As someone who has been following That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime for years, I was excited to finally watch the latest movie, Tears of the Azure Sea on the big screen. With Season 4 currently airing in Japan, the movie arrives at the perfect time for longtime fans who have been craving for more of Rimuru and the world of Tempest.
The story takes place shortly after Season 3, where Rimuru and the members of Tempest are invited by the Celestial Emperor, Elmesia, to what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation at a luxurious seaside resort. Of course, things quickly spiral into something much bigger when they meet Yura, a priestess from the undersea kingdom of Kaien, who seeks Tempest’s help in stopping a dangerous plot involving the awakening of the ancient water dragon.
What surprised me most about the movie was its decision to place Gobta at the center of the story instead of Rimuru. Honestly, I think this was one of the best choices the team could have made. Gobta has always been treated as the comedic side character in the series, so finally seeing him receive proper emotional development felt incredibly satisfying.
Much of this development comes through his interactions with Yura, who he initially views as suspicious, only to find himself slowly falling for her. Watching Gobta struggle with those emotions while trying to protect someone he deeply cared about added a layer of sincerity that made several moments hit harder emotionally than I expected.
The soundtrack also played a huge part in elevating the experience for me. Songs like Utopia by TRUE and Harmonics by STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION blended perfectly with the movie’s emotional and action-heavy scenes. My personal favourite, though, was Sokoku, performed by Yura’s voice actress Saori Ohashi. The song carried such a haunting and emotional atmosphere, especially during the scene where it was used to awaken the water dragon.
I also appreciated the movie’s attempt to experiment visually during several scenes focused on Yura’s past. The slightly different art style helped create a distinction between the ancient history of Kaien and the present-day storyline. Personally, though, I felt they could have pushed the stylistic differences even further to make those flashback moments stand out more.
While newcomers may miss some references from the anime series, the movie remains accessible enough to enjoy as a standalone fantasy adventure. For existing fans, it feels like an enjoyable side quest to check off. (P.S. make sure to stay through the end credits for a special surprise!)
Bonus Treat for Fans
If the movie leaves you wanting more, there is also a limited-time pop-up store happening at GSC LaLaport BBCC until 23 May 2026. There is quite a good selection of merchandise available, so it is definitely worth dropping by before it is gone.
Verdict
6.5/10 – Overall, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea is far from the typical lighthearted “beach episode” many might expect. By shifting the spotlight to Gobta, the movie blends political intrigue, romance, and exciting battle sequences while still retaining the charm that makes TenSura enjoyable.
While it may not be a must-watch anime film of the year, it is still a fun and worthwhile experience, especially for longtime fans, or even newcomers curious about what the series has to offer.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea will open in GSC Cinemas from May 14 onwards. Special thanks to Muse Asia for making this review possible.
