The cartoon series for That time I was reincarnated as a Slime has been popular since its debut in 2018, but the franchise originally started out as a web novel, then transformed into a light novel series, first released in 2013. was later adapted into a manga, then into an anime, making it a somewhat daunting task for a new fan to figure out how to get into the series. Here’s everything a new fan needs to know about where to start with That Time I Got Reborn As a Slime.
The light novels, manga, and anime for Slime are all separate sequels, with the light novel being the furthest part in the story. While there are some differences, as with all adaptations, they are mostly inconsequential. Each installment essentially tells the same story, just using different media, so any of the three seasons should serve as a good place for a franchise beginner to start. Anime is the most accessible, and with the third season of Slime coming, it’s a particularly good choice. Which version is best will come down to personal preference, but here’s what fans need to know about each iteration of the series.
That Time I Was Reincarnated Was the First Slime Light Novel
For the uninitiated, light novels are books that are usually shorter and have illustrations scattered throughout the story. When the web novel became a success, the Fuse series author caught the attention of publisher Micro Magazine, who bought the rights to publish the story. While the web novel ends, the light novel series continues, with at least two more volumes to come. The light novels currently have 20 volumes, of which 16 volumes have been translated and released in the US by Yen Press since 2017. In addition, there are 2 databooks/side stories and 3 side stories released in 2021, none of which have been compiled yet. translated. .
That Time I Got Reborn As a Slime’s Manga has become popular
The light novel series was picked up by Kodansha for a manga adaptation, which was originally serialized in their Weekly Shonen Sirius magazine. Illustrated by Taiki Kawakami, the manga began in 2015 in Japan and was first brought to the US in 2017. So far, the series has 23 volumes, with 22 of them translated. and released in the US. Naturally, manga has less text than novels, which tends to translate more quickly, resulting in shorter wait times between manga volumes compared to light novel volumes.
The series is still ongoing and has run over 100 chapters. In addition to the main manga, there are many side manga, focusing on other characters and side stories; all but one of these have been released in English and that may be too new to be translated. For those who can’t get enough Slimes, manga is the right choice, just because of the sheer volume of content available.
That Time I Got Reborn As a Slime’s Anime Hit It Big
Anime Slime is clearly an adaptation of the manga, which closely follows that version of events. The series was animated by studio Eight Bit and premiered in 2018. It consists of a 24-episode first season, a 5-episode special that was originally released on DVD, and a 24-episode second season. The 5 special episodes are the original content of the anime, with a 3-part school plot written by Fuse himself. A third season is in the works for the main Slime anime, which is expected to be the same length as the previous seasons and is currently slated for a spring 2024 release. Additionally, an animated film made from the content. The original content, That Time I Got Reborned As a Slime: Scarlet Bond, was released on November 25, 2022 in Japan and in the United States on January 20, 2023.
In addition to the main anime, the 12-episode comic book series Slime Diaries has also been animated, although it is not a classic of the main series. All episodes of That Time I Got Reborn As a Slime, Slime Diaries, and the series are available to stream from Crunchyroll, while the first season is also available on Hulu.
Which version of That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime is the best?
There’s no one answer as to which version of the story is best, so it ultimately depends on each fan’s preferred form of media. The light novel provides the story as it was originally written, while also providing some additional insight into certain characters and their motives due to the nature of the prose. The manga is translated and released in English the fastest, so those who can’t wait to know what happens next should probably read it that way. The anime itself is fairly accessible in the US and arguably easier than buying manga volumes or light novels, but the long wait times between seasons mean viewers have to be patient while avoiding disruptors.
No matter how one chooses to interact with the Slime, this is still an epic fantasy series about building a nation of monsters and fighting against those who will harm Rimuru’s subjects. Rimuru Tempest is a rather unique character who gives the series great appeal, and that character is largely the same across all three media. The answer to where to start That time I was reincarnated as a Slime simply choose a version and join right away.
