Free!, one of the most loved sports anime from Kyoto Animation and Animation Do, is back with a brand new film, “Free! The Final Stroke”.
Kyoto Animation, the studio loved by many for its excellent works, such as Clannad, Inuyasha, and Violet Evergarden brings in some of the best anime series ever.
The upcoming movie was delayed from its initial mid-2020 release due to the arson attack on Kyoto Animation Studio 1.
Sadly, Free’s director, Yasuhiro Takemoto, was one of the employees who died. He was the director of the prequel, “High Speed! Free! Starting Days”, depicting Haruka and the other characters as junior high students.
The upcoming film is a sequel to the third season of the Free franchise, Free! Dive to the Future, which runs from July 2018 to September 2018. The staff and cast from the third season will be reprising their roles.
Free! The Final Stroke is split into two parts, with the first part coming this Autumn. This movie is the last installment to Free!, the expectations, emotions, and adrenaline rush will be on a whole new level. But when is it coming?
1. Free! The Final Stroke Release Date
Free! The Final Stroke Part 1 will release on September 17, 2021. It is a theatrical release across Japan, which gives us hope that we may see the movie by next year or late this year.
“Theatrical version Free! – The Final Stroke –” Part 1 will be released on September 17, 2021. Part 2 on April 22, 2022. For those who still want to enjoy themselves with all their might, we will introduce the development of the series with images! #TV_Free #Free_Final
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Free! The Final Stroke is a two-part film series with Part 2 set to release on April 22, 2022.
2. Visuals for Free! The Final Stroke Part 1
In this new visual, we get to some of the main characters. Our focus goes straight onto the two characters in the center, Haruka and Rin.
Former teammates but now facing each other as opponents. The visual itself gives a hint of how exciting the film is going to be.
The visual above shows the protagonist, Haruka Nanase, with a strong determination to swim.
3. Trailers for Free! The Final Stroke Part 1
The trailer starts with Haruka Nanase calm and determined. Then the music pops up, and the characters flash by.
It showcases the new team which Haruka formed. With new challenges and struggles, the team set on to take on a new tournament.
The above trailer gives us a nostalgic feeling with all those different shots from the franchise. It also shows the movie tagline, “Let’s go, to the stage of glory.”
4. What’s the Plot for Free! The Final Stroke?
Haruka Nanase’s new stage for the world is Sydney. One day, while taking a short break before departure, Haruka coincidentally runs into a swimmer who competed in the All Japan Selection Tournament and is burning for a challenge.
With his friends’ feelings brimming in his heart, Haruka steps forward into a brand new world. What awaits him is the world champion Alberto Volandel. The swimmers mentally prepare themselves for the competition in Sydney.
What will they feel, and what will they swim for as they compete for the place at the top of the world? Their fierce battle with water begins here…!
5. Theme song for Free! The Final Stroke
The rock band OLDCODEX will perform the theme song for Part 1 of the film. The CD for the theme song will be available by September 15, 2021.
9/15 New Release “Theatrical version Free! -The Final Stroke-“. The title of the theme song of the first part is decided as “Heading to Over –Version: Free-” Furthermore, the songs of the “Free!” Series are decided to be recorded as Remake & Remix
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OLDCODEX has performed several opening theme songs for Free! as well as ending themes for Kuroko no Basket
6. Cast for Free! The Final Stroke
The main cast will return to reprise their role:
| Character | Cast | Other Works |
| Haruka Nanase | Nobunaga Shimazaki | Yuno (Black Clover) |
| Rin Matsuoka | Mamoru Miyano | Miya Atsumu (Haikyuu) |
| Makoto Tachibana | Tatsuhisa Suzuki | Naoshi Kanno(Drifters) |
| Nagisa Hazuki | Tsubasa Yonaga | Aichi Sendou (Cardfight!! Vanguard) |
| Rei Ryugazaki | Daisuke Hirakawa | Frankenstein (Noblesse) |
7. Staff for Free! The Final Stroke
| Position | Staff | Other Works |
| Director | Eisaku Kawanami | Hyouka |
| Chief Animation Director | Kohei Okamura and Miku Kadowaki | Violet Evergarden and A Silent Voice |
| Character Design | Futoshi Nishiya | Hyouka |
| Art Director | Shingo Kasai | Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid |
| Music Composer | Tatsuya Kato | Dr. Stone |
| Sound Director | Yota Tsuruoka | Clannad |
| Color Design | Yuka Yoneda | Violet Evergarden |
8. Conclusion
Sports anime has always been a huge thing in my life, with the latest ongoing Re-Main giving a similar vibe to Free! with its swimming passion. Yet Free! is different and unique in its special way, making us yearn for the upcoming movie.
This being the last lap around the pool brings joy and sadness at the same time. Will Haruka finally defeat his rival? Will he finally be on top of the swimming world?
9. About Free!
Free! is animated by Kyoto Animation and is loosely based on the light novel, High Speed!, by Koji Oji.
The series revolves around members of a high school boy’s swimming team. The youngsters participate in a swimming tournament right before they graduate from middle school and go their separate ways.
Free! has a unique concept by using the sport of competitive swimming as their focal point. The animation, art, and sound used in the series complement the story well.
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