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Apr 10, 2018
Did I hate this series? No.
But I didn't enjoy it either. And no, that is not because it is cliche or generic, it's because even though it's already soooo generic, the writing was just dreadfully sloppy that you can spot plot holes almost every episode.
Why did I keep watching you ask?
Well, because I enjoyed the fact that it was so cliche I didn't have to think throughout the series. Oh and the fact that I can almost end the sentences for every line Yuu speaks.
What type of viewers are advised *against* this series?
If you cringe at the power of friendship in
...
Naruto or Fairy Tail, well, they ain't got nothing on the power of "FAMILY" here yet. Spoiler alert, it's "stronk."
So what's there to like about it?
For one, the visual is neat. There're also plenty of loli/shota vampires for your fetish. Oh and the obliged eccentric, devilishly hot vampire who is not-entirely-devil vampire. Various other generic but good looking character tropes. In fact, they are so typical you can just switch the gender and change the name and nothing will really change.
No seriously, are there any "real" points to watch this?
Fangirls will appreciate the two main male friends sharing so strong of a bond (and that one sensual biting scene); these two have such a beautiful friendship they might have as well walked out of a (badly written) "doujinshi."
Fanboy will enjoy the loli vampires getting their blood sucked through their necks hmmmm..... and crazy (ex)girlfriends! HELL YEAH~
So, it's awful?
No. But it's cliche, boring, and repetitive. In my definition, that isn't "awful", awful is something that makes me angry and annoyed. This series just makes me laugh LOL.
Overall -
Story: 3
Art: 8
Sound: 6
Character: 3
Enjoyment: 4 (I stayed for the hot looking vampires you hear? lol)
Do the math for the overall score boys and girls ;)
P.s: Yes, I did give this review a 7 just so you will read it..... ;)
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Nov 5, 2016
Oh well… I’m actually writing a review for this series, considering how hard I was dissing its first season a year or two ago….
Now for those of you who are considering watching this without the first season (I doubt there is any of you), let me say that – you’re doing the right thing. Free first season wasn’t a disaster, but it was distasteful and irritating to watch. It tried so hard to showcase the nonexistent drama that was going absolutely nowhere.
As for this second season, I will say that if you know what you’re watching, then you will enjoy it.
“Hmm… what?”
That might
...
have been a very silly statement, so let me phrase it another way.
If you are here for a sport anime, you are doing it wrong. If you are here to be mind-blown about some teamplay/team-spirit or some convoluted dramas, you are also doing it wrong. If you are here for the “feel-trip” through some inspiring, wonderfully touching friendship stories, you are still doing it wrong.
So, what should you be here for?
You could be here and watch it, KNOWING that this is *mostly* intended for a female audience, that it DEFINITELY has that boylove/”yaoi” vibe. But above all, it is a light-hearted slice-of-life story focusing on a talented “swimmer” who does not see swimming as a sport.
-Story- 6/10 “Fine”
May I remind you again not to be confused that this story is about swimming as a sport. In fact, if you’re here looking for the competition, you will be mind-blown with how many plot holes there are in this show (for example, Rei didn’t know how to swim a few months prior, and is now competing with competitive swimmers in the nationals).
Rather, Free! Eternal Summer has a simple, straightforward plot: it is about a bunch of high schoolers who enjoy swimming, just for the sake of it (well, not all of them). And so “swimming” here is more of a medium or a lens through which the characters, their stories, and personalities unfolds.
-Art/Visual- (9/10) “Great”
If someone tells you there is anything wrong with Free! Eternal Summer animation, they are fooling themselves, full stop.
-Sound- (7/10) “Good”
Not bad, but nothing memorable. I will say that I was surprised that Kyoto Animation actually hire English speakers to speak the English lines. Good for them!
-Characters- (6/10) “Fine”
In the first season, calling the characters “one-dimensional” would be an understatement. With Eternal Summer, the change isn’t exactly phenomenal, but this time around, their stories and personalities are somewhat more realistic and relatable. The dramas and how the characters overcome their struggles, however, can be over the top at times.
Nagisa and Rei has somewhat of their own identities, but a critical glance and you could tell they are there to fill the plot. They aren’t bad characters, but with 13 episodes, there isn’t enough screen time to showcase any particular highlights about these two. Makoto is …well, still unfortunately known more as “the mama of the group” and “Haru’s friend” than as Makoto Tachibana himself. Although I must say that I sincerely respect him as his tolerance of Haru (and everyone else) is seriously top-notch.
