TL;DR The That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 3 release date is confirmed for April 2024 but the exact date probably won’t be specified until Winter 2024. Read more below for a much deeper dive!
The That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 3 release date is confirmed for April 2024, the Spring 2024 anime season.
Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken Season 3 will have Rimuru and his friends in the fledgling nation of Tempest dealing with the aftermath of Clayman’s defeat and then throwing a big party that’s crashed by a certain Hero.
But there’s a bigger question concerning release of the anime’s third season. Will TenSura Season 3 be a Disney+/Hulu streaming exclusive now that Japanese publishing company Kodansha and Walt Disney Company have formed a long-term partnership as of November 2022? And what does this partnership mean for the That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime English dub that was previously handled in-house by Crunchyroll?
While you’re waiting for the third season, you can go watch a side story OVA called That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Coleus’ Dream, which begins streaming in Japan with all 3 episodes at once on November 1, 2023 at midnight JST (October 31 in most of the world).
The official announcement of Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken Season 3 came a bit earlier in Fall 2022 than expected. After all, the That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime movie release date was on November 25, 2022. So it was expected that the third season would be announced after the TenSura movie premiered.
The TenSura movie’s title is That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Scarlet Bonds. It featured an original story that is apparently focused on Benimaru’s ogre comrade, Hiiro.
Animation company Studio 8bit is producing both the main Slime isekai anime series and The Slime Diaries anime. In recent years, Studio 8bit is also best known for producing the Blue Lock anime. In the past, they’ve also created notables such as The Irregular At Magic High School, Comet Lucifer, Knight’s & Magic, Encouragement of Climb, and Infinite Stratos.
Director Yasuhito Kikuchi is best known for having directed the original Comet Lucifer anime and the Infinite Stratos anime series. Kazuyuki Fudeyasu created the series composition and he’s worked on the scripts for popular anime such as Arifureta, Black Clover, Bleach, Claymore, Dropkick on My Devil! Season 3, How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord Season 2, By The Grace of the Gods, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Redo of Healer, Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun Season 2, and Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina.
The That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 3 OP (opening) and ED (ending) theme song music hasn’t been announced yet.
For the second season’s first part, the OP was “Storyteller” by TRUE. The ED “Storyseeker” was performed by Stereo Dive Foundation.
The TenSura Season 2 Part 2 OP was “Likes Flames” as performed by MindaRyn, while the ED (ending) “Reincarnate” was performed by Takuma Terashima.
The TenSura Season 3 release date may be over the horizon, but at least the That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 Part 2 anime came out in 2021 as a split-cour anime.
What’s a split-cour, you might ask? For those unfamiliar with the lingo, a “cour” is a three-month block of TV broadcasting based on the physical seasons usually composed of 10 to 13 episodes.
A “split-cour” is where a single anime season takes a multi-month break before resuming TV broadcasting. Recent examples would include Spy x Family Part, Moriarty the Patriot Part 2, Re:ZERO Season 2 Part 2, Mushoku Tensei Part 2, and Attack On Titan Season 4 Part 3 (Shingeki no Kyojin’s final anime story arc is not called Attack On Titan Season 5).
The Slime isekai’s second season finished the first part or cour with TenSura Season 2 Episode 12 on March 30, 2021. In spring 2021, anime fans were treated to The Slime Diaries anime.
Yes, that does mean there were three straight seasons of the TenSura anime series starting in the winter of 2021 and ending in Summer 2021.
The TenSura Season 2 Part 2 release date was on July 6, 2021, the Summer 2021 anime season. The finale, That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 Episode 24, released on September 21, 2021.
The first two seasons were streaming with English subtitles on Crunchyroll, FUNimation, and Netflix Japan (not Netflix U.S.). FUNimation’s That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 English dub released in Winter 2021, with the dubbing for the second half streaming in Summer 2021.
This article provides everything that is known about That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 3 (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken Season 3/Tensura Season 3) and all related news. As such, this article will be updated over time with news, rumors, and analysis. Meanwhile, let’s delve down into what is known for certain.
