That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 review: A satisfying sequel with a few hiccups?

One of the most anticipated sequels of Summer 2024, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 concluded its consecutive-cour run on Friday, September 27, 2024, after enthralling fans with 24 episodes. The adaptation chiefly focused on the Saint-Monster Confrontation Arc and the Founder's Festival Arc from Fuse's light novel series.

Like the previous installments, 8Bit Studios was in charge of the adaptation, with familiar faces in the cast and staff. Yet, the anime's return wasn't met with sound applause from everyone, given how the season was mostly "meeting" oriented in the beginning. That said, once the narrative delved into the action, the season's reception sky-rocketed, inviting more fans to watch the series.

In general, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 belongs to the "mix-bag" section. The season had its moments of brilliance, and yet had many hiccups along its run. That said, from an adaptation's perspective, 8Bit Studios nailed it from the onset.

Disclaimer: This article may contain potential spoilers from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 review: Exploring the major controversies and 8Bit Studio's take on the adaptation

Rimuru Tempest, as seen in the anime (Image via 8Bit)

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 was a perfect divider the fandom could have. While one section believed the season did justice to the light novel with proper emphasis on the political settings, build-ups, and "meetings", others felt the show was wrought with slow pacing and "info dump."

Undoubtedly, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 was slightly different from the previous installments, since the primary emphasis was on world-building, not action. This led some fans to drop the show and criticize it. However, can this be justified? From a critical perspective, both sides of the fandom are correct in their take.

The first cour of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 covered the Saint-Monster Confrontation Arc, beginning with Rimuru Tempest's ascension as a new Demon Lord. After returning to his nation, Jura Tempest, Rimuru Tempest held many meetings with his executives to learn about the situation with the Falmuth.

Rimuru Tempest returns to Jura Tempest (Image via 8Bit)

Later, he discussed the possibility of a "mastermind" behind their conflict with the Western nations. Likewise, the Slime held meetings with his trusted executives to discuss plans on how to establish his nation as the perfect abode for the monsters and humans to co-exist.

From a brief overview of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3's initial episodes, it's apparent the season chiefly focused on world-building and the nation's political aspects. The series isn't like most of the mainstream Isekai fantasy shows, where the emphasis is solely on the hero's growth in an unknown world.

The narrative for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 minutely contributed to the world-building, adding layers upon layers of complexity to enrich the narrative. Audiences who have already read the light novel and comprehend the series' essence would appreciate the adaptation.

That said, many fans watch anime for pleasure and action. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3's narrative contained less action than the previous season, which is why, the show may have disappointed those fans.

Yet, the overwhelming amount of information each episode provided on the characters' motives, plans, etc, was paramount to the season's built-up for the climax. Without those pieces of essential information, the show would have been plunged into the void of mediocrity.

The official staff at the 8Bit studio knew what they were doing. It's excruciating for the composers to storyboard an anime episode from a light novel embedded with crucial information. That's why, the narrative for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 may have emerged monotonous in some areas.

Rimuru Tempest ahead of the Founder's Festival (Image via 8Bit)

As such, the highly anticipated season couldn't satisfy everyone with its narrative for the first cour. The situation was slightly different in the second cour, as the series turned its focus to the Founder's Festival. The narrative, while having more such "meeting scenes," was interesting enough to keep the audience engaged.

The primary emphasis was on Rimuru Tempest and his friends, such as Mjollmile, Ramiris, and others chipping in with ideas to prepare the town for Rimuru Tempest's "Founder's Festival." From Mjollmile and Rimuru's conversation about the festival's planning to Ramiris executing the Dungeon's design, every moment contributed to the season's grandeur.

Rimuru, Elmesia, and others in a meeting (Image via 8Bit)

Although the second half lacked action until the final episodes, the festival's planning was an engaging narrative for fans. Besides that, the political unrest and the scheming of the Rozzo family acting as a subplot beneath the festival's grandeur was an interesting aspect, lending the season its zest.

As such, from a critical perspective, the narrative for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 had the necessary elements for everyone. Yet, the satisfaction was met with a series of hiccups. That said, there wasn't much 8Bit studio could have done, considering the season faithfully followed the light novels' events.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 review: 8Bit studio's animation, production quality, and the show's voice acting

Rimuru and his executives (Image via 8Bit)

There's not much to say about 8Bit studio's animation in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3, as the entire season had little scope for breathtaking animations. However, the art quality for each episode was on point. It only makes sense considering the Isekai fantasy series serves as the production studio's one of the prominent projects for years.

Yet, there were moments where the series shone with brilliant animation quality from 8Bit studio. For example, the episodes from the Saint-Monster Confrontation Arc, that featured fight scenes or action, saw outstanding production quality. For instance, Rimuru Tempest's battle against Hinata Sakaguchi had stellar animation, showcasing the duo's fighting prowess.

Another moment was when Diablo demonstrated his powers against the Seven Days Clergy. The Demon Butler's ferocious powers were at full display with 8Bit studio's exciting production. Likewise in the second cour/part, the sequel delivered enthralling fights in the Battle Tournament, where Gobta, Boyix, Gaiya, and others demonstrated their strength.

That said, the main highlight of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 wasn't those fighting scenes, but the narrative in general. In this respect, Atsushi Nakayama (director), Toshizou Nemoto (series composer), and other staff members in charge of the anime's production did a brilliant job adapting the events from Volume 7-9.

Masayuki in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 (Image via 8Bit)

The voice actors have also done their part in the sequel. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 saw a returning cast, with Miho Okasaki as Rimuru Tempest, Takahiro Sakurai as Diablo, Sayaka Senbongi as Shuna, Tomoaki Maeno as Veldora, Makoto Furukawa as Benimaru, and others.

Since almost every episode was dialogue-heavy, they had to ensure the audience would be engaged with the story. It was only possible through proper voice modulation, which didn't feel monotonous. Overall, the Seiyuus (voice actors) did their job fantastically.

Conclusion

Rimuru Tempest, as seen after the Founder's Festival (Image via 8Bit)

While That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 couldn't satisfy everyone, there's no doubt the season had various shining moments, such as Rimuru's battle against Hinata, the Rozzo family's scheming, Hinata's backstory, Diablo showcasing his powers, the Founder's Festival episodes, and others.

8Bit Studios did the best they could have done to the adaptation, remaining faithful to the light novels and condensing the narrative to suit the show's pacing. As such, the minor hiccups can perhaps be overlooked, as they didn't affect the series' overarching narrative in any way.