One of the things I adore about 'Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken' is that its expansive cast offers some surprisingly deep character arcs, with the demon lord Ruminas Valvetine standing out for her immense internal transformation. Her story spans centuries, beginning as a fierce and somewhat tyrannical ruler who maintained absolute control through fear and a belief in pure power. The series slowly unpacks the immense grief and loneliness that fuels her cold exterior, particularly her tragic history with her former comrade, Roy Valentine. Her development isn't about becoming 'nicer' in a simple sense; it's about her painfully learning to trust others again, to value bonds over solitary supremacy, and to become a true leader for her people rather than just a ruler. Her interactions with Rimuru, especially later on, force her to confront her own past rigid ideology and adapt to a changing world.
Milim Nava's arc, often overshadowed by her initial portrayal as a chaotic battle maniac, is another profound journey of healing and reconnection. While she appears as an overwhelmingly powerful child-like being, her backstory reveals the root of her chaotic nature: the traumatic loss of her father, the True Dragon Veldanava. Her 'development' is less about gaining power and more about finding a family and a purpose beyond endless conflict. Rimuru becomes the stabilizing older sibling figure she desperately needed, offering her genuine companionship without fear or ulterior motives. Watching her channel her destructive impulses into protecting her friends and learning responsibility is a slow but deeply rewarding thread woven through the narrative.
You could also make a strong case for Geld, the Orc Disaster. His entire existence is a cycle of tragedy and redemption, reborn from the desperate, starving will of his predecessor. He begins as a monstrous force of nature, driven solely by hunger and a directive to conquer. After his defeat, his rebirth as a loyal subordinate to Rimuru allows him to forge a new identity centered on protection and creation, becoming the steadfast guardian of the Orc village and a master craftsman. His growth from a mindless calamity to a pillar of Rimuru's society embodies the series' core theme of second chances and building a community. The evolution of these characters from powerful but isolated figures into integral parts of a connected world gives the story a lot of its emotional weight.