Sousuke – a new character introduced in this season – is probably the closest to a decent character if not for the fact that the whole revelation about him comes very late in the show. I also personally feel that Sousuke serves more as a plot device to complicate the drama and boost the character development of Rin and Haru.
Rin - surprisingly - is the one to save the whole cast this time around. He is much more well-written this season, as his logic seems the most reasonable and relatable.
If there is one character I’m most frustrated with, it most definitely is Haru the protagonist. It’s not about the fact that he’s uncertain of what he wants in life and not moving forward that frustrates me. And quite honestly, I find all his worries about the future, dream, being bound by expectation completely relatable. However, it is his attitude toward said matters and his friends that bothers me to the extreme. Until probably the very last few minutes, all Haru says to everyone around him on every matter is “I don’t care, I just swim.” I understand the intended portrait of his character, as well as how he just wants to swim “freely” (in all its literal and figurative sense). But here, the drama about Haru is way over the top: Haru struggles for 12 episodes about his "inner world" and makes little to zero effort of trying to be at least appreciative of what people around him do for him. But at the very last moment in the very last episode, he goes "Yes, I have found it (my path)" Wow, just wow.
So either I'm too slow in understanding this thing or Kyoto Animation is doing a really, really bad job of writing and the execution of this protagonist.
The rest of the cast is... unsurprisingly forgettable. They are there so fangirls could write some more fanfics and draw some more fanarts I suppose, not that I mind it.
-Overall- (7/10) “Good”
This show is a solid 6 (“fine”) for the first 10 episodes; the last few are much stronger and I think a 7 (“good”) would not be an exaggeration. I was also pleasantly surprised as I watched this series and enjoyed it more than I ever thought I would be. I must say though - if you absolutely dreaded the first season and are looking to have that perspective completely flipped around, you probably won’t be. But if you keep your mind open and watch the show for what it’s worth, I’m certain it won’t be a disappointment.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Nov 15, 2015
I try to write as concise as possible, but if you're still too lazy to read (like me), here is a shorter version: if anime means anything to you more than just pure entertainment or an activity to kill time – do check out Mononoke. You WON’T regret it.
I got pulled in the "anime/manga zone" in junior high and I've loved it 'til now. I know some people who share this interest and lots who don’t. But this is the type of anime that I’m not afraid to show it to anyone, say my 32-year-old brother who has absolutely zero interest in Japanese animation.
...
This is the type of series that actually makes you use your head to watch. It doesn’t give you answers, it provides you with opinions. In my most humble language, Mononoke is Japanese animation at its peak. A truly captivating and memorable series.
Now if you're reading past that line and are ready to embark on the once-in-a-lifetime experience namely "Mononoke", you might wonder: "Surely there are many awesome series out there with exceptional plot and cast, but what makes this series so damn special that I should watch it?"
Well, to start off - Mononoke's protagonist is someone who - throughout the whole series - doesn’t have a name; to be more precise, his name is never revealed. He is simply known as “the medicine seller.” But watching the show, you will realize that the name is indeed not needed. In fact, the aspect of the nameless protagonist adds to the mysterious identity of his, and to the ghostly atmosphere of the stories presented.
And if I forget to mention, Takahiro Sakurai did a splendid job voicing this awesome main character.
Next comes the core concept of the series - "Mononoke." While this isn't particularly a new "term", it’d be a far cry from the truth if one were to simply think of it as “youkai” or “ghosts” or “monsters.” And even though the “mononoke” theme isn’t new, the way it unfolds through individual enchanting tales is what engrosses viewers – purposefully engaging them in the twisted emotions of the human nature presented in the series. And here is where the art and sound blend in.
In Mononoke, you are introduced to 5 different stories which share but one thing in common - dark and somewhat disturbing themes Yet, these very eerie stories are illustrated through unbelievably bright colors with “static” frames, making the whole series like a moving painting. Sounds fair?
What if I continue to tell you the show gets even “weirder” as some scenes just have absolutely no sounds. It’s just pure silent with still frames. You think I’d be bored - but no, it makes me hold my breath, feel slightly uneasy, and wonder what’s coming next. Still not interested?
Unfortunately then,…. I have nothing more to offer. I know this sound cliché, but what this show does to you is it makes you think and feel. And everybody does it differently. But Mononoke delivers its message so well that it definitely deserves the title namely masterpiece.
