English Dub Review: The Slime Diaries: “Changes”

Overview: Rimuru (Brittney Karbowski) and the nation of Tempest celebrate Bon, looking back at their ancestral bloodline while also looking at how far they have come and what is ahead.

Our Take: Shizu comes back to check in for a nice cameo on Bon holiday, which is a Japanese festival meant to celebrate the monster people’s ancestors’ origin. It is always interesting learning about new aspects about Japanese culture! 

What is also engaging is how Bon day allows us a window into various characters in terms of where they have started and their progression as people. That starts with Rimuru’s past, with his humble getaway house serving as a stark reminder of his old quaint apartment and how little he has changed. Gobta and Hakorou do a little bonding over a fishing trip with Gobta actually managing to get one over on him that makes him love and respect him that much more. It’s also neat to see how Benimaru has most certainly evolved in becoming way more focused and attentive as a leader. Souei and Souka’s ‘tough’ ninja job is hilariously delivered in it being a juxtaposition in having to tell Rimuru a joke, especially with Souei’s deadpan attitude. The only way it could have been funnier was if we got to hear them deliver it to Rimuru. 

Continuing the sentiment of remembrance, various monster families like the Kijins discuss Benimaru’s modest father or Elyun and the gang remembering Shizu and misconceiving Rimuru’s bunny girl clad escape as her own interest. Souka’s brief return home is charming in catching up with dear old dad about her and Gabiru while he tries to set her up with countless suitors. Clayman was always a spiteful bastard whom I felt no sympathy for in his downfall. With that said, the scheming trickster baking scones for the other demon lord was something I never knew I needed until now. The sick slime gorging continues with King Gazel and other high ranking leaders talking about all their freakish feasting. Rigurd and Rimuru reminiscing about their first meeting and how that spawned the very city they live in and will continue to protect moving forward.

To end the day, Rimuru and the town celebrate a whole mess of accomplishments in a party with Shizu warmly watching. After looking back at Shizu’s life, which is just a recap for people who have never seen the original series, it is funny how Eight Bit takes that opportunity to fulfill their Rimuru bunny suit fetish yet again with Shion and Shuna being crazed dress up doll maniacs. It ends with a heartfelt, tear-jerking scene in Rimuru making a shrine to honor Shizu with her spirit at peace with Rimuru’s happiness while charmingly reluctant of his fashion choices with her face. With him even being able to feel and hear her presence for a brief moment, it is a beautiful remembrance to one of the most kindhearted and down-to-earth heroes of the series.