Aired from April 5 to September 27, 2024

Summary: Season 3 of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime follows a familiar path, focusing heavily on meetings and dialogue. While this approach can help with world-building and exposition, the over-reliance on long discussions detracts from the excitement that initially drew fans to the series. Though the animation remains consistent with previous seasons, many viewers may find the pacing sluggish and repetitive. With a fourth season confirmed, fans are left hoping the next chapter will bring more action and excitement.

The Good:

• Solid World-Building: The third season does a good job of expanding the universe with political intrigue and strategic discussions, helping to deepen the lore of the series.
• Faithful Adaptation: This season remains true to the light novel, with many scenes recreated faithfully, maintaining the tone of the source material.
• Town-Building Elements: For those who enjoy city and nation-building aspects, the second part of the season introduces new characters and sets up the groundwork for future developments.

The Bad:

• Too Many Meetings: For much of the season, the action is sidelined by endless meetings and exposition. This detracts from the pacing, making the story feel stagnant and slow.
• Minimal Action: The excitement of earlier seasons, marked by dynamic fights and character growth, is sorely lacking. Much of the season feels like filler with characters simply discussing politics and strategies.
• Poor Animation Utilisation: Though the animation is on par with previous seasons, the overuse of still frames and minimal movement makes the visuals feel static and uninspiring.
• Repetitive Dialogue: The heavy reliance on dialogue-driven scenes detracts from the energy of the show, making it feel like a drawn-out boardroom session rather than an engaging anime.

Episode Breakdown:

Episodes 1-12: Endless Meetings The first half of the season is heavily centred around political discussions and strategy planning, which, while essential for world-building, bogs down the pacing. For six straight episodes, viewers are subjected to what feels like never-ending meetings. These scenes involve characters sitting around a table discussing plans and recounting exposition, with little to no action. It feels more like a drawn-out business meeting than an exciting anime.

Episodes 12-24: Some Action, But Still Heavy on Dialogue Midway through the season, there’s a battle between two factions that are at odds due to misunderstandings. The fight is decent, but once again, it’s interrupted by more meetings and discussions. The introduction of new characters and the continued focus on nation-building might appeal to fans of those elements, but for many, it falls flat.

The Struggles of Adapting a Light Novel:

While the dialogue-heavy nature of this season may seem tiresome, it’s important to remember that this is a faithful adaptation of the light novel, which is known for its detailed world-building and character interactions. Cutting too much of the dialogue could risk losing the essence of the original story. However, the pacing in this adaptation suffers because of the sheer volume of conversations, making it feel as if little progress is being made in the plot.

Criticisms:

The primary issue with Season 3 is its imbalance between action and dialogue. Earlier seasons excelled in weaving together thrilling battles with meaningful character growth, but this season spends far too much time in static discussions. The lack of significant events and minimal animation make it feel like a podcast or news broadcast rather than an anime.

Moreover, the decision to stretch out discussions over multiple episodes, often repeating the same points, causes the story to lose momentum. Even the most exciting moments of the season—those that move the story forward—are undermined by the endless chatter.

The Verdict:

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 is a mixed bag. For fans who enjoy intricate world-building and faithful adaptations, the season will still hold some appeal. However, the over-reliance on meetings, lack of action, and slow pacing may frustrate those expecting more excitement. While the groundwork for future seasons is set, this instalment feels more like a slog than a thrilling continuation of the story.

With the announcement of a fourth season, there’s hope that the show will return to the balance of action and world-building that made its earlier seasons so enjoyable. For now, though, Season 3 stands as a cautionary tale of what happens when a series sacrifices its dynamism for too much exposition.

Conclusion: While not a complete failure, Season 3 of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime struggles to maintain the energy and excitement of its predecessors. Its heavy reliance on meetings and dialogue detracts from the plot’s momentum, leaving many viewers bored and frustrated. Here’s hoping that the fourth season will bring back the action, character growth, and world exploration that made the earlier seasons so beloved.