Wait, was this the show that started the ‘reborn as a monster/weird thing’ trend in isekai? Or is it just the one that popularized it? I can’t keep track of all these bloody things anymore.
‘That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime’ is a show best described as ‘cozy.’ It’s really wholesome, seeing a little kingdom of peaceful monsters growing and expanding. Imagine watching an anime version of a Civilization game; that’s pretty much what it is.
Naturally, such a laid back show needs an equally relaxed protagonist. Enter the titular slime: Rimuru Tempest.
In his first life, the man that would become Rimuru was an ordinary salaryman with a shameful internet history and nearly forty years of virginity under his belt. One day, he dies to protect his work junior and their girlfriend. His only dying request: that his computer be destroyed.
Okay, that’s hilarious and all, but it really doesn’t do anything for either the plot or Rimuru as a character. So… moving on, I guess.
Rimuru has all the hallmarks of an isekai hero. Ridiculous power? A harem? The unconditional love and respect of everyone he meets? Check, check, and check.
Thankfully, the series balances these tropes so they don’t become annoying. Rimuru is OP as hell, but he’s not the strongest creature in the world right off the bat. Half the reason he plays the diplomat – we’ll get to that – is because he’s in over his head.
As for the harem, he basically just ignores it. Dude’s got a busty secretary and a princess frothing at the mouth over him, and he’s just chilling out. It’s a refreshing difference, albeit a small one.
Not to mention meaningless, because he still gets real excited about elf girls.
Oh yeah, also the love of his life died and he absorbed her form, but don’t worry about that.
Finally, let’s talk about his role. Rimuru isn’t some wandering adventurer doing whatever he wants. He starts his own kingdom and plays as its leader. Rather than fighting, he’s always trying to be diplomatic and form peaceful relations with his neighbors. He only throws fists when someone else does it first.
But what about his actual character? What’s his personality like? What does he want? The answer is: not much.
Let’s be honest: Rimuru is kind of boring. His personality boils down to ‘generic nice hero guy’ and he has no character arc to speak of. The slime we meet in episode one is the same person as the one we see even now.
At least his design is a step up. His slime form is simple and cute. His human form, on the other hand, is pretty much your generic isekai flare. Only replace black with light blue.
Up until Rimuru starts wearing an edgy black coat, because of course.
Rimuru is far from the worst isekai protagonist. He hits all the usual hallmarks of the genre, but not in an obnoxious, repetitive way. Unfortunately, in terms of depth or personality, our little slime is sorely lacking.
Sorry, slime friend. To the middle of the pack you go.
- Natsuki Subaru (Re:ZERO)
- Kazuma Sato (Konosuba)
- Ainz Ooal Gown (Overlord)
- Rimuru Tempest (Slime Reincarnation)
- Arc (Skeleton Knight in Another World)
- Kirito (Sword Art Online)
- Yuto Suoh (The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar)
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