JAINITUOS ANIME REVIEWS – I’ve been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out my Level – FIRST IMPRESSIONS

I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out my level

Genre: Fantasy, isekai, Slice-of Life

Studio: Revoroot

Hello people.

Welcome to another entry of my blog.

I am very happy, because the lockdown in Victoria has been lifted, and some restrictions have been eased. Of course, I need to be extremely careful, but now I can celebrate some good news. And what a better way to do that than writing a new entry of my blog?

With that said, I introduce you…

Again. I want to ask:

Are you guys ok? Feeling healthy?

If the answer is yes, then I am very happy.

Now, let’s go with Slime Taoshite 300-nen, Shiranai Uchi ni Level Max ni Nattemashita. (This is the longest name for a light novel I have ever met)

PREMISE

Okay. First things first.

Now that I got the mandatory 300 joke about of my way, I can start.

Based on the light novel written by Morita Kisetsu, and illustrated by Benio, I’ve Been Killing Slime for 300 years and Maxed Out my Level (Or Slime 300 as how I will refer it), tells the story of Azusa Aizawa, a very young ambitious officer lady that focused just on her career, unfortunately, she died very young, for excessive work (or karoshi). Regretting dying young and not enjoying life, Azusa is giving a chance of living a second life, which she gladly accepts; so she reincarnates as a young, beautiful, inmortal witch that has everything to live a simple, quiet life. So she only kills slimes, the weakest monster, each day for the next 300 years. By doing this, Azusa reaches max-level, and due to her appearance, and she spending her days making potions, she earns the title of «The Witch of the Highlands».

Sounds like a good life, even Elaina is envidious of Azusa. Right Elaina?

NO F*&^ING WAY!! Did you forget what happens next?

Of course not Elaina.

Unfortunately for Azusa, this fact draws unwanted attention from many adventurers and hunters who want to prove their might with her, including Laika, the dragon; Halkara, the beautiful elf, Beelzebub, a 3,000 year-old demon, and the twins Falfa and Shalsha, reincarnations of all the slimes Azusa slain.

And now, Azusa must live a cour of twelve episodes of very hilarious adventures in which she tries to escape her reputation and avoid any big trouble. Will she succeed?

Slime 300 started its publication in June, 2016, through the user-generated website Shosetsuka ni Naro, and as of June 12, 2021, it has reached 17 volumes, the same as The Journey of Elaina…

Stop harassing me, you stalker!!! I’ll kill you.

Ok! Ok! No more mentions of Elaina until the very end. I know you are saving yourself for Saya…

Anyway!! Slime 300 is animated by Studio Revoroot, whose only known work, at least for me, is FLCL Alternative, and the multi-talented, Aoi Yuki, who voices Azusa, sings that wonderful intro song, «Gudafuwa» Everyday, while Azumi Waki, sings the ending, Viewtiful Days!

But, as always, I will talk about the characts in time.

STORY

I must be honest. Sometimes I find really hard to review comedy series, because I am not precisely an expert in anime humour, and there are so many other elements juxtaposed, from my perspective, that, more than writing a review, I feel like solving a puzzle (Rubix’s Cube).

But here it comes.

When I saw the first two episodes of Slime 300, it reminded me of Tensei Slime: The Slime Diaries, because all the series has the same feel-good vibe that I mentioned before, in which you do not have to jump from the chair, thinking that any character will die, or any tragic event will turn things upside down.

No. Slime 300 is about loveable characters trying to live their lives as nice and peaceful as possible, while they go with a lot of wacky adventures. On the other hand, it is true that isekai genre always offer a lot of possibilities in storytelling that one cannot ever imagine.

And Slime 300, again, is about enjoying life in a new world with great imagination. Also, the story is always having that wonderful moral that I can relate to. And that is…

«Always be kind with yourself.»

There is no tension, no tragedy or dark fantasy tone; just a likeable balance between slice-of-life and isekai that is as simple as it sounds. And I think the cutesy animation is part of that feel-good tone. Just like with Princess Connect: Re:Dive.

That’s right.

Furthermore, I feel that the story of Slime 300 is more focused on the characters, especially when it is about their relationships with Azusa; seriously, Laika, Halkara, Flatorte, Falfa and Shalsha, each of them gets something out of Azusa’s vision of life. Completely the opposite from… Elaina.

Because, after all, which one of us does not relate with trying to live a good life, and being kind with ourselves?

Now, before I shift to a more philosophical viewpoint, I have to say that the story of Slime 300 is decent, but do not expect anything so complex or twisted. Just a good anime to spend a weekend. In fact…

Go binge it right now!

I repeat… Slime 300 is more about the characters living their lives and growing rather than reflections or criticism of our society, similar to Kino’s Journey, and Ela…

SORRY!!! DESCULPE!! S’IL VOUS PLAIT!!

So yeah. Don’t expect anything too big or any elaborate drama. Slime 300 is a comedy story about trying to live life with ease.

Otherwise, you can always go back to the work of Junji Ito.

CHARACTERS

Like I said before, the story of Slime 300 is enjoyable enough due to its characters, as well as how their respective interactions with Azusa help them to grow and being part of her family. And all of them are really likeable and have… sigh… a very cutesy design.

We have Laika, the dragon that becomes the housekeeper of Azusa’s estate (Any similarity with Kobayashi-san’s Dragon Maid is mere coincidence), Falfa and Shalsha, the twins that are a reincarnation of all the slimes Azusa vanquished, Beelzebub, the demon lord that sometimes «visits» Azusa and family, and Halkara, our elf that is beautiful and clumsy, among others. Each of them have amazing design and nice personalities.

One fact that I want to share is that Aoi Yuki, for those who do not know, voiced:

Tanya Von Degurechaff.

Trust me, when you first hear the work of Aoi Yuki with Azusa Aizawa, it could take you a while to believe it.

However, in terms of character design, I got a personal favourite character, and that is…

I think it is because I always had the hot spot for dark-skinned characters in anime, especially because of another demon lord from another 2021 anime that I want to talk about soon.

Heine, from Combatants Will Be Dispatched!!

Also, when I was checking the wiki of Slime 300, of Halkara, I learnt a very interesting word.

«Heteroflexibility»

Seriously. I confess that I had no idea that such a term could exist. If something can help me to understand the difference between heteroflexibility and bisexuality, I will be always thankful.

Short words… Characters of Slime 300 makes the story so damn enjoyable.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Slime 300 is a pretty cute story that is perfect to binge after a really heavy day. And when you do so, you will always enjoy every element, the comedy, the characters, the animations, and the soundtrack, and perhaps… Slime 300 is another proof that, no matter how many years pass, isekai genre will never age bad.

And now… that concludes my «Witch Review Trilogy». Why, Because I consecutively analysed three witch-related anime.

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches, The Journey of Elaina, and I’ve been Killing slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out my Level.

Can you believe it?

Well… I want to conclude this review with this.

This beautiful illustration from both the artists of Elaina (Azuuru), and Slime 300 (Benio). I do not know what it says, but I find it wonderful.

Enjoy. And for me… time to go back to reality, and remember….