Let's see, first thing, the reasons behind why this series is called what is it...
The "Iwatobi Swim Club" part is obvious, it focuses on the (implied soon to be) Swimming Club of Iwatobi High School, although the cold opening for the first episode showed back when they were still kids (seriously; it took a bit for me to figure that out, but at least I figured that out before the opening theme started). As for the "Free!" bit; apparently that's because our protagonist, Haruka Nanase, for some as of yet unknown reason will (or is it 'can') only swim free...style.
And, yes for fellow otaku or at least those who've watched/read Tactics, I do realize that "Haruka" sounds like a girls name. As a matter of fact, it's lampshaded in this very episode! Now let's see the rest of the character roster...Makoto Tachibana, Nagisa Hazuki, Rin Matsuoka, along with Rin's sister Gou Matsuoka...huh? Is it just me or do all the named characters here have gender-blender names?
Names aside, our 'hero' Haruka loves swimming (or is it just being in the water) A LOT!!! So much so that not only does he wear a swimsuit under his clothes, but he WILL strip down to said swimsuit at the drop of the proverbial hat if it means he can swim. Rin seems to be like this as well, seeing as both of them took off all their clothing except their swimsuits to race each other at an abandoned pool...up 'till (I think it's) Nagisa (thankfully) points out that there isn't any water in said pool.
What?! You seriously disrobed and got ready to swim without checking if the pool that's RIGHT NEXT TO YOU has WATER!? (Then again, that was probably the joke in the first place)
Still, Rin and Haruka (at least) seem to be rivals...OK, if any one's reading this can I get a vote as to if you're shipping Rin and Haruka in some way shape or form? As for me, rotten girl that I am, I'm spade-shipping them hard!
And related to fan service, if it wasn't for the fact that Haruka's wearing swimsuit underneath (or does that still count?)...
(excuse us, Shimohi is too busy laughing her kerple off regarding what is about to be said, we'll be right back)
...HARUKA PULLS OFF THE NAKED APRON!!! In-universe it's because he's grilling fish and doesn't want to get any oil on his swimsuit, but we know those scenes (it happens twice in this episode) are there for fan service. Huzzah!
Both the opening and ending theme sound good to me, but only time will tell if they'll join the 'exaulted' ranks of "Awesome songs that get stuck in my head". At first, I thought it was strange for the visuals of the ending theme to show alternate versions of our main characters in a desert setting...'till I realized that the series proper is set where there's a ****-ton of water, so the imagery of them in a place where water is scarce makes a nice contrast. And speaking of that, when I saw desert!Rin, I thought he was an evil tyrant; hogging all the water for himself (the greedy b******!) at least 'till the end of the song, where desert!Haruka finds an oasis outside the city where every one's swimming in it and having a good, clean (LOL), time...including desert!Rin. Aw...
It looks like next episode, we'll actually see the swim race between Haruka and Rin, and maybe the eponymous swim club will finally be formed!
So, will I see that next episode? Let's see...it has eye candy and sports-related action with a bit of comedy, yeah, most defiantly. What will I type about when we reach the other end...
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