TenSura Season 3 anime spoilers (plot summary/synopsis)
Note: These spoilers assume that That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 will pick up the story again in light novel Volume 7.
News of the demon lord Clayman’s defeat by Rimuru shakes the Holy Empire of Lubelius to its core. The chief knight of the nation’s Imperial Guard and captain of the Crusader forces, Hinata Sakaguchi, launched a bold attack on Rimuru not long ago and now they’re concerned about a reprisal.
Things look only direr when a priest sent by Rimuru to attend an urgent meeting of Lubelius bigwigs ends up murdered. The stakes couldn’t be higher for either side as Hinata heads to Tempest to settle things… one wrong move could spell total warfare!
After everything settles down, it’s festival time in Tempest, and this demon slime knows how to throw a party! After reconciling with Hinata and the Western Holy Church, Rimuru’s pulling out all the stops to prepare a massive bash in his nation of monsters-with a little help from his many friends and allies!
It’s the perfect opportunity to debut his new demon lord title while showing the world everything the Jura-Tempest Federation has to offer. The Tempest Founder’s Festival will feature live concerts, a massive dungeon, and the main event will be the first-ever Tempest Battle Tournament.
But then Honjou “Lightspeed” Masayuki, the so-called Chosen Hero himself, decides to enter the fighting tournament. Will this big event go off without a hitch?
Unfortunately, anime fans will have to wait until the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 release date to watch what happens next. Stay tuned!
Will Crunchyroll lose Slime streaming rights to Disney Plus?
In the past, the Slime isekai anime series has been streaming on Crunchyroll in the USA and Canada whereas it was only available in limited territories on Disney+ and Netflix. This streaming licensor arrangement could change in the future.
Disney has been partnering with Kodansha ever since 1950 when they created a manga adaptation of Disney characters. The expanded collaboration of the 70-year deal between the two companies in November 2022 means that Disney will be licensing exclusive anime titled based on manga produced by Kodansha.
Presumably, Hulu USA will be streaming all of the anime series based on Kodansha properties in the United States whereas Disney+ will be streaming these series to other worldwide territories. This was how the release schedule of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War was handled since Hulu USA had established a marketing presence in the anime fandom whereas Disney+ USA had never carried a single anime title.
For example, the Tokyo Revengers Season 2: Christmas Showdown Arc anime being released in Winter 2023 will be a Disney+ exclusive, but it could be on Hulu USA for the United States territory. Thus, it would seem reasonable to assume that a similar streaming deal will be worked out for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3.
Another related question is what will happen to the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 English dub. Funimation was phased out by Sony after they purchased both Crunchyroll and Funimation. By mid-2022 Crunchyroll began switching from remote recording to in-studio recording again (most of the work is done in their Texas studio).
It’s unknown whether or not Disney might continue to use the Crunchyroll recording studio for their exclusive titles or whether they’ll establish a separate recording unit in the American midwest. Since voice actors are typically contractors let’s just hope they resume their roles in future sequels even when Crunchyroll is no longer the primary or only streaming licensor.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Volume 22 ending the light novel series
Affectionately known as Slime Isekai or TenSura, the Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken anime has managed to engulf the hearts of fans in a predator-like embrace.
While it could be argued that the isekai anime section has been flooded with stories about overpowered characters gathering up harems in alternate worlds, TenSura is an original take on the concept even though it follows some of the standard tropes of the genre.
The story for the anime is based on the Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken light novel series by author Fuse and illustrator Mitz Vah. The story began life as an original web novel series on the Japanese-language Let’s Become Novelists website.
The Slime web novel’s ending in Chapter 249 was already released way back in 2014. The story was divided up into 10 major story arcs.
A free English translation of the web novel is available for download online.
On December 15, 2021, Fuse answered some questions about the book series in an interview with Mipon. The original creator revealed the inspiration for the Rimuru character.
