A Look at: Free! Dive to the Future
(Spoilers ahead)
I adored this season, I felt it really showed some complexity in our main characters, mostly Haru. Of course it was sad to have less Nagisa and Rei content but it is to be expected with so many new additions to the cast. It really feels like the show is growing with its viewers into more serious territory. This theme of the darker aspect of competition and sport started in Eternal Summer with Sousuke's injury and made a reappearance in the form of Haru's new coach.
It is revealed toward the end of the series that Ryuji went to a swim competition instead of visiting a friend who had been hospitalised. We are not told what happens to the friend but personally my guess is that he died as after this Ryuji quits swimming altogether. Opting to try and find balance in his life by coaching instead of competing. It is hinted here that he may be protecting Haru from the obsession that comes with living as a competitor. I think he is not so much trying to steer Haru in either direction but simply give him the tools to decide whether this life is what he wants.
Makoto decides he wants to become a coach, a wonderful storyline for him although I find it somewhat sad that he doesn't get to compete with his peers. However, this is realistic! Sport is a tough industry and it is reasonable that not everyone can make the cut.
Rin is seemingly doing well, he's found a good balance and no longer has a Haru obsession haha. He ends the show beating the qualifying time for the world (Olympics I think) so we know we can expect to see Rin in future competitions.
Rei and Nagisa, my angels. They seem to be doing great and both got to compete at the all Japan Tokyo thing! Neither qualified to go further but both are hopeful for next year. We have two additions to the swim team too who aren't completely fleshed out characters but have had small storylines. Definitely potential for us to see them in the future.
Sousuke has an interesting story this series! He's healing his shoulder and finally decides to go through with an operation that could make or break his career. Thank GOD it's a success and we recieve the news alongside Rin who tears up, classic Rin.
Ikuya and Hiyori (Tono) have given an interesting and dramatic dynamic. Including one of the tensest confrontations since THAT Rin and Haru scene or THAT Rin and Sousuke scene.
The heat was intense I have to say and they make for an interesting pair. They also helped the show explore obsessive bonds and how with a shift these can become something healthy and supportive. Tono was somewhat this seasons 'bad guy' to start with a similar story to Rin in the earlier seasons. His swimming revolved around an obsession with a talented 'friend' but he is brilliant in the water and learned to step back. Finally feeling more secure in his and Ikuya's friendship. We do see this idea of jealousy or dare I say love triangle (maybe admiration triangle) Similar to what we see between Rin, Makoto and Haru in season one. Ikuya's admiration of Haru creates some jealousy but this is eventually cleared up.
Predictions for Free's Future
So what do I think will happen with Free! Next? At the end of the series there was a message 'See you in 2020' but unfortunately due to an arson attack on Kyoto Animation, things have been pushed back. Online buzz says that Free! Will be back this year with the planned new season and movie. I for one cannot wait to see what happens next, we ended on the steepest of cliffhangers with Haru, Rin, Ikuya (I want to say Tono and someone else too) competing in a finale race against eachother.
I predict Haru will win this race, he has to to compete on the world stage. It may not happen quite yet but I expect us to see Makoto as Haru's coach in the future. He's already shown that no one knows Haru better than him and though right now he is set to coach children, with the pressures of the world stage Haru will likely rely on Makoto heavily for support. I think Rei and Nagisa may have a bigger part next season, they should be going off to university perhaps even tokyo together! I know fans will have missed their content so I expect we will see new rivalries for them as they enter the stage that Haru and Rin have been at this season. Sousuke will be healing his shoulder so it wouldn't surprise me if he's back in competition with Rin by the time our next season comes. This season has set up some sort of 'villains' in Albert (less a villian more just talented) and the other guy who's name I forget.
This other guy seems somewhat unhinged. I couldn't help but notice that creepy smile while he swam, I think he's set to be our real villain next season. But as we all know Free villains never stay villians for long so I'm excited to see what his arc will be.
All in all can't WAIT for the next season of free which was originally titled 'Summer Olympics 2020' now I'm guessing its 2021 😁