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MAJOR SPOILERS FOR FREE! DIVE TO THE FUTURE (SEASON 3) !!

Ok but out of context it really looks like Haru is that ex Ikuya just can’t move on from

Animage 2018 August Free!DF interview: Yokotani Masahiro

Haruka’s choice, and his conclusion with Ikuya

- How did you want to portray Haruka and the others in Free!DF? Y: We’ve been following Haruka and the other cast’s development throughout Free!, Free!ES up until now. To say that it’s not just their story, but their lives, いis probably a bit of an exaggeration, but I feel like I want to portray them living their lives as time goes on.

- What thoughts did you put into the subtitle “Dive to the Future”? Y: Just literally “Dive to the Future.” Personally, I think it also questions what kind of path they’ll take when there are so many futures to choose from.

- Regarding Haruka and Ikuya’s relationship, how do you perceive it? Y: If I’m to liken it to a shojo manga, it’d be “Ikuya’s first love.”

- When Hiyori said to Haruka “Everyone who swims with you ends up suffering,” what’s the intention behind the line? Y: The line was an idea suggested by Director Kawanami Eisaku. We had many meetings discussing all the scenarios, and Director Kawanami would write this really long list of ideas in his memo, and the line was among them. By the way, Hiyori’s “inferior copy” line in episode one was also in Director Kawanami’s memo. They are both catchy with impact, and even though they are short, the lines have a lot of emotions in them. I think they are great lines to distinctively mark Hiyori’s character.

- At the beginning of episode 4, “The Little Mermaid” was referenced. Will this fairytale be become a key item in Ikuya’s arc? Y: It will become Ikuya and Hiyori’s key item. The plot point will be how the two of them each interprets the story of the little mermaid. Andersen’s original fairytale is cruel but very beautiful, and I like it very much. I’ve always wanted to use it as a motif.

- About the relationship between Haruka and Makoto, how has it changed after their high school years? Y: They’ve reached a stable period.

- What about the relationship between Haruka and Rin, who feel each other’s presence even though they are apart? Y: They’ve also reached a stable period. Their relationship is solid even if they’re apart.

- The presence of Rei, Nagisa and the new members of the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club are really heartwarming and it’s a nice breather to see them. Y: Since the Tokyo arc is quite heavy, we took care to make them a breath of fresh air in the story.

- This time, the story is of an ensemble, so could you please tell me what’s interesting and what’s difficult writing it? Y: With the limited number of episodes in one season, it was difficult to give each and every character their own highlight and conclusion. But when you do it like you’re putting a puzzle together piece by piece and you find something that fits perfectly, it feels especially good.

- Among all the characters, which one is the most mobile and easiest to write? Y: It was really fun writing Natsuya and Rin, and Natsuya and Nao in pairs. Kisumi is easy to write as well. Also, I wish I could write more interaction between Ayumu and Gou.

- By the way, which character has your favorite muscular body type? Y: I’m more of a pudgy body type person.

- A message to the fans, including what we should watch out for in this season, please! Y: What the conclusion with Ikuya will be. What choice will Haruka make. All the new characters this season. And also, the revelation of the past… there’s still lots to be excited about until the last episode. I would really appreciate it if you could watch it until the very end. Thank you very much.