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Free! Cast Enters Middle School in Original High Speed! Novels' 2nd Volume
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
A representative of Kyoto Animation's KA Esuma Bunko imprint revealed that the main characters of Kōji Ōji's High Speed! novel enter middle school in the second volume. Ōji's original novel inspired the Free! television anime series that premiered last July.
KA Esuma Bunko also revealed that many new characters who are mostly boys appear in the novel. Haruka and Makoto have new encounters and face conflicts. Nagisa's relationship with his friends changes little by little as he remains in elementary school after they graduate. Rin thinks about his upcoming study abroad trip.
Ōji's original novel was honorable mention recipient in the 2nd Kyoto Animation Award in 2011. KA Esuma Bunko published the first volume last July.
Production on a second season of the Free! anime has been green-lit. Crunchyroll streamed the first season as it aired in Japan.
The anime's story begins with Haruka Nanase, a high school boy who once swam competitively. After years of separation, his childhood friend Rin challenges him to a swimming match, showing Haruka his overwhelming power. Not wanting it to end like this, Haruka gathers together his former teammates Makoto and Nagisa once again, and also brings a new member named Rei Ryugazaki to create the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club. Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa, Rei, and Rin come together for a story of swimming, youth, and friendship.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun's Mantan Web
