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seakittens · 7 years

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Take Your Marks Review

Okay, general disclaimer first. I don’t speak Japanese nor understand it very well. I have, however, reviewed all of the existing summaries of this movie on Tumblr and am part of a collective (RH Discord Group) that includes people who speak Japanese fairly well. This has informed my knowledge of general dialogue. For the sake of fairness, most of this review will focus on visuals, rather than dialogue. I believe I can speak to what I saw to a reasonable degree.

Look I have proof I was there!

I’m also doing this review in terms of what I enjoyed rather than a pure summary (though it will be summary-ish because that’s how my brain works) because of said Japanese language barrier. As I said, there are at least two direct summaries available. I’m going to try to touch on things that lack elaboration from what I’ve seen.

Okay, let’s dive in!

The third stage greeting featured Samezuka on an island resort. They were all so casually dressed. It looked like they just rolled out of bed, even Rin. XD Who did his classic leg crossing sit. This was before the image of everyone as pirates. The theater rules were presented by Natsuya and Nao.

The fourth stage greeting featured Style 5 on the resort. They were all formally dressed but not in suits. They looked amazing. As did the Roadshow pic. Theater rules were presented by Ikuya and Hiyori.

Episode 1: - This episode starts with Makoto dreaming and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Makoto is humming “Clear Blue Departure” while he cooks breakfast and it’s adorable. The scene shifts to Haruka stripping and then diving off the terrace into the endless pool that the city’s transformed into, it’s stunning. The water looks super crisp and the wind that blows back at Makoto is lovely. I loved Makoto reaching out for Haruka and then tripping off the terrace and falling into the water. Super symbolic. What an opening. - The dream ends with Haruka reaching out for Makoto, as Makoto wakes up on the train. Which is a nice switch from their usual dynamic. Makoto still calls him “Haru-chan” and Haruka still is tsun about it. - The OP sequence is a combination of OP sequences from Free and Eternal Summer, with some fun extras thrown in. You get some running Samezuka, along with running Iwatobi. You get a cute shot of the Matsuoka family cat, a black and white fatty named Steve, along with Rin’s mom. Gou is mixed in here and there with Iwatobi. You also get Nao and Natsuya, Ikuya and Hiyori (his roommate) and Kisumi and Asashi (hanging out together). There are some quick profiles of minor characters such as Sasabe, Miho, Seijuurou and Hayato. - A cute highlight is two group shots. One of these comes from the Timeless Medley endcard and features Haruka seemingly starting to put his arm around Rin. Another seems to be a new one that also involves Rin leaning toward Haruka. - The OP basically ends with the key visual for the movie. - The first episode involves a lot of Makoto and Haruka searching for Haruka’s apartment. Kisumi is working for his uncle’s real estate agency and is super cute with said uncle. I did crack up when Haruka tried to leave twice upon seeing Kisumi. Poor boy. - Haruka is so picky about his apartment. He rejects one for too small a bath and another for a stove that did not allow for proper mackerel grilling. Kisumi then shows them an apartment that Makoto really approves of and seems to meet Haruka’s standards, but Kisumi tells them someone died there and Makoto freaks out and hides behind Haruka. I lost it at this scene because Kisumi is so casual the whole time. What a troll. - I think Makoto also comments on Kisumi having a license while Kisumi is driving them around and says he doesn’t have his yet but Haruka does. - Eventually, Kisumi gives them the instructions for another apartment with a very nice pool and surrounded by sakura trees. This is where Haruka and Makoto must navigate the Tokyo subway system. Having done this, I FEEL THEIR PAIN. Eventually, they find the apartment, along with Misaki, a little kid who’s standing by the door. Misaki is adorable and his relationship with his rival/friend makes Haruka think of Rin, causing him to flashback to his times around young Rin. Haruka’s eyes also do this sort of sparkle and the camera zooms in on them. Haruka tells Makoto to take Misaki to the pool, and it’s super sweet how Makoto invites Misaki to go with him, all coach-like. - Interspersed among the Makoto and Haruka journey are separate scenes of Rei/Gou/Nagisa and Rin. This involves visiting the Iwatobi Swim Club and getting a quick cameo of Hayato who says nothing but gives a cute wav. Precious child. Iwatobi is painstakingly sewing replicas of the outfits from the Splash Free OP. They end up talking to Rin on the phone about Haruka’s apartment search and Rin seems antsy that Haruka hasn’t found one yet. Since Rin is still packing up his dorm, Momo shows up a lot and tries to steal the phone to talk to Gou. Cue shouting from Rin’s end. All of the Samezuka relay team shows up in Rin’s room to help him pack and there are some cute scenes of Sousuke teasing Momo about the beetle book he wants to give Gou. - Gou meets up with Rin at the train station and they walk home together, with Gou hanging off him and leaning into him. Rin again asks about Haruka’s apartment search and Gou teases him. Rin is super indulgent of Gou this whole time and they’re very adorable siblings. I loved this scene. Gou also shows Rin a special cake she bought for the occasion. - I really loved Makoto coaching Misaki too and Haruka watching proudly. Also Misaki’s super focused eyes upon seeing Haruka swim. Such a good scene. - Haruka and Makoto return to the apartment Haruka wants and have a nice talk about futures in the sunset (SYMBOLISM) before finding an abandoned phone. - Haruka drives them back to the real estate agency and is so focused. He gets a little close to another car and Makoto panics and starts backseat driving while Haruka calmly makes his turn. Makoto is gripping his chest like he just had a heartattack. He’s a goofball and this scene is absolutely hilarious. - Nao shows up at the end to get his phone and speaks briefly to Kisumi’s uncle.

