That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Japanese: 転生したらスライムだった件, Hepburn: Tensei Shitara Suraimu Datta Ken) also known as TenSura[4] (転スラ) or Slime Isekai[4] is a Japanese fantasy light novel series written by Fuse, and illustrated by Mitz Vah. It was serialized online between 2013 and 2016 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was acquired by Micro Magazine, who published the first light novel volume in 2014. Sixteen volumes have been released as of March 2020. The light novel has been licensed in North America by Yen Press, who published the first volume in December 2017. It has received a manga adaptation published by Kodansha along with three manga spin-offs published respectively by Micro Magazine and Kodansha and an anime television series adaptation by Eight Bit, which aired from October 2, 2018 to March 19, 2019. A second season of the anime series was slated to premiere in October 2020 but has been pushed to January 2021 due to COVID-19, and an anime adaptation of the second spin-off manga was slated premiere in January 2021, but has been delayed to April 2021 due to the same circumstances.[5][6]
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime | |
![]() The cover of the first light novel | |
転生したらスライムだった件 (Tensei Shitara Suraimu Datta Ken) | |
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Genre | Fantasy,[1] isekai[2] |
Novel series | |
Written by | Fuse |
Published by | Shōsetsuka ni Narō |
Original run | 2013 – 2016 |
Light novel | |
Written by | Fuse |
Illustrated by | Mitz Vah |
Published by | Micro Magazine |
English publisher | |
Imprint | GC Novels |
Demographic | Male |
Original run | 2014 – present |
Volumes | 16 |
Manga | |
Written by | Fuse |
Illustrated by | Taiki Kawakami |
Published by | Kodansha |
English publisher | |
Magazine | Monthly Shōnen Sirius |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Original run | 2015 – present |
Volumes | 14 |
Manga | |
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: The Ways of the Monster Nation | |
Written by | Fuse |
Illustrated by | Shō Okagiri |
Published by | Micro Magazine |
English publisher | |
Magazine | Comic Ride |
Demographic | Seinen |
Original run | 2016 – present |
Volumes | 6 |
Manga | |
The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime | |
Written by | Fuse |
Illustrated by | Shiba |
Published by | Kodansha |
English publisher | |
Magazine | Monthly Shōnen Sirius |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Original run | March 2018 – present |
Volumes | 3 |
Manga | |
That Time I Got Reincarnated (Again!) as a Workaholic Slime | |
Written by | Fuse |
Illustrated by | Shizuku Akechi |
Published by | Kodansha |
English publisher | |
Magazine | Suiyōbi no Sirius |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Original run | September 26, 2018 – present |
Volumes | 1 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Yasuhito Kikuchi Atsushi Nakayama (AD)[3] |
Produced by | Yōhei Itō Shigeto Sugimoto? |
Written by | Kazuyuki Fudeyasu |
Music by | Elements Garden |
Studio | Eight Bit |
Licensed by | |
Original network | Tokyo MX, BS11, tvk, MBS |
Original run | October 2, 2018 – present |
Episodes | 24 + 5 OVAs |
Anime television series | |
The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime | |
Directed by | Yuji Ikuhara |
Written by | Kotatsumikan |
Music by | R.O.N |
Studio | Eight Bit |
Original network | Tokyo MX, BS11, tvk, MBS |
Original run | April 2021 – scheduled |
Plot
Satoru Mikami is an ordinary 37 year old corporate worker living in Tokyo. He is almost content with his monotonous life, despite the fact that he doesn't have a girlfriend. During a casual encounter with his colleague, an assailant pops out of nowhere and stabs him. While succumbing to his injuries, a mysterious voice echoes in his mind and recites a series of commands which he could not make sense of.
After regaining consciousness, Satoru discovers that he has been reincarnated as a Slime in an unfamiliar world. At the same time, he also acquires new-found skills, particularly the ability called "Predator," which allows him to devour anything and mimic its appearance and skills. He stumbles upon Veldora, a Catastrophe-level 'Storm Dragon', who was sealed for 300 years for reducing a town to ashes. Feeling sorry for him, Satoru befriends the dragon, promising to help him in destroying the seal. In return, Veldora bestows upon him the name Rimuru Tempest, to grant him divine protection.
Now free from his stale past life, Rimuru embarks on a quest to prove his worth. As he starts to get used to his current physique, word of his weird accomplishments start to spread like wildfire across the world, changing his fate completely.
