High Speed! Free! Starting Days

{{see also|Free! (TV series)}}

Haruka Nanase begins his first year at Iwatobi Middle School. After discovering that Haruka and his childhood friend, Makoto Tachibana, had once been part of the Iwatobi Swim Club, Asahi Shiina urges them to join the swim team despite Haruka's lack of interest, while Kisumi Shigino suggests they join the basketball team. Natsuya Kirishima, the captain of the swim team, visits their class and successfully convinces Haruka, Makoto, Asahi, and his younger brother Ikuya to join.

At the first swim practice, Haruka ties Natsuya in a race for the right to swim only freestyle. Asahi, however, loses confidence in swimming. Ikuya, frustrated over Natsuya's admiration of Haruka's skill, begins to imitate Haruka in hopes of gaining his brother's attention again. Nao Serizawa, the vice captain, asks Makoto if he enjoys swimming or is only in the club to be with Haruka, confusing Makoto and putting distance between the best friends. The team's individual struggles affect their performance, especially during the team medley. Later, Haruka's mother leaves for a week, leaving Haruka on his own.

During a joint practice with Sano Middle School, Sosuke Yamazaki challenges Haruka to a match race, having heard about him from Rin Matsuoka, Haruka's rival. However, Iwatobi loses the team medley, leaving him disappointed as he gives him Rin's letter. As Iwatobi's swim team mulls over their defeat, Haruka confronts Makoto about his uncharacteristic behavior, to which Makoto realizes that he loves swimming and Haruka equally, restoring their bond. The next day, Ikuya threatens to quit the team and confides to Haruka, Makoto, and Asahi about feeling lonely and abandoned by Natsuya. After affirming their friendship, Ikuya makes amends with him. When the four visit Nao, who is getting surgery for a detached retina, he offers them advice on their strengths as individuals and as a team, giving them hope. On the way home, however, Haruka faints, leading Makoto, Asahi, and Ikuya to stay at his house until his mother returns.

At the prefectural tournament, Haruka, Makoto, Asahi, and Ikuya place first in the team medley. Afterwards, Sosuke tells Haruka that while Rin's letter was addressed to him, it was probably meant for Haruka instead. The letter details the setbacks Rin has faced in Australia and his desire to swim like Haruka. With this in mind, Haruka becomes determined to become a better swimmer with his team.

On March 22, 2015, Kyoto Animation announced that a film for {{nihongo|High Speed!|ハイ☆スピード！|Hai Supīdo!}}, the original light novel by Koji Oji that had inspired the Free! animated series, had been green-lit during the Free! Eternal Summer Special Event.{{cite news|first=Egan |last=Loo|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-03-22/free-anime-novel-predecessor-high-speed-gets-film/.86252|title=Free! Anime's Novel Predecessor High Speed! Gets Film|work=Anime News Network|date=2015-03-22|accessdate=2018-08-04}} The film is a loose adaptation of the second volume, which was also penned by Oji.{{cite news|first=Egan |last=Loo|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-11-30/free-anime-predecessor-high-speed-gets-2nd-novel|title=Free! Anime's Predecessor High Speed! Gets 2nd Novel|work=Anime News Network|date=2013-11-30|accessdate=2018-08-04}}

Several cast members from the television series returned to reprise their roles, including Nobunaga Shimazaki, Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Mamoru Miyano, and Yoshimasa Hosoya.{{cite news|first=Rafael Antonio|last=Pineda|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-11-01/high-speed-free-starting-days-film-trailer-previews-theme-song/.94900|title=High Speed! Free! Starting Days Film's Trailer Previews Theme Song|work=Anime News Network|date=2015-11-01|accessdate=2018-08-05}} Yasuhiro Takemoto was announced as the director of the film, while several staff members who had worked on the television series returned, including head writer Masahiro Yokotani, art director Joji Unogochi, and soundtrack composer Tatsuya Kato, among others. In September 2015, the film's official website had announced new additions to the cast, including Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Asahi, Kouki Uchiyama as Ikuya, Kenji Nojima as Natsuya, and Satoshi Hino as Nao.{{cite news|first=Crystalyn|last=Hodgkins|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-21/kouki-uchiyama-toshiyuki-toyonaga-more-join-high-speed-free-starting-days-film-cast/.93200|title=Kouki Uchiyama, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, More Join High Speed! Free! Starting Days Film's Cast|work=Anime News Network|date=2015-09-21|accessdate=2018-08-05}} Nagisa Hazuki and Rei Ryugazaki, two characters from the main cast of the original Free! series, appear in the film with minor roles.

