Free! - 5

Amid the pressure from the upcoming tournament, the Iwatobi Swim Club decide to take on nature in order to strengthen themselves; they've planned a training camp on a deserted island in the middle of an Ocean. Not bad, certainly not an initiative I'd see anywhere in England (hence our lack of Olympic Swimming Medallists, despite our proud seafaring tradition).

Manliness worthy of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Bromaderie is taken to another level, when the guys decide to go out camping, on a deserted island. Usually, this would be the perfect setting for a Yaoi doujinshi, but without exception, this is just an anime purely for the intention of swimming, despite the fujoshi fangirls out there. By this time, Rei has assimilated into the group, due to the open nature Nagisa, and Makoto show him, though Haruka should be given credit for convincing him to join. In retrospect, I feel quite sad, seeing as Rin in missing from the fray. I understand he may be an irreconcilable prick, but there is hope of redemption somewhere behind his disagreeable front, something evermore semblant when he showed concern for Makoto...

Here are you meal options for the day, which one would you like?

... because Makoto has undergone a traumatic experience with the Ocean. While nothing was made apparent about the exact precedent for it, everything points towards next episode for the unraveling. So, where to start? Rei, lagging behind the others in terms of long distance swimming, felt as if he was holding them back. Going out at night to continue his practice, and improve, both shows his desire to stride alongside the Swim Club, and his resolve to win (and be beautiful). However, a price is to paid as drama rolls in, with an incoming storm. Rei is left drowning, and no one can hear his cries of help as he helplessly submerges into the waves.

Makoto is roused by the storm, and notices Rei's absence, so he storms out, only to see Rei far off, drowning in the Ocean. Despite his past fears, there is no time to waste, as Makoto strips down, and prepares to face his nightmare. Another manly display is on next week, further elaborated by all the abdominal pecs, and the heroic rescue going on here. Definitely, Makoto remained the least developed character up till this point, but this won't look like a problem by the time the next Free! is released. Moreover, from the preview, the other characters are going to enter the fray, and things will get even more hectic. Whether Rin will come or not is unknown, but when they do overcome the crisis, I do expect their bonds to have strengthened considerably. Well, they wanted a training camp, and what they got was a life threatening situation. Just wanted to add, felt the animation quality deteriorated during the storm scene, and though Rei's situation was no laughing matter... I laughed because of how quickly the storm happened (I mean, no storm is going to brew up that fast).

Someone please save him, Free wouldn't be so interesting without him