Free!: Take Your Marks Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: Free!: Take Your Marks
| Movie | Free!: Take Your Marks |
| Release Year | 2017 |
| Director | Eisaku Kawanami |
| Genre | Animation / Comedy |
| Runtime | 108 minutes (1h 48m) |
| Language | JA |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Free!: Take Your Marks (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Animation.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Free!: Take Your Marks are led by Tsubasa Yonaga . The supporting cast, including Mamoru Miyano and Kenichi Suzumura , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Free!: Take Your Marks stands out as a strong entry in the Animation genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Animation narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Free!: Take Your Marks has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Animation fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Free!: Take Your Marks
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2017, Free!: Take Your Marks is a Animation, Comedy anime directed by Eisaku Kawanami, written by Masahiro Yokotani. The narrative combines stunning visual artistry with storytelling that appeals to all ages. As part of the Free! Collection, it provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Tsubasa Yonaga as Nagisa Hazuki (voice).
Ending Explained: Free!: Take Your Marks
Free!: Take Your Marks Ending Explained: This film consists of all-new stories that are direct continuations of the previous two films and are told in four episodic parts. Directed by Eisaku Kawanami, this 2017 animation anime stars Tsubasa Yonaga (Nagisa Hazuki (voice)), alongside Mamoru Miyano as Rin Matsuoka (voice), Kenichi Suzumura as Momotaro Mikoshiba (voice), Nobunaga Shimazaki as Haruka Nanase (voice). With a 6.8/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of Free!: Take Your Marks?
This film consists of all-new stories that are direct continuations of the previous two films and are told in four episodic parts. The four short stories take place in March as Haruka Nanase is about to graduate from Iwatobi High School.
Eisaku Kawanami's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Tsubasa Yonaga (Nagisa Hazuki (voice))'s journey. The four short stories take place in March as Haruka Nanase is about to graduate from Iwatobi High School.
As part of the Free! Collection, the ending carries additional weight for fans following the franchise.
How Does Tsubasa Yonaga (Nagisa Hazuki (voice))'s Story End?
- Tsubasa Yonaga: Tsubasa Yonaga's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Mamoru Miyano (Rin Matsuoka (voice)): Mamoru Miyano's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Kenichi Suzumura (Momotaro Mikoshiba (voice)): Kenichi Suzumura's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Free!: Take Your Marks Mean?
Free!: Take Your Marks's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Tsubasa Yonaga may feel rushed. Eisaku Kawanami's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
Free!: Take Your Marks Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Free!: Take Your Marks Based on a True Story?
No, Free!: Take Your Marks is a work of fiction. While the animation, comedy anime directed by Eisaku Kawanami and starring Tsubasa Yonaga may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch Free!: Take Your Marks?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Animation shows and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Tsubasa Yonaga or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Where to Watch Free!: Take Your Marks Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
CrunchyrollFree!: Take Your Marks Parents Guide & Age Rating
2017 AdvisoryWondering about Free!: Take Your Marks age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Free!: Take Your Marks (2017) is 108 minutes (1h 48m). Directed by Eisaku Kawanami, the film runs for 108 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, Free!: Take Your Marks is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2017 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Free!: Take Your Marks worth watching?
Free!: Take Your Marks is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Free!: Take Your Marks parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Free!: Take Your Marks identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Free!: Take Your Marks (2017)?
The runtime of Free!: Take Your Marks (2017) is 108 minutes (approximately 1h 48m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Tsubasa Yonaga
View full filmographyPart of the Free! Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full Franchise



