Free! Iwatobi Swim Club - Reviews

Did I watch this show as a joke, yes. Did I actually enjoy it, also yes. This show honestly surprised me. I know what you're thinking, "Isn't this just a push of shirtless guys having man-crushes on each other?" Well maybe yeah. But it is also very funny and shockingly entertaining. It definitely gives summer vibes and makes me want to swim, and maybe also just watch men who swim. No shame. Side note - If you need a laugh watch 50% off on youtube. You will laugh so hard you will crack a rib!

Full Review- AnimeTipz

everything is based on my opinion. the animation itself is on another level. i actually liked how the story goes. it's actually quite realistic in a way, like how some of the characters broke down due to pressure. i also like how the anime did not really consist of any girls, despite it being a little more of bromance, which i fin cringe at some times, but i find it better than having a love triangle that would just get in the way of the sport which would be really annoying. i rather friendship. but at the same time, it's also kind of unrealistic as too much things were connected together, basically too much 'fate', but it's an anime so i'll let it go. i also like how the anime was able to not only focus on their swimming, but also on their personal lives. although it was a bit too rushed, but there story continued on well so there's really no complains. i also like how each character had their own personalities, which actually fit each other quite well. 

I'm writing this review mainly because I said I never watch sports anime. Normally, I don't; they're not to my tastes. But I decided to check this one out due to my friends hyping it up, and an excuse to review something I normally don't watch.

I have to say, I'm surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it. The story was a little boring when they were doing their day-to-day things, but the practice they did and adventures they went on were fun to watch. There were funny moments, like Rei trying to swim for the first time, as well as serious or sad parts. All in all, the story was dynamic enough to grab my attention almost from the very start.

Character-wise, I thought they were great. They all had pretty interesting personalities - like Haruka, who is normally stoic and rather distant, gets excited by any chance to swim that comes along and will normally jump straight into the nearest pool. They weren't flat characters either, which is always a good thing.

For sound, I found most of it rather forgettable. One exception is the dubstep track from when Rin and Haruka are preparing to swim against each other for the first time. The opening was also good, though at first I didn't think it fit the series. The ending wasn't terrible either.

The animation was smooth and consistent, with lots of vibrant colours and pretty backgrounds. It was very crisp and focused as well.

As for my overall enjoyment, I've already mentioned it at the start. However, to elaborate, sports are usually boring for me and I don't follow any religiously. Based on this, I tend to avoid sports anime as I believe they'd probably have the same effect on me as real life sports. When starting Free!, I was initially not looking forward to it due to my prejudice against the genre, but I pushed past it and gave it a chance. And I actually enjoyed it, which wasn't what I was expecting. It was fun and could be tense or sad at a moment's notice, which kept me hooked until the end.

My recommendation is that, if you enjoy sports anime, you'll probably enjoy this. If not, perhaps give it a chance as it has elements of Slice-of-Life involved, too. And, if you're not sure on either, I'd also give it a chance as it may be one of the series you find yourself enjoying.

Aww this show was sooooo cute! I love the power of friendship/slice of life anime. Though this one was a little slight, it still had some great moments. It brings back nostalgia from when I was on a team from elementary school thru high school. hmmmm :)

Story: this story is about four friends who have known each other for a long time and swam together when they were little, but lost touch until 3 of them meet back up in high school to start a swim team. However, one of the members moved overseas to persue his dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer. Everyone has a bit of a story that unfolds when Rin who had moved overseas comes back to be on a rival team. As I said before, the story is a little slight, but there are a lot of really good scenes and laughs along with some feels during. It's an all around feel good show and sometimes I need that to break up the epic heavy shit I usually watch. Lol

Animation: the boys are gorgeous especially Haru. The scenery and action shots are also very well done. I like how the characters are drawn to look like men, but not overdone, and the island episodes were lovely. All of the characters are beautifully drawn.

Sound: the voice acting is above par for sure. They make you feel every minute of turmoil and I love that. The OST is good, but I didn't love the first theme. I did however adore the ending theme and animation. It was awesome.

Characters: the highlight of this show is definitely the characters. I love all of them. My favorites were Rei and Haru. You really get to know all of them and they are all so sweet to each other...even Rin who is supposed to be the villain is just so lovable. Miss Asa was hilarious also....I really can't gush about these characters enough.

Overall, though the plot was slight, the characters and animation were really on par and for that reason, and the fact that my nostalgia kicked in, I'll be back for season 2.

7/10 Watched Subbed.

The anime itself, in the sports genre itself was not bad. It does a good job at executing the atmosphere of a team and the conflicts within with lots of sprinkled gayness on top. 

The thing I discovered is that I don't like sports anime. 

I find them to be boring and although i did get goosebumps on the last race in the last episode, that was because the art so wonderfully displayed the scene of the water and the characters experiences within in that I couldn't help but be moved momentarily. For the most part though, I move on with my life...

Not to mention this anime took me over 4 years to finish and its only 12 episodes so...nuff said there. 

If you really like sports anime though this is not a bad one and I'm sure if the in-the-closet-gay-swimmers genre is your cup of tea then this is the anime for you.