Episode 2: - This has great stuff about the Matsuoka family. We see Rin trying to pet Steve and Steve pointedly walking back to sit by Gou’s feet. We also see Rin unpacking things like his pillow, while humming. Rin gives such a content smile while eating cake with his family (Steve naps under the table) and looking at the measuring marks left on the wall for him and Gou by Toraichi. I also want to point out that his mother Miyako is drop dead gorgeous. I love the way her hair falls over her neck. Rin also offers the cake to a picture of his father and prays to him. We get to see all of Toraichi’s trophies around his picture, along with a picture of Toraichi and little Rin and Gou. - We get a cute scene of Ai being captain with Samezuka. He’s really grown on me as a character. - This also has some great Sousuke/Samezuka (the less known team characters) interaction. After Momo and Ai win two onsen passes while Momo is trying to win another beetle thing, they send Sousuke and Samezuka on a crazy puzzle scavenger hunt. Samezuka is adorable as they try to work with Sousuke to figure everything out, from rearranging lettered cookies to finding the shark in front of the school. - When Sousuke calls Rin to tell him about the paired tickets (Rin is surprised it’s just them), Miyako pulls out another pair so that Ai and Momo can go too. I died. - I love Momo and Rin’s interactions in this episode. He’s so indulgent of him. He helps him find the onsen’s mascot, capybara, to take pictures with, poses in ridiculous cutouts at Momo’s insistence and follows Momo around to shop for capybara merch. In general, Samezuka is such a good team in this. They’re like a little family. After getting their own cutout picture (where Rin says “say cheese” in English), Momo and Ai cajole Sousuke and Rin into doing the same. They’re disappointed that Sousuke won’t smile since Sousuke’s fairly sad and reflecting on swimming throughout this episode. But Rin tickles Sousuke and they get a nice smile out of him for their picture. - Rin also tries to pet another cat and it walks away, leading to Sousuke laughing at him. Oh yeah, Rin sits in a vibrating chair, and the sounds he makes are hilarious.

- Later, Natsuya’s team also shows up at the onsen. Natsuya is the captain. One of his teammates wants Momo’s capybara plush and glares at him, but Momo doesn’t know why the guy is so annoyed. This later results in the two battling in a fierce pair tennis match for the plush. Ai and Momo win. Rin hears about the match as a fight and rushes in to save the day, only to realize his team is ridiculous.

