The That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime panel at Anime Expo 2026 was a packed house. With the 2,000-seat venue filled to capacity, voice actors Miho Okasaki (Rimuru), Megumi Toyoguchi (Raphael), and producer Shinichiro Narita (Bandai Namco Filmworks) took the stage on July 4 for a celebration of the series’ ongoing fourth season.
Opening Impressions
Okasaki shared her excitement about connecting with overseas fans: “I rarely have opportunities to be surrounded by so many people overseas, so I’m having a wonderful time.” Toyoguchi added, “It makes me very happy to see how widely Japanese anime is loved around the world.”
Narita, attending Anime Expo for the second time, remarked: “This is my first time here specifically for Slime. Seeing this 2,000 seat room filled all the way to the back is truly gratifying.”
The Appeal of Slime
When asked about the series’ popularity, Okasaki explained: “The premise of a slime as the protagonist is certainly eye-catching, but the story itself is pretty serious. I think one of the series’ greatest strengths is how it balances approachability with a deep story.”
Toyoguchi emphasized Rimuru’s role: “The greatest charm of the series is the character Rimuru. Even when the story takes a serious turn, Rimuru keeps it from becoming too heavy.”
Memorable Scenes
The panel highlighted key moments from the series, including Maribel’s declaration as “Maribel of Greed.” Okasaki noted: “The atmosphere was somewhat dark and foreboding, but at the same time, Inori Minase’s charming performance as Maribel brought a unique contrast to the scene. It also carefully portrays how the enemies have their own motivations and circumstances.”
Toyoguchi added: “If you view Rimuru and his allies as embodiments of justice, then the Rosso family may appear to be the villains. However, from their perspective, the situation looks very different. This is a theme captured in the series tagline, ‘Justice (Ideals) and Justice (Desires) Can Never Coexist.'”
Live Reading Performance
Midway through the event, Okasaki and Toyoguchi treated fans to a live reading of two scenes: Rimuru’s moment of regret after losing his temper during the council and a memorable scene of Rimuru reflecting on Raphael. The audience listened in complete silence before erupting into applause.
Exclusive Footage
The panel screened the first trailer for Season 4, followed by a world premiere of never-before-seen footage from Episode 86 (Season 4, Episode 14), featuring a confrontation between Diablo and Carrera. The room erupted with excitement.
Closing Messages
Narita addressed the fans: “Following the movie Tears of Azure Sea, Season 4 will continue to air five cours, allowing us to take on a challenge that few other titles can attempt. Our creators, the team at animation studio Eight Bit, the cast, and everyone involved are giving it their all.”
Toyoguchi added: “We haven’t even finished recording all the way through the fifth cour yet. We’ll use everyone’s enthusiasm for the series as motivation and continue doing our best.”
Okasaki concluded: “I’m truly happy to have had the opportunity to talk about Slime with so many of you here in Los Angeles. There are many exciting stories still to come, so please stay with us until the very end.”
The Slime panel was a passionate celebration of a series beloved worldwide. With Season 4’s five-cour run already underway and a theatrical movie available, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. Anime Expo 2026 also featured Slime banners and a Bandai Namco Filmworks booth, further demonstrating the series’ global reach.
Source: Bandai Namco Filmworks
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