Let’s be real for a second. Most anime movies based on massive isekai franchises feel like filler. You know the type. A random side quest, a new girl who cries a lot but disappears forever when the credits roll, and maybe one flashy fight scene that blows the TV budget out of the water. When That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Scarlet Bond (or Guren no Kizuna-hen) first hit theaters, fans were skeptical. I was too.
The story takes us to Raja, a small sub-nation west of Jura, and introduces us to Hiiro. He’s an Ogre survivor, which immediately creates a personal link to Benimaru and the crew. This isn't just some random addition. It feels like a piece of the puzzle we didn't know was missing.
Rimuru Tempest has become a god-tier protagonist at this point. He’s an Awakened Demon Lord. He’s got Veldora in his back pocket. So, how do you create stakes for a slime who can basically delete his enemies with a thought? You don't threaten his life; you threaten his friends and his diplomacy. That’s where this movie finds its footing. It’s a story about the weight of a crown and the literal poison of "miracles."
The Raja Connection and Why Hiiro Matters
Hiiro isn't just a "discount Benimaru." He’s a survivor of the Orc Lord’s massacre who ended up in Raja, a country dying from its own source of wealth. The Queen of Raja, Towa, uses a tiara that neutralizes the toxic gases from the local mines, but it slowly kills her in the process. It’s a classic fantasy trope, sure, but the execution hits differently because it bridges the gap between the Orc Disaster arc and the political maneuvering of the later seasons.
Honestly, seeing the chemistry between Hiiro and the Kijin is the best part of the film. We get to see Benimaru act not just as a general, but as a brother. It adds layers to the Kijin that the main series sometimes skips over in favor of Rimuru’s city-building. Hiiro’s design is distinct enough to be cool, yet familiar enough to fit the aesthetic of Shizu’s legacy.
People often forget that Raja is a tiny player on the global stage. In the world of TenSura, power scaling is everything. Watching Rimuru navigate a diplomatic crisis where he can't just "Beelzebuth" his way out of the problem is refreshing. He has to care about the optics. If a Demon Lord starts meddling in a small nation's internal affairs, the Western Holy Church starts twitching.
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The Visual Leap from TV to Big Screen
Eight Bit, the studio behind the series, clearly saved some of their best animators for this one. The fight between Hiiro and Benimaru? Fluid. The magic circles? Intricate. It’s a visual treat that justifies the price of a movie ticket. While the TV series sometimes relies on static shots during heavy dialogue, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Scarlet Bond keeps the "camera" moving.
There’s a specific sequence involving Geld that remains one of my favorites. Geld, the former Orc Disaster’s son, has one of the best redemption arcs in anime history. In this movie, we see him dealing with the fallout of his people's past actions through the eyes of Hiiro. It’s subtle. It’s not forced. But it adds a level of emotional maturity that sets this franchise apart from "generic isekai #42."
Diabolo is the Secret Sauce
We need to talk about Diablo. He’s basically the fan-favorite for a reason. In this movie, he’s doing exactly what he does best: being terrifyingly competent and obsessed with Rimuru. His subplot involving the search for the villain behind the curse is where the movie leans into its darker, more "noir" elements.
The villain, Lacua, is a servant of Violet (Ultima). This is a massive "aha!" moment for light novel readers. Introducing a Primordial Demon like Violet in a movie was a bold move. It connects the film directly to the deeper lore of the Primordials—the seven strongest demons in existence. It makes the movie feel less like a side story and more like a bridge to the future conflicts involving the Octagram and the underworld.
Violet’s design is eerie and playful, contrasting perfectly with Diablo’s stoic obsession. Their brief interaction is a highlight. It reminds the audience that while Rimuru is powerful, there are ancient forces at play that have been around since the dawn of time.
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Breaking Down the Plot Holes (Or Lack Thereof)
A common complaint with anime movies is that they break the canon. Scarlet Bond avoids this by being very careful about where it sits in the timeline. It takes place after the Walpurgis event but before the Council of the West stuff really kicks off.
- Timeline: Post-Season 2, Pre-Season 3.
- Location: Raja, a mining nation.
- Key Players: Rimuru, Benimaru, Hiiro, Towa, Diablo, Violet.
- The Conflict: A cursed tiara and a hidden conspiracy by the Empire.
Is the resolution a bit "power of friendship"? Yeah, maybe. But that’s the DNA of the series. Rimuru’s whole deal is building a world where people can live happily, and that often involves some literal soul-saving magic. The way the movie handles the sacrifice of Towa and the subsequent intervention of the characters feels earned, even if it's predictable to seasoned anime fans.
Why You Shouldn't Skip It
If you’re a casual fan, you might think you can jump from Season 2 straight to Season 3. You can, technically. But you’d be missing out on the introduction of Violet, who becomes very relevant later. You’d also miss the emotional payoff for the Kijin’s backstory.
The movie also does a great job of showing off Tempest’s growth. Seeing the city through Hiiro’s eyes—the food, the infrastructure, the coexistence of different races—reminds us why we fell in love with this world in the first place. It’s not just about the fights; it’s about the culture Rimuru has built.
The pacing is brisk. It’s about 108 minutes long, and it doesn't waste time. The first twenty minutes set the stakes, the middle is all about investigation and character building, and the final thirty is a non-stop barrage of "Sakuga" (high-quality animation).
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Newcomers
If you're planning to dive into That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Scarlet Bond, here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Watch the "Veldora's Journal" recaps first. If it’s been a while since you saw Season 2, you’ll want a refresher on the Demon Lord hierarchy.
- Pay attention to the background characters. There are cameos from various Tempest citizens that show just how much the city has grown since the early episodes.
- Look for the Primordial clues. Diablo isn't the only one of his kind, and this movie is the first real hint at the "color" system of demons that dominates the later parts of the story.
- Check the post-credits. Seriously. Don't just turn it off when the music starts. There’s a bit of setup for the future that’s worth seeing.
The movie manages to be both a standalone adventure and a piece of the larger narrative. It’s a rare feat for a tie-in film. It treats its audience with respect, assuming they know the lore but providing enough context for someone who might be a little rusty.
Ultimately, this isn't just about a slime and his sword-swinging friends. It’s a story about what happens when the past comes knocking and how a leader decides to answer. Whether you're there for the Diablo fanservice, the high-octane battles, or the political world-building, it delivers on all fronts.
Next Steps:
- Stream the movie on Crunchyroll or your local equivalent to catch the Primordial Demon lore before starting Season 3.
- Follow the official TenSura social media accounts for updates on the "Coleus' Dream" OVA series, which provides even more context for the global politics seen in Raja.