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.
