You might already be familiar with the crazy-talented, incredibly beautiful, mackerel-loving, water-obsessed protagonist of Free! and Free! Eternal Summer.
Some of you might wonder, what is there to love about him, aside from his impressive swimming, his amazing good looks, his love for grilled fish, and his connection with water bodies everywhere?
What, indeed!
So, belatedly, and for haruappreciationday2k15, I’m here to present you with a comprehensive guide of Haru’s loveable points. Hopefully. Seriously, there is so much to love about him that I hope you’ll forgive me if I forget something. HERE WE GO.
🐬 Haru is independent
Ever since he was little, Haru has learned how to take care of himself. He has no trouble dutifully taking care of the chores at home; cleaning, washing clothes, keeping the house organized, you name it. He is great at cooking, and in spite of his love for mackerel, he has the skills to successfully make a good enough variety of tasty dishes that his team trusts him to come up with an appropriate menu fit for athletes. Even with his school and club activities, Haru can still keep his house and himself always prim and proper without any help. He could even single-handedly build a flower bed at age 12. He’s amazingly self-sufficient. Wouldn’t you love to have some help from Haru at home? I know I would.
🐬 Haru is good with his hands an artist
Drawing? Check. Painting? Check. Carving a countless number of exact, cute-creepy wooden mascots? Check! Innuendos aside, Haru is naturally dexterous. He’s so good at handiwork that it’s still unclear whether he stole/borrowed that Iwamoge mask from the Iwatobi Film Society or if he simply reproduced it entirely on his own. Haru is skillful in a lot of areas, but this is one he really excels at, so much that his school’s art club tries to recruit him at the sight of his swim club posters. And he’s always shown to do it so effortlessly, in perfect concentration, and to awe-inspiring results (both in the good and not so good ways).
🐬 Haru is passionate
I know I’m leaving the good looks aside, but DAMN. Look at those eyes.
While he may come across as laid back and even a bit cold sometimes, Haru is someone whose love for everything he’s passionate about truly shines. There is no questions about what Haru loves in life; it just becomes painfully obvious by watching him, and how his demeanor changes when he really becomes involved in something. Haru is capable of great focus, so much that he can be seen as having a one-track mind at times, but that’s an amazing quality for any athlete. He is perfectly capable to put up with training he doesn’t normally favor, like running regularly, or any other form of land training, as long as it serves a purpose to his goals.What if it doesn’t, you ask?
🐬 Haru has a mind of his own
Haru moves through life at his own pace. He doesn’t care what people think of him, and he also doesn’t judge others in return. While he’s willing to put up with practically anything for the sake of his friends, he won’t bother with anything he doesn’t want to do–he’s strong-willed, and will stay away from activities that he considers are too much effort or that he is not interested in, even if anyone tries to talk him into it. Haru makes his own decisions and will do his own thing; he can rarely be swayed otherwise. However, that might not always work in his own benefit. He might be a bit reluctant or find it difficult to express what he does want at times, too. It takes attention to realize when to push him a little and when not to.
🐬 Haru is determined
He might sometimes take a while to figure out what he wants, but once he does, Haru will go for it head on, no question. Whether it’s working on scouting people for the club, restoring friendships, or going after his dream, Haru will bluntly move towards what he wants, and he’ll do his best, honest effort to get there. With the knowledge that he can always rely on his friends if or when he falters, Haru is the kind of person that you just know will achieve whatever he sets his mind on accomplishing. He’s extremely dedicated when he wants to be.
🐬 Haru loves animals
This is such an important point. A couple of Free! characters are always praised for their love of cats, but when it comes to Haru, he rarely gets mention. Love for animals always increases a person’s likeable-ness by 2000% and Haru is no exception to this rule! He regularly shares his precious mackerel with the stray cats of his neighborhood, lets them into his house, and they’re all comfortable enough around him that they’ll let him pet them and nap in his presence without complaint. What’s more, Haru is not only a cat person, but a dog person, too! He’ll take care of a stray dog he knows nothing of, even though he’ll try to deny worrying about it at first. Even an unfamiliar family dog in a completely different continent will love him at first sight. You can really never go wrong with him!
🐬 Haru is graceful
Be it perfect cartwheels, his outstanding swimming technique, or a flawless running stance (in spite of his lack of speed for the latter), Haru is naturally flexible. He has extremely good control of his movements, and he can easily captivate others with them without any effort. It’s not just Haru’s own personal beauty doing the magic, but how he executes those movements that forces people to stare at him with wide-eyes and admiration. Who cares if he comes in last? Haru’s stances are a beauty to behold.
🐬 Haru has amazing body language
It might be difficult at first to connect with Haru, to understand him as a character, as he shows so little in an explicit, outward manner. But it’s all in the subtleties: how he moves, how he stares, how his eyes shine when he’s excited, or how his fingers clench into fists when he finds his determination. All you have to do is know where to look, and Haru’s reactions and movements will tell you all you need to know. Attentive watching will help you learn more about him and his feelings than any monologue would. Haru is all about the little things.
🐬 Haru is a true athlete
While he himself tried to deny it time and time again, there is a strong competitive fire in Haru that drives him forward. He not only enjoys swimming, but also enjoys the knowledge of being certain he is the best in the water. He will put everything he’s got in a competition that matters to him, whether he claims he’s interested in the results or not. He not only swims to carry his friends higher, but also for himself. He also has great respect for the effort of fellow swimmers. Even when not at his best, Haru will step up to answer to those efforts with all he’s got.
