That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an incredibly popular manga series, with more than 40 million copies distributed around the world. This exciting series has given birth to numerous spin-offs, including light novels, extra manga stories, animated TV shows, OVAs (original video animations), and even a full-length anime movie. This fascinating world sprung from the minds of author Fuse and illustrator Mitz Vah.
Riichiro Umetsu, an editor who worked on the original series, recently spoke with ComicBook about why this series has captured so many hearts. He shared that the emotional journey of the main character resonates strongly with the viewers.
The story is about a man named Satoru Mikami, who, after being killed, wakes up in a magical world, reborn as a slime!
Umetsu also highlighted how the series evolved from a light novel to a manga, then finally into an anime.
This evolution, according to him, added layers of depth to the story. “When you go from a book to an animated show, you add motion, voices, sound effects, and music. These elements make the emotional experience of the story much more powerful when watching compared to just reading,” Umetsu explained.
He also mentioned that the visual aspect of the anime helps create a stronger connection with the audience. The original light novel was the fifth best-selling title of 2018, and its manga adaptation wasn’t far behind, securing the ninth spot in the same year.
Interestingly, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime was the first manga inspired by a light novel to sell over 20 million copies.
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The anime series has been showered with accolades and awards. In 2019, our beloved slime, Rimuru Tempest, was awarded ‘Best Protagonist’ at the 3rd Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The series itself was also nominated for the ‘Best Anime Series’ at the IGN Awards in the same year. The exciting third season kicked off in April 2024, where we see Rimuru finally transform into a Demon Lord.
So, what’s the secret of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime”‘s success? It’s the perfect blend of humor and emotion that appeals to the audience. The story takes us on a roller coaster ride of laughter and tears, making us look forward to each new chapter. Keep an eye out for what’s next in this magical world.