I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level Episode 1: A Dragon Dropped By

Here’s my most anticipated show of the 2021 spring season of anime, I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level. I absolutely adore the light novels, so of course I was psyched to learn that they would be getting an anime adaptation. Even more so when I discovered that Aoi Yuuki would be reprising her role as Azusa from the drama CD.
So, let’s take a look at the first episode, and see if it meets my expectations. Of course, I’ll be comparing the anime to the light novel as well.

The goddess that reincarnates Azusa

So, we start at the beginning, as many stories do. This first episode adapts the prologue, chapter 1: I Maxed Out My Level and chapter 2: A Dragon Dropped By.
There are some relatively minor differences here and there, but for the most part the story is perfectly in line with the light novel.

Azusa, the Witch of the Highlands

We are introduced to some important characters in this episode, none more so than our lead protagonist herself, Azusa. She comes to be known as the Witch of the Highlands.
One of the first minor differences crops up when she acquires her new house: in the light novel, it’s left behind by a family. The anime doesn’t really indicate as such, just that it is free for whoever to use.

The first victim of many

I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level might have the quickest jump to a time skip, but also the longest time skip itself. Azusa spends 300 years killing slimes, as is stated in the title. That all builds up, as you’d expect

Natalie, not to be confused with the first Natalie Azusa met – though she is descended from her

Before I move on to the introduction of another particularly important character, I want to take the time to mention how perfect Aoi Yuuki is in her role as Azusa. Perhaps I have a bias here, but I’d be hard-pressed to imagine anyone else portraying the Witch of the Highlands. She’s so good!

A dragon drops by

Something that I feel some light novel adaptations struggle to do well is convey characters’ inner thoughts. I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level seems to nail it, though, as all the expressions we see are on point. I love the reactions Azusa has to adventurers knocking on her door demanding a fight, and then a dragon showing up shortly afterwards

Laika the Red Dragon in her human form

Once we get to the adaptation of chapter 2, we are introduced to Laika. She’s a red dragon, but as Azusa discovers, she can also assume a human form. Have I mentioned this series gives off strong Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid vibes?

Azusa insists that Laika should not overwork herself

Going back to the beginning, we get an isekai that did not involve Truck-kun. Instead, Azusa died of overwork in her previous life. Being reincarnated allows her to live a far more laid-back life, and she insists on the same for Laika. That’s a key message from this series.

I also want to say that I love that they are using bagpipes in the OST.

So, what did I think of this first episode? I loved it. It was exactly what I wanted from an anime adaptation of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level. Seeing Azusa and Laika actually come to life on my screen is a pleasure, and I am so excited to see all the other characters.
An excellent start for my most anticipated show of the spring.