Free -Dive to the Future- Episode 8 Review: Metamorphosis of the Soul

FINALLY!!! The Haru-Ikuya-Hiyori Drama has been laid to rest once and for all and we get to see some amazing swimming too?! Dreams really do come true! After last week’s cliffhanger, we pick things back up with the much anticipated second half of the qualifying championship for the All Japan Invitational! Let’s dive into this week’s episode of Free! Dive to the Future, Episode 8, ‘Metamorphosis of the Soul’!

Plot

The qualifiers for the All Japan Invitational are in full swing. In a surprise twist, Haru and Ikuya face off in the Individual Medley finally making good on a promise he made years ago.

Episode Highlights

Freestyle Medley: Free is all about the races, but, in this week’s episode, there was one that stood out from the rest: the freestyle medley! As the main event of the day, each of the main boys gears up for a tough race and it definitely does not disappoint! Finally, we get to see all the boys giving it their all and the results had me on the edge of my seat!

After Credits Scene: After the credits roll, we are treated to a short scene involving Rin, who we find out via Gou, just qualified for the All Japan Invitational!

Themes & Trivia

The Little Mermaid: This has been an ongoing theme with Haru, Ikuya, and Hiyori, but this time around we finally get the second half of the fairytale in which the little mermaid is given a chance to save herself. In the fairytale, the mermaid is given a dagger and instructed to kill the prince and she will be able to return to the ocean and live out her days among her family. The mermaid refuses to do so and instead turns into seafoam, a grim end. Thankfully, Hiyori, Haru, and Ikuya’s drama has a much nicer ending.

The power of friendship: As with all things Free, friendship is at the heart of everything! Tough race? Throw some friendship on it! Having a falling out with your best bro? Have a flashback to that one time when you were in middle school! Everything is solved with the power of friendship!!

Comments

I’m not gonna lie, Free! is really growing on me and I hate to admit it, I mean I really hate to admit it…But, I think, I’m becoming a Free fan! It’s really hard not to, especially when the show goes out of its way to get you invested in every single minor squabble. They just turn the drama up to eleven and you can’t help but get sucked in. I’d liken it to watching a really bad soap opera. It’s cheesy and over the top, but you just can’t help but get caught up in all the convoluted drama!

But, that aside, the characters are really endearing. Especially Ikuya, who has quickly become my new favorite Free boy (my old fav. is Haru, btw). I don’t know, maybe I have a thing for oblivious swim nerds… But, I was in love from the moment I laid eyes on him and I really appreciated finally seeing him make up with Haru, Asahi, and Makoto. Hiyori on the other hand is still kind of on my s*** list, but, he’s slowly working his way out of it and that’s really only thanks to Ikuya.

And don’t get me started on the swimming, I don’t know how to describe it, but, it’s like an adrenaline rush, your blood starts pumping and the music is intense and next thing I know, I’m nearly falling out of my chair.

We’re All in this Together~

I’ve finally seen the light! This week’s episode made me fall in love with Free!, it was just… magical! We’ve finally put aside the Haru-Ikuya-Hiyori drama and now the series can move on to actually fleshing out these characters as swimmers. I can’t wait to see what else the series has in store for us in the coming weeks, but, whatever it is, you can bet I’ll be tuning in!

I’ll be back next week with another Free! Dive to the Future review, but in the meantime, be sure to check out MANGA.TOKYO’s other amazing Summer 2018 reviews!!

NEXT TIME: Interval in the Evening Calm