The world of "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" (TenSura) is expanding once again! On February 27, 2026, theaters across Japan will premiere the highly anticipated "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea."
Based on the wildly popular light novel series by Fuse—which has spawned a massive manga adaptation and three hit TV seasons—this new film follows the success of 2022’s "Scarlet Bond." To get the scoop on this next chapter, Animate Times sat down with the voice of Rimuru Tempest herself, Miho Okazaki. We delved into the new original story, the mysterious heroine Yura, and a surprising turn for... Gobta?!
With Season 4 of the TV series just a month away, Okazaki also shared her excitement for what’s to come. Whether you’re a die-hard citizen of Tempest or a newcomer looking to jump into this isekai epic, you won't want to miss this!
"Tears of the Azure Sea" Opens a New Door for the Series
── This is the second "Slime" feature film following "Scarlet Bond." How did it feel when you first heard the series was returning to the big screen?
Miho Okazaki (Rimuru Tempest): Honestly, just the fact that we’re getting another movie is incredible. Since the first one was an original story, "Scarlet Bond" was such a massive surprise, and I actually thought that might be it for theatrical releases.
Since the TV series is still going strong, I never imagined a second film would happen so soon. Being able to do this right before Season 4 kicks off makes me so happy. When I first asked, "Is this another original story?" and they told me, "Yes, look forward to it!", I was just as hyped as the fans while waiting for the recording sessions to start.
── Just like the last film, this story is fully supervised by the original author, Fuse-sensei. What were some of your favorite parts of the script?
Okazaki: Seeing these new movie-original characters dive into the "Slime" world really brings out a fresh side of the series.
In "Scarlet Bond," we saw a deeper side of Benimaru through his connection with Hiiro. It revealed history and facets of existing characters we hadn't seen before. I’m not sure how much Fuse-sensei had planned from the start, but those are things that might have never been explored without the movies. This time, the spotlight falls on Gobta.
The "Gobta" in this movie might be different from the image fans currently have. At first, the title "Tears of the Azure Sea" and "Gobta" don’t seem to match at all, but when I actually saw the finished product, it really lived up to the name—I even found myself getting a bit teary-eyed! It’s a wonderful story, so I hope everyone enjoys the narrative journey.
Some might feel it’s not a traditional "happy ending," per se, but I think that’s exactly why it leaves such a lasting impression. I felt like this movie really opens a new door for "Slime" as a story.
── How was the atmosphere during the recording sessions?
Okazaki: During "Scarlet Bond," we were in the middle of the pandemic, so I recorded almost everything alone. This time, I got to record with most of the "Slime Family" together. The vibe was so warm and friendly.
During breaks, they had a corner set up with famous bento boxes from all over Japan. Everyone was getting excited saying, "I'm taking this one home!" But as soon as we stepped into the booth, everyone was 100% focused on their characters. It was a great balance.
Saori Onishi, who plays Yura, is a newcomer to this established cast, so I figured she might be a bit nervous joining such a tight-knit group. She did mention she was tense, but she jumped right in with a "Nice to meet you, Slime!" energy that made me so happy. We chatted about everything, not just the show, and it made for a really fun recording process.
── Did any specific direction during recording stand out to you?
Okazaki: I was really impressed by the dedication between Asuna Tomari (Gobta) and our Sound Director, Jin Aketagawa. They spent a lot of time refining Gobta’s performance. Aketagawa-san would ask for several different emotional patterns, and Tomari-san would pull every single one of them out of her "Gobta toolbox." Seeing her range was incredible.
The side of Gobta shown here is something even fans of the TV series haven't seen yet. I think people will discover a whole new charm to him. However, it’s not a "new" personality—it’s something he’s always had deep down, so it required a bit of a mental shift. I think that’s actually harder than creating a character from scratch.
Even through all that, Tomari-san delivered multiple "correct" takes. While Rimuru is busy getting caught up in the usual chaos, I found myself watching over Gobta very seriously as Rimuru.
── Gobta is usually the comic relief, but it sounds like he’s a true protagonist this time.
Okazaki: That side of him might have existed in the TV series too, but in this film, we see Gobta’s very human internal struggles. Seeing this side of him was a surprise, but it’s the kind of character development you can only really achieve in an original movie story.
── What were your impressions of the heroine, Yura, who becomes so involved with Gobta?
Okazaki: While reading the script, I realized Yura is carrying a very heavy burden. There’s a scene toward the end that is just heartbreaking. In the previous movie, Towa had her illness and her own burdens, but Yura is a woman with an intense sense of responsibility who has been fighting her own quiet battle for a long time.
