Free! Take Your Marks

I typically don't write reviews but this movie was so good that it warranted one. Review is spoiler free! (heh)

I went to see this movie with a friend in theaters on White Day. I know what to expect as I went in blind without having even seen the trailer for it. I just assumed, "well it's free! of course I'm going to like it" and I was right. If you are a long time fan of this franchise, you will enjoy it.

Story: 7/10

This movie is broken up into four "episodes" that are interconnected. Each episode contains a theme that is carried out by the end ... of it so watching only one won't leave you on that much of a cliffhanger. However, the stories themselves are written with their target audience in mind. Personally, I was not expecting the movie to be this funny.

I found it hard to breathe at times with how hard I was laughing. I was clutching my friend's hand in a death grip (sorry friend!) and doubling over with laughter at how some of the scenes played out. Dramatic irony is utilized a lot which, while somewhat of a cop-out, adds to the charm that is the franchise itself. None of the episodes are "deep" or delve into characterization but then again, this movie is intended for fans of the series who are already familiar with the cast.

There were a few new additions to the cast (perhaps foreshadowing their addition in S3) that only had a brief mention. It was disappointing that the new characters only had a few seconds of cameo as it would have been nice to get to know them a bit more than a name and a random quirk. I would have preferred if they weren't brought up and the episode instead focused on the already established characters.

Art: 8/10

The art was good aside from a few moments where it was a bit...questionable. Aside from that, it was typical Kyoani quality. Beautiful scenery and visuals with only slight drawbacks regarding some frames.

Sound: 8/10

To be honest, I couldn't remember most of the OST because the theater was engulfed in laughter for almost the entire film. The ending song was really good.

Character: 9/10

I love the entire cast and I am biased in that regard. The new characters seemed interesting and a few characters from the prequel movie were included as well.

Enjoyment: 10/10

The opening scene of episode one almost gave me a heart attack and I was hyperventilating. If you like shipping the characters, you will enjoy this film. If you enjoy fan-service, you will enjoy this film. There were a lot of times where I was whispering to my friend, "I *wrote* this, like this is something I would write in a fanfic" so please take that as you will.

Overall: 9/10

If you like Free! as a franchise, this movie is a must see. It's funny, it has fan-service moments, and it has "shippy" moments (or as "shippy" as you can get from Kyoani). Regardless of whether you're into it because of the fan-service, or into it because you like swimming, this movie has something for everyone.

I highly recommend watching it as it is a feel good, lighthearted comedy that is enjoyable for everyone.

I came into this hoping I wouldn't be trash for it, but I was trash for it, of course.

The movie is split into four parts. Each story details the events after Free! Eternal Summer. The stories mainly center on apartment hunting, a visit to the hot springs, filming a swim club recruitment video, and a surprise party.

The stories themselves are the biggest hang-up I have with the movie. They weren't too interesting in their premises. I mean ... an episode about apartment hunting. Really. How interesting can that get.

But I did like it more than Free! Starting Days. That was a reconstitution of Free!, while ... this at least added new elements to the table. Even though it was obvious that this movie was just a lead-in to Dive to the Future, it taught us more about the characters Free! fans we know and love.

(The Samezuka team was especially showcased in this movie. I love them more than ISC, so I was happy about that.)

However, characters from Free! Starting Days were constantly referenced throughout TYM, which was something that I hated. This broke up the flow of the story and forced you to rethink who was who.

Overall, I did enjoy Free!: Take Your Marks. It's a great addition for Free! fans. I am so excited for the third season of this show.

I'm not going to write a super long review on this movie, but it was wonderful. I always say that the characters are what make this anime amazing, and this movie didn't change that fact at all.

Aside from the swimming competitions, it was nice to sit down and hang out with the characters for a while. It also left a nice lead-in for the third season that will be coming out soon. I enjoy watching this characters grow and change so much, and I look forward to seeing more in the next season.