Media
Light novels
Fuse originally serialized the series as a web novel on the user-generated content site Shōsetsuka ni Narō between February 20, 2013 and January 1, 2016.[1][7] The series was acquired for print publication by Micro Magazine, who published the first light novel, with illustrations by Mitz Vah, under their GC Novels in May 2014.[1][8] On April 15, 2017, English publisher Yen Press announced during their panel at Sakura-Con that they had licensed the series for release in North America.[9]
Manga
Taiki Kawakami launched a manga adaptation in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Sirius on March 26, 2015.[10] Kodansha USA announced their license to the manga during their panel at New York Comic Con on October 6, 2016.[11] A spin-off manga, titled That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: How Monsters Walk (転生したらスライムだった件~魔物の国の歩き方~, Tensei Shitara Suraimu Datta Ken: Mamono no Arukikata), with art by Shō Okagiri, has been serialized on Micro Magazine's Comic Ride website since July 28, 2016.[1][12] A second spin-off manga, titled The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (転スラ日記 転生したらスライムだった件, Tensura Nikki: Tensei Shitara Suraimu Datta Ken), with art by Shiba, has been serialized in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Sirius since March 2018, compiled into three volumes as of November 2019, and licensed in English by Kodansha USA. A third spin-off manga titled That Time I Got Reincarnated (Again!) as a Workaholic Slime (Tensei Shitara Shachiku Datta Ken, 転生しても社畜だった件) and illustrated by Shizuku Akechi began serialization on the Niconico website on September 26, 2018, and has been compiled into one volume as of July 9, 2019.[13][14] On June 3, 2020, Kodansha USA announced that it has licensed That Time I Got Reincarnated (Again!) as a Workaholic Slime.[15]
Anime
An anime television series adaptation aired from October 2, 2018 to March 19, 2019 on Tokyo MX and other channels.[1][16][lower-alpha 1] The series is animated by Eight Bit and directed by Yasuhito Kikuchi, with Atsushi Nakayama as assistant director, Kazuyuki Fudeyasu handling series composition, Ryouma Ebata designing the characters, and Takahiro Kishida providing monster designs. Elements Garden is composing the series' music.[17] The first opening theme is "Nameless story" performed by Takuma Terashima,[18] while the first ending theme is "Another colony" performed by True.[19] The second opening theme is "Megurumono" (メグルモノ) performed by Terashima, while the second ending theme is "Little Soldier" (リトルソルジャー, Ritoru Sorujā) performed by Azusa Tadokoro.[20] The series is simulcast by Crunchyroll[21] with Funimation streaming an English dub as it airs.[22] The first season ran for 24 episodes. An original animation DVD was originally scheduled to be released on March 29, 2019, bundled with the 11th manga volume,[23] but it was delayed to December 4, 2019, bundled with the 13th manga volume.[24][25] A second original animation DVD was released on July 9, 2019, bundled with the 12th manga volume.[26] Three more original animation DVDs have been announced, with the third OAD being released on March 27, 2020, bundled with the 14th manga volume.[27] The fourth OAD is being bundled with the 15th manga volume, which released on July 9, 2020. The fifth OAD will be bundled with 16th manga volume, which releases on November 9, 2020.[28]
A second season has been announced, and was scheduled to premiere in October 2020, but has been delayed to January 2021 due to the effects of COVID-19 on Japan. In an official statement, the anime production committee explained that they were "proceeding with the production ... with a sufficient preparation period" but the "announcement [of Japan’s state of emergency] has had a great impact on the originally planned production schedule" so they decided to postpone the second season.[29] The second season is a split-cour anime and the second half has been pushed from April 2021 to July 2021.[30] Eight Bit will still animate the series, with the staff and cast members reprising their roles.[31][32]
A spin-off anime series based on the Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime manga was scheduled to premiere in January 2021 but has been also delayed to April 2021 due to COVID-19.[33] Eight Bit will also animate the series, with Yuji Ikuhara directing the series, Kotatsumikan writing the script, Risa Takai and Atsushi Irie as character designers, and R.O.N composing the music.[34]
Reception
The light novel series has over 4.5 million volumes in print.[1] It was the fifth best-selling title of 2018 with 539,277[35] and its manga adaptation was the ninth best-selling title of 2018 with 3,460,066 copies.[36]
The light novel ranked eighth in 2017 in Takarajimasha's annual light novel guide book Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!, in the tankōbon category.[37] It ranked sixth in 2018[38] and fifth in 2019.[39]
In 2019, Rimuru Tempest won Best Protagonist on the Crunchyroll Anime Awards.[40]
Awards
The manga adaptation has won the 2018 Bookwalker award.[41] The light novel and anime have also received recognitions.
Notes
- Tokyo MX listed the broadcast times as Monday nights at 24:00, meaning the first broadcast technically occurred on Tuesday at 12:00 a.m. JST.
References
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 7, 2018). "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Light Novels Get Fall TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime - The Fall 2018 Anime Preview Guide". Anime News Network. October 1, 2018. Archived from the original on December 17, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
- "Interview: The Directors of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime". AnimeNewsNetwork. March 8, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
- Frye, Patrick (August 15, 2019). "That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 release date confirmed for 2020". Monsters and Critics.