As part of the "Slime Family," I tend to see things through Gobta’s eyes, but when you look at it from Yura’s perspective—thinking about the fate of the Cayenne Kingdom and what she has to sacrifice—it’s quite painful. I was really drawn to the strength and vulnerability she showed precisely because she is who she is.
── The early scenes with Gobta seemed a bit more comedic. How were those?
Okazaki: I was like, "Wait, we're doing such a cliché trope?!" (Laughs). I was surprised to find out that kind of culture exists in the "Slime" world. It made me wonder what else is out there.
It felt like a new charm for the series. We haven't seen many "romance-style" scenes before, so it felt very fresh to see that "Slime" can handle those themes too.
── We saw a bit of that vibe with Benimaru at the end of Season 3, but Rimuru himself seems distant from romance.
Okazaki: For Rimuru, it’s more about family, respect, and deep trust. It’s hard to imagine him in "love" right now. Even with Shizue, who was his "destined person," it wasn't quite that kind of relationship. That’s why this development was so surprising. Personally, I was all for it—I was like, "Go for it! Give us more!"
── Is that something you’d like to see more of in the future?
Okazaki: Well, maybe it’s because it’s a fleeting moment that makes it acceptable. Rimuru and the others still have a lot of fighting ahead of them. But seeing everyone happy and having fun always makes me glad.
How Will Zodon and Jees Impact Rimuru and Friends?
── Besides Yura, we have new characters from the Cayenne Kingdom like Zodon and Jees. What are your impressions of them?
Okazaki: Both Zodon and Jees operate behind the scenes, away from Rimuru’s group. Even I was checking the script wondering, "Are they allies or enemies?" I think the audience will definitely find them suspicious.
In "Slime," the characters who stand against Rimuru often have deep backgrounds or circumstances that forced their hand. That’s why they often reconcile and even become allies later.
On the other hand, there are those you just can’t see eye-to-eye with, and you have no choice but to fight. I think "Slime" fans will have a lot of fun trying to figure out which category Zodon and Jees fall into!
── Zodon is voiced by guest star Koichi Domoto. How was it "working" with him?
Okazaki: We recorded on different days, so I had to imagine his performance while doing my lines. But when you see the finished footage, he is absolutely perfect. Domoto-san is such a massive icon, and everyone knows his voice, so I imagine there’s an incredible pressure for someone like him to step into voice acting.
The fact that he voiced Zodon is amazing in itself. We usually debut by projecting our voices through a character first, but he comes from a different background. Because he has so much experience in acting and expression across various media, he was able to adapt perfectly to the unique world of animation. I’m looking forward to meeting him at upcoming screenings and learning from him!
Who is Koichi Domoto?
A J-Pop Icon: He is one-half of the legendary duo KinKi Kids, one of the most successful acts in Japanese music history. The group holds a Guinness World Record for having the most consecutive #1 singles since their debut.
── Are there any Rimuru moments fans should watch out for?
Okazaki: He shows off a brand-new skill! There wasn't much explanation at first, so I quietly asked the staff, "This is a new move, right? Is it strong?" and they just said, "Yes." So then I asked, "Should I make my performance sound really powerful?" and they helped me dial in the right direction. (Laughs).
Everyone: (Laughs).
Okazaki: Rimuru is incredibly powerful, but he never flaunts it. That’s part of his coolness and flexibility. He just casually pulls out new moves like it's nothing. While Rimuru has his highlights, I really feel like this movie belongs to Gobta, Yura, and the story of the Cayenne Kingdom.
Also, for fans of the original novels, the way the Primordial Demons (Devils) are introduced will be very interesting. Even though it’s an original story, look forward to the "Wait, they’re showing up here?!" moments.
── TRUE is returning for the theme song once again. What did you think of the new track, "Utopia"?
Okazaki: It’s a beautiful song that perfectly matches the "Tears of the Azure Sea" title. TRUE has been with "Slime" since the very beginning, so I’m thrilled she’s back.
She creates completely different vibes for each story and writes the lyrics herself. Her understanding of the work is so deep; I’m always curious just how much detail she goes into during her process.
I haven't had the chance to talk with her deeply about it yet, but I’d love to discuss "Utopia" and this movie with her. Listening to it at home, I was genuinely moved. As a piece of music, it’s great, but combined with the visuals, it really heightens the afterglow of the story. Music has that power, and TRUE really makes you feel it.
── The timeline is set after the Tempest Founder’s Festival, so we see Rimuru being friendly with Hinata—moments that feel very rewarding for TV series fans. Anything you particularly liked?