I'd definitely recommend this movie to fans that love these characters. Maybe you ... shouldn't stay up until 5:30 AM to watch it like I did, but you should watch it all the same. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Story 9/10
The are 4 stories taking place between Free!: Eternal Summer and Free!: Dive to the Future show the transition for all the characters as they mature and their lives will change dramatically when the summer ends.
* Destined Choice! shows Makoto helping Haruka apartment hunt prior to college in Tokyo. The one he chooses does end up feeling like destiny, as a character from Free Starting Days shows up.
* Cooling Down at the Secret Hot Spring! Lucky Momo wins tickets to a hot spring and they give them to Rin ans Sousuke as a graduation gift. All 4 end up there and hilarious shenanigans ... ensue.
* United Butterfly is about the Iwatobi team's new recruitment video. This one actually made me tear up. I want friends like this. Everyone should have friends like this. Also the reality is it is very hard to keep a specialized club going, without support, but friendship CAN last the test of time and distance. At least that's the message here, full of hope.
* Departing Eternal Blue! Starts with Rin's emotional reaction to a movie. OH NO we can't be together if you love cats!!! Then the Iwatobi and Samezuka swim teams' plans for Rin's surprise going-away party are misinterpreted by Rin as Momo wants to date Gou. And the mis-understanding just gets bigger, and bigger, and bigger. This was great, I was laughing so hard.

Art 9/10

The characters got a chance to dress really well in many outfits and the quality was good as usual.

Sound 8/10

This could have been better. Not sure why they did chibi Elvis outfits for the ED, I kind of miss the boy band music video versions from season 1 and 2 to be honest.

Character 10/10

I've grown really attached to all of them. Except Haru, who, while talented, frankly has loads of room for improvement. I consider him a work in progress but all the rest are great and I'd be friends with all of them in a heartbeat.

Enjoyment 9/10

I loved this installment of the Free Franchise. Time does go on. People grow up and situations change - there are so many transitions in life and this slice of life sports anime shows them to great effect. Changes don't mean endings, but new beginnings. At the end of the day, it is up to both parties to keep in touch and keep the friendship going. If fate wills it, they'll meet again.

Plot: 7/10

It's a really bittersweet plot honestly. I'm sad that all of them are parting ways. However, the friendship portrayed in the episodes are realistic. It's true we might part ways but it definitely doesn't mean that it's the end of the friendship.

I like the humour in this anime as well.

Characters: 8/10

The thing I like about this anime is because the characters stay in their architype. They are definitely not flat characters as you can definitely see their growth in this anime.

I like the way they subtly give audience hints about new characters. It got me wondering and looking forward to continue watching ... free. Each character has their own past and reason to swim; why they are so passionate about swimming and honestly, it makes me want to swim again!

Enjoyment: 8/10
I personally think that this is better than Free first season. I'm looking forward to watch Free Dive Into The Future!

The four stories occurring between Free!: Timeless Summer and Free!: Jump to the Future show the progress for every one of the characters as they mature, and their lives will change decisively when the midyear closes.
Foreordained Decision! shows Makoto assisting Haruka with hunting preceding school in Tokyo. The one he picks winds up feeling like predetermination, as a person from Free Beginning Days appears.
* Chilling Off at the Mysterious Underground aquifer! Fortunate Momo wins passes to an underground aquifer, and they give them to Rin and Sousuke as a graduation gift. Every one of the four end up there, and clever antics follow... https://flyrank.co.uk/

(Spanish review below)

'Take your marks' is a kind of interlude between the second season and the third. It tells us small stories that happen between the two seasons and establishes some new relationships: like the mysterious coach whose old apartment Haru will rent or a certain character that Sosuke met, among other things. I consider this movie 100% slice of life. I don't think it's necessary to watch it to understand the third season. If you are a fan of the anime, you will surely like to see it, but if you don't, nothing will happen. Personally, I really liked it and I screamed a ... lot when certain characters met each other and when some friendships were established for the future.

But the film doesn't have a specific plot. That's why I say it's 100% slice of life.

As always, the animation is beautiful.

...

'Take your marks' es una especie de interludio entre la segunda temporada y la tercera. Nos cuenta pequeñas historias que suceden entre ambas y planta algunas nuevas relaciones: como el misterioso entrenador cuyo viejo apartamento rentará Haru o cierto personaje que Sosuke conoce, entre otras cosas. Esta película sí la considero como slice of life al 100%. No creo que sea necesaria verla para entender la tercera temporada. Si eres fan del anime, seguro sí te gustará verla, pero sino, no pasa nada. En lo personal, me gustó mucho y me la pasé chillando cuando determinados personajes se encontraban y cuando se iban estableciendo algunas amistades para el futuro.

Pero en sí la película no desarrolla una trama en concreto. Por eso digo que es slice of life al 100%.

Como siempre, la animación es preciosa.