Free! Movie 4: The Final Stroke - Zenpen (2025)

ashsays

Mixed Feelings

Informative

A disgruntled mess that will probably only be enjoyed if you actually like free!!.

Cons :
- The movie darts from plot point to plot point, from scene to scene, that coming up with a reasonable timeline for it is extremely difficult. One moment, we're in a school festival, the next Sydney where we're competing, and literally the next scene, we're back in Japan. The (main) story never lets itself breathe, and it becomes increasingly difficult to figure out what's going on with the multitude of smaller side plots - making the pacing both excruciatingly slow and extremely fast. A lot of the final act is ...

BabyGirl06301

Recommended

I know I'm in the super minority when I say this but Free! is one of my all-time favorite anime, so those of you who hate it should step away now: I think it's getting better.

I understand the critiques people have about the pacing of the plot, but to be honest, this film covered a lot of important ground. The world stage where these characters are standing now is no short road to walk down, which is why it's taken so long to reach the point where Haru and the rest are at. Now, though, the concept of pulling these characters along tournament after tournament ...

rkoradiopictures

Recommended

This first part of the final installment of the Free! series was really enjoyable!

It was so exciting to see the cast of characters again. To see what they are doing career and school-wise, and also to see them interacting as friends once more. From the characters hanging out in college and professional swimming competitions to those still in Iwatobi and Samezuka high schools. I was so satisfied throughout by how each character and each friendship got some screen time. The story jumped around a lot from person to person, feeling kind of like a TV episode, keeping you invested.

I was invested in how the ...

mrsbokuto

Mixed Feelings

I myself am a competitive swimmer, so obviously i should love this, correct?

No. This series gives me an ick. I came into this franchise thinking that this anime would scratch the itch that ive had to see my own sport in an anime. Of course, i couldnt expect it to be like haikyuu or slam dunk tier, but i wanted to see a story that centered around the highs and lows of swimming. All that my sport had been reduced to here is a backdrop for pretty fruity boys.

First off "I only swim free" You have to agree to be put in any event ...

gabi11

Recommended

The first part of the final installment of the Free! franchise, here we (sadly) are!

I could never perceive nor understand the ones who had an "attacking" state towards the franchise during it's run. Understandably it's the fact that the plot of this anime may be not liked by everyone, and the pace of this anime is not easily followed by others, but honestly, why the hate?
Free! it's a unique anime in it's part of the section of sports anime, being one of the only swimming animes out there, and that's only one thing that makes it truly special.

Covering now one of the most ever hated ...

No-Life-101

Recommended

The animation is absolutely amazing! The sheer amount of detail they add to each character, background, lighting and environment is beautiful, the reflections and textures look realistic and they act like they would if it were real life and it's pretty impressive. The music is powerful but doesn't overpower the scenes, it goes nicely with the storytelling and helps us get a deeper understanding of how the scene is being played out.

It was nice seeing the characters again after some time, and I still love them all. I love how they all know each other and we get to see different relationships instead ...

TheCompletionist

Mixed Feelings