High Speed! -Free! Starting Days-

High Speed! -Free! Starting Days- was produced by Kyoto Animation and released in Japanese theaters in 2015 as a prequel to the popular Free! anime franchise. The film serves as an adaptation of the second volume of the light novel series by Koji Oji, focusing on the middle school years of protagonists Haruka Nanase and Makoto Tachibana. Directed by Yasuhiro Takemoto, the project was designed to explore the origins of the characters' relationships and their shared love for swimming before the events depicted in the television series.

The film is noted for its character designs by Futoshi Nishiya, who aimed to emphasize the transition from childhood to adolescence through softer, more fluid animation styles. It was well-received by the existing fan base for its emotional depth and high production standards, which are hallmarks of the studio's aesthetic. By grounding the narrative in the anxieties of early teenage life and the development of team dynamics, the film expanded the lore of the series while maintaining the thematic focus on friendship and competitive spirit found in the original source material.