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Free! Review
Free! is a
show that revolves around a group of swimming obsessed teenagers who want to
try and rebuild their old swim team and rekindle the fun times they had as
kids. The animation and art style are beautiful. The characters are just okay.
The plot is alright for the most part though the show does have some pacing
issues at the start. I’d recommend this to anyone who might want to watch
something slow paced with a bit of sports.
For more
details, read bellow.
Story
Once upon
time, three teenage boys who happened to be childhood friends decided to
rebuild their swim team. What followed next were the trials and tribulations of
trying to create a swimming club in their school, such as finding new members,
organizing facilities etc.
While this
story is unoriginal, the same can be said about the characters who fall into
the usual anime tropes. You have the moody protagonist who is sometimes an idiot, the innocent one, the group leader, the uptight one, the rival, and the
wise old man. A trope that is missing is a love interest, which to be honest,
is kind of refreshing.
Instead of the plot being the main focus, you have a
very character driven story that deals with the relationships between the
tropes, both in how they overcome most of their personal issues and how they
cope with each other.
Rating 7/10 (10 = amazing, 0 = uninspired, unoriginal and boring)
Rating 7/10 (10 = amazing, 0 = uninspired, unoriginal and boring)
Art Style
Kyoto
Animation did the show, and boy is it pretty. The background scenes look
amazing and wallpaper worthy, but the biggest star with the art style is the
water. All the shots with the water look incredible both outside and in with
the use of reflections and distortions that look amazing. Even the character
designs seem linked to the water, with them moving and looking a little awkward
when in school uniforms away from the water and then looking smooth as hell in or
around the water.
Rating 10/10 (10 = beautiful, 5 = uninspired, 0 = bad)
Rating 10/10 (10 = beautiful, 5 = uninspired, 0 = bad)
Dubbed Voice, Sound, and Music
I watch a
lot of English dubs, and this for the most part has some of the same
recognizable voices. All in all, it was just ok, not great, not bad, just ok.
The sound design on the other hand is great with some underwater scenes having
that underwater distorted reverb sound effect that anyone who spends time
underwater will recognize. It’s done really well and adds a lot to the shows
atmosphere. As for the music, the opening and closing tracks were ok, but they
didn’t really stand out to me, nor were they very catchy, the same goes for the
score.
Rating 7/10 (10 = outstanding, 0 = crap)
Rating 7/10 (10 = outstanding, 0 = crap)
Final Thoughts
So this
anime gets a lot of grief for being ridiculously fan service heavy, homoerotic,
homosexual, and such. Personally I didn’t get those vibes at all. Sure there
are lots of scenes where guys take of their shirts, but seriously, why would
they swim fully clothed. Think that would be a little strange, in any case
though I can’t think of a single anime show where guys weren’t shirtless at
some point. That said, the female representation in this show is a little
lacking. It didn’t really bother me, but if you are the type to get bothered by
such things, you may not like this. The only two female characters are the swim
club manager who pervs on the boys every chance she gets and the teacher, both
of whom were really underdeveloped in the show.
Another
strange thing with the show is the severe lack of completion. There are
literally just two tournaments in the show, which makes it feel not so sporty. All
this aside though, Free is worth watching despite having a slow start.
Rating 7/10 (10 = amazing, 5 = average, 0 = avoid like the plague)
Rating 7/10 (10 = amazing, 5 = average, 0 = avoid like the plague)
By Hellsknight Sujay
Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
Do you love Fantasy? Action? Captivating music? Well-crafted and diverse characters?
I'll try to keep the review as spoiler-free as possible but if I do post one, it was an accident and I apologise in advance.
If you said "Yes" to any of these questions, this gem of an anime is one that you should DEFINITELY catch. (If you said yes to all, you won't fail to orgasm every episode).
The potential in the concept itself already warrants an 8.
However, potential alone is nothing.Delicate execution and engaging plot propels this to a solid 9, further supported by the intensity of the developments that leave you begging for more.
Despite the Fantasy theme, GATE attempts inject Reality back into the plot as well. The focus of the show is occasionally shifted back from the"Special Region" to Japan, and sequences that occur back in Japan can affect the main plot happening beyond the Gate, adding to the realism of this series.
While there are arguably certain flaws in the plot, they shouldn't stop you from enjoying the show at all.
Art [7/10]
While the art isn't exactly magnificent, it's far from bad.
Just don't expect it to be at Kotonoha no Niwa standard.
Despite the animation (which is fine, really), the characters are really well illustrated (up close) and the vehicles of the JSDF (Eg helicopter, trucks) were well drawn and very detailed.
The only fault in the art is that the backgrounds were not taken care of properly. Eg if a character was in the background of a certain scene, details could be missing from her in general
Sound [10/10]
Both the OP and ED were beautiful.
OSTs are as realistic as they could get: the gunshots, clashing of swords, the helicopters; an experience that shouldn't be missed.
The Seiyuus were amazing too! (Especially rory's one)
Opening Theme
"GATE: Sore wa Akatsuki no you ni (GATE～それは暁のように～)" by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets (eps 1-11)
Ending Theme
#1: "Prism Communicate (ぷりずむコミュニケート)" by Rory (Risa Taneda), Tuka (Hisako Kanemoto), Lelei (Nao Touyama) (eps 1-11)
#2: "GATE: Sore wa Akatsuki no you ni (GATE～それは暁のように～)" by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets (ep 12)
Characters [9/10]
Often said to be the most attractive aspect of this show: The Characters
The anime's main character Itami Youji,is an Otaku and First Lieutenant that most of us can associate with. He's funny and surprisingly caring, a character whom you will absolutely love. Having an MC that viewers can understand, relate to and empathise with is evidence of a great Anime.
Lelei is a smart 15 year old Sorcerer's apprentice that has taken a particular interest in the Japanese language, often acting as a translator for the Japanese soldiers. Her curiosity and cuteness just makes her a lovable character in the series.
Tuka Luna is a teenage elf (isn't as young as she looks) that lost her family and ends up in the care of the JSDF.
Last and definitely not least, Rory Mercury is a (horny) gothic loli demigod that carries around a giant halberd. Her alluring voice and tantalizing demeanor makes you wish that the one she was teasing was you. Yet, she can be unusually deep at times. (If you know what I mean ;)
Of course, there are many other notable characters that all have their own good points, but for the purpose of the review I won't be mentioning all.(One word: DEMIGOD.)
What constitutes aesthetics? What is true aesthetics? Philosophers can debate for years on the true manifestation of aestheticism. Is it Art? Is it Music? Little do they know that the answer lies in an Anime TV series. A series called GATE. The true embodiment of aesthetics .is in its characterisations.
Overall [9/10]
Yes i had to endure the hardship of waiting for Season 2 which finally is here.Currently on Episode 2
There are so many reasons why I just love this series; the Fate references during the Special Forces mission, the Ride of the Valkyries Helicopter scene;In the Preview Video
TL;DR? Gate presents an unprecedented concept to the fantasy genre. If you enjoy shows like NoGameNoLife, SwordArtOnline, Overlord, or fantasy in general, then this is a show that you will certainly adore. Thank me later :)