It is Feature Friday section. Today, I am picking memorable scene in anime that I watched years ago; the moment that leaves an impact in my mind. The anime is Free! Season 2 (The Eternal Summer) episode 9 during the regional competition.
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| Haru looks so lonely... |
Haru might have been seen as someone indifferent to people's opinions and thought. However, as he gains more and more recognition in swimming, an activity that he loves the most, pressure in the form of people's expectation and cheering forms. Look at how his expression darkens as the scout mentions about his performance and how valuable his talent is.
He even had dream about this scouting matter. If it involves strangers, the pressure will be less. Nevertheless, he even dream of his own friends, teammates and co-swimmer cheering him to do his absolute best.
On the competition day, he already has deja vu on how the atmosphere in the stadium will be.
The pressure and the burden catch up to him with the cost of him losing his most favorite thing in his life which is swimming. The free in the free swimming style has lost its meaning when he struggles so much in the water. The water resists and constraints him, he is no longer free in the water. No matter how hard he struggles, the water repels him.
The suffocation cause Haru to finally give up. The moment he puts his foot, the moments he stands in the pool, even without seeing his expression, you can feel his pain and suffering. Even the others are shocked seeing Haru stops in the middle of the race, especially Rin.
Rin is really mad as Haru throws away his biggest chance when he should perform the best with the scouts are roaming around the competition. I can understand Rin's frustration over Haru's sudden shocking performance; the fact that he stopped in the middle of the lane during the competition. After all, Haru is number 1 rival for Rin. However I am on Haru's side in this episode. Everyone has been caring about the scouts too much that it becomes a burden rather than the source of motivation for Haru.
It is amazing to see the aloof Haru lost his cool and show another emotion in him that has never been shown before which is anger. Since their practice time in school until the competition day, Haru has been burdened by everyone's expectation. The anticipation in their eyes to see more of him hampers him. He also struggles with his future path unlike Rin who already set his goals in his life. Haru's anger is justified in this case as Haru has always been enjoying swimming without further thought. Been able to smile, having fun with friends and savor the freedom he gains in the cool water
For the first time, all those eyes, people's hope and expectation become burden for him. The thing he loves most become too suffocating to like. Things like this soon or later will haunt Haru. In the past episodes, he has to think about his future path. Then, come the talk about being scouted plus even Rin talks about this matter to him.
When Haru snaps about future and dream towards Rin, I absolutely agree. Haru has never think too far about the swimming career. What he knows is he enjoys being in the water. He is a teenager;confuses about his future life, never think too much until recently. He needs time and someone that can talk to him to explain more about his future path rather than all those stares and anticipation.
The conflict is very well done in this episode. The confusion, the struggle is real. The best part for me is when Haru snaps and slams the locker. He looks so scary and done with all these nonsensical things he has being hearing. Another one is when he shouts to Rin about how he has none; neither dream nor future.
Well, that is all from me. See you in the next post. Have a good day, everyone.
p/s: I have to post this a day late since I have family matter yesterday.
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