That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4 Announces Part 2 Premiere and Clayman Revenge Spin-Off Anime Adaptation

The expansive and globally celebrated isekai fantasy universe of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime—widely known as Tensura—is expanding its footprint even further. Following the broadcast of the 24th and final episode of Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken 4th Season, the production committee delivered a double-feature announcement that has electrified the fandom. Alongside the official confirmation for the second part of the fourth season, producers unveiled an unexpected television anime adaptation of the popular spin-off manga Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken: Clayman Revenge.

The dual announcements were made via a special collaboration video released concurrently with the season finale. According to the broadcast schedule revealed by the production team, the newly announced Clayman Revenge spin-off is slated to premiere in April 2027, giving fans a brief respite before the second part of the main series’ fourth season arrives in July 2027. Both projects will continue to be animated by studio 8bit, ensuring visual and stylistic continuity for the sprawling franchise.

Main Facts and Production Details

The conclusion of the fourth season’s initial run has left audiences eager for the continuation of Rimuru Tempest’s political and martial exploits. The fourth television anime season officially commenced broadcasting on April 3, adapting the manga adaptation illustrated by Taiki Kawakami, which is itself based on the original light novel series authored by Fuse and illustrated by Mitz Vah. Crunchyroll handled the international distribution, simulcasting the series globally with multiple subtitle and dub options to cater to its vast multilingual fanbase.

While the main series focuses on the ever-expanding Jura Tempest Federation and its monarch, the newly announced Clayman Revenge spin-off shifts the narrative focus to one of the franchise’s most memorable antagonists. The spin-off manga, written and illustrated by Wataru Kajika, began serialization in Kodansha’s Shounen Sirius magazine in April 2022. The narrative explores a fascinating "what-if" scenario: following the harrowing events of the Walpurgis Festival and the dramatic downfall of the Marionette Master, Clayman is granted an unexpected second act through the whims of fate. Kodansha publishes the English translation of the manga digitally through its K Manga platform, and the physical serialization reached its ninth volume in August 2025.

The production team for Clayman Revenge features a mix of seasoned industry professionals and franchise veterans. Kentarou Sugimoto, known for his episode direction on Blue Lock, is attached to direct the series. Series composition will be handled by Yuuji Haibara, who previously directed the franchise’s first spin-off anime, The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Character designs are being collaboratively crafted by Asumi Hashimoto, recognized for her sub-character work on The Irregular at Magic High School 3rd Season, and Hideki Sakai, who served as the chief animation director for the second season of the main Tensura series. Crucially, the primary voice cast from the main television anime will reprise their respective roles, ensuring seamless character portrayals across both properties.

Chronology and Franchise History

The Tensura franchise has enjoyed a remarkably steady and successful trajectory since its inception over a decade ago. Author Fuse initially launched the story as a web novel on the user-generated novel publishing website Shousetsuka ni Narou, where it ran from February 2013 to October 2016 and attracted a massive online following. Recognizing its commercial potential, Micro Magazine acquired the intellectual property, publishing it under their GC Novels imprint with Mitz Vah’s illustrations starting in May 2014. The original light novel series officially concluded with its 23rd volume in November 2025.

Manga adaptations and spin-offs quickly followed the novel’s early success. Taiki Kawakami launched the primary manga adaptation in Shounen Sirius in March 2015. Kodansha USA licensed the manga for English publication in October 2016, steadily releasing volumes with the 29th volume arriving in March and the 30th scheduled for late October. Meanwhile, Yen Press licensed the original light novel series in English in April 2017, making the source material readily accessible to Western readers.

The anime adaptation history is equally robust, cementing studio 8bit as a cornerstone of the franchise’s visual identity:

• Fall 2018: The first television anime season premiered, running for 24 episodes and introducing audiences to Rimuru’s peaceful monster-nation building.
• Winter and Summer 2021: The second season aired across split cours, diving deeper into the geopolitical conflicts of the Jura-Tempest Federation.
• Spring 2021: The franchise’s first spin-off anime, The Slime Diaries, aired, offering a lighthearted, slice-of-life look at daily life in Tempest.
• Spring 2024: The third season premiered, maintaining a 24-episode run that bridged the narrative gaps toward the current fourth season.
• April 2025: The fourth season began its broadcast, culminating in the recent finale that set the stage for Part 2 in July 2027 and the Clayman Revenge adaptation in April 2027.

Supporting Data and International Reach

The commercial viability of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime positions it as one of the most successful modern isekai franchises. The light novel series has enjoyed immense global distribution, and Yen Press’s continued localization efforts—highlighted by the release of the 22nd English volume in February 2025—demonstrate sustained reader engagement. On the manga front, Kodansha’s dual strategy of traditional print releases and digital integration via K Manga has kept the readership active, with Kawakami’s main adaptation releasing its 32nd volume in June and preparing its 33rd volume for October.

The anime adaptations have consistently anchored streaming platforms’ seasonal lineups. Through Crunchyroll’s extensive simulcast and dubbing infrastructure, the series bridges cultural divides, engaging audiences across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The inclusion of Clayman Revenge into the animation pipeline indicates that the production committee is willing to explore peripheral storylines, rewarding fans who engage with the broader media mix rather than just the core narrative arcs.

Broader Impact and Implications

The announcement of a dedicated anime adaptation for Clayman Revenge represents a notable storytelling shift for the Tensura anime universe. By turning the spotlight toward a defeated antagonist, the production committee is testing the waters for villain-centric redemption arcs within the isekai genre. Clayman, often dismissed as a minor antagonist manipulated by higher powers in the early stages of the overarching plot, gains depth through Wataru Kajika’s manga. Adapting this material gives the studio an opportunity to expand world-building beyond Rimuru’s immediate perspective, exploring the internal politics of the Octagram and the broader Demon Lord society from a different vantage point.

Simultaneously, pacing the fourth season across a split release—with Part 2 scheduled for July 2027—reflects a broader industry trend toward meticulous production schedules. By allowing studio 8bit adequate time to maintain high animation standards across both the main series continuation and the Clayman Revenge spin-off in early 2027, the stakeholders are prioritizing sustained quality over rushed output. As the Tensura universe continues its multi-platform expansion through novels, manga, and television broadcasts, these strategic scheduling decisions ensure that the franchise will remain a dominant force in the global anime landscape for years to come.