High Speed! Free! Starting Days was released in theaters on December 5, 2015. The film's theme song, "Aching Horns", was performed by Oldcodex.{{cite news|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2059555/full/|title=映画『ハイ☆スピード』史上最多!?の前売りペアチケット発売|work=Oricon|language=ja|date=2015-09-21|accessdate=2018-08-05|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724195944/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2059555/full/|archivedate=2019-07-24}} The song was released as a single on December 18, 2015. It debuted at #10 on Oricon and charted for eight weeks.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/493034/products/1150691/1/|title=『映画 ハイ☆スピード!-Free! Starting Days-』主題歌「Aching Horns」【アニメ盤】|work=Oricon|language=ja|accessdate=2018-08-05}}{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/w/2015-12-28/|title=オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2015年12月14日～2015年12月20日|work=Oricon|language=ja | accessdate=2018-08-05}} Funimation acquired the rights for High Speed! Free! Starting Days for distribution in North America, along with the Free! Timeless Medley movie trilogy, including Free! Take Your Marks.{{cite news|first=Karen|last=Ressler|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-01-16/funimation-licenses-all-4-free-anime-films-screens-take-your-marks-in-theaters/.126503|title=Funimation Licenses All 4 Free! Anime Films, Screens Take Your Marks in Theaters|work=Anime News Network|date=2018-01-16|accessdate=2018-08-04}} All films were released as a set in October 2018.{{cite news|first=Jennifer|last=Sherman|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-07-06/funimation-reveals-home-video-release-details-for-free-anime-films-relife-ova/.133936|title=Funimation Reveals Home Video Release Details for Free! Anime Films, ReLIFE OVA|work=Anime News Network|date=2018-07-06|accessdate=2018-08-04}}

High Speed! Free! Starting Days opened at #5 in 120 theaters nationwide, selling 60,729 tickets in the first two days and earning {{JPY|95,546,400}}.{{cite news|url=https://eiga.com/news/20151207/20/|title=【国内映画ランキング】「007 スペクター」がV、「杉原千畝」2位、「I LOVE スヌーピー」は3位発進|work=Eiga|language=ja|date=2015-12-07|accessdate=2018-08-05}} The film made ¥691 million at box office.

The home release debuted at #1 on both Oricon's DVD and Blu-ray charts.{{cite news|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2075758/full|title=【オリコン】『映画ハイ☆スピード!』BD総合1位 アニメ『Free!』の原点|work=Oricon|language=ja|date=2016-07-26|accessdate=2018-08-05}}{{cite news|first=Rafael Antonio|last=Pineda|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-07-27/high-speed-is-4th-free-blu-ray-to-top-weekly-chart/.104710|title=High Speed! Is 4th Free! Blu-ray to Top Weekly Chart|work=Anime News Network|date=2016-07-27|accessdate=2018-08-05}} The limited edition of the Blu-ray release sold 14,642 copies on its first week.{{cite news|first=Egan|last=Loo|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-07-26/japan-animation-blu-ray-disc-ranking-july-18-24/.104697|title=Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, July 18–24|work=Anime News Network|date=2016-07-26|accessdate=2018-08-05}} The limited edition of the DVD release debuted at #1 with 9,677 copies sold on its first week, while the regular edition debuted at #13 with 822 DVDs sold.{{cite news|first=Egan|last=Loo|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-07-26/japan-animation-dvd-ranking-july-18-24/.104698|title=Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, July 18–24|work=Anime News Network|date=2016-07-26|accessdate=2018-08-05}}

High Speed! Free! Starting Days ranked #5 in Best Picture in the 2015-2016 Newtype Anime Awards.{{cite news|first=Egan|last=Loo|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-10-09/shinkai-your-name-kabaneri-win-top-newtype-anime-awards/.107437|title=Shinkai's 'your name.,' Kabaneri Win Top Newtype Anime Awards|work=Anime News Network|date=2016-10-09|accessdate=2018-08-05}} The film also ranked #3 in Animation of the Year by fans for the 2017 Tokyo Anime Award, with a total of 16,094 votes.{{cite news|first=Rafael Antonio|last=Pineda|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-02-22/yuri-on-ice-voted-as-tokyo-anime-awards-animation-of-the-year/.112542|title=Yuri!!! on Ice Voted as Tokyo Anime Awards' Animation of the Year|work=Anime News Network|date=2017-02-22|accessdate=2018-08-05}}