🐬 Haru is a great host
While reluctantly at times, Haru is used to receiving people at his home. He’s quick to allow them to make themselves comfortable, fix them up with food and drinks, and listen to what they have to say. Even if you show up uninvited, you’ll rarely have the door shut in your face at Nanase’s. Expect some tea, fish, or other healthy foods, and an attentive ear for all your troubles. You might even get to stay over, and expect access to a warm bath, a cute dolphin bath toy, and essential oil shampoo if you do. Haru’s got you covered.
🐬 Haru is very observant
He might look detached due to his quiet nature, but Haru is very attentive to his friends and their moods. While he might not always know exactly what to say or how to express himself in a way others will understand what he truly means, Haru knows to give a few words of encouragement when it’s worth it. Haru might not be a man of many words, but the few he does say are always meaningful. Compliments do not come lightly from Nanase Haruka, so when they’re given, you’d better appreciate them for what they’re worth.
🐬 Haru is a great friend
There’s absolutely no question here. While he might not always show it outwardly, Haru is one of the most caring, loyal, steadfast people to exist (in fiction). His friends are like a family to him. Choosing a smaller circle of really close people over larger groups, he will always have his friends’ backs, no matter what, and will support them throughout whatever endeavor they pursue. It might be difficult at first to get past his barriers, and everyone should always be ready to butt heads with him, or be harsh or even as stubborn as he is whenever necessary, but once that hurdle is past, it will be nothing but smooth sailing. He will remember promises made years ago, hold on to the memories made, both good and bad and in-between, and will always cherish his friends and keep them close to his heart. Whoever manages to befriend Haru will have a friend for life.
🐬 Haru is a motherfucking PRINCE
He’s manly. He’s gallant. He’s incredibly, effortlessly charming. He will pick you up and lift you up just by extending his hand to you. For all his bluntness, when Haru tunes in on his gentler side, he becomes the embodiment of a fairy tale prince. Flowers literally bloom all around him (and that’s not an exaggeration). It might seem like he doesn’t know how to be kind, but nothing could be farther from the truth–Haru is extremely helpful and reliable, and will step up to stand by his friends’ side whenever they need him. They can always count on him to pull through when they need him the most. Whether he’s inviting someone to a life-changing relay, or helping someone up after tripping, Haru’s gentleness is a sight to behold all on its own. It just makes you want to follow him to the ends of the earth.
🐬 Haru has the most beautiful smile
I knooooow, I know I said I’d be listing stuff aside from Haru’s physical qualities. I know that. But I believe his smile deserves a proper mention regardless. Haru doesn’t smile often. That’s not to say that he doesn’t enjoy himself, or the company of his friends; Haru just isn’t very good at outward expressions of his feelings. He tends to enjoy things quietly and peacefully, and that’s why his smiles are such treasures. Haru’s smiles are always genuine, a true expression of joy and happiness. When Haru smiles, there is no more need for words. You just know.
🐬 Haru has outstanding character growth
Out of all the characters in the cast, Haru is unsurprisingly one of the most fleshed-out of them all. The Haru from the last episode of Eternal Summer is leagues ahead of the Haru we started with during Free!, and that’s no surprise. Haru changes, and he changes a lot–both by his own merit and through the aid of his friends–while still being the same at his core. He goes from being indifferent and uninterested on the outside as a way to cope to learning how to truly appreciate his friends and express it in actual words, from keeping everything bottled up to learning how to voice his wants and feelings and fears, from being afraid of change and an uncertain future to building a path of his own towards his dream. Haru is a character a lot of people can relate to; his uncertainty and his doubts are something most people have experienced in life. But Haru is also a great example of how all those fears can be turned into something positive: a bright future full of promise and happiness, doing what he loves together with those he cares about.
🐬 Haru is a poet
Go on and tell me that Haru doesn’t have the best internal monologues. Go on. Try. Well, you can’t! Because he does. He has a unique way of expressing himself, which sometimes might take a while to get used to, but his words and thoughts are truly beautiful. No, really! It might be difficult to take it all seriously sometimes, but Haru’s insight is usually very poignant, even when slightly unintelligible. He means what he says, no matter how abstract his language might be.
🐬 Haru is a sassy little shit
Not much to say here; it’s literally what it says on the tin. Be it as a child or an adult, Nanase Haruka will sass you to hell and back without remorse. And then you’ll want him to do it again. And it only gets better. He’s just that good.
🐬 … and yes, Haru is a dork
Because yes, he is. Just when you think he’s the coolest, most handsome and complex character you’ve ever seen on screen or on paper, Haru shows his true colors: he’s completely, unironically obsessed with the weirdest mascots, to the point that he’ll collect merchandise, enter design contests, or make his own replicas. There is nothing quite more refreshing than seeing Haru showing his dorkiest side, and become entranced by Iwatobi-chan and its peers. It’s as endearing as it is weird, and it only makes Haru even cuter and more charming than you thought he could be.
Is that all, you ask? Definitely not. There are many, many little things to love about Haru. The caps probably don’t do him justice, and neither does this list. I’m probably forgetting a lot of points. But this should count at least as a little start, to help everyone who still isn’t certain what the big deal about him is to understand the amazingness that is Nanase Haruka.
Our main character, everyone.