As One Piece prepares to transition into a seasonal release cycle in 2026, the way fans consume Eiichiro Oda’s epic saga is set for a major shift. While the move to 26 episodes per year is a necessary step toward better production health, this departure from the traditional weekly grind will undoubtedly leave a void for those accustomed to a constant stream of Straw Hat adventures.
On the positive side, a more deliberate production schedule promises heightened visual fidelity and a deeper focus on the intricacies of Oda’s storytelling. However, if you are searching for a series to bridge that gap over the next 15 months, the fourth season of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is stepping up to the plate in a massive way.
A recent livestream announcement confirmed that the upcoming fourth season will be an ambitious undertaking, spanning five consecutive cours. The broadcast is scheduled to kick off in April 2026, with the first two blocks of episodes airing back-to-back. Based on the beloved fantasy light novels by Fuse—which later inspired a popular manga adaptation by Kodansha—the franchise is expanding its reach. In addition to the new TV season, fans can look forward to a second theatrical feature titled That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea, arriving in Japanese cinemas in February 2026.
Despite its whimsical title, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime serves as a thoughtful exploration of identity and metamorphosis within the isekai genre. The story follows Satoru Mikami, an ordinary man whose life is cut short by a random tragedy, only to find himself reborn in a fantastical realm as a humble slime. This total physical transformation forces an existential shift, requiring him to navigate his new world with a high degree of adaptability.
Embracing his fresh start, the protagonist adopts the name Rimuru Tempest, signaling the beginning of a journey defined by diplomacy, growth, and the defense of his monster kingdom. This format allows the series to balance high-stakes action with genuine emotional intelligence as Rimuru develops empathy for the diverse inhabitants of his new home.
The fourth season will delve deeper into these intricate political and personal arcs. While the exact release dates for the latter three cours remain under wraps, the sheer volume of content suggests 2026 will be a monumental year for the series. Between the 60-odd episodes of the main anime and the standalone cinematic adventure of Tears of the Azure Sea, fans are in for a long-form storytelling experience that rivals the industry’s biggest titans.
Source: Polygon