Affectionately known as Slime Isekai or TenSura
- Frye, Patrick (May 28, 2020). "Slime Season 2 release date delayed to 2021: That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 delayed by coronavirus". Monsters and Critics. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 27, 2020). "'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' Season 2 & The Slime Diaries Anime Delayed Due to COVID-19". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- "転生したらスライムだった件". Shōsetsuka ni Narō (in Japanese). Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- Komatsu, Mikikazu (March 9, 2018). "Fuse's "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" Light Novel Gets TV Anime Adaptation in Fall 2018". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- Ressler, Karen (April 15, 2017). "Yen Press Licenses Saga of Tanya the Evil, Acca 13, One Week Friends, A Polar Bear in Love, More". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- "「転生したらスライムだった件」マンガ版がシリウスで始動". Natalie (in Japanese). March 26, 2015. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- Hodgkins, Crystalyn (October 6, 2016). "Kodansha Comics Adds Frau Faust, Fairy Tail: Rhodonite, Kigurumi Defense Squad, Aho Girl, Hōseki no Kuni, More Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- 転生したらスライムだった件~魔物の国の歩き方~ 第1話【単話版】 転生したらスライムだった件~魔物の国の歩き方~【単話版】 (コミックライド). Amazon.co.jp (in Japanese). マイクロマガジン社. July 28, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Gets Spinoff Manga". Anime News Network. September 27, 2018. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
- "転生しても社畜だった件 / 伏瀬 明地雫 みっつばー - ニコニコ静画 (マンガ)" (in Japanese). Niconico. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- "Kodansha Comics Licenses Cells at Work! Spinoffs, That Time I Got Reincarnated (Again!) as a Workaholic Slime Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 25, 2018). "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Anime Reveals More Cast, October 1 Premiere". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 9, 2018). "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Anime's Teaser Video Reveals Staff, Visuals". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- Ressler, Karen (September 12, 2018). "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Anime's Promo Video Previews Takuma Terashima's Opening Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 30, 2018). "TRUE Performs That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Anime's Ending Theme Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- "New opening and ending songs" (in Japanese). November 14, 2018. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 5, 2018). "Crunchyroll Announces RErideD, Double Decker, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Radiant Anime for Fall". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
- Ressler, Karen (September 7, 2018). "Funimation Adds That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Double Decker!, Space Battleship Tiramisu Zwei Anime to Fall Simuldub Lineup". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 7, 2018). "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Manga to Bundle Original Anime DVD". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 25, 2019). "'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' Original Anime DVD Delayed 9 Months to December". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
- Loo, Egan (November 16, 2019). "Funimation, Crunchyroll to Stream Another OAD for 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime'". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 11, 2019). "'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' Manga Listed With 2nd Original Anime DVD". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (November 26, 2019). "'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' Anime Gets 3 More Original Anime DVDs". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- Frye, Patrick (January 14, 2020). "That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime OVA 3 episode release dates set for 2020: Three-part Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken OAD by Fuse to premiere in movie theater". Monsters and Critics. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- Frye, Patrick (May 28, 2020). "That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 release date delayed to 2021: Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken Season 2 Part 2 set for summer 2021". Monsters and Critics. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- Frye, Patrick (May 28, 2020). "That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 Part 2 release date confirmed for summer 2021: Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken S2 a split-cour anime". Monsters and Critics. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- Loo, Egan (March 17, 2019). "'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' TV Anime Gets 2nd Season (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
- Hodgkins, Crystalyn (January 26, 2020). "'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' Anime Season 2 Premieres in Fall With Studio 8 bit Returning". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- Frye, Patrick (May 28, 2020). "The Slime Diaries release date delayed to spring 2021: Tensura Nikki Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken anime a That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime manga comedy spin-off". Monsters and Critics. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- Antonio Pineda, Rafael (March 22, 2020). "'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' Anime Season 2 Has Split-Cours Run in October, April". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- "Top-Selling Light Novels in Japan by Series: 2018". Anime News Network. November 29, 2018. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- "Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Series: 2018". Anime News Network. November 29, 2018. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (November 23, 2016). "Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! 2017's Series Ranking". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (November 24, 2017). "Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! Reveals 2018 Series Ranking". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- "Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! Reveals 2019 Series Ranking". Anime News Network. November 23, 2018. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- "The Anime Awards - Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- Morrissy, Kim (February 15, 2019). "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime a Slime Novels, Manga Win Bookwalker 2018 Award". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
External links
- Official light novel website (in Japanese)
- Official manga website (in Japanese)
- Official spin-off manga website (in Japanese)
- Official anime website (in Japanese)
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (light novel) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia