The new trailer for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea is out, and it brings a major surprise for fans. The preview gives a longer look at the story set in the underwater kingdom of Kaien, but the biggest buzz is around the villain Zodon. He is voiced by Japanese entertainment star Koichi Domoto, and the latest clip reveals just how dark and powerful his character really is.
The movie has been playing in Japanese theaters since February 27, 2026. It quickly drew in large crowds, selling over 280,000 tickets in its first six days and earning more than 370 million yen (around $2.5 million). Now, with a new emotional trailer circulating online, audiences are getting a clearer picture of the threat that Rimuru and his friends must face.
A New Threat Emerges in the Underwater Kingdom
The story of Tears of the Azure Sea takes place after the founding of the Jura Tempest Federation. Rimuru and his allies are invited by Elmesia, the ruler of the Elven nation of Sarion, to take a vacation on her private island. What starts as a relaxing trip takes a dangerous turn when they encounter a mysterious shrine maiden named Yura, voiced by Saori ลnishi. Soon, a new threat emerges from the sea, dragging Rimuru into a conflict involving the underwater kingdom of Kaien.
The newly released trailer, titled the “Emotional PV ‘Namida’ (Tears)”, is packed with action and dramatic moments. It opens with Rimuru battling a massive water dragon. The video then shifts focus to Yura, who is seen praying for her land. The mood turns darker as Zodon appears, standing in the way of peace.
Koichi Domoto’s Zodon: A Villain Unlike Any Other
This role marks Koichi Domoto’s first time voicing a character in an anime film. While he has done voice work before, most notably in the 2006 TV anime Jyu-Oh-Sei, taking on the role of Zodon is a major return to the voice acting booth. Domoto is better known as one half of the popular music duo KinKi Kids, making his entrance into the Tensura world a big event for fans.
Domoto plays Zodon, a minister of the underwater kingdom of Kaien. Early descriptions painted him as a key figure in the story’s political schemes. However, the new trailer confirms he is the primary antagonist. He is directly involved in the sinister plans that threaten both Kaien and Rimuru’s group.
In a recent stage greeting event for the movie in March 2026, Domoto shared some fun behind-the-scenes details about playing the villain. He admitted that recording the lines was a completely new experience for him.
“I made sure to say lines I don’t normally say with pleasure. Like saying to a woman, ‘You’re my wife’. If you think about it generally, it’s creepy.”
He also talked about a specific scene where his character transforms into a water dragon and laughs maniacally. Domoto confessed he was unsure how it would turn out, wondering, “whether it was Zodon’s ‘Wahaha’ or the water dragon’s ‘Wahaha’.” Fellow cast member Tomoaki Maeno, who voices Veldora, praised Domoto’s performance, stating that the reason the movie is so compelling is because “Zodon, the villain role played by Domoto-san, is so compelling.”
Megumi Toyoguchi, another voice actor in the film, added that she couldn’t imagine Domoto playing such a dark role, which made it exciting to watch. She noted, “in a good way, I couldn’t see his face. I think he was able to wholeheartedly play a villain role he doesn’t usually do.”
New Cast Members and Expanding the World
Besides Domoto, the film introduces two other key characters. Saori ลnishi voices Yura, the shrine maiden connected to the water dragon. The new trailer features an insert song titled “Sลkoku” (Blue Moment), which ลnishi sings in her role as Yura, adding an emotional layer to her character’s scenes. Kลji Yusa joins the cast as Djeese, the chancellor of Kaien, a trusted figure whose loyalties may be tested by the unfolding events.
This movie is the second film in the Tensura franchise, following 2022’s Scarlet Bond. The story was supervised by series creator Fuse, ensuring it fits within the larger narrative. The animation is handled by studio Eight Bit, the same studio behind the TV series.
For fans wondering where this fits in the timeline, the movie takes place after the events of the third season. The fourth season of the TV anime is scheduled to begin airing in Japan on April 3, 2026.
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Global Release Plans
While the film is already in theaters across Japan, international fans are eager for a release date. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment have acquired the rights to distribute the movie worldwide. A release date for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and India has not been announced yet. However, the North American theatrical release is currently planned for May 1, 2026. Fans in other regions should expect news on local screenings in the coming weeks.
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