Free! - 6

Continuing on from the previous episode's drama, Makoto launches himself into the sea in order to save a drowning Rei, who happened to be swimming when a storm brewed up. However, Makoto is struck down by a personal trauma, which resurfaces during his rescue attempt, causing him to lose all resolve. Had it not been for Haruka hearing a voice before Makoto set off, both of them most probably would've drowned, meaning I'd have stopped watching 'Free!'. What counts is that they did survive, though we're left on a cliffhanger when a huge wave crashes down on Nagisa and Rei.

Ok, this is KyoAni, a tragedy was never going to happen unannounced in any of their slice of life works, though the intent to add drama did reflect well, as I found myself holding my breath up until the OP flashed across the screen. Everything afterwards felt rather forced, as if KyoAni had no other clue how to continue the story after they left it hanging so close to the edge. So return to the successful formula, which is more slice of life comedy, meaning Rei gets turned into the comic punchbag, while Makoto receives character development.

Amid rumours that KyoAni had deviated from the source material (something which doesn't really matter in this case), I went ahead and read 'High Speed', which is supposed to be a prequel to the series. Juxtaposing the anime, the cited reason for Makoto's fear was that Haru almost drowned. Rin, witnessing the event, recounts how he'd never seen Makoto so scared before. This does seem to be a betrayal of the source material by KyoAni. However, wouldn't it be awesome if Makoto was lying for Haruka's sake? Still, that goes pretty far for a lie, though there is intense bromarederie between the two.

I just can't help but wonder, how different would it be if Rin was there? As Gou/Kou said, Rin should stride alongside them, only it somehow doesn't seem to be that way. With the High School Swim tournament slowly approaching, the atmosphere is charged with testoserone ahead of the impending swimoff.