#Crunchyroll – Free!-the Final Stroke

The production committee for the Kyoto Animation-produced Free!-the Final Stroke- two-part anime film announced today that the previously announced trailer that was set to be released on August 19 has been canceled. Though, fans don’t have to wait long for more information, as more details about the film were already set to be released on August 20 and will still be going ahead.

In a post on the film’s official website, the production committee explained that the trailer heavily featured the theme song for the film “Heading to Over – Version:Free -” from band OLDCODEX. The band is currently on hiatus due to one of the members, Tatsuhisa Suzuki, taking a break from public activities because of “mental and physical fatigue.” Both he and his wife, J-pop superstar LiSA announced they were taking this break days after rumors appeared online that Suzuki was cheating on her.

Due to the nature of the situation, and the trailer being tailored around the song, the production committee decided it would be best to cancel the release. 

It was originally mentioned that the single for “Heading to Over – Version:Free -” would still be getting release despite the suspended activities. But it was further announced that the song would not be released at this time.

Free!–the Final Stroke– is being advertised as the “final chapter” of the franchise with the first part scheduled to be released on September 17, 2021, and the second part scheduled to be released on April 22, 2022. Catch up with the splash on Crunchyroll with all the TV anime seasons of Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club streaming now.

Source: Free! on Twitter

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Daryl Harding is a Japan Correspondent for Crunchyroll News. He also runs a YouTube channel about Japan stuff called TheDoctorDazza, tweets at @DoctorDazza, and posts photos of his travels on Instagram.