Continuing going through Manga, I recently picked up the Isekai, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. This one follows a lot of standard tropes, but it does a few things that I could call different for an Isekai. It isn’t just about the adventures that the main character goes on. And while I’m not sure it sets it apart from other Isekai that much, it does feel a bit different. I’ll get into that in the story.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime – Plot

So as the title suggests, the main character dies right away in the books and gets transported to this world. In this world they are not a human, but instead are a slime. As he goes out and starts to explore the world, he finds different races, and ends up being a leader of the monsters. And finds ways to build up the monster society.

But it isn’t just about the town building and society building but there is a plot going on in the background as well. Even at a level where as a reader we know that, but the main character is still fairly ignorant of everything that is going on.

General Thoughts

In terms of an Isekai, this is a little bit different. Because it is not a normal human or humanoid fantasy race protagonist. And because the character is more at the edges of society versus being a part of the main adventuring society. Granted, the main character become humanoid, or can be, pretty quickly, but the story is never your classic fantasy through what I’ve read.

I also like to mention fan service in this section. Just so you have an idea about it. It is certainly an Isekai where it happens fairly often. It isn’t really explicit and often played more for laughs. But it is part of the manga that you should be aware of. Though, the further you get in, the less there really seems to be.

What Doesn’t Work?

I think the fan service is a bit absurd in this one. It doesn’t really add to the story, which I mean, most of the time it doesn’t. And I believe that I’ll run across some more as I go on, if what I know about the anime is right. This is a time where it is for the audience, as it always is really, but detracts from what this story could be.

I also think that the story is just okay. Now, I’ll talk more later about how it does subvert the standard expectations somewhat. But the whole building up of the society piece is not too bad, it just isn’t always the most compelling. I think that is the best way to put it. It’s not that the story is bad, it is just not always compelling.

What Works?

That said about the story, I do appreciate that it is doing something different. I’ve read a LitRPG book where the author clearly draws on this for much of his inspiration. But the whole building up of a society is fun and unique. It offers a fantasy story that is really told from a different perspective, that of the monsters. Right now, I feel like that hasn’t too heavily played into the story, but it is an element.

I also talked about the fan service, but even with that, the manga is nice. It is a manga that isn’t about punching everyone in the face. The fan service is there, but it doesn’t come across as something that makes it so much for a certain gaze or taint the wholesomeness that you get through the story. It is a protagonist who generally does a good thing and who isn’t trying to take over everything or isn’t about being an edgelord. The main character genuinely just wants to improve things for the monsters.

Who Is It For?

I think that if you enjoy Isekai you will enjoy That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. It is a fun romp that feels a bit different than a lot of other Isekai out there. And I think it is even a decent jumping in point. If you don’t want something that is too crazy, though, this is crazy in other ways, it’ll work well. And while it is out there with a slime as the main character, the story is compelling enough and makes clear enough sense that I think more casual manga fans would enjoy it.

Final Thoughts on That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

This is a fun read, and it’s one that I will continue to get the books over time. I don’t feel like it’s quite to the level of some that I’ve read recently, The New Game and Shortcake Cake, where I want to pick up more immediately. And some of that is that there is a lot to catch up on. Not an insane amount, but enough.

I think that is the best way to describe it. This is just fun to read. And I want to know how everything is continued to be built up. It even makes me want to go back and try and anime again. The anime is not bad, it just didn’t grab my attention quite as much immediately. But reading it has, I think because it can move a little bit faster, and you kind of appreciate the main character more.

Overall, this is one that I’d call fun. It might not be great manga, but it is a fun one. And I believe it was adapted from Light Novels to be a manga, which maybe the light novels would catch my attention more.

Have you read or watched That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime?

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