Free!
2013
Original language: Japanese
- animation
- comedy
- drama
The story
The story revolves around Haruka Nanase, a boy who has always loved to be immersed in water, and to swim in it. Before graduating from elementary school, he participated in a swimming tournament along with his fellow swimming club members, Makoto Tachibana, Nagisa Hazuki, and Rin Matsuoka. After achieving victory, each of the boys went their separate ways. Time passed, and in the middle of their uneventful high school lives Rin appears and challenges Haruka to a match, showing Haruka his overwhelming power. Not wanting it to end like this, Haruka, gathers together Makoto and Nagisa once again and brings a new member named Rei Ryugazaki to create the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club in order to defeat Rin.
What it’s like
Bright summer light glints off pools, rivers and ocean in lush, animated water that refracts in saturated blues and greens, with sunlit school corridors and clean, sun-warmed palettes around it. The cuts are quick and playful, but the swimming sequences slow down into long, fluid shots of bodies cutting through water, underwater views and rippling light, all carried by bright piano, strings and upbeat pop cues that swell at the races. The mood is warm, goofy and buoyant, with a light comic bickering between friends and a gentle, sincere competitiveness. Its story follows a few high-school boys who reunite through their love of swimming and train their way toward a rivalry match, with the emotional beats kept friendly and low-key. Intensity is very gentle: no violence or gore, no real peril, only mild fanservice-style camera attention on bare shoulders and chests and some teasing innuendo. It suits a relaxed weekend binge, background viewing with a snack, or a comfort rewatch on a sleepy afternoon. It is for people who want sunny, low-stakes sports camaraderie and pretty water, and who like a little cheerful silliness with their friendship stories.
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