Story: 7
The premise is simple and fun. The Iwatobi and Samezuka boys all hang out at the Samezuka culture festival. Despite it's overall simpleness, the story provides excellent ways for characters to interact with each other both as usual and unusual. The OVA gives a new breadth of knowledge in the Free!verse because finally, we see some character interaction that has only so far been implied, but never really seen. Such as Nitori and Makoto, Sousuke and Nagisa, etc. Not to mention, everyone had a fair amount of screen time, even more minor characters like Gou and Kisumi got at least a little time in the spotlight.
Art: 8
KyoAni has a reputation for their crisp animation. I was very please to see that the production quality of the OVA was relatively on par with the rest of the series. Often times, OVAs lack the same smooth finish as the TV series, due partly to it just being an 'extra'. Regardless, the free! OVA is rather fluid and eye-appealing, though I really didn't expect anything less of KyoAni.
Sound: 8
All the voice actors we know and love made a reappearance in the OVA. Nothing has really changed soundwise. The music is very free!esque and fitting for the mood, whatever the scene may be. All the characters voices resonate exactly as we remember them. All in all, very solid.
Character: 10
While the OVA doesn't have many important plot points, the character development is SUBSTANTIAL. Without all the conflict of a main story line, we are able to see the characters with no external forces. Really, we see them as they are. Hilarious, teenaged boys. The OVA provided a chance for each character to get some time to show the audience who they are. Character relationships are built (mainly Sousuke and Haruka), relationships are re-enforced (Rin and Rei), and some are just plain adorable (Nagisa and Momotarou). Each of the characters are special and quirky in their own ways, and we really get to see that in this OVA.
Enjoyment: 10
I love Free!. I've been watching it since the first season back in July 2013. This one extra episode reiterated why I love the show so much, and how much I miss it because it's over. For all the reasons above I loved the OVA. There were so many moments that made me laugh, that made me happy, and just the nostalgia itself was in some ways enjoyable. Free! is a great show not enough people give a chance. Sometimes, we just have to let go of the negatives and enjoy the show.
Overall (Average based on the five categories): 8.6 [Rounded to 9].
