#es 13

[theory-of-beauty]

nevertheless, I'm a crying mess after watching the episode. Everything in my body hurts inside and out and it feels like a goodbye to a best friend that been with me since years. On other note, I'm happy with how this turns out after the lackluster that is last week's episode. The end is just so heartwarming and my heart melts watching Rei and Nagisa complimenting each other

Sorry I'm late to reply! I experienced the same range of emotions and do feel like I've lost something since it's ended, too. I miss Free! and even though we do still get some official material, it's not the same knowing there may be no third season or movie. And the general lack of Reigisa has me down :(

[theory-of-beauty]

Being the zoologist nerd I am I noticed something interesting about the penguin used to represent Nagisa in the final relay. Usually he's associated with the Rockhopper penguin but in that relay they used a Gentoo penguin. This could just be coincidence, but Gentoos are the fastest swimming of all the penguin species so perhaps it subtly represents the improvement of Nagi's swimming skills ^w^ (or is just a better match for him in general)

OH MY GOSH bless this anon! I absolutely adore this bit of insight! I love the idea of his character developing and, therefore, his spirit animal breed. Fabulous!

[theory-of-beauty]

"For The Future" ……… WHAT'S THAT MEAN?? DOES THAT MEAN THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE A SEASON 3 IN THE FUTURE??! I NEED THIS! I NEED MORE REIGISA! I FREAKIN NEED IT!! And the way Nagisa blushed BECAUSE OF REI is soooo cute omfg. Just omfg. v.v

I think it's purposefully vague to keep it open for more material? Maybe a movie? I know we're getting an OVA in March, and I know Kyoani probably won't see any promise in a show about the third-years, but I honestly think there are still so many stories to tell about ALL of these characters. I think Rei and Nagisa are amazingly complex and interesting, and that there's plenty to show about them and Gou in their third years (I'd do anything for more Reigisa and Gou; they're both short-sided all season). And MakoHaru in Toyko, Sousuke's open ending (will he catch up to Rin? How??) there's so much left to explore. 

I loved the ending and I hope there's more, because I'm satisfied but I can't say bye. I won't say bye, and I hope they won't, either!

[theory-of-beauty]

It think it's safe to assume Rei and Nagisa are in love, right? Because they are so gay and I don't blush like that when friends compliment me. Also, what do you think Rei and Nagisa will do after they graduate? Will they stay together or do long distance?

Honestly they are totally in love. For God’s sakes look at them:

And I think they'll stay together. They depend on each other way too much and I'm pretty positive they're madly in love. When they're together, everyone else in the room fades out. They balance each other in ways that make them their best selves. Nagisa brings out the fun in Rei, his inner sweetheart dork. Rei brings out a stronger, braver side of Nagisa and challenges him to develop. And they've literally said they won't let each other go:

They're madly in love and will stick together, and work it out, and find a life together. I'm sure of it. Even the voice actors said they'd never be apart even in old age, right?

Reigisa forever!

[theory-of-beauty]

HOW TF DID RIN GET ALL THEM SAKURA PEBBLES IN THAT POOL?

He got the team to collect every little gay tear he's shed over the past two seasons and magically turn them into cherry blossoms

Honestly I've got nothing, though I love the idea of Rin picking petals for hours and putting them in the pool for hours just for this big emotional orgy of a moment. 

[theory-of-beauty]

Who do you think became the captain, Rei or Nagisa? I always thought it'd be Nagisa, since he has more experience, but in the last episode we saw Rei speaking to the team with some papers in his hands. That sorta implies it's him, but then again he could just be talking about swimming theories and stuff. Thoughts?

This is something I really want to talk about! I always thought it should be Nagisa, too, and am happy but conflicted about Captain Rei at the same time!

Pros to Captain Rei include Reigisa-CaptainRei-roleplay-sex and you know, adorable character development from "fuck swimming" to "I run this shit now"

But like Captain Nagisa would have been great, too, because he has so much enthusiasm (which was his reason for picking Makoto over Haru in season 1) and brings people together so well, and how much swimming has meant to him his entire life, and how he has always belittled himself but is so much more capable than he realizes. 

Perhaps Captainhood was too much for him, on top of schoolwork, swimming, and fun time? Maybe he wanted Rei to be captain for Rei's own sake, and to see him put his good theory/organizational skills to use? 

Thoughts?

[theory-of-beauty]

Haru's character development was so awkward in episode 12 but episode 13 smoothed over the awkwardness if it and filled any development holes. It was great writing, and although I still wish the development had been dragged out a bit longer, Haru is finally happy and that is a blessing.

Yeah I had the same feeling. I'm really unhappy with HOW it was done but I'm not unhappy with the outcome. I just wish more time had been spent on Haru's character this season, and that his feelings had been fleshed out better. I know he comes across as stoic and is introverted and nonexpressive, but there are still ways to show his desires and fears (ex. es 9) without him being loud about it. We could have been more clear about his feelings throughout the season to earn ES 12. 

I think this entire season will be better through a rewatch, having known how everything comes together, but it was really messy on the first watch.

[theory-of-beauty]

I'M STILL CRYING CAUSE OF FREE but I just want to point out that when they had the group hug thing Rei had his grip all the way over to Nagisa and it just gave me feelings. I don't even know what the point of this ask is.

What the point is, I like it, because it's all about Reigisa implications, which give me life!