At first I just want to mention that in this review I'll also talk about the first season of Free! (Iwatobi Swim Club), because I gave both seasons the same score and I'm too lazy to write two reviews! :D Sorry about that!
Story (8):
Season 1:
The story revolves around Haruka Nanase, a boy who has always loved to be immersed in water, and to swim in it. Before graduating from elementary school, he participated in a swimming tournament along with his fellow swimming club members, Makoto Tachibana, Nagisa Hazuki, and Rin Matsuoka. After achieving victory, each of the boys went their separate ways.
Time passed, and in the middle of their uneventful high school lives Rin appears and challenges Haruka to a match, showing Haruka his overwhelming power. Not wanting it to end like this, Haruka, gathers together Makoto and Nagisa once again and brings a new member named Rei Ryugazaki to create the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club in order to defeat Rin.
Season 2:
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?
--> I took this from the MyAnimeList Description of Free!
To conclude the first series is mainly about the relationship between Haru and Rin, who were very good friends in elementary school (they were both at the Iwatobi Swim club). Because of some incidents (I dont want to spoiler too much) they seperated from each other... when they advanced to the upper classes, they both swam again in swimming clubs and were rivals. But because of some very nice/lovely scenes or incidents they finally swim together again having a lot of fun!!! (Especially one scene in the 12. episode had some "magic" and made me cry)
In the second season the pupils are going to finish school and try to find their dreams/jobs. The relationship between Haru and Rin is lovely and they have a few swimming competitions, solo and relays with friends as well. Also some new characters will be introduced, who make the second season even better! All in all I really liked the whole story!
!! I'll not write so many about the other parts, because the story-part has been long enough !! ;D
Art(8):
The animations, especially during the swimming scences is very well done! It is also colorful and has quite good contrasts. I really liked it!
Sound(10):
And that's the "real shit" in this anime in a positive way!!! There are so many epic, funny and simply amazing soundtracks! I had a lots of earworms while watching this. In the most important scences of the story the music fits always! No metter whether it is a sad or an epic part! I made also a YT-Playlist of the soundtracks. Just fuckin' AWESOME! ;)
Characters(9):
Especially Haru, the main character is special, not a typical main character (in my opinion) because of his behavior and actions. The most important secondary character, Rin (you can also say the second main character), brings a lot of emotions with him and makes the spectator feel what he feels! In general you can say Free! contains many differnt but also important characters, who can be funny, serious and just cool. Sometimes a few actions are unnessecary , but this doesn't make the anime worse.
Some of my Favorites: Sousuke, Makoto, Rei
Enjoyment(9):
As you can read above I really enjoyed the show! Maybe for me this anime is also quite perfect because I do track and field, which is comparable with swimming. In the series the relay races take a very huge role, and I ran many track relays (with very good friends) by myself. So I can create a connection and enjoy the anime even more ;) It's also spreading emotions, sometimes you feel sad with the characters and sometimes it's just epic!!!
I can really recommend this anime for those who like sports, love great soundtracks/good animations and want to feel FREE! :DDD
~ Nicoto <--- The guy with the bad english skills xD
