CATDOLL: "Free!" prequel comic will be released in August, storyline and character design revealed

The theatrical version of "Free! Starting Days" will be released on December 5, 2015. The comic book version of "High☆Speed", the original novel of the popular TV animation "Free!" produced by Kyoto Animation for women, will be released in August at the same time, with each volume priced at 550 yen (about RMB 27.83) excluding tax. The story content and character setting drawings of the comic book version will also be released at the same time.

The author of the manga version of "High☆Speed" is the manga artist Shiori Teshirogi. She is mainly active in magazines published by Akita Shoten. Her representative works include "Saint Seiya THE LOST CANVAS Pluto Mythos" all 25 volumes and "Saint Seiya THE LOST CANVAS Pluto Mythos Gaiden" which has been published to the 9th volume.

In addition, the new theatrical animation "High☆Speed! -Free!! Starting Days-" based on "High☆Speed" has been confirmed to be released nationwide in Japan on December 5. The voice actors of the main characters will not change, Shimazaki Nobunaga will play Nanase Haruka, Suzuki Tatsuhisa will play Tachibana Makoto, Miyano Mamoru will play Matsuoka Rin, and Daishinaga Tsubasa will play Hazuki Nagisa.

Nanase Haruka: A sixth grader who loves water and swimming. She is obsessed with freestyle swimming. She has a cold personality and doesn't like to get too close to others, but she is attracted to people with beautiful swimming styles.

Makoto Tachibana: A close friend who grew up with Haruka. She is gentle and considerate, always taking care of Haruka and other friends. She has a good figure and likes to swim the breaststroke, which relies on physical strength to win.

Nagisa Hazuki: A fifth-grade elementary school student who is one year younger than Haruka and Makoto. She admires Haruka's swimming skills. She has a naive personality, which is also reflected in her sensual swimming skills.

Matsuoka Rin: A transfer student to Haruka's school. Usually a talkative and enthusiastic boy, but once it comes to swimming, he becomes a rational thinker and hard worker. He really likes swimming relays.

Aki Yazaki: A girl who attends the same elementary school as Haruka and is in the same swimming club. A kind and gentle person who wants everyone to get along well. She protects Haruka and everyone else.

Story content:

Nanase Haruka is a sixth grade elementary school student who loves water and enjoys swimming while feeling the water.

He studies in the same swimming club as Makoto Tachibana, with whom he grew up, and Nagisa Hazuki, who is one year younger than him.

One winter day just before graduation, Rin Matsuoka, a member of another swimming club, transferred to Haruka's school.

Through swimming, Haruka formed a deep bond with Makoto, Nagisa, and Rin.

At this time, Rin, who has a strong interest in swimming relay, suggested that everyone form a team to participate in the competition...