Rimuru Tempest is heading back to the big screen, and honestly, it couldn’t come at a better time. Crunchyroll has officially confirmed the North American theatrical release date for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea, and fans of the beloved isekai franchise have every reason to get excited. The film hits U.S. and Canadian theaters on May 1, 2026, distributed exclusively through Crunchyroll in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Whether you prefer your anime in the original Japanese with English subtitles or fully dubbed in English, both options will be available at launch.
What “Tears of the Azure Sea” Is Actually About
So, what’s the story here? Tears of the Azure Sea is a standalone side story that picks up after the events of Season 3. It doesn’t demand you’ve memorized every single plot thread from the main series, which is a refreshing change of pace for a franchise this deep. After the grand opening ceremony of the Demon Kingdom Federation Tempest, Rimuru and his companions receive an invitation from Celestial Emperor Elmesia of the elven nation, the Magi Dynasty Thalion, to visit her private resort island. Sounds like a nice vacation, right? Of course it isn’t.
A mysterious woman named Yura shows up and, before long, a new incident unfolds against the backdrop of the boundless azure sea. If you’re expecting Rimuru to actually relax for two hours, you clearly haven’t watched enough of this franchise. The movie promises a mix of laid-back vibes, genuine mystery, and the kind of high-stakes adventure that fans have come to expect from the Ten-Sura universe.
The Creative Team Behind the Film
This isn’t some rushed cash-grab production thrown together to capitalize on the franchise’s popularity. Tears of the Azure Sea is directed by Yasuhito Kikuchi, who also helmed the main anime series, bringing a sense of visual and tonal continuity that fans will immediately recognize. The screenplay is co-written by Kikuchi and Toshizo Nemoto, with the story based on original creator Fuse’s light novel series, which has sold over 56 million copies worldwide. Character designs come from Ryoma Ebata, and the score is composed by Hitoshi Fujima. Animation production is handled by studio Eightbit, the same studio responsible for the TV series. In short, the people who know this world best are the ones bringing Tears of the Azure Sea to life.
How to Catch an Early Sneak Peek
Here’s a fun bonus for fans who can’t wait until May 1. Crunchyroll’s monthly North American theatrical Anime Nights program will showcase the first film in the franchise, “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond,” on April 20, 2026. Attendees will be treated to an exclusive 10-minute sneak peek of Tears of the Azure Sea during that screening. It’s a clever way to reintroduce audiences to the franchise before the new film drops, and honestly, a pretty solid excuse to revisit “Scarlet Bond” on the big screen if you missed it the first time around.
Global Release Dates for “Tears of the Azure Sea”
The international rollout for Tears of the Azure Sea is staggered across late April and early May 2026. Here’s the full breakdown by region:
- April 28: Austria, Germany, Switzerland (German-speaking)
- April 29: France, Switzerland (French-speaking)
- April 30: Australia, Brazil, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Ukraine
- May 1: Canada, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States
- May 7: Hungary
- May 8: Greece, Poland, Romania
Japan, for its part, gets the film first. Tears of the Azure Sea opened in Japanese theaters on February 27, 2026, with screenings at approximately 380 locations, including premium formats like IMAX and 4D. That’s a big deal for a franchise that started as a web novel about a guy who dies and comes back as a slime.
Season 4 Is Also on the Way
The theatrical release of Tears of the Azure Sea isn’t the only major Ten-Sura event on the calendar. Season 4 of “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” begins streaming on Crunchyroll on April 3, 2026, available across North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS. The new season digs deeper into Demon Lord Rimuru’s vision of coexistence between humans and monsters, while introducing new threats in the form of Granville Rozzo and the distant workings of Demon Lord Leon in El Dorado. Oh, and a new Hero is about to awaken. No big deal.
For anyone new to the series or looking to catch up before the movie, all three existing seasons are currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. There’s never been a better time to dive into the world of Rimuru Tempest, and with Tears of the Azure Sea set to arrive in theaters this spring, the hype around this franchise shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.
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