That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21: The Battle Tournament begins as Masayuki and Gobta reach the finals

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21, titled The Battle Tournament, was released on September 6, 2024, on Nippon Television in Japan. The episode witnessed the main battles of the tournament, where Masayuki and Lightspeed Hero, Gobta, Geld, and others participated.

Masayuki reached the finals, thanks to his passive skill, The Chosen One, which didn't let the hero swing his blade against his opponents. On the other hand, Gobta showcased an impressive presence of mind against tough foes to reach the final round.

Following multiple dialogue-heavy episodes, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 returned to action. 8Bit Studios has done exceptionally well to showcase the duels in the battle tournament.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21: Masayuki and others enter the arena for the main round

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That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 begins with Soka, the host, telling the crowd about the Big Four, a title of Tempest's strongest executives chosen to protect Rimuru Tempest. She wonders whether the winner of the Battle Tournament will join Shion, Diablo, and Benimaru in the Big Four or opt for a battle against the Demon Lord Rimuru.

With the preliminary battles done, she officially commences the main matches of the Tempest Battle Tournament. The narrative for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 then delves into a flashback, showing a scene from Rimuru's mansion.

Shion, Diablo, and Benimaru (Image via 8Bit)

Diablo, Shion, and Benimaru want to participate in the Battle Tournament. However, Rimuru knows that they are almost certain to win the tournament. To prevent them from participating yet keep their motivation alive, he thinks of an idea.

Rimuru Tempest appoints them to a new post, titled Big Four. He plans on giving the fourth position to the one who can expose Masayuki the Hero's actual strength in the tournament. Shion and others are delighted at the proposition.

Following that, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 switches to the tournament, where Soka introduces the six competitors who won the preliminary rounds. She begins with Masayuki the Hero, who reaches the main rounds without even showcasing his true strength.

Masayuki the Lightspeed Hero (Image via 8Bit)

The crowd erupts as Masayuki enters the arena. The next one to arrive at the arena is Jinrai, Masayuki's right-hand man. Soei tells Rimuru that he couldn't gauge Masayuki's strength because Jinrai defeated every opponent, thus not allowing the hero to even wield his blade.

After Jinrai, Soka welcomes Gaiye, the Flowing Swordsman to the stage. The fourth and the fifth candidates are the heads of the Boyoids, Boyix, and his eternal rival, Equix, respectively. Although Rimuru has appointed them as bosses in the dungeon, they want to serve the Demon Lord as one of the Big Fours.

Rimuru, as seen in the battle tournament (Image via 8Bit)

The sixth candidate to arrive at the arena is the mysterious masked man, Lion Mask. Rimuru and Soei identify the man as Carrion, Milim's subordinate. After introducing the main six fighters, Soka announces two special entries. The first one to enter the stage is Gobta, and the second is Geld.

As every competitor gathers at the arena, Rimuru Tempest descends from his seat to send his best wishes. He promises the winner to grant the glory of his nation, whether it's the seat as the final member of the Big Four or the right to challenge him.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21: The main round of the battle tournament begins

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The narrative for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 shows the candidates going through a lottery for the match-ups. Interestingly, the lottery turns in Masayuki's favor as he gets to battle his teammate, Jinrai. Rimuru feels it's all too convenient for the Lightspeed Hero.

On the other hand, the strong competitors face each other. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 then shifts the focus to the first match of the main round: Boyix vs. Equix. The eternal rivals wield their weapons and confront each other with all their might.

Boyix vs. Equix in the episode (Image via 8Bit)

Boyix, with his monstrous strength and the gift of ultra-speed regeneration, tackles Equix's lethal blows. Likewise, Equix's Magical Interference, granted by Rimuru, renders Boyix's magic-based attacks useless. In the end, Boyix's brutal strength overpowers his rival, and he wins the bout.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 then moves on to the second battle between Masayuki and his friend, Jinrai. As expected, Jinrai withdraws from the battle, allowing the hero to win by default. Even then, the crowd swoons over the hero.

Gobta in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 (Image via 8Bit)

Moving on, the third battle of the main round, between Gobta and Gaiye, begins. Gaiye's over-the-top excitement over the prospect of serving Rimuru infuriates Diablo. Meanwhile, Gobta continues to evade Gaiye's swift sword movements. Rimuru feels the goblin should show more courage and fight seriously.

Soei realizes Gobta has been keenly observing Gaiye's attacks. Rimuru then urges Gobta from afar to show his guts and defeat his opponent. The slime promises to give him the latest fishing rod he always wanted. Rimuru's words fill Gobta with motivation, as he uses his summoning magic against Gaiye.

Interestingly, Ranga appears from the void and sends Gaiye flying with a headbutt. After Gobta's victory in the sixth round, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 shows Geld vs. Lion Mask. Although Geld valiantly battles, Lion Mask's resilience grants him the win.

Although Geld loses the battle, he wins Lion Mask's acknowledgment. The duo agrees to fight with full strength someday. The narrative for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 then moves to the fifth match, Masayuki vs. Boyix.

Masayuki feels that it's a pity he can't battle Boyix at his full strength since the minotaur used too much strength against his rival. Moreover, the hero wants to go into the dungeon later, where he will face Boyix as one of the bosses.

The Lightspeed Hero's words resonate within Boyix as he decides to forfeit the match and regain his strength for the dungeon battle. As such, Masayuki soars to the final without even facing a single opponent head-on. Rimuru wonders whether it's because of the hero's charisma.

Following that, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 moves to the final match of the main round, between Gobta and Lion Mask. Gobta uses Ranga as his summoned beast against Lion Mask (Carrion). During their battle, Lion Mask's mask breaks. Since he doesn't want his identity to be exposed, Lion Mask withdraws from the battle.

As a result, Gobta becomes the second finalist. Soka rouses the audience to look forward to the final between Gobta and Masayuki the next day.

Rimuru discusses the battle tournament with Hinata (Image via 8Bit)

After the main battles of the tournament, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 switches to the grand reception hall, where everyone enjoys sumptuous food and discusses their favorite candidates.

Meanwhile, Mjollmile tells Rimuru that the stalls are brimming with customers, which means more profit. Aside from that, the slime wonders what will happen in the final. He feels Gobta can tap into his hidden strength by fighting the hero.

That said, he's unsure about the outcome. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3 episode 21 ends with Gazel Dwargo arriving at the room to meet Rimuru Tempest.