Is Free the final stroke release?

Free!–the Final Stroke–
Is Free the final stroke release?
Product Information
Director Eisaku Kawanami
Character Designer Futoshi Nishiya
Production Kyoto Animation
ANIMATION DO
Release Date September 17, 2021 (the first volume)

April 22, 2022 (the second volume)

Running Time 95 minutes (the first volume)

TBD (the second volume)


Free!–the Final Stroke– (劇場版 Free!–the Final Stroke– Gekijou-ban Free!–the Final Stroke– lit. Free!–the Final Stroke– the Movie) is a duology of animated films, titled Free!–the Final Stroke– the first volume and the second volume respectively, produced by Kyoto Animation and ANIMATION DO released in 2021 and 2022. The films are a continuation of the Free! anime's third season and in recent promo materials, the movies are referred to as the "final chapters" of the Free! series.

Overview

The movies are a continuation of the events of the Free! anime's third season, Free!-Dive to the Future-. The original movie was scheduled for a mid-2020 release; however, due to a variety of impeding circumstances, the release dates were changed.

The first movie's new release date, along with the first teaser trailer, was revealed at the end of the Free! Series ORCHESTRA CONCERT 2020. The movie titles, and the fact that they would be released in two parts, were revealed as part of the livestream held for the Free! series' eighth anniversary on April 26, 2021.

Tatsuhisa Suzuki, the vocalist for OLDCODEX and the voice of Makoto Tachibana, announced that he would be taking a temporary hiatus from all singing and acting activities until further notice as of August 4, 2021, due to health concerns. A notice from KyoAni was released on August 19, 2021, assuring fans of the series that due to Tatsuhisa's attachment to the series, his nuanced portrayal of Makoto, and his good relationship with the other cast members and the series' fans, he will not be replaced as the voice of Makoto for the movies.[1]

Plot

the first volume

"Haruka Nanase's new stage is Sydney, the place of his dreams that he once visited.

One day while taking a short break before his departure, Haru has a chance confrontation with a fellow athlete from the All-Japan Invitational.

Carrying all the feelings from those he's swam with in his heart, Haru takes his first step forward into a new world.

Waiting for him there is the unmistakable champion, Albert Volandel.

In the lead up to the Sydney tournament, all the competitors attempt to boost their morale.

What is each competitor feeling, and what do they swim for, as they attempt to compete at the top of the world?

Their passionate struggle against the water begins from here――!"[2]

the second volume

"After his first appearance on the competitive world stage, Haruka is held captive by the swimming of the unmistakable champion, Albert, and feels like he's lost his way.
"What do you swim for?"
With the current state of things, his swimming and what the water means to him are called into question.
Haruka begins to sink to the bottom of the murky water as he struggles on his own.

Pushed on by a restless urge in his heart, Haruka purposefully puts himself through a rigorous and intensive training regiment, relentlessly devoting himself to practice.
In his heart, Haruka knows that he's pushing himself beyond his limits both physically and mentally.
His friends can do nothing but watch over and have faith in him.

Memories of Albert's cold, dry swimming keep replaying in his mind.
I have to get faster, I have to become stronger.
I have to compete against Albert again.

Haruka unleashes his stroke to cut through the heavy, indifferent water.
His friends draw closer to watch.

What scenery will Haruka see at the end of this struggle*──!"[3]

* Translation Note: the exact kanji choice here (泳いだ oyoida) was quite meaningful as it can be read as either swim or struggle depending on the context.

Production Staff

Studio: Kyoto Animation, Animation DO
Director: Eisaku Kawanami

Reception

References

  1. http://fs.iwatobi-sc.com/news/?id=449
  2. Official website synopsis; translated by fox
  3. Official website synopsis; translated by fox

Navigation

Anime
Episodes 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37
Movies High☆Speed!the movie -Free! Starting Days- • Free!-Timeless Medley- the Bond • Free!-Timeless Medley- the Promise • Free! The Movie -Take Your Marks- • Free!-Road to the World- the Dream • Free!–the Final Stroke– the first volume • Free!–the Final Stroke– the second volume
OVAs Makoto's Problem! • Recruting New Members! • Rin and Nitori, a Week With Us! • Rei's Entry Training! • Rei, Theory and Speedo! • The Iwatobi Family! • A Distant Tremble! • Forbidden All-Hard! • Buildup of Early Spring!
Free! Blu-ray & DVD vol.1 • vol.2 • vol.3 • vol.4 • vol.5 • vol.6 • Free!-Iwatobi Swim Club-
Free!-Eternal Summer- Blu-ray & DVD vol.1vol.2vol.3vol.4vol.5vol.6vol.7Free!-Eternal Summer- • IWATOBI & SAMEZUKA Fes. Free!-Eternal Summer- Special Event 2015.3.22 in Ryogoku Kokugikan • Free!-Eternal Summer- Special Event IWATOBI & SAMEZUKA Fes. 2015.3.22 in Ryogoku Kokugikan Daytime
High☆Speed!the movie -Free! Starting Days- Blu-ray & DVD High☆Speed!the movie -Free! Starting Days-High☆Speed!The movie -Free! Starting Days- Special Event 20170319
Free!-Timeless Medley- Blu-ray & DVD Free! the movie -Timeless Medley- the BondFree! the movie -Timeless Medley- the PromiseThe Movie Free!-Timeless Medley- the Bond & the Promise
Free! The Movie -Take Your Marks Blu-ray & DVD Free! the movie -Take Your Marks-
Free!-Dive to the Future- Blu-ray & DVD vol.1vol.2vol.3vol.4vol.5vol.6vol.7Free!-Dive to the Future- TALK & READING SPECIAL EVENT
Free!-Road to the World- the Dream Blu-ray & DVD Gekijou-ban Free!-Road to the World- the Dream

Where can I watch the final stroke movie for Free?

–the Final Stroke– is being advertised as the “final chapter” of the franchise. The First Volume of the duology was released in Japan on September 17, 2021, with the second part coming out on April 22, 2022. Catch up with the splash on Crunchyroll with all the TV anime seasons of Free!

Is Free the final stroke 2 out?

What is the release date of 'Free! The Final Stroke Part 2'? Release date of Mamoru Miyano and Tatsuhisa Suzuki starrer 'Free! The Final Stroke Part 2' is 2022-07-29.

What happens at the end of Free anime?

Rin wins the 100m butterfly race, but Haruka loses his 200m freestyle. After the competition, Rin, Haruka, and Makoto share their personal goals and Haruka shouts that he will take on the world when it comes to swimming.