Free!
Here is a “cool” animated series which is good for summer! This is a coming-of-age sports anime by Kyoto Animation production company. In contrast to “YURI ON ICE,” it is about swimming. You can feel the passion of the youth and its refreshing splash.
(C) Koji Ohji, Kyoto Animation/Iwatobi High School Swimming Club
This is a story of boys who are absorbed in swimming. HARUKA, MAKOTO, NAGISA and RIN once won the game of medley relay when they were in elementary school. Next day, Rin flied to Australia in order to learn swimming and become an Olympic player.
After years, they are now high school students, but Haruka and Makoto has quitted swimming because their school doesn’t have a swimming club. However, when Nagisa, who is one year younger than them, enters the same high school, he suggests the two to establish the club. They start to practice welcoming new member REI and a manager KOU, who is a sister of Rin.
One day, Haruka, Makoto and Nagisa happen to meet Rin at the swimming school where they practiced together in their childhood. However, Rin has totally changed from the one he used to be. He is cold, no longer friendly, and shows a strong sense of rivalry against Haruka.
They – except Haruka – wonder why he has become so, but anyways, they begin swimming again in order to see the scenery they saw in the game they won…
This series has become popular among young (otaku) girls in Japan and the new season has just started this July, though the first one was in 2013. Perhaps, it is attractive for them to see young, handsome boys’ beauty of the body. Animation is also beautiful enough to add spice.
I don’t think it is good for remake in Hollywood or something, for the majority of American people, even young girls, might not like the story. One of the factors I imagine so is the characters’ personality. Some of them seem too indecisive for the American… lol Even I sometimes feel frustrated because they always distress themselves. Furthermore, the story is pretty simple and slow, so actually it is not for remake.
But anyways, personally it is a really fine, fresh drama. You should check it out this summer!
