Yuzo Takada’s manga adaptation of Fuse’s That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: How to Spend a Certain Vacation is set to conclude in the upcoming issue of Monthly Shonen Sirius magazine, hitting shelves on May 26. This latest addition to the expansive Slime universe will be missed by fans who have enjoyed its lighthearted take on the beloved series.
A Vacation Interlude Ends
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: How to Spend a Certain Vacation (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken: Toaru Kyūka no Sugoshi-kata) serves as a direct adaptation of Fuse’s spinoff story. The narrative bridges the gap between the main novels’ ninth and tenth volumes, a period following the successful Tempest Founder’s Festival. This interlude sees Veldora’s sudden interest in beast magic sparking a new adventure. Rimuru, ever enthusiastic about magical development, and even the formidable Hinata Sakaguchi, join Veldora on a journey to the Magic Tower, a revered location for magic practitioners.
Takada launched the manga in Monthly Shonen Sirius in July 2023, providing fans with a visual representation of this unique storyline. Kodansha published the manga’s first compiled book volume in January 2024, with the third volume slated for release on June 9.
A Decade of Slime: Celebrating the Source Material
Fuse initially shared the How to Spend a Certain Vacation spinoff story on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in 2023, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the original light novels. The series’ journey began on the same website, where Fuse serialized That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime from 2013 to 2016. The series quickly gained traction, amassing over 400 million page views and leading to its print publication by Micro Magazine in 2014, featuring illustrations by Mitz Vah. Yen Press currently licenses the novel series for English-speaking audiences, further expanding its global reach.
A Franchise Phenomenon
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime has blossomed into a multimedia phenomenon, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. What started as a web novel has evolved into a sprawling franchise encompassing light novels, manga adaptations, anime series, and more.
Light Novels
The light novel series, penned by Fuse and illustrated by Mitz Vah, serves as the foundation of the entire franchise. These novels delve into the intricate details of Rimuru Tempest’s journey, exploring the political landscape of the monster nation and the complex relationships between its inhabitants. Yen Press has licensed the light novels, making them accessible to English-speaking readers.
Manga Adaptations
The popularity of the light novels paved the way for various manga adaptations, each offering a unique perspective on the Slime universe:
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Adapted by Taiki Kawakami, this manga faithfully retells the main storyline of the light novels, offering a visually engaging experience for fans.
The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Illustrated by Shiba, this spin-off offers a lighthearted and comedic take on daily life in Tempest, showcasing the humorous interactions between Rimuru and his companions. The Slime Diaries was also adapted into an anime series.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Trinity in Tempest: Illustrated by Tae Tono, this spin-off follows three new characters as they navigate the ever-expanding world of Tempest, encountering familiar faces and uncovering new mysteries.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Clayman’s Revenge: Illustrated by Wataru Kajika, this spin-off offers a unique perspective by focusing on the Demon Lord Clayman, exploring his motivations and actions within the overarching narrative.
That Time I Got Reincarnated (Again!) as a Workaholic Slime: This spin-off humorously explores Rimuru’s challenges in managing the affairs of Tempest, highlighting the difficulties of leadership and the importance of delegation.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: How to Spend a Certain Vacation: Illustrated by Yuzo Takada, this manga is being discontinued and adapts a side story focusing on Rimuru, Veldora, and Hinata as they explore magic.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: The Ways of the Monster Nation: Illustrated by Shō Okagiri, this spin-off follows Framea as she travels around Tempest. The manga ended due to the artist’s health.
Anime Adaptations
The anime adaptation of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, produced by Eight Bit, has further propelled the franchise into the mainstream. The anime faithfully adapts the main storyline, bringing the vibrant world of Tempest to life with stunning animation and captivating voice acting. The series has enjoyed multiple seasons, with a third season airing from April to September 2024, and a fourth season announced along with a second film scheduled for release in February 2026.
In addition to the main anime series, The Slime Diaries has also received an anime adaptation, offering a delightful and comedic complement to the main storyline.
Other Media
The Slime franchise has expanded beyond light novels, manga, and anime, encompassing a wide range of other media, including:
Anime Film: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Scarlet Bonds premiered in Japan in November 2022, offering a brand-new storyline set within the Slime universe.
Original Net Animation (ONA): Visions of Coleus, a three-episode ONA spin-off, was released in November 2023, further enriching the lore and expanding the world of Slime.
Farewell, Vacation
As That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: How to Spend a Certain Vacation prepares to conclude its run, fans can look back fondly on its charming portrayal of familiar characters and its lighthearted exploration of the Slime universe. While this particular adventure may be ending, the world of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime continues to thrive, offering a wealth of content for fans to enjoy.