{{Infobox album

| name = High Speed! Free! Starting Days Original Soundtrack: Pure Blue Scenes

| type = Soundtrack

| artist = Tatsuya Kato

| cover =

| caption = Cover

| alt =

| released = {{start date|2015|12|16}}

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The original soundtrack was produced by Tatsuya Kato, and it was released on December 16, 2015, under the name {{nihongo|High Speed! Free! Starting Days Original Soundtrack: Pure Blue Scenes|『映画 ハイ☆スピード!-Free! Starting Days-』オリジナルサウンドトラック「Pure Blue Scenes」}}.{{cite web | url=http://www.lantis.jp/release-item/LACA-15530.html | title=劇場版『映画 ハイ☆スピード！－Free! Starting Days－』オリジナルサウンドトラック Pure Blue Scenes | language=ja | work=Lantis | accessdate=2019-04-11}} The soundtrack debuted at #42 on Oricon and charted for three weeks.{{cite web | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/429061/products/1150692/1/ | title=『映画 ハイ☆スピード!-Free! Starting Days-』オリジナルサウンドトラック「Pure Blue Scenes」 | work=Oricon | language=ja | accessdate=2019-07-22}}

{{Track listing

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| title7 = Pleasant Daytime

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| title8 = A Chance to Join

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| title11 = Even Match

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| title12 = Going Well

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| title13 = Heartrending

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| title14 = Mental Training

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| title16 = Tender Coach

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| title17 = Dissonance

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| title18 = Feelings of Discomfort

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| title19 = Serious Agony

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| title20 = Facing Myself

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| title21 = Several Conflict

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| title22 = True Feelings

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| title23 = Lost Game

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| title24 = Unforgettable Memory

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| title25 = My True Self

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| title26 = Pure Feelings for You

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| title27 = Dear Brother

| lyrics27 = —

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| title28 = A Step Forward

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| title29 = Compass to Tomorrow

| lyrics29 = —

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| extra29 = Tatsuya Kato

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| title30 = Amiable Dinner

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| title31 = True Friends

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| title32 = Starting Days

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| title33 = Sense of Unity

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| title34 = Best Swim, Best Team

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| title35 = Starting to the Future

| lyrics35 = —

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| length35 =

| title36 = The Trailer of "High Speed!"

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{{Clear}}

To promote the film, a manga adaptation of High Speed! was released, with artwork provided by Shiori Teshirogi.{{cite news | first=Egan | last=Loo | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-03-22/free-anime-predecessor-high-speed-gets-manga-nobunaga-shimazaki-in-cast/.86278 | title=Free! Anime's Predecessor High Speed! Gets Manga, Nobunaga Shimazaki in Cast | work=Anime News Network | date=2015-03-22 | accessdate=2018-08-05}}

{{Graphic novel list/header

| WithTitle = yes

| Language = Japanese

| OneLanguage = yes

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 1

| OriginalTitle = ハイ☆スピード! コミカライズ 上巻

| TranslitTitle = Hai Supīdo! Komikaraizu Ue-maki

| OriginalRelDate = {{Start date|2015|8|14}}{{cite web | url=https://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/books/highspeed/comic/books/ | title=Books - 『ハイ☆スピード！』コミカライズ公式サイト | language=ja | work=Kyoto Animation | accessdate=2019-07-24 | url-status=live | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724185557/https://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/books/highspeed/comic/books/ | archivedate=2019-07-24}}

| OriginalISBN = 978-4907064358

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 2

| OriginalTitle = ハイ☆スピード! コミカライズ 下巻

| TranslitTitle = Hai Supīdo! Komikaraizu Shita-maki

| OriginalRelDate = {{Start date|2015|8|14}}

| OriginalISBN = 978-4907064365

}}

{{Graphic novel list/footer}}

A drama CD titled {{nihongo|High Speed! Free! Starting Days: Drama CD: Iwatobi Middle School Swim Team Activities Diary|『映画 ハイ☆スピード!-Free! Starting Days-』ドラマCD「岩鳶中学水泳部 活動日誌」|Eiga Hai Supīdo! Free! Starting Days: Dorama CD Iwatobi Chūgaku Suiei-bu Katsudō Nisshi}} was released on February 17, 2016, with cast members reprising their roles. The CD debuted at #13 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart.{{cite web | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/117048/products/1159824/1/ | title=『映画 ハイ☆スピード!-Free! Starting Days-』ドラマCD「岩鳶中学水泳部 活動日誌」 | language=ja | work=Oricon | accessdate=2019-07-22}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|http://www.movie-highspeed.com}} {{in lang|ja}}
• {{anime News Network|anime|16898|High Speed! -Free! Starting Days-}}

{{Free!}}

{{Kyoto Animation}}

{{Yasuhiro Takemoto}}

Category:2010s Japanese films

Category:2015 anime films

Category:2015 films

Category:Animated films based on animated series

Category:Japanese film series

Category:2010s Japanese-language films

Category:Funimation

Category:Kyoto Animation

Category:Films set in Tottori Prefecture