Yes, I am (slightly) biased in this review but who doesn’t, especially when they are talking about the things they are in love with?
So to make this review less biased, I will end it with a *flaw* that is absolutely “fatal” – it wasn’t long enough. I sure as hell wished there were more to it. Yup, that’s the flaw, you’re happy?
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Nov 14, 2015
I can't believe I'm writing my first review for a series that I don't like, but I will, and here is why:
1) There is this overwhelming misconception/misunderstanding that all (or most) women/girls/females like this show. And this, is very misleading and (slightly) offending.
2) I cannot understand how some people can compliment the show because of its *developed* characters and *interesting* plot. If you enjoy the animation and fanservice, that's 100% fine. Please just don't slip in misleading points by labeling show to be some kind of deep, well-thought plot or overly complex characters that is mostly non-existent.
So with that long-winded introduction, here is the
...
actual review
Now, I have mentioned before the word "fanservice." I'm trying VERY hard not to be biased, that is why I'm giving this show a score of 5 and not lower. Why? Because most expectedly, I started watching the show for entertainment, you know, a typical light-hearted sporty anime with eye-catching characters. Yes, I DID watch the show for entertainment. And that is why I do NOT mind all the fanservice whatsoever in this series.
That being said, I did not find much enjoyment from Free!, perhaps except there are bunch of *hotties* getting (unnecessarily) half-naked most of the time and some (poorly-written) humor.
STORY - 5/10
Does Free! have no or absolutely garbage plot? No, it does have a plot, it's just a really linear, silly, and boring story where nothing really happens.
I will (shamefully) admit that I watched Haikyuu, Ace of Diamond and a few others sport series, so I (slightly) hoped to see some sporty element to it. But of course I was wrong, because guess what? the story IS NOT the focus of this anime. I mean c'mon "look at the poster and the trailer of this show, nothing really screams sports doesn't it?" (Shame on myself - should have known that better!)
So yes, the story IS poor, but that is much anticipated. But even when I try to look past all its obvious flaws, I cannot comprehend how silly, disconnected the story goes. Every now and then, we are introduced to new *interesting* characters with some problematic/traumatic past that do...not really mean anything. Even the *peak* (though in all reality virtually non-existent) tension got solved in... 2 episodes. Just what "amazing plot" and "friendship" are we even talking about?
ART - 8/10 & SOUND - 7/10
Haters, let's be honest, no matter how much you dislike the show, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the animation. So let's give it a deserving (and encouraging) score of 8, shall we?
CHARACTERS - 3/10
This is what kills the enjoyment of the show, at least - for me.
I understand, this show is supposed to be entertaining. No deep, breath-taking or complex story. And I totally agree that simple, light-hearted, entertaining shows can be very captivating as well. However, you at least need CHARACTERS to keep the show going. And this series' cast has very little CHARACTER. No kidding.
Haru is hardly interesting with his stripping habit (which I get it - is supposed to be funny) nor his (supposedly complex) personality - being stuck/hung up in the past with Rin. He just seems like a very empty person to be honest.
Rin - oh boy, where do I even start... Everyone has different opinions, and here is mine. I will describe Rin to you in my most honest language. Rin is your typical character who got butthurt because he lost in some competition and decided to come back "strong." Now, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this cliche. Just because a plot device falls into a pre-established trend doesn't make it bad. What makes it bad is the facilitation/development of the character in the show. We are talking about a guy who holds a strong type of emotion namely jealousy/inferiority complex for his childhood friend. He lost to his friend in grade school (yes, grade school) and he's bottled up that emotion all the way to high school. Then BOOM, after some competition, he's just ...opened his eyes to see something completely different, something absolutely amazing and inspiring. Yup, that's how complex his emotion (and the plot) is.
As for the other boys, I honestly feel like they are added out of convenience, because the show just needs ....some more characters. The dudes hardly do anything meaningful other than ...being there and adding to that whole fanservice thing, WHICH, mind you, I get it.
OVERALL ENJOYMENT - 4/10
Bottom line, if you look for fanservice, look no further, there is a bunch of half-naked men frequently showing off their abs and jumping in the pool for you. But if you really want to enjoy that aspect, you will still have to watch the show disregard everything else. Because if you actually care to know/hope to understand where the story is going, or how certain characters to actually develop personalities.... you will just be very disappointed.
And NO, this is NOT a sport anime. Just because it's about swimming doesn't make it a sport anime.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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