to get just the right power-up at the right time, like he’s Goku with better skin care. But the upgrades are usually foreshadowed. They make narrative sense. And unlike most OP protagonists, Rimuru’s got self-doubt. He second guesses himself. He’s not trying to flex, he’s just trying to keep his friends safe and his nation running.
Tensura flips the usual “might makes right” trope. The peace in Tempest isn’t maintained by brute force alone. It’s built on trust, cooperation, and a whole lot of meetings.
The Side Characters Are Half the Charm
Fuse-sensei knows how to make you care. That’s why Tensura threads on Reddit are full of debates about who’s stronger — Zegion or Diablo. Yes, that Zegion. The insectoid from Tensura Nikki. Who becomes an absolute beast later on. And we’ll definitely see more of him in future arcs.
But it’s not just the battles that pull you in. It’s the personalities.
- Rigurd trying to manage city logistics like a proud grandpa.
- Shuna threatening world-ending demonlords and true dragons over pudding rations.
- Benimaru being a dependable yet hilarious military leader.
- Milim, Veldora, and Ramiris, with their hilarious and adorable antics.
It’s cozy chaos. And the vibe of the show? It’s exactly what Rimuru wanted the world of Tempest to be… casual, warm, weird, and filled with capable people you’d actually want to be friends with.
The complaints of Season 3
Now let’s talk about the pacing. Part 1 of Season 3? Yeah, it dragged. Meetings galore. There’s a running joke that Tensura is 60% meetings, 10% fighting, and 30% Rimuru getting absolutely glazed by his subordinates. And honestly? I don’t mind. In the light novels, I love the diplomatic discussions and strategy breakdowns.
But anime is a different beast. You feel the drag more when a single discussion about Falmuth or the Holy Church stretches across multiple episodes. Combine that with static camera angles and slow zooms? Not ideal.
The good news? The second half of Season 3 picked up the pace. Meetings started getting more dynamic. Visual storytelling improved. The dungeon planning scene gave me Tony Stark building-his-suit vibes. That’s the direction the anime needs to lean into, keep the political drama, but let it breathe visually.
Not Every Show Needs to Be Solo Leveling
Let’s be honest, anime today is visually cracked. We’re spoiled with razor-sharp animation, a tightly-paced plot, and main characters who farm aura like it’s crypto. You get action every other episode, and fights cut to black on a perfect cliffhanger (ahem, looking at you Solo Leveling).
And don’t get me wrong, I love that stuff too.
But in that sea of high-octane spectacles, Tensura feels like a warm, slow-cooked meal. It might not come out sizzling on a skillet, but it builds a flavor most isekai shows don’t even aim for. It’s not just spectacle—it’s substance. A lived-in world, a likeable lead, and a nation that grows with him. That’s a different kind of magic.
If you want our full thoughts on Solo Leveling and how it plays the hype game right, you can check that article too.
So Why Is It Still So Popular?
I saw a reel recently where someone said they didn’t understand why That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is even popular in Japan, but they were still glad it got a movie. And I get it. Tensura shouldn’t work on paper. A slime protagonist? A nation-building fantasy that pauses for pudding recipes? It breaks so many modern anime rules.
But it clicks. Because under all that fluff, the story has heart.
And the fans? We get it. We know why this weird little blue blob with god-tier skills and chill uncle energy keeps us coming back.
Bring on the Movie. Bring on Season 4.
I’m beyond ready for what’s next. The way Season 3 ended, with Rimuru confirming his suspicions about Yuuki and hints about Mariabel and the Rozzo family… yeah, the stakes are sky-high now. There are way too many people looking to mess with Tempest, and Rimuru is right in the middle of that power balance.
We’re about to move past the comfy slice-of-nation-building arc into full-blown war games, and I, for one, cannot wait for Tensura Season 4.
Your Turn!
Are you excited for the Tensura movie and Season 4?
What made That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime click for you in the first place?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s chat about this weird, wonderful world we love.
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