Have you heard of the hugely popular anime "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime"? It's a fantasy anime about reincarnation in another world, based on a so-called "Narou" novel. With its fascinating characters and unpredictable plot developments, many people are eagerly awaiting the next installment. The first season of this anime aired to great acclaim, and a second season is scheduled to air in 2021. The fact that it has been extended beyond schedule makes it even more exciting. The phrase "soul lineage" appears frequently in "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime." What exactly does this mean? Let's take a closer look.
What is "soul lineage"?
Throughout the anime, Rimuru often appears in scenes where he gives names to various characters and monsters. By naming, Rimuru and the monster are connected by a "soul lineage," allowing the transfer of magical energy. This allows the monster to evolve and become stronger. For example, the goblins that were given names evolved into "Hofgoblins." This also significantly changes their appearance.
The first one he named was Veldora
The first one Rimuru named was the dragon Veldora, whom he encountered in Episode 1. Veldora was sealed away by the hero's unique skills, "Absolute Severance" and "Infinite Prison," and was unable to move for 300 years. At first, Veldora seemed quite angry, but he also showed a surprisingly easygoing side, and it didn't seem like he disliked humans. At first, Rimuru was surprised by the dragon's size, but he gradually began to think, "It's not such a scary opponent."
Rimuru Becomes Friends
There, Rimuru and Veldora became friends. Rimuru believed that the "Infinite Prison," the seal placed on Veldora, could be broken by analyzing it with Rimuru's "Great Sage" skill. Rimuru then used his own "Predator" skill to devour Veldora, and the two decided to travel together. At that time, they gave each other names. Rimuru gave Veldora the name "Veldora Tempest," and Rimuru (who was just a slime at the time) officially became "Rimuru Tempest." They both really liked the names they had given each other. From then on, the two began their journey together.
Bound by the lineage of souls! What does naming mean?
In the world of "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime," you can become overwhelmingly stronger by "naming." Specifically, powerful monsters and demons give names to lesser-ranking monsters, and named monsters become "named" monsters, garnering respect from those around them. Not only that, but they often evolve, with most monsters changing their appearance and abilities. Naming requires the consumption of "magic energy" based on the monster's strength. Therefore, when naming a very strong opponent or naming many at once, Rimuru frequently loses consciousness due to the large amount of magical energy consumed.
The Evolution Process
Monsters evolve through naming. Take Benimaru for example. When he first met Rimuru, he was a "Great Demon." After naming him "Benimaru," he became a "Demon." He then became a demon when Rimuru became a Demon Lord, and later, with the help of Ciel, he was able to transform into a Fire Spirit Demon. However, Benimaru did not immediately become a Fire Spirit Demon. Once a Flame Spirit Demon becomes a Flame Spirit Demon, unlike normal creatures, they no longer have a lifespan. This means they are unable to have children. So Benimaru married Momiji, a Tengu, and after having children, evolved into a Flame Spirit Demon.
The Food Chain at Work
Furthermore, the power gained by monsters who have connected with Rimuru's "Soul Lineage" is returned to Rimuru through the power of the food chain. The abilities gained by his subordinate monsters are all converted into energy (magic energy), which can suffuse Rimuru. Therefore, the more time passes, the greater Rimuru's power grows.
Can the lineage of souls be connected between monsters and humans?
As mentioned earlier, naming is the act of connecting the lineage of souls between monsters by consuming a large amount of magical energy. At first, naming was thought to be something only done among monsters, but an exception actually appears midway through the story.
Examples of Bonds Between Monsters and Humans
In terms of soul lineage, it's possible that a bond was formed between the monster "Guy Crimson" and the human hero Rudra. There's a scene where Rudra declares to Guy, "From today, you are the Demon Lord Guy Crimson!" At this point, Rudra is unconsciously naming the creature. As evidence, Rudra lost consciousness after this and nearly died. Rimuru also loses consciousness when naming a large number of people or when naming very strong opponents (low-level activity state), and it's clear that he entered a similar state.
Why can humans name monsters?
Furthermore, Guy's abilities improved as a result of naming him. From this perspective, it is highly likely that a soul lineage has been formed between Rudra and Guy.
[That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime] Summary of Soul Lineage!
This concludes our introduction to the "soul lineage" that appears in the world of "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime." What did you think? Various theories have been explored within this complex worldview. While "soul lineage" originally only connected monsters, it's interesting to note that there may be exceptions, like Guy. We also learned that Rimuru's magical energy is concentrated around him through the "food chain," which is why he becomes increasingly powerful throughout the story. Not only are the characters fascinating, but the story itself is also incredibly interesting. Future developments are sure to be fascinating.