- Around this time, Sousuke and Ai have a really nice scene in the onsen together. The general consensus is they talk about how Sousuke helped Ai become a better swimmer. A similar discussing is had with both Sousuke and Rin before the onsen, during their special dinner. Ahhh, Samezuka. - Natsuya runs into Sousuke while Sousuke is getting a coke (Natsuya drinks black coffee) and they discuss his shoulder and Nao. Lots of implications for Sousuke’s future. I love this scene. (This may be a new ship for me, even though I do enjoy Natsuya/Nao, who are never together in this movie for some reason.) - At night, they’re all sleeping on futons and Momo is noisy. Sousuke notices Rin is awake and Rin tries to talk to Sousuke about something (probably swimming) but Momo interrupts him with some sleep-talking and Rin loses his nerve after he yells at him. He’s all contemplative when he finally goes to sleep. - The scene with Momo and Ai giving Sousuke and Rin their charms is also really sweet. - We see Sousuke and Rin finishing up their packing in the dorm. Sousuke shows Rin a mecha that transforms into a salmon. It ends with Sousuke staring at a team picture as he packs his things and looking at his charm. The implication is he’s made his decision about his future.

Episode 3: - I’m not going to lie, I think this was the weakest episode. The focus wasn’t as strong and it kind of dragged at points. But a large part of its issue is that Iwatobi as a team pales in comparison to the camaraderie we just saw Samezuka display in the previous episode. I dislike how Makoto and Haruka do not feel as unified with the rest of Iwatobi as Sousuke and Rin do with the rest of Samezuka. It’s hard to really describe why but it’s somewhat disappointing. 8( It still had some good points though. - Also because of said reason, I kind of don’t remember this one as well. Sorry. - Rei having a dream about finding a genie and asking it to recruit more members, only to still not receive any was cute. As was Nagisa napping in Rei’s room. - They eventually come up with a plan to shoot Rei’s dream as a recruitment video. Makoto and Haruka return and Haruka gives Nagisa special Iwatobi bread. - Iwatobi recruits Rin to drive them to the sandy part of Tottori. This was seriously the best scene of the episode. His mom’s car is so very red, and Nagisa gushes over it lots. Rin takes most of Iwatobi in mom’s car, while Miho takes Gou and more supplies. Haruka rides shotgun with Rin, and Nagisa compliments Rin’s driving. Which leads to Haruka saying he can drive better and pointing out his Tokyo experience. This of course goads Rin on and his gives one of his classic toothy smiles before going faster. Miho notices this and goes faster in turn. Makoto freaks out again. - Nagisa pulls out all of the costumes once they reach their destination and starts describing roles. When Rin teases them, Nagisa shows that they also made a costume for Rin, but Rin bails for a meeting with Ai. He does give Nagisa a pat on the head and the rest of them a super cute smile before leaving though, and he and Haruka have a nice silent stare at each other. - Key points of their video shooting is Makoto trying to be a villain (though still wearing his original Splash Free outfit) while blushing and being awkward, Haruka staring blankly at a camel before sitting atop it and Rei and Nagisa doing some sort of butterfly where one supports the other on his back (so weird). Haruka appears to be very good at his part. I also want to point out that I’m fairly sure that Makoto has Splash Free Rin’s part, seeing as how he holds the water goblet all haughtily. - Rin and Ai eat at a McDonald’s-like restaurant, where Rin gets a toy Loosey-kun from a Happy Meal. I think Asahi is also talking on the phone to Kisumi outside the restaurant here. - The rest of the episode is kind of slower, with Iwatobi figuring out the video. Makoto and Haruka aren’t around as much, though there is a scene where Nagisa finds his Iwatobi-chan carvings and he and Haruka talk about handing them out again. Gou is cleaning the team room and ends up knocking over a filing cabinet that has a recruitment manual from the old Iwatobi Swimming Team. It says the key to recruitment is PKM. So most of the episode is devoted to solving the mystery of what that means. - This involves going to visit Sasabe. Meanwhile, Makoto and Haruka talk proudly about their kouhai. - They eventually realize PKM means some perfect muscle thing and are all disillusioned. Makoto suggests they clean the pool for old time’s sake and Rei and Haruka have a super cute scene. Rei sees a butterfly and flashes back to Haruka teaching him how to swim. I love how the butterfly flutters between them. It starts on Haruka but ends up on Rei’s forehead.Ugh, I love Rei and Haruka. This episode needed more of this. I think Makoto and Nagisa have a talking moment or two. - Iwatobi all watch the promotional video together and it ends with Rei delivering a message about team bonds that makes everyone smile and look up at the stars. The stars are shining various colors, including red and blue.

