Free! Eternal Summer – 03
Makoto’s just showing off, now
It’s Myyyyy Tuuuuuurn! Yeah, my week to cover Free! Eternal Summer, and because I’m a generally lucky guy, it worked out that the episode focused on my favorite character in the show.
Making the Most of the Members They Have
Rei Reclaims what Haru Gives Away
Well, they can’t seem to get any more members, can they? But then again, the show isn’t about the club, it’s about these guys. And at least they won the Club relay, on the strength of Makoto and Rei being faster than everyone else in the school, making up for Haru’s slow-as-a-turtle running and Nagisa dropping the kickboard-baton.
Gou is trying to be the Master Love Sniper!
At least since there aren’t new members, we can concentrate on the guys we already have, and this episode focused on my favorite character from the first season, Rei. I just like his attitude toward the whole enterprise, even if he is sometimes a bit of a stick in the mud. But this time, Rei’s not being himself, and it’s freaking the others out. It doesn’t help Nagisa’s thoughts of betrayal that Rei is always falling asleep in class now and keeps begging off of after practice activities. We get to go through the normal ‘why is Rei acting weird’ routine: maybe he’s got a girlfriend! Maybe he’s got a boyfriend! (Gou really has her goggles on too tight) Maybe he’s going to go back to the track team! But even if he reassures everyone that he’s not quitting, they still figure that they need to tail him to find out what he’s doing.
Former Rivals
A chance meeting freaks Gou out
The reality is that Rei is taking special lessons for all the other strokes. And the person who’s training him is Rin, who feels a debt to Rei for both his sacrifice of the spot in the relay (that they all got in trouble for) but also for the words inspiring Rin to get back in the pool when he was about to quit. And it really seems like Rin appreciates the chance to help him as well. And this is even a thing that Sousuke approves of, probably because it doesn’t involve Haruka.
Friends now?
So how is Rei’s swimming on the other strokes? Eh, it’s still not good, but at least he doesn’t sink now. And Rei’s pretty proud of it, even if it’s not that good, but that’s just another characteristic of his that I find interesting, if not attractive.
Bonus Suie-bu Antics!
That’s it for me this week for Free! At least I didn’t have to wait until halfway through the season to contribute this year. It’s nice to see general antics and almost no drama. You can’t count Nagisa worrying about Rei as ‘drama’, that’s just Nagisa being his normally hyper self.
About Highway
Proving that you don't have to be young to love anime, I enjoy all genres and styles of shows. If it's not hurting anyone else, you should never be ashamed of what you like!
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Another great episode. I’m so glad that Rei is advancing in his swimming. It would be so easy to go back to track since that something he already excels in, but it takes real courage and fortitude to stick it out with something that’s challenging for you.
It also seems Rin is a better teacher than all the rest of his friends at Iwatobi and have succeeded where they failed in teaching Rei to swim.
Well, after achieving Olympic and professional success, Rin should think to become a swim teacher or coach.
Well, it’s kind of telling that everyone is telling Haru he should strive for something greater, and even Rei begins to see the holes in Haru’s style. Hopefully soon, Haru will see it too.
Sousuke is Rin’s new roommate, and he seems okay and all, it’s just something about those eyes every time Rin talks about his friends that makes me suspicious and wary of him. Well, we’ll have to see that hopefully this new catalyst in their midst doesn’t upset the boat too much. Rock it maybe, but don’t capsize it.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Metanorn's Hime-chan~ with 1758 comments
When I saw him teaching Rei, I thought THIS IS IT!! I see him as a swimming coach(after an olympics champion, of course). RIP policeman Rin. Your gifs will never be forgotten
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Well, Rei can’t stay the same forever. You gotta improve somewhere. Good for him that he found a teacher in Rin.
Note to self: Don’t mess with Gou when she’s on a roll.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
MMmmmm Delicious young redhair ponytail guy… :3
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
NOMMM!
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
All the guys look soo hot this season, but the shots of Rin this episode prove why he’s my favorite. ^_~
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
The only comment I have on this: Please keep objectifying Rin, KyoAni! <3
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Rei Reclaims what Haru Gives Away
You can’t blame Haru though. Dolphins are not land creatures, and definitely not long-distance runners!
(^^;)
PS. No mention of muscle cleavage and Momotarou’s biscuit misunderstanding? (∩_∩)
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Even when Momotarou has just gotten some screen time, his over-excited presence is always welcome. He really is going to be one wacky dude to deal with, even more than Ai.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Metanorn's Hime-chan~ with 1758 comments
What was that about, really? Does he have a fetish or something? 😀 and that cookie misunderstanding was actually funny 😀
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Free! fanart by manga artist Ueda Hiroshi. There’s a swimsuit Gou too.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-07-15/mangaka-hiroshi-ueda-draws-free-fanart/.76678
Nitori’s animal mascot confirmed as the duck.
http://38.media.tumblr.com/21e2dfa78430750565c86d803ea2702a/tumblr_n8un4qaMYO1qfzlwxo1_250.png
POWUH: Meta Resident and Metanorn's Hime-chan~ with 1758 comments
I was really tricked into thinking that Rei would actually consider leaving the swimming club, but the reality really surprised me. Also what keeps surprising me is Rin. I started loving him a lot, despite hating him in the first season. Calmer, kinder and more confident Rin is far more appealing.
All in all characters are really growing on me. Before I thought they were just cute and fun, but I’m starting to love them as they grow and develop.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Yeah, Rin is a much better character this season, not being all moody and angsty the whole time. It’s much better when there isn’t a character that just sucks up everyone’s time and effort and still acts crummy.
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 29 comments
Thanks for covering! LoL. Of all of them I think Nagisa freaked out the most over Rei’s suspicious behavior.
Very fun episode.