Following its previous season, I must say that Free!ES stepped up their game in its story and characters.
Story: 7/10
While I finished Free! in average impression, Free!ES although still maintained its common theme about friendship, passion, ambition etc certainly had improved its plot with more relatable events and less complicated, messy childhood flashbacks unlike Free! Although with the theme is pretty much light and naive imo, some of the highlighted events were delivered in a very satisfying manner that I found very endearing. Also most importantly it was less angsty and less annoying compared to the first season which I found really boring due to the dragging drama that could have be solved in mere 2 or 3 episode.
Notably, Makoto/Haru friendship ( the best thing in Free! series tbh), Rin/Samezuka team bonding and the overall relationship of the Iwatobi members although the latter only got me all the FEELS at the last minutes of the last episode.
My only complaint may be that the plot all in all was quite underwhelmed and as a sports anime, I didnt really get pumped up for the sports but rather to fall for the friendship between Free! characters instead. Not necessarily a bad thing but I wish to see more of the spirits in these athletes instead of shouting about friendship in each episode.
Also the new characters introduced in this season were quite random and underdeveloped imo. Their presences seemed to be an awkward addition to the original cast that I couldnt fit them in the old cast dynamic.
Art: 10/10
Beautiful art as expected from KyoAni production. The characters were drawn in very flashy animation and I got no complaint for all the eye candies in this show. I absolutely love how they animated the water and gave a very detailed touch to its movement and I almost could feel what it is like to the characters while being in water.
Special mention to the emphasis on the eyes that were well used in conveying subtle emotions from the characters without having to blurt any word.
Sound: 7/10
I could not give higher rating for the OSTs as I prefer the previous OST more. But it was still good and I got no problem with it aside from my preference of the last season. The voice acting was top notch and they really delivered their character well throughout the show.
Characters : 8/10 //////MILD SPOILER AHEAD//////
Now move on to the strongest point of this show, the characters. Starting from our stoic, cool protagonist, Nanase Haruka, I must say that I am not entirely satisfied with his character. A man with little words, harboring vast love for water and swimming, didnt feel the need to acknowledge or to be acknowledged, I was baffled as to why majority of the cast were attracted to him. I love Haru but at the same time, I am not really fond of his overall manner in the series. Apart from being deeply bonded with water, his character so far were driven forward by his friends and his passion for swimming.
But I guess that's a part of his charms, having indifferent attitude made people riled up over him. Also I kinda wished his conflict ed mind was properly confronted with his own realization instead being dragged around by other people. I wanted to see Haru putting more effort into what he treasures in his life and find a proper meaning of his existence to other people. But despite that, Haru is still a entertaining character that I really enjoy watching him.
Next should be the other protagonist, Matsuoka Rin. Although I was totally annoyed by his angsty appearance in Free! Rin surprisingly amazed me with his development in this season. Moving on from his troubled past, he actually keeps on moving forward and with him being the leader of his team, it totally brings the best out his character. But letting go of your past doesnt mean you can forget your dream, with Sousuke's interference , Rin once again decided to pursue his childhood dream without looking back now. I am glad that they didnt take Rin into Iwatobi team but started anew with new people of Samezuka folks.
I was pretty contented with Rin in this sequel except that he should keep his temper low while confronting with people especially his friends and I kinda want to see more of his relationship with Gou.
Moving on to Tachibana Makoto, easily my favorite character in this series. I always has soft spot for caring, warm hearted character and Makoto is portrayed as a very realistic person. A genuinely kind friend that you wish to have for the rest of your life, he gave me the most impact in this series from his role as Haru's long best friend. Also I love how the anime keeping the subtle-ness in Makoto ways of taking care of his friends especially Haru.
and although being less vocal in his passion in swimming, he actually showed the most development in this sports. Overcoming his fear of water and aspired to be the one who teach others in confronting the shared trauma. He knew what he wanted to do and while sharing the strongest bond with Haru, Makoto truly stands out the most for me as a very gentle and yet assertive friend who pushed Haru forward but at the same time without letting his hands off him.
Nagisa and Rei, I was bit disappointed with them having less significant role in this season. Also with Gou... ohh myy I wish they would be more appreciative of her by honoring her job as their manager but it was again solely focused the boys instead.
For some other characters, I am ashamed to say that I got nothing to say as I didnt really attached to them to get insight of their character. But I did have lil problem with the new character especially, Sousuke. His character was okay and it could've been less awkward if his appearance was foreshadowed in the first season. His presence while it was necessary, he stuck up like a sore thumb in Iwatobi and Rin's relationship he appeared to be very random in some scenes.
well, that's all I've got to say about the characters with main focus ended up on the main characters lol but Makoto is love!!
Enjoyment: 8/10
What can I say, with this long ass review you can totally see how much I enjoyed this series lol With the all half naked boys fanservice, I contained my laugh and giggle from all the teasings
Overall: 8/10
I actually wanted to give this a lower rating but then I remember all the fun times watching this anime, it deserves the 8. Not a 'OH WOW masterpiece!' type of anime but it still gave me a real good times following the journey of these passionate swimmers. Also with Makoto the bae in this, I was being kind with the score XD
sooo if you want an anime with eye candy bishounen flashing off their muscles in every second of it but at the same time experiences the joy being under water with the boys, sharing their cries and laughs, follow the dream and journey of their genuine friendship, Free!Eternal Summer wont disappoint you!