Episode 4: - This is Rin’s episode and I was dying the whole time from how precious Rin is. - It starts with a flashback to Makoto and Ikuya talking in middle school. Ikuya mentions he’s going to America to train. The scene ends with grown-up Ikuya. - Then we see Iwatobi trying to come up with ideas for Rin’s surprise party. Gou suggests something about the guys showing off muscles for Rin, Nagisa suggests carrying sleeping Rin to the pool (to which Gou adds the muscles thing again), Haruka suggests a bunch of mackerel dishes and eventually a more Western one. - They eventually decide on a different plan but need Momo and Ai. - I absolutely loved Rin crying about the stupid romance movie based off the Fly and being tsun about it. When Sousuke goes to the bathroom, Rin sees Gou meeting with Momo and since he’s fresh off his romance movie, immediately assumes they’re dating. I love how he has to lower his phone when Sousuke calls to tell him he’s lost. So he’s kind of freaking out in a rough whisper. - The rest of Iwatobi and Ai show up to meet with Momo and tell him about the Loosey-kun toy Rin got. I think his role in the surprise party is to challenge Rin to a swim-off for the toy. - Rin goes home and is still miserable about Gou dating. He flashes back to her as a little girl and imagines her walking off with some imaginary guy and is very distraught. He tries to talk to her about it, but Gou is evasive to avoid spoiling the surprise. It just leads to Rin looking really awkward. His mother’s advice doesn’t help either. - Momo confronts Rin to ask about the toy but doesn’t specificy and Rin thinks he’s asking about Gou. I love this scene since Rin is clearly frazzled but he tries to stay all mature and when Momo challenges him to a race for the thing he wants, Rin is super serious in accepting. Why are you so cute, Rin? - Somehow Samezuka hears about what’s going down and is all gossiping. Seijuurou just happened to be around so he hears it too and he tells Momo they’re going to race together, thinking if they win, they’ll be able to date Gou. - Rin realizes he now has to race two people for Gou and is even more distraught. He runs into Nagisa and Rei when they come to meet with Ai to discuss the party. Somehow the two get the impression that Rin won’t go to Australia if he doesn’t beat the Mikoshiba brothers. - Words gets back via telephone to Gou, Haruka and Makoto, who all panic that Rin is going to quit swimming again. Haruka is especially distraught and frustrated, while Makoto is whimpering and whining. Haruka decides to join the match on Rin’s side. - Haruka calls Rin, who seems to recognize Haruka’s number but is very confused to see him calling. - The next scene has them sitting on a bench together. The sky is full of swirling (literally swirling) stars, like a whirlpool of them, and the colors are so vibrant. The whole scene is shot in such soft lighting. It’s so over the top beautiful. Haruka tries to get to the bottom of Rin’s issues, but Rin is evasive because it’s a personal problem. I must add that most of this talk is super soft and concerned. Haruka is precious. But Haruka does get more and more worked up the more evasive Rin is until he’s shouting and practically crawling over Rin. Their faces are like less than an inch apart. It’s nuts. Haruka is so intense. Rin has his leg up to block Haruka from ending up in his lap. But Rin realizes the misunderstanding explains his issue with Gou. Haruka calms down and confesses about the party. They’re both so soft and cute again. Rin has this smile that kills me when he teases Haruka about spoiling the party but then reassures him. The general consensus is Rin says something along the lines that swimming with Haruka again is enough of a surprise. Haruka gives Rin an awed sort of look. - Despite clearing everything up, Rin and Haruka are still set to swim against the Mikoshibas. Rin catches Haruka’s attention for a high five prior to the match and Haruka gives another great smile before eagerly slapping his hand. So much assertive Haruka in this movie. I love it. - The