General Information:
Type: TV
Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life, Sports
Seasons: 2
Episodes: S1 12 Episodes – S2 13 Episodes
Aired: Jul 4, 2013 to Sep 26, 2013 – Jul 3, 2014 to Sep 25, 2014
Premiered: Summer 2013 – Summer 2014
Producers: Lantis, Animation Do, Iwatobi High School Swimming Club, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation
Licencors: Discotek, Crunchyroll, FUNimation Entertainment
Studios: Kyoto Animation
Source: Original
Rating: PG-13 – Teens 13 or older
Summary:
Haruka Nanase has a love for water and a passion for swimming. In elementary school, he competed in and won a relay race with his three friends Rin Matsuoka, Nagisa Hazuki, and Makoto Tachibana. After claiming victory at the tournament, the four friends went their separate ways. Years later, they reunite as high school students; however, Rin couldn’t care less about returning to the way things used to be. Not only does he attend a different school, but the sole thing important to him is proving that he is a better swimmer than Haruka.
After the bitter reunion, Haruka, Nagisa, and Makoto decide to form the Iwatobi High School Swim Club, but they will need a fourth member if they hope to take part in the upcoming tournament. Enter Rei Ryuugazaki, a former member of the track team whom Nagisa recruits. As the time to compete draws near, the four develop a close bond while training intensely to come out on top and settle things between Haruka and Rin once and for all. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
The Iwatobi Swim Club returns! As their third year begins, Haruka, Makoto and Rin are still swimming strong, but choosing plans for their futures loom, and as friends both new and old make their way into the picture, rivalries will take root once again. Will the team make it out stronger than before or sink under pressure?
Review:
I hate to admit this but Free! is a very good anime. Ignoring the obvious Yaoi subtext the anime has a great story. Its developed by Kyoto Animation. Kyoto Animation worked on anime such as K-On!, Clannad, Kyoukai no Kanata, Air, and InuYasha. They are great studio. The animation of the anime was stunning and the art is quite beautiful. You can actually guess that if you have watched any anime by Kyoto. Not to mention the music was very good.
I was wondering why Free! was receiving so much hate thus I had to watch it. The anime is a Slice of life first sports second. What was interesting was who the characters develop. The character development was the anime strongest suit. My favorite character development was Haru’s and hes my least favorite character. Oh and the reason for the hates wasn’t because it was bad.. it was because of the fans and the endless shipping’s. They make you think that the anime is just purely gay… when it actually has a great story. Yet again I do understand their fascination with the shipping’s and their love for the boys… I mean just take a look at Sasuke. 😛
Real talk the anime is great ignore anything bad you’ve heard about it and watch it then judge for yourself.
Overall Rate: 8/10
SayuriCero 