“Rimuru is basically my image of an ideal boss. As much as I don’t like to admit it, during my time as a construction foreman, I would lose my temper when my workers wouldn’t listen to my instructions. I know that isn’t right. However, it is very difficult to lead people and accomplish a task together, and I couldn’t help but become emotional at times. Drawing on that experience, I imagined what things might have been like if I had a boss like Rimuru, and included that in TenSura’s story. I believe that communication is very important. Most problems can be solved if you listen closely to other people and do the best you can to clear up any misunderstandings. Of course, there are times when both sides simply can’t reach an agreement. In such a case, matters might be settled by placing enough distance between one another. Rimuru makes an effort to understand the other side’s viewpoint before deciding whether to work with them. I think his approach and how he tries not to force his opinions on others is what resonates with readers.”
– Fuse
Fuse attracted the attention of publishers by adding keywords to his work via the Elysion Light Novel Contest website (or Net Shosetsu Taisho). A month after the contest ended Fuse was contacted by the editor which eventually led to the series being published.
The That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Volume 20 release date was on September 30, 2022. Based on history, it’s possible that the That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Volume 21 release date will in Spring 2023.
The author’s note section at the back of Slime Volume 19 revealed that author Fuse planned on ending the light novel series in three volumes, which should be TenSura Volume 22.
The light novel series entered web novel’s final story arc with Volume 18. The light novel adaptation has been expanding on the backstories of characters and introducing new elements. Additional characters/monsters like Charybdis were also introduced.
Fuse usually operates on a six-month cycle for each volume. Writing the first draft takes about three months, then editing and revisions take about six weeks.
In the past, Fuse has discussed the possibility of writing more Slime side stories and spin-offs once the main series is completed.
Starting in 2015, Fuse teamed up with manga artist Taiki Kawakami to serialize a monthly manga adaptation of the main story. So far, the TenSura manga is up to Volume 21 as of July 2022.
Yen Press has licensed the official That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime English translation. The English version of the light novels was up to Volume 15 as of November 22, 2022. The English version of the manga caught up to Volume 20 as of September 27, 2022.
As of February 2021, the entire series including the manga, light novels, and spin-offs was reported to have 24 million copies in circulation. Then in May 2021, it had 25 million copies in circulation. By January 2022, it was up to 30 million copies.
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime manga/light novels compared to the TenSura anime’s 2nd season
Original creator Fuse was directly involved in creating the anime projects.
“I supervised the entire script-writing process and confirmed various other details,” Fuse explained. “I did my best to make sure all my requests were properly communicated, but there were some instances where circumstances didn’t quite work out. Nonetheless, the production staff and I gave our utmost to accommodate everything.”
When it came to choosing the Japanese voice actors, the anime studio asked if Fuse had anyone specific in mind. Otherwise, Fuse left those decisions up to the production staff.
The anime’s first season adapted a little over three volumes of light novel content. Episode 24’s ending corresponded to the ending of light novel Volume 4, manga Volume 10: Chapter 52, and web novel Arc 3: Chapter 63.
Unfortunately, in order to reach this stopping point in two cours, the first season skipped multiple light novel/manga chapters and even introduced Diablo. Thus, the second season backed up the story by adapting story arcs that were skipped from the beginning of light novel Volume 4.
Why did Studio 8bit reorder events in this manner? The anime production committee actually wanted the first season to adapt even more books, but author Fuse and the studio convinced the committee members that rushing the pacing would not be good over the long run.
As a middle ground, they settled on ending with the Volume 4 cliffhanger. This decision resulted in the second season’s storytelling feeling a little disjointed, but it was a necessary evil.
This change was surprising to light novel readers who were expecting Hinata to attack Rimuru right off the bat in the second season’s opening episodes. Diablo’s summoning was also expected since the character had already been shown in Episode 24: Black and Mask, never mind that they cast Takahiro Sakurai for the role.