race is beautifully animated. One of Free��s epic races. Before they swim, Seiichirou teases Haruka and Haruka kind of snarks back. Very nice. But Sei still outswims Haruka. Haruka reaches the wall and gives this huge shout of RIIIIIN, identical to the way Rin shouted for him during the race in S1 Episode 12. Rin dives over Haruka and Haruka’s eyes do this super focused thing as he watches. Rin overtakes Momo at the flip-turn and then charges back to the starting block. He sees Haruka waiting for him and goes into his Sight-Mode, with the bright lights and the intense stare (again think, Episode 12) and rushes back with another wild grin. He wins the race for them and has a super happy reaction. - Momo wails about losing and Rin tries to reassure him, as all the lights go off and inflatable toys of everyone’s image animals appear in the pool. Samezuka shows up with a huge banner for Rin. Rin’s about to cry and both Sousuke and Haruka encourage it in their own ways. Everyone jumps in the pool with Rin and there’s a super cute shot of Haruka snuggling his inflatable dolphin. - Afterward, Rin gives Momo the Loosey-kun toy. He gets some nice quick moments with Rei and then Iwatobi as a whole. He flashes back to him and the original relay team. Then he fist-bumps Sousuke and flashes back to when they were kids as well. The general consensus is that Haruka says something to Rin about looking foward to seeing him again. He gives another nice smile here, and Rin smiles back. - Last scenes are a montage of what everyone’s doing. Rin is going to the airport, while his mom and Gou see him off. His mother waves Steve’s paw at Rin. Makoto and Haruka are jogging. Nagisa, Rei and Gou are doing more recruitment things. Samezuka are doing other team things. We see Rin’s plane leave and then we see Haruka and Makoto staring at the cherry blossom tree at Iwatobi ES. There is a flash to the Iwatobi bricks with “I swim Free best for the team.” Then the classic Haruka bird shows up and flies over them, dropping a feather on Haruka, as he smiles. - Truly last scene is Ikuya and Hiyori looking at some roster of Japanese swimmers, including Haruka. Both look very interested. - "See You Next Stage" appears at the end. The credits role with all of the main 8 characters in Elvis costumes. I like to point out that Sousuke isn’t dancing in his picture and is kneeling on one leg because he’s a lazy butt. It’s a cute song involving bits for pretty much every single Free character. - After the credits is the picture of Haruka in his new red and white uniform with “Free continues Summer 2018.” - Oh I should add that every episode has a commercial card with either Miho, Sasabe or Seijuurou saying “Take Your Marks.” So random. They should have included Miyako. Or Steve.

Final Thoughts:

As said overall, this is a really fun and really sweet movie. Yeah, it’s a glorified OVA, but it was cool to see how much all the characters have matured and developed, especially Haruka and Rin. Haruka was so cool throughout this, and Rin was both super mature and devastatingly pretty in every shot. Like distractingly pretty. I also loved all of Haruka’s beautiful smiles. So many smiles. I’m very curious how they will follow Haruka’s story in S3 and what Rin will be up to. I’m also curious how they’re going to work in other characters. I admit I’m not crazy about following the juniors since I’m all about the pro life.

Oh yeah, this was also the special seiyuu event so I got to see Tsubasa Yonaga, Daisuke Hirakawa and Akeno Watanabe (Gou and baby Rin). They were very cute. I love how Yonaga refers to everyone as “chan.”

I will hopefully see again on Saturday before I go back home. If you have any questions about the RH scenes or any scenes really, feel free to message me or send me an ask. Remember, I can’t answer dialogue questions. Only visual ones.

#rinharu #sharkbait #free official #definitely try to see it if you're in japan #it's well worth your time #I totally didn't spell Sei's name wrong and edit this post

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