Every once in a while, an anime is introduced to the masses that manages to simultaneously tug at our heart strings and compel us to empty our bank accounts, convincing us that we definitely need the plethora of merchandise that is flooding Hot Topic. Say it with me now: We don't need it. Free! Iwatobi Swim Club and its companion season Free! Eternal Summer are examples of such an anime, having reduced scores of viewers to puddles of hysterics throughout the course of the two seasons. When I started watching the show, I figured I would be relatively immune to the onslaught of biceps and chlorine, and while those factors proved to be a tad distracting, the show compromised my resolve numerous times, especially when having compared them to my own college experience.

Let me take a moment to clarify that this show does indeed take place while the main characters are in high school. I repeat: At the helm of this show are two hapless, seventeen-year-old boys and their younger counterparts. I didn't think that the show should have struck me as much as it did, but after having contemplated the premise of this slice of life/sports anime, I've come to the conclusion that the show succeeds in portraying the struggles faced by those that are uncertain with their paths in life, which can resonate with an incredibly wide audience.

For those unfamiliar, Free! follows Haruka Nanase and his ramshackle band of aquatic companions--I mean, teammates--while they complete their final year of high school. None of the young men seem particularly convinced about their career paths, and their primary goal is performing well enough to secure a spot at the national swimming competition. Very straightforward. These specific scenes, though, depict not only the struggles evident in that of a high school athlete, but instead display the anxiety that has plagued us all at one point or another while we were formulating our life plans.

Naturally, the remainder of this article, given its nature, will contain spoilers. You've been warned.

1. Nagisa runs away from home.

First and foremost, ouch. This episode hurt.

The boys (from left to right: Makoto, Haru, Nagisa, and Rei) are in the midst of filling out their career planning forms when this episode occurs, and while all of them appear to be struggling, Nagisa--the usually exuberant, optimistic member of the team--encounters the most difficulty, given that the forms surface in tandem with his dwindling grade point average. Shortly after having been accosted by his parents, Nagisa flees his home and proceeds to attempt to seek refuge amongst his teammates. Essentially, he's the poster boy for running away from his problems, not unlike most college students.

This scene is akin to the "I'm going to run away and become a stripper" mentality, something that is very common amongst college students. While most do not succumb to the desire to abandon algebra and hop on the pole, the idea of ditching responsibilities is appealing to almost everyone. In college, we're encountering our first taste of adulthood, and for some of us, it can taste much more like kale than cake.

2. Makoto and Haru fight about their futures (a.k.a. please kiss already).

Have I mentioned that this show hurts? Because it does.

In any group of friends, there will be those that relentlessly pursue their futures and others that would rather be, well, free (see what I did there?). Haru is of the latter category, and the majority of the second season is an account of his trials and tribulations towards that of committing to a particular career. The boy is terrified, and when he finds out that his best friend is preparing to hound him just like everyone else, the typically stoic, quiet boy snaps.

We've all been here. Whether it be coming out of counseling offices or classes, wondering if the courses we're taking will lead us in the right direction, we've all felt the crippling pressures of deciding what we want to do with our lives, and the idea that we have to decide now is absolutely terrifying.

3. Rei feeling as though he does not belong with the team.

This one is a little self explanatory, but I'll elaborate, nonetheless. Rei is new to swimming; they literally drag him to practice and practically force this kid to swim. However, when he finds that he's with a collection of individuals that he genuinely enjoys, he begins putting a remarkable amount of effort into his aquatic abilities. But he's apprehensive, seeing as each of them have been swimming for years and have amassed a considerable amount of skill. This isn't unlike freshmen wandering into upper-level courses, really enjoyin the older students' company but potentially feeling out of place.

I had a similar instance this past semester. In one of my classes, I was the youngest student in a group of graduate students and seniors. I felt like an idiot around them, despite the fact that they were all so kind. I desperately wanted to be a part of their academic stratum, and I knew I wouldn't be able to do that without working my ass off (much like Rei at the end of this episode).

4. Rin living in the shadow of someone else.

This kid will be the death of me, I swear. Nonstop tears.

For those of you dealing with being the smallest sibling or the offspring of uber-successful parents, this one is for you. We live in a society that thrives on competition, and this attitude is strongest amongst those to whom we are closest. With Rin, it's his father; his deceased dad never achieved the dream of becoming an Olympian, and Rin feels as though he must live up to those expectations. As students, we constantly place ourselves against friends and family as a means of provig ourselves, but ultimately, it ends in tears and dissatisfaction.

5. Haru chokes at nationals.

This poor child. He can't catch a break.

There's nothing more terrifying than having the one thing you love more than anything monopolized by those around you. The desire to pursue that field of activity is gone, and any time you interact with that particular sport, class, etc. you feel as if it has become a second job, not a passion project. Such is the plight of Haruka Nanase, a young man that is adamant about wanting to be left alone when it comes to his personal life, this including his career plans. He loves swimming with his entire being, but with instructors breathing down his neck about taking his passion to the next level, that aforementioned desire begins to fade. Thus, in the middle of the national competition, Haru figuratively and literally chokes while in the water, touching his feet to the bottom of the pool, which results in disqualification.

From someone that is actively pursuing her desires in college, please do not let other people pressure you into treating your passion like a job. Remember why you love it, but most importantly, remember that, when it comes down to the wire, you're the only one that matters when it comes to making yourself happy.

Thank you, Iwatobi boys, for teaching us so much. See you next water time.