Free! Movie 4: The Final Stroke - Zenpen

I know I'm in the super minority when I say this but Free! is one of my all-time favorite anime, so those of you who hate it should step away now: I think it's getting better. I understand the critiques people have about the pacing of the plot, but to be honest, this film covered a lot of important ground. The world stage where these characters are standing now is no short road to walk down, which is why it's taken so long to reach the point where Haru and the rest are at. Now, though, the concept of pulling these characters along tournament after tournamentlike it's been done before doesn't work. Everything is so high-level for them now that improvements are marginal if we only follow them to every meet. Speeding up the pacing, I think, is ultimately good to show the characters' bigger improvements. And this film, more than any other installment, brought the drama. Oh, boy; this is the most intense Free! has ever been, but it wouldn't be as effective as it was without all the build-up it has behind it. Meaning, if you haven't watched Free! in a long time, the drama of this film might not hit as well. That being said, the events of this film are situated so nicely within the greater context of Free!, and I think that made quite the impact when the film reached its climax. Lots of big character developments happened in this film, but as I said, to me, that's a good thing here where it wouldn't have been before. These characters are moving forward toward incredible goals, and that means that their development is likely to be more sudden and even erratic than it has been before. I think, though, that this film pulls the intensity off as well as it does because of those changes. The plot itself, admittedly, was a bit concentrated. It was mostly a film just to reach the climax, and not a whole lot was explored within the rest of it, which isn't how Free! typically is. But I understand that, this being the second to last installment in the franchise, honing in on major plot points is more important than fluffing characters that have, admittedly, been fluffed enough. I still think the raw emotion and character relationships were executed perfectly, though. I'm excited to finish this installment, though I feel like it's a given that it won't have a concrete ending. Hopefully, these characters will want to and be able to swim on a world stage forever. The best I can hope for is that everyone is happy by the end of it, so I'm pumped to see how it all ends.

This first part of the final installment of the Free! series was really enjoyable! It was so exciting to see the cast of characters again. To see what they are doing career and school-wise, and also to see them interacting as friends once more. From the characters hanging out in college and professional swimming competitions to those still in Iwatobi and Samezuka high schools. I was so satisfied throughout by how each character and each friendship got some screen time. The story jumped around a lot from person to person, feeling kind of like a TV episode, keeping you invested. I was invested in how theboys' lives were progressing (especially with how Haru and Rin were faring in their ongoing swimming careers) the whole time. It all felt very natural and engaging. There was a good mix of happy, funny, heartfelt, and serious and contemplative tones (staying true to it being a slice of life anime). The movie ended on a more dramatic note with a plot point that I assume will be sorted out in part 2. The animation was pretty nice. Nothing crazy but they did do some short, artsy sequences. And I thought the backgrounds and colors were especially beautiful as always with Free!

This is a review of parts 1 and 2 Another finale in which I can't believe it took me this long to finally watch. I've been locked into the Free hype train since Day 1. I love Kyoto Ani and hope to one day see everything they've ever created, so it was a no brainer I'd end up going on this journey, one way or another. I truly, sincerely loved every single part of this series. Some may think Free stuck around for longer than necessary, but I was never at a point where I wanted to say goodbye. I'm so happy with the note thatthey're ending on, but I'd also happily return to this world and these characters if the opportunity ever presents itself again. Its really uplifting to watch a series all about unwavering passion for the things and the people that mean the absolute most to you in this world. That's what I got out of this series and what I think everyone could get out of it if you're willing to look for it. If you brushed off this series when it was at its peak popularity, I urge you to give it a fair chance. I really do think it'll surprise you in the end. Thanks for all the memories, Kyoto Ani. Until Next Water Time... 9.5/10

I myself am a competitive swimmer, so obviously i should love this, correct? No. This series gives me an ick. I came into this franchise thinking that this anime would scratch the itch that ive had to see my own sport in an anime. Of course, i couldnt expect it to be like haikyuu or slam dunk tier, but i wanted to see a story that centered around the highs and lows of swimming. All that my sport had been reduced to here is a backdrop for pretty fruity boys. First off "I only swim free" You have to agree to be put in any eventregardless of style when you join a team so that was already stupid. Plus seeing comments on Michael Phelps race videos like " Guys he only swims free" ( i actually saw that on his olympic 200 fly final video) its just weird. Dont give people the wrong idea about us. This series is so wildly unrealistic that watching it makes me want to reach through the screen and fix everything. Nobody wears their goggles around their neck. Nobody wears just one cap for international races. AND PULL THE DAMN THING OVER YOUR EARS OH MY GOD. Also, full leg length tech suits were banned in mens competition almost 20 years ago. The dramatization is far too much and theres not enough real emotion to connect the watcher to anything swimming related. Its just fanservice. My sport was reduced to fanservice. I get swimming is kind of boring to non swimmers. but no need to dramatize it like that. I hope in the future someone whos actually swam and competed within the club circuit decides to write a story. I wanted my sport to be depicted as beautifully as Volleyball or Basketball have been within this industry. But this felt like a mockery of everything we've ever stood for. okay now that my hate rant is over, time to pick apart the more conventional aspects Story 5/10 I dont even fully understand it because its so simple and cliche. Theres no complex emotions at all. art: 7/10 I really liked the animation and art of this show and movie, kyoani is kyoani and they delivered as per usual. sound 5/10 the soundtrack for this movie made me visibly cringe. The voice acting is mediocre at best because of all the squeaky moe characters theyve had the actors carry out. The cast is incredible, but this isnt their best work. Also, the english announcing. i wanted to crawl into a hole. At least they didnt make it like a poor attempt of the VAs speaking english but its still jarring. characters; 3 i fucking hate all the characters in this show. Theyre all very immature and their ways of swimming one separate stroke each is like neanderthal swim thinking. I hate breastroke, yet my coach still makes me swim it, why not try to bring in more technical aspects such as how you need to do all events in order to be ranked nationally and internationally. What a joke. Enjoyment: 4 i just felt like the whole time the show was made by someone who just picked swimming for the anime because it requires the dudes to be half naked. As well as my hate rant above which kind of explains this score. Overall 6 This movie is a solid 6 and the series is a solid 5. I hope you guys enjoyed this wildly inaccurate portrayal, while i understand the shows plotpoint is not to showcase swimming itself, i wish it had at least done a better part of the smaller portrayal. , while im happy for at least a swim anime, this is childish and primitive story wise, i hope a real portrayal can be even more enjoyable and be taken seriously.

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