Okazaki: The catalyst for this vacation is Elmesia, so you really feel the diplomatic ties and personal networks Rimuru has built outside of Tempest. Lately, he’s been taking initiative to protect his nation, but Rimuru’s core is still about getting wrapped up in other people’s problems and facing them head-on. This time, someone asks for help, and he says, "I'll do it." That’s becoming a classic "Slime" staple.
Also, in Season 4, there are new encounters, and his friendship with Masayuki will lead to even more expansion. Because they’ve built these friendly relations with people like Elmesia and Hinata, it’s not just about the fun times—the things they have to carry also increase. The responsibility of fighting together... Rimuru is the kind of character who can shoulder that and chooses to do so.
It’s like they’re a community bound by fate. It makes it easy to imagine all the things that could happen to Tempest next. Rimuru has his work cut out for him, but we’re just excited to watch!
── Season 4 begins airing shortly after the movie release. Any final thoughts on the upcoming season?
Okazaki: We’re in the middle of recording right now, and Rimuru’s group is incredibly busy, so we’re working just as hard!
Season 3 had a lot of meetings, the conflict with Hinata, and the Founder’s Festival, but Season 4 sees them taking even more proactive action. Rimuru will have to navigate the schemes of various nations, while simultaneously developing Tempest with the Magic Train and the Dungeon. We’re making sure to capture the fun and excitement Rimuru feels, which actually reminds me a bit of Season 1.
The story has a great rhythm—one moment it’s lighthearted, the next he’s consulting with Raphael (Wisdom King) to pull strings behind the scenes. It’s "Slime" at its finest. There are plenty of suspicious characters appearing, so keep your eyes peeled during Season 4! I’m having so much fun staying in sync with Rimuru as more of his personality is revealed. Please look forward to what this next chapter brings!
── Thank you! Finally, a message for the fans looking forward to the movie?
Okazaki: Thank you for always loving "Slime." It’s because of your support that this second movie became a reality, so I want to start by saying thank you from the bottom of my heart. "Tears of the Azure Sea" is an original story that expands the world of "Slime," and I’m so happy you get to enjoy it right before Season 4.
Long-time fans will find plenty of "Easter eggs" to grin at, while newcomers can enjoy it as a standalone adventure. It’s a film that satisfies both audiences and offers something different from "Scarlet Bond" or the TV series—yet it’s still quintessentially "Slime." Please look forward to the premiere!
Movie Information
Synopsis
The Cayenne Kingdom—a nation at the bottom of the sea that worships the Water Dragon as its guardian deity. It is a peaceful kingdom granted to a wandering people who sought a world without conflict. However, that peace was not meant to last forever.
Yura, a priestess who offers prayers to the long-slumbering Water Dragon, learns of a plot to awaken the dragon and invade the surface. Clutching a traditional "flute" passed down through her clan, she heads to the surface seeking salvation.
She arrives at a resort island ruled by Elmesia, the Heavenly Emperor of the Thalion Sorcerous Dynasty. There, she finds Rimuru and his friends enjoying a brief vacation after the Tempest Founder's Festival. At Elmesia's request, Rimuru and his party head to the Cayenne Kingdom to save Yura, only to find a conspiracy already swirling in the depths.
As the Water Dragon stirs and chaos erupts over the flute, Yura’s hidden "power" is revealed. Can Rimuru and his friends protect the Azure Sea from the approaching threat and restore peace?
Cast
Rimuru: Miho Okazaki
Wisdom King (Raphael): Megumi Toyoguchi
Veldora: Tomoaki Maeno
Benimaru: Makoto Furukawa
Shuna: Sayaka Senbongi
Shion: M.A.O
Soei: Takuya Eguchi
Hakuro: Hochu Otsuka
Gobta: Asuna Tomari
Ranga: Chikahiro Kobayashi
Diablo: Takahiro Sakurai
Hinata: Manami Numakura
Luminous: Lynn
Milim: Rina Hidaka
Ramiris: Anzu Haruno
Elmesia: Hisako Kanemoto
Frey: Sayaka Ohara
Yura: Saori Onishi
Beretta: Ayako Kawasumi
Treyni: Rie Tanaka
Elen: Akane Kumada
Kabal: Kengo Takanashi
Gido: Ryuichi Kijima
Jees: Koji Yusa
Mio: Nao Kosaka
Yori: Kaho Fujishima
Zodon: Koichi Domoto
(C) Taiki Kawakami, Fuse, Kodansha/TenSura Production Committee
© Animate Times
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
