The following article contains spoilers for That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime, Episode 4, “The Invitation,” available on Crunchyroll.
The fourth episode That time I was reincarnated as slime In the fourth season, Tempest was formally inducted into the Council of the West, a regulatory organization made up of the various human nations of the West, established to serve as a bulwark against the growing threat of monsters. The most interesting and significant development in this episode was the Council meeting to vote on incorporating the monster nation into the organization that was once created as an anti-monster measure.
With a decent pace and interesting seeds in the sown plot, That time I was reincarnated as slimeseason 4 episode 4 was a very enjoyable set up for what will be a very significant, action-packed arc.
The Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4 Episode 3 introduces its main antagonists
Granville and Mariabel Rozzo's true ambitions are finally revealed in That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 4 Episode 3.
An End to the Dungeon Hijinks, for now
The surprise appearance of the demon lord Frey means he won't be messing around in the dungeon anymore
The episode begins in the Dungeon, where Rimuru, Ramiris, Veldora and Milim once again thwart the efforts of adventurers who take on a difficult challenge. At this point, they have gained a level of fame among the adventurers who visit the Dungeon and are part of its growing reach and success. It was a fun and light-hearted start to an episode that would become quite serious as it tied back into the main story, especially with how vulnerable and guilty Milim looks when the demon Lord Frey makes a surprise appearance to remind Milim of the task she's been given and take her home.
Milim trying to hide behind Rimura as Veldora and Ramiris scuttled away to safety from Freya's icy gaze was a good comedic moment, as she was especially vocal about needing more of a challenge in the Dungeon now that they were getting used to controlling their Avatar bodies. That being said, the Dungeon stuff started to take valuable time away from more interesting plot developments and potential plots, which lessens the overall impact of the episode. That could very well be the point, as Rimuru himself uses the Dungeon to avoid more important responsibilities, but perhaps more focus on the agenda of the Eastern Empire and the clear antagonists of this arc could have given the episodes more narrative weight.
After the remaining trio narrowly avoid being scolded by Frey, Rimuru is approached by Shuna, well aware that Rimuru is shirking his duty to play with his friends in the Dungeon. It was like watching a group of kids being scolded by their teacher, who also happens to be one of the older siblings.
Arrange the covers in the correct Japanese release order.
Start
Arrange the covers in the correct Japanese release order.
Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)
The use of “yandere eyes” to illustrate Shuna's disdain was a particularly funny detail given her pink hair and the fact that she is named after a certain type of fuchsia plant with a soft purple flower. It's a nod to the pink hair commonly associated with yandere characters. This is ita reflection of the “nadeshiko” flower, which shares its name with the concept of the “ideal Japanese woman”. Anyway, it was good fun until Mjolmille arrived with an important letter containing a summons from the Council of the West as part of their consent to Tempest's participation in the organization.
Council of the West vote to include Tempest
Human leaders fear war brewing in the east
After the economic system in the West briefly collapses, Mariabel talks about her desire to rule the world from the shadows, and her brief appearance provides an engaging introduction to the true essence of the episode before we are introduced to the Council of the West. Located in the Kingdom of Engrassia due to its central position in the various member states, the leaders of the various member states are debating whether to accept Tempest's request. There are different opinions, but the general anxiety among the leaders is the fact that Rimuru is a monster leading a nation of powerful monsters that has decimated the human kingdom before, as seen in Falmuth Kingdom.
Another concern is the fact that the United Eastern Nasca Empire of Namrium Ulmeria is currently participating in increased military exercises as if preparing for war. The Eastern Empire has greedily devoured many nations in the past and will focus on the West. As Mariabel Rozzo revealed in the previous episode That time I was reincarnated as slimehe loves being in the super elite class that rules the world from the shadows.
As it turns out, he actually already controls the two biggest decision-making bodies in the West: the Council and the Five Elders. Some of the leaders at the Council meeting expressed their intention to use Rimura in the upcoming war against the Eastern Empire, but due to his power and the fact that they did not know his disposition, they were wary of potentially turning him into an enemy.
However, the decision is ultimately to allow Tempest into the Council. Hinata Sakaguchi, although present, was never once consulted about the Demon Lord she was 'fighting to a draw', and the nobles' clear plans and clear lack of direction were in painful contrast to the meeting she had attended in the Tempest. Just as she realizes that she would rather go the rest of her life without interacting with another noble, First Prince Engrassie asks to speak with her. Its design is brilliant, communicating exactly the kind of pomp and illusion of grandeur one would expect from a high-ranking noble, let alone the prince of a rich and powerful nation.
Hinata Sakaguchi's trust in Rimuru is clear
The First Prince of Engrassia is shot down
Simply put, the Prince of Engrassia dreads having to face Rimuru in the next meeting and wishes to have Hinata Sakaguchi, the knight who fought such a terrifying presence to a draw, by his side to protect him. Unfortunately for him, Hinata doesn't believe she can beat them in a second encounter, not to mention the much more pressing fact that she has absolutely no interest in enabling and participating in whatever “character tests” the Western nobles want Rimura to perform when they arrive. Hinata Sakaguchi trusts the Demon Lord Rimuru and leaves the Council headquarters after making it clear.
Back at Tempest, Rimuru, Benimaru, So'ei, and Shuna prepare to leave for the Council meeting, leaving Shion behind to protect the empire, and the episode ends as it began with some comedy to balance out the seriousness that came with the episode's mass. Seeing Shion crush Rimura with such compelling and comedic physics is the kind of ridiculousness that the series particularly thrives on, and it's likely that we'll have fewer of these fun moments where things start to get real as the arc progresses. That time I was reincarnated as slime season 4 episode 4 was a great foundational episode to set up things to come and gave enough attention to the main plot to build anticipation for episode 5.
