Fans of Rimuru Tempest can finally mark their calendars. The new anime film, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea, is officially coming to theaters globally starting in late April and throughout May 2026. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment confirmed the full international release schedule this week, revealing when audiences in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and beyond can watch the standalone adventure on the big screen.
The announcement confirms that May 2026 will be a massive month for the franchise. The second Slime movie arrives just weeks after the premiere of the anime’s fourth season, which begins streaming on April 3, 2026. For fans eager to return to the world of Tempest, the next few months are packed with content.
Rimuru Returns to Theaters: A New Movie for 2026
The new film is an original side story set immediately after the events of the third season. The story follows Rimuru and his trusted companions as they take a break from their busy duties. After the opening ceremony for the Demon Kingdom Federation Tempest, the Celestial Emperor Elmesia invites the group to her private resort island. The nation of Salion, also called the Magi Dynasty Thalion, is home to the long-lived elf race.
What starts as a relaxing vacation quickly changes when a mysterious woman named Yura appears. Her arrival signals the start of a new incident, all set against the beautiful and endless blue sea. The movie promises the same mix of political world-building, fun character moments, and high-stakes action that the series is known for.
Animation studio Eightbit returns to produce the film. Yasuhito Kikuchi directs, with Toshizo Nemoto co-writing the screenplay. Original creator Fuse is also involved with the story concept, ensuring the movie stays true to the light novels and the larger franchise timeline.
Full International Release Dates: When It Opens Near You
The theatrical rollout is staggered across different regions. While the initial topic mentioned a May release, the official dates confirm some lucky territories will get the film in late April. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures are handling distribution in most regions outside of Asia.
Here is the complete breakdown of when That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea opens worldwide :
April 28, 2026
- Austria
- Germany
- Switzerland (German-speaking regions)
April 29, 2026
- France
- Switzerland (French-speaking regions)
April 30, 2026
- 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, 2026
- Canada
- Finland
- Ireland
- Norway
- Sweden
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
May 7, 2026
- Hungary
May 8, 2026
- Greece
- Poland
- Romania
For fans in India, distribution is handled by Muse Communication. An exact date for India has not been announced yet, but it is expected to align closely with the global rollout window .
Watch With Subtitles or Dubbed: Language Options Available
Crunchyroll confirmed that theaters will offer two viewing options for most regions. Audiences can watch the film in its original Japanese language with local subtitles. For those who prefer dubs, an English dub will be available in territories like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland .
This dual-release strategy ensures both sub and dub fans can enjoy the movie exactly how they like to watch the TV series.
Get Ready With a Special Sneak Peek Event
Before the new movie arrives, Crunchyroll is giving fans a chance to revisit the first film with an extra special bonus. The monthly Crunchyroll Anime Nights program will host a one-day-only theatrical screening of the previous movie, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond.
This event happens on April 20, 2026, in the United States and Canada . The best part? After the screening of Scarlet Bond, audiences will be treated to an exclusive 10-minute sneak peek of Tears of the Azure Sea . It is the perfect way to prepare for the new story.
Season 4 Arrives First: Streaming Starts April 3
The movie is not the only big news for the franchise. The fourth season of the main anime series premieres on April 3, 2026 . Crunchyroll will stream the new season as it airs in Japan.
The fourth season continues Rimuru’s journey as the Jura Tempest Federation grows. The story introduces new challenges, including conflicts with Granville Rozzo and his granddaughter Maribel, who have their own ideas about protecting humanity. The season will air for a total of five cours, with the first two airing continuously . This means plenty of new episodes leading right up to the movie’s release.
New Characters and Voice Cast Revealed
The movie introduces several new characters to the franchise. The mysterious woman Yura is voiced by Saori ลnishi, who also performs the insert song “Blue Moment” for the film .
Other new cast members include:
- Koichi Domoto as Zodon
- Kลji Yusa as Djeese
Hinatazaka46 members Nao Kosaka and Kaho Fujishima voice original characters Mio and Yori, who appear as shrine maidens in the film .
The theme song for the movie is “Utopia” performed by TRUE. Along with Saori ลnishi’s insert song, the unit ARCANA PROJECT performs “Talent for Romance,” and ASH (of STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION) collaborates on the song “Harmonics” .
What to Expect From the Story
The plot for Tears of the Azure Sea is an original story written specifically for the film. However, it fits perfectly within the established timeline. The setting in the elf nation of Salion expands the world beyond Tempest.
The synopsis from Crunchyroll describes the peaceful vacation taking a turn . With the appearance of Yura and a looming darkness, Rimuru must confront a new threat. The “azure sea” setting suggests water-based battles and possibly new allies or enemies from the ocean.
Fans can expect the return of all their favorite characters, including Benimaru, Shuna, Shion, and Diablo. The movie promises to deliver the same balance of comedy, political diplomacy, and intense fights that made the series a global hit.
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First Movie Re-Release and Franchise Success
The first film, Scarlet Bond, originally released in Japan in November 2022 and globally in January 2023. It earned over $14 million worldwide . The Crunchyroll Anime Nights re-release on April 20 gives new fans a chance to see it on the big screen before the sequel arrives.
The That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime franchise continues to grow. The light novels and manga have sold over 56 million copies worldwide . The anime adaptation, which began in 2018, helped turn Rimuru into one of the most recognizable faces in modern anime.
With the fourth season launching in April and the movie hitting theaters in May 2026, the first half of the year belongs to Rimuru and the citizens of Tempest.
Also Read: Will Benedict Bridgerton Be in Season 5? Luke Thompson Answers
As Rimuru prepares for his big-screen return this May, VvipTimes will keep you updated on all the latest anime news, including ticket sale announcements and exclusive content from the Jura Tempest Federation.
