***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Free Eternal Summer. Reader discretion is advised.***
Series Synopsis
A year has passed since the last prefectural swimming tournament where Haruka Nanase (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki), Rin Matsuoka (voiced by Mamoru Miyano), Makoto Tachibana (voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki), and Nagisa Hazuki (voiced by Tsubasa Yonaga) came together to reform the ultimate relay team. Although their actions resulted in a disqualification, this moment rejuvenated their love for the sport.
Split once again, the Iwatobi Swim Club, which also includes Rei Ryugazaki (voiced by Daisuke Hirakawa), prepare for their next season.
For Haruka, Makoto, and Rin, this is the trio's final year of high school. Along with swimming, the three must focus on what they want to do in the future. The pressure is at its peak when one of Rin’s oldest friends returns, Sousuke Yamazaki (voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya).
Rin and Sousuke have set their aspirations on swimming at the international level, but Haruka and Makoto have yet to decide on a path. Things are especially hard for Haruka since everybody expects nothing less than greatness from him
Series Positives
Going into Eternal Summer, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wondered where this second season would go since the first did a decent job of wrapping itself up.
Therefore, it made me happy to see the show find a way to continue it a story that was on par with the original. And since I like the original, I liked this one as well.
The same elements that made the first season a good watch returned.
The story remained solid, albeit predictable. However, I will say that the outcome of all the races was always up in the air. But then again, the outcome was usually never the point.
Like before, there wasn't a de facto villain. Although Sousuke was the closest thing this series ever had to having one.
The focus was on the characters and not the ultimate win.
Motion
Free isn't a series I would describe as visually spectacular most of the time. As the story went on, the animation was crisp, clean, but standard. This made up about ninety percent of the show. That said, the last ten percent was something special.
The races were exciting. The same was true for the first season, but for whatever reason, they stood out more in Eternal Summer. The swimming was a fast-paced sport, and this show captured all the speed and intensity.
Along with that, Eternal Summer expressed a character’s state of mind as they swam. Everyone spoke in poetic dialogue, but it was when they were in the water did they make themselves clear.
This wasn't just for the final race. It was for each race. From beginning to end, Eternal Summer put in its best effort during these moments. And they paid off.
Rin
In my last review, I said that Rin was the most interesting character of the series. After watching this season, Rin I can change that to, he is the absolute best character of the series. His story arc was great.
It was a shame that Haruka was the main character since, like last time, he was quite dull. Although to be fair, he finally demonstrated an emotion other than monotonic.
Luckily this didn't matter because Rin’s role in the story was integral. While present in all the returning characters, Rin illustrated how important the ending to Free was.
Rin was able to break out of his slump and move forward towards his goal. He has regained his focus and could use that to help his friends work through their barriers.
There was a fantastic scene where Rin helped Rei improve his swimming. These two, because of circumstance, were at odds during the first season. To see Rin go out of his way to help out a rival team's member was impressive.
Then there was the episode where Rin and Haruka went to Australia. Here Rin's voice actor, Mamoru Miyano, gave one of the most convincing performances of a native Japanese speaker speaking fluent English. Or at least that’s how it seemed. Free still had a tone of that robotic anime English.
What am I getting at?
Both seasons of Free built a character arc that I will now consider to be the gold standard.Series Negatives
As it was with season one's positives, its negatives also made a return.
Eternal Summer's story was predictable, everyone spoke in motivational speeches, and the level of cheese was off the charts.
While this season was humorous, many scenes were funny for the wrong reasons. Though I enjoyed the story for what it was, I could not bring myself to believe these events were happening in the real world.
Eternal Summer's story was predictable, everyone spoke in motivational speeches, and the level of cheese was off the charts.While this season was humorous, many scenes were funny for the wrong reasons. Though I enjoyed the story for what it was, I could not bring myself to believe these events were happening in the real world.
The Dialogue
The level whimsy was hilarious for how over the top it got. For the first few episodes at least.
As the show went on, the shtick got old. Then it went even further and got super annoying. And also after that, it just kept going. The series will leave you mentally exhausted.
As the show went on, the shtick got old. Then it went even further and got super annoying. And also after that, it just kept going. The series will leave you mentally exhausted.
Granted, when the characters needed a pep talk, this was fine. And Eternal Summer made sure to include as many of these scenes as possible. But to have this for every line of dialogue; no thank you. People don't speak like this.
It got to the point where everyone stopped making sense. They stopped saying anything meaningful. Questions got answered though only deep emotional insight instead of actual answers. Characters had entire conversations filled with words that were grammatically correct, but don't expect to get anything out of them.
Then God forbid anyone learned any kind lesson. Talk about something getting shoved in your face, down your throat, and then beaten over your head. Friendship is more important than winning; I get it please back off.
For a story that was strong, the dialogue within it was tiring.
Final Thoughts
If you could accept the over the top drama of the first season, you’ll have no problem doing it again. I guess now the question is which is the stronger season? The answer is, neither.
Eternal Summer was as good as Free and vice-versa. They are fantastic companion pieces that are well worth looking into.
But these are just my thoughts. What are yours? Have you seen this show? How would you advise Free Eternal Summer? Leave a comment down below because I would love to hear what you have to say.
And if you liked what you read, be sure to follow me on my social media sites so that you never miss a post or update. Also, please share this review across the internet to help add to the discussion.
I’m LofZOdyssey, and I’ll see you next time.
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