PLOT: Rimuru and friends visit Celestial Emperor Hermesia’s resort island after the Jura-Tempest Federation’s opening ceremony. During their vacation, they encounter a mysterious woman, leading to a new incident by the azure sea.
REVIEW: Grab your bags and don’t forget to pack this season’s hottest swimwear, because Rimuru Tempest and his eclectic entourage of Tempest companions are heading to the beach for a much-deserved vacation! Set between the third and fourth seasons of the anime, Tears of the Azure Sea finds Rimuru and his group accepting an invitation from the Celestial Emperor Elmesia for a relaxing respite on a resort island. However, merriment and overindulgence in libations quickly turn to something far more pressing when Yura, a priestess from the undersea kingdom of Kaien, requests Rimuru’s aid in quelling a plot to awaken an ancient Aqua Dragon to nefarious ends. With little time to spare, Rimuru assembles his best and bravest to oversee Kaien’s protection, no matter the cost.
For what feels like a bit too long, Tears of the Azure Sea plays like an extended OVA with some theatrical fireworks to spice up an otherwise slow burn to the action that awaits. However, like the beginning of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, the story’s lazy river pace gives us plenty of time to adventure alongside the hero. No, I’m not talking about Rimuru. I’m referring to Gobta, who very much takes center stage for the bulk of Tears of the Azure Sea. I know. I did not see this coming either.
I’m not gonna lie. I’ve been a lowkey Gobta fan since the opening episodes of the core Reincarnated as a Slime anime. He’s one of the show’s most underutilized characters, and this grounded sidequest gives Gobta a chance to shine, flaunt his skills, and even engage in an honest-to-goodness romance that’s well-earned and genuinely touching. If you’re a Slime fan, you know Gobta’s deal. The anime often presents him as the show’s comic relief—the bumbling badass who’s often napping or scarfing down delicious treats. In Tears of the Azure Sea, Gobta defies expectations by becoming an even more capable fighter and someone who will go above and beyond to help because it’s the right thing to do.
For a film with such a sleepy start, Tears of the Azure Sea packs a lot of intrigue into its first hour. In addition to playing like a fun filler episode, packed with mild fan service and hilarious antics from established characters, the film eventually taps into political intrigue, a city under threat, and a sweet romance that makes you want to root for the little guy. The source of this romance stems from Yura and Gobta, who couldn’t be more different from one another. Yura is stately, stealthy, and refined, while Gobta is brash, extroverted, and accident-prone. Yet, the two meet somewhere in the middle, an attraction born out of mutual respect, sincerity, and standing back-to-back at the center of an oncoming catastrophe. The time spent with Yura and Gobta serves their union well, as the story shows why they’d be a great match through action rather than too much exposition.
Both Yura and Gobta are skilled fighters, with Gobta getting the chance to show off some of his slickest moves to date throughout the adventure. Meanwhile, Yura often holds her own with stealth, quick kicks, and dazzling acrobatics. Together, they make a great team. While there is magic later in the film, Gobta’s fisticuffs make up the bulk of the movie’s action, making Tears of the Azure Sea a great opportunity for the animators to hypnotize audiences with snappy displays of hand-to-hand combat. Gobta truly levels up in this story, with the romance angle and political upheaval giving him some much-deserved depth.
Make no mistake. While the opening hour passes like a stroll through ankle-deep water, the film eventually explodes like a sky full of fireworks with action that makes catching Tears of the Azure Sea in IMAX worth the price of admission. As danger interrupts Rimuru’s vacation, the party trades its swimwear for battle-ready garments as a war on the high seas hits the screen like a tidal wave. I mention outfit changes specifically because Tears of the Azure Sea features a wide variety of new outfits for select characters. It’s not uncommon for characters to wear their default clothes throughout a series, but the new Slime film treats fans to alternate beachwear, ceremonial ensembles, leisurewear, and more. Anyone looking to draw their favorite character in new duds will love the variety Tears of the Azure Sea offers.
While Tears of the Azure Sea sounds like nothing but fun in the sun, I do have some minor quibbles with the story. The known characters are a hoot, and Gobta shines like he never has before, but new members of the cast, save for Yura, leave too much to the imagination. The villains feel underdeveloped, and their motivations are bland in the grand scheme of things. I’m used to villains not always being the stand-out for just about anything, but when done right, a righteous villain can help elevate an already great story. While this aspect of the film is irksome, it’s nothing compared to the story’s end.
Woof.
Let’s say the film’s ending will be polarizing. I don’t want to give too much away because I’m not into writing reviews with too many spoilers, but the film’s conclusion is sticking in my craw a bit. I don’t need everything to end rosy and sweet, but the emotional payoff of this film owes me some money. The conclusion is bold and leaves a particular character open to new opportunities, but at a very specific point, I felt deflated by a twist I did not see coming. As I said, I don’t want to spoil anything. You’ll know it when it happens. You’ll either be cool with it or join me and Genesis in the Land of Confusion.
Still, Tears of the Azure Sea is a fun and engaging extension of the Reincarnated as a Slime anime. Gobta gets to wear his heart on his sleeve, Rimuru learns that not every alliance is a breeze to forge, and the film moves certain pieces into place for a wicked game of chess as the series continues. If you’re a Slime fan, I urge you to stay through the credits, as there’s a scene involving Diablo that could set things up for the future of the core series.
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