After releasing in Japan in November last year, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond has been released in theatres worldwide. This sequel/side story to That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime has everything that fans of the show could want. There are new characters, old favorites, great animation, and a brand-new kingdom! And while the plot may seem inconsequential, the character banter, environments, and funny moments more than make up for it.

One of the highlights of the Slime series is the vast array of colorful characters, and Scarlet Bond is no exception. You have the main characters you knew would appear, such as the recently crowned demon lord Rimuru, his trusty wolf partner Ranga, and the group of kijin (Benimaru, Shuna, Shion, Souei). The banter between the established cast is as great as always and helps to carry some of the slower parts of the film. Scarlet Bond also introduces two anime original characters, Hiiro and Towa. These new characters help expand the world and add to the Slime world’s history. I would love to see more of these two in season 3, but seeing as they aren’t part of the light novel (the source material for the series), I’m doubtful.

Scarlet Bond also includes other characters from the show, although in a limited capacity. Veldora, Diablo, and Milim make appearances throughout, and while their screen time is brief, they make the most of it. Veldora (the all-powerful storm dragon) is just chilling, reading manga, and Milim (a fellow demon lord) pops up after 20 minutes, calls Rimuru her bestie for restie (which is honestly all I wanted from this movie), and then dips. With such an extensive cast of characters, it was obvious that those not important to the overall plot would be featured less. Still, they did a good job of incorporating at least one scene for each character at some point. This was probably the best way to go about it, seeing as the plot focused mainly on the new additions.

The plot of Scarlet Bond revolves around the kingdom of Raja, the queen of Raja Towa, and the thought-to-be dead brother Hiiro. Towa is afflicted with a curse caused by her scarlet tiara (a scarlet bond, you could say). Rimuru and the gang learn about this when the kijins lost brother Hiiro arrives at Tempest (Rimuru's home) to ask for help. Throw in some double-crossing servants, a few demon spirits, and rampaging monsters, and you’ve got the gist of the story. There’s also a small section at the beginning giving more of Hiiro's backstory and an evil-looking ninja guy. The ninja guy doesn’t show up again, but he was dope. 

Overall, the plot felt like a longer version of a typical episode from the show. There was drama, deception, jokes, and Rimuru solving most problems by devouring everything. I hope that the start of season 3 doesn’t split the movie into multiple episodes (I’m looking at you, Demon Slayer).

Speaking of season 3, that’s what will make or break the film’s story for me. Seeing as the location and the new characters were all original and not from the light novel, I’m curious about how they play into the main story. With how the film ends, if they're brushed aside and forgotten about, it would make the film feel pointless. On the other hand, if they can incorporate Towa, Hiiro, and the kingdom of Raja into the main story, that would make the film feel more important (even if it’s just a side story). So, I can’t definitively say at this point if the story is must-know information or just a meaningless side-quest with some cool animation. I’m hoping it's the former, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Unlike the plot, the animation and sound design don’t need a season 3 to determine if it’s good or bad because they're great. The animation, while on a different level than films like Jujutsu Kaisen 0, is a treat to look at. Each fight scene is excellently choreographed, with shots that put big action movies to shame. Then there’s the backgrounds and environment design, which, at different points, look both peaceful and horrible (in a good way). The sound design isn’t slacking either, with all the recognizable sound effects from the main series returning. There’s Rimurus devour, Benimarus fire, and Rangas lightning, all sounding better than ever. The soundtrack also includes some certified bangers, especially the main theme, “Make Me Feel Better” by MindaRyn.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond is an enjoyable side-story in the Slime universe. The new and returning characters were a delight to watch, and the kingdom of Raja was a stunning backdrop. While I wish the plot had higher stakes, the animation, and sound design more than made up for it. If you’re a fan of the Slime series, you’ll have a good time with Scarlet Bond, just don’t expect any massive plot developments, and just have fun with your besties for resties!

Have you seen Scarlet Bond? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below where we can all agree that Millim is the best character in the series.