Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken: Kanwa - Veldora Nikki

This is about as simple of a recap a series can do, but with a slight advantage. Instead of making the whole thing be recapped by the characters who we already know the perspectives of, we do get to hear about the opinions of Ifrit and Veldora, which is a nice little change.

Really the reason my score is so low is because it was still entirely a recap episode in nature. While it may be nice for those who may have forgotten some of the details of what happened, it really has no use beyond this point and can be easily ignored by those binging ... the show later.

As recaps go, this one is definitely above average, but it is still a largely pointless recap episode with cute little commentary bits spliced around. It's good to see Veldora again and some of the interactions are pleasant enough.

What kind of annoyed me was how this was the original episode 25 to Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken, but was later separated into its own status. It rubbed me the wrong way how I thought this would be another interesting side story, but then eventually waited a week to find nothing but this waiting for me, and the revelation that no episode 25 would be coming.

Again, this is not a major problem for people binging the show later, but it is still disappointing.

So, apparently the recap finale to "That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime" is now listed as a separate thing and the original show is down to 24 episodes. Fair enough, if a tad odd, it's not like Slime is the only show to have a finale be a recap (Hi Clannad: After Story) but seeing as it is it's own thing, let's roll with it.

So while I'd rather talk about the content of the episode, I think we first need to discuss where the episode falls in the show. The big problem is that Slime has been listed as 25 episodes for ... a while now, and to have it end up being 24 episodes (arguably 23 since 24 is almost an OVA episode) is definitely disappointing, especially if you were looking forward to the new episode. Couple that with the fact that the end of a season is a really odd time for a recap. I get having one before a new season for those who haven't watched it in a while, I sorta get one in the middle as a stop-gap to allow the team to get ahead a bit, but the end of the season? Why?

But ignoring the fact that this episode has terrible timing and was generally communicated poorly, how good is it itself? And it kinda depends. The weirdest thing is for a recap, it really doesn't... well, recap. It's mostly Veldora and Ifrit having a conversation in the background that sometimes vaguely connects to what's being shown. In terms of reminding you of plot points, it really only hits a few major ones and generally the way it does so, it's not really showing what they mean. So as a recap, it's not very effective. However, the general running dialogue between Ifrit and Veldora is honestly quite entertaining and *arguably* worth watching for that. Veldora is the best character in the show and it's a travesty that he got discarded after episode 1, so seeing more of him here is great and Ifrit provides a great straight-man to Veldora's dialogue.

Taken in isolation, it's a decent radio drama with irrelevant animation playing over it for the most part. Whether that's enough or not depends on the viewer. I personally don't regret watching it, but I wish I knew this is what I was getting instead of episode 25 of the series. However, down the road when people are watching this show for the first time and aren't expecting it to be 25 episodes, I think those who choose to watch this will be satisfied enough. But as of right now, the disconnect between what we expected and what we got really looms over this episode.

As puzzling and distressing as this question may be, it’s not as baffling as this OVA/recap episode. Veldora and Ifrit decide to put their abilities to the test, in a contest of strategy and craftiness (i.e. Shogi); as opposed to raw physical strength and magical abilities. In the midst of their “battle,” the two recount the metamorphosis of Rimuru from a “normal” human to a slime with absorptive powers. It’s a veritable smattering of pivotal scenes from the original series strung together as Veldora and Ifrit play for laughs to “entertain” the audience as they wonder why they are watching the same ... crap (again!).

If there is one positive aspect about this OVA, it’s the fact that the viewer does not have to listen to Rimuru’s annoying, Chip ’n’ Dale voice. Be that as it may, Veldora’s voice — particularly his laugh — is beyond cringey, to the point of wanting to bash your head into a jagged surface (watch out for the corners!).