Reordering the plot leaves the anime’s storytelling feeling a bit disjointed, but it’s necessary since the earlier parts of Volume 4 introduced characters like Clayman that became important later on. On the positive side, slowing down the pacing meant that the anime finally got to focus on some good worldbuilding, including all the pertinent politics and plotlines skipped by the first season.
To put the new pacing in perspective, TenSura Season 2 Episode 2 only adapted a third of manga Chapter 40 and half of Chapter 41. Season 2 Episode 4 adapted manga Chapters 53 and the first half of 54 in combination from a flashback from Chapters 44 and 45.
It wasn’t until Season 2 Episode 4 that the anime caught up and began adapting light novel Volume 5. With all the skipped content covered, TenSura Season 2 Episode 5 and beyond became smooth sailing now that the story was back on track.
The title for That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 Episode 11: Birth of a Demon Lord was named after light novel Volume 5: Chapter 4 (manga Volume 15: Chapter 68). The finale, That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 Episode 12, was named “The One Unleashed” after Volume 5: Chapter 5 (manga Volume 16: Chapter 71).
TenSura Season 2 Part 2 picked up the story again around manga Volume 16: Chapter 74, when during the Man-and-Monster Summit Rimuru crafts a public narrative for his Demon Lord evolution by blaming the deaths of the Kingdom of Farmus troops on the now-human Storm Dragon Veldora. In this manner, Rimuru establishes alliances between Tempest, the Dwarf Kingdom, and several human countries.
Slime Season 2 Part 2 then started adapting light novel Volume 6, which centers around the Walpurgis Banquet of the Demon Lords and the conspiracy to destroy Tempest.
Note: Please see the news story on That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 Part 2 for more details on the second season’s 2nd cour.
All in all, the second season’s finale, That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 Episode 24, found a stopping point that corresponds to the ending of light novel Volume 6: The Octagram Soars Brightly.
It’s the best stopping point since the book resolves a major conflict with Clayman that has been brewing for multiple light novels.
The good news is that there is plenty of source material for creating That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3. Since the TenSura: Scarlet Bonds movie is an original story written by Fuse, the third season would cover the story events of light novel Volumes 7 and on.
Better yet, English-only fans can read ahead of the anime by jumping to the English Volume 7: Saint-Monster Confrontation.
The bad news is reserved for manga readers. The second season’s ending is many manga volumes ahead so it will be at least a year before the manga chapters catch up to the anime.
Why the Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken Season 3 release date is in April 2024
As of the last update, Kodansha, Studio 8bit, or any company related to the production of the anime has not officially confirmed the exact That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 release date. However, the production of a Tensura Season 3 sequel was announced on November 9, 2022. The Spring 2024 time frame was announced on February 19, 2023.
Once the news is officially confirmed this article will be updated with the relevant information.
Back in 2021, Anime Geek had predicted that a Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken Season 3 announcement would take place in Fall 2022. After all, reviews from both critics and anime fans have been good and the light novels and manga continue to sell well internationally.
The anime has often topped the charts in Japanese TV rankings. Since international streaming revenue is the biggest factor, it’s important that the anime was often in the Top 5 most popular list alongside Attack On Titan, Black Clover, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Re:ZERO.
The biggest factor is that a TenSura movie was scheduled for Fall 2022. What we got wrong was that we thought the announcement of the third season would take place on the theater premiere date in Japan. Instead, the anime production committee decided to make the announcement when the film had an early screening event that was attended by voice actors and singers.
Based on the timing of the announcement, Anime Geek predicted at the time that the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 release date would be in mid to late 2023. But it turns out the studio is producing three OVA episodes for 2023 whereas the main series will be coming out in 2024.
- Updated February 20, 2023: Relate time frame added.
- Updated December 9, 2022: Added Disney/Kodansha news and analysis.
- Updated November 9, 2022: That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 3 confirmed!
- Updated March 2, 2022: Added TenSura: Scarlet Bonds movie details and trailer.
- Updated December 27, 2021: Slime light novel series ending in 3 volumes. Added Fuse interview comments.