Movie
Description
Kaede Kinjo is a prominent character introduced in the later narrative arcs of the Free! anime series, specifically making his full appearance as a university student. He is a talented and highly competitive swimmer attending Naribusawa University, where he is a key member of its swim club. Before his university career, he attended Suda East High School and previously Sugahayashi High School, and originally specialized in the butterfly stroke before switching his focus to freestyle during his third year of high school.
Physically, Kaede is a muscular young man standing 181 cm tall, born on October 20th. He has swept-back, messy amber or golden-orange hair and sharp, hooded chartreuse eyes. His typical expression is often characterized as a condescending smirk, a look he maintains even in the midst of competition. His swimwear consists of a blue cap and jammers in varying shades of blue, and he wears the Naribusawa team uniform which features yellow with dark and light blue accents.
Kaede's personality is defined by a singular, almost obsessive focus on swimming. He is described as very combative and often behaves in an arrogant or blunt manner towards others, seemingly oblivious to or unconcerned with how his actions are perceived. This is evident when he makes his entrance at the All-Japan Invitational, physically striding between fellow swimmers Asahi Shiina and Hiyori Tono without a word. His speed and power in the pool are noted by coach Ryuji Azuma to be the direct result of his unwavering dedication to swimming, which has come at the expense of forming meaningful relationships with others. Sports journalist Kon Kurimiya has also labeled him a rising star in the swimming world. Despite his harsh exterior, there are moments that reveal a more considerate side, such as when he quietly ensures that younger swimmers are warming up properly or covers a sleeping Haruka Nanase with a jacket, showing he is not entirely devoid of care for those around him.
Kaede's primary motivation is rooted in his desire to be the best. His switch from butterfly to freestyle was driven by a wish to compete against and surpass top-tier athletes, and his times improved so dramatically that he once beat the national record in a practice race. He is considered the swimmer closest to breaking the official Japanese freestyle record and competes at a global level. His role in the story serves as a formidable rival to the main characters, pushing them to new heights while also undergoing his own subtle development.
His key relationships are largely defined by competition and shared history. He knows Hiyori Tono from childhood, as Hiyori's cousin, Kiyohumi Haishima, was instrumental in introducing Kaede to competitive swimming. This connection also gives him an acquaintance with Ikuya Kirishima. Initially, Kaede's interactions with them are confrontational, as he uses provocative nicknames like crybaby Hiyori and mermaid prince hero for Ikuya. He also has a notable rivalry with Haruka Nanase, whose pure and powerful approach to swimming stirs something in Kaede, reminding him of his own past. Over time, despite his earlier arrogant behavior, he demonstrates personal growth by offering a quiet, albeit terse, apology for his past condescension towards Hiyori and Ikuya.
Kaede's abilities in the pool are exceptional. As a former butterfly specialist, his technique is strong, but his switch to freestyle unlocked his true potential. He quickly became a dominant force in national competitions, notably defeating Asahi Shiina and Hiyori Tono in the 50-meter freestyle, and setting a new tournament record in the 100-meter freestyle by beating both Haruka Nanase and Rin Matsuoka. His talent extends to the international stage, where he has won bronze medals in the 100-meter freestyle at events in Sydney and Fukuoka, and has also served as the anchor for the 400-meter medley relay.
Physically, Kaede is a muscular young man standing 181 cm tall, born on October 20th. He has swept-back, messy amber or golden-orange hair and sharp, hooded chartreuse eyes. His typical expression is often characterized as a condescending smirk, a look he maintains even in the midst of competition. His swimwear consists of a blue cap and jammers in varying shades of blue, and he wears the Naribusawa team uniform which features yellow with dark and light blue accents.
Kaede's personality is defined by a singular, almost obsessive focus on swimming. He is described as very combative and often behaves in an arrogant or blunt manner towards others, seemingly oblivious to or unconcerned with how his actions are perceived. This is evident when he makes his entrance at the All-Japan Invitational, physically striding between fellow swimmers Asahi Shiina and Hiyori Tono without a word. His speed and power in the pool are noted by coach Ryuji Azuma to be the direct result of his unwavering dedication to swimming, which has come at the expense of forming meaningful relationships with others. Sports journalist Kon Kurimiya has also labeled him a rising star in the swimming world. Despite his harsh exterior, there are moments that reveal a more considerate side, such as when he quietly ensures that younger swimmers are warming up properly or covers a sleeping Haruka Nanase with a jacket, showing he is not entirely devoid of care for those around him.
Kaede's primary motivation is rooted in his desire to be the best. His switch from butterfly to freestyle was driven by a wish to compete against and surpass top-tier athletes, and his times improved so dramatically that he once beat the national record in a practice race. He is considered the swimmer closest to breaking the official Japanese freestyle record and competes at a global level. His role in the story serves as a formidable rival to the main characters, pushing them to new heights while also undergoing his own subtle development.
His key relationships are largely defined by competition and shared history. He knows Hiyori Tono from childhood, as Hiyori's cousin, Kiyohumi Haishima, was instrumental in introducing Kaede to competitive swimming. This connection also gives him an acquaintance with Ikuya Kirishima. Initially, Kaede's interactions with them are confrontational, as he uses provocative nicknames like crybaby Hiyori and mermaid prince hero for Ikuya. He also has a notable rivalry with Haruka Nanase, whose pure and powerful approach to swimming stirs something in Kaede, reminding him of his own past. Over time, despite his earlier arrogant behavior, he demonstrates personal growth by offering a quiet, albeit terse, apology for his past condescension towards Hiyori and Ikuya.
Kaede's abilities in the pool are exceptional. As a former butterfly specialist, his technique is strong, but his switch to freestyle unlocked his true potential. He quickly became a dominant force in national competitions, notably defeating Asahi Shiina and Hiyori Tono in the 50-meter freestyle, and setting a new tournament record in the 100-meter freestyle by beating both Haruka Nanase and Rin Matsuoka. His talent extends to the international stage, where he has won bronze medals in the 100-meter freestyle at events in Sydney and Fukuoka, and has also served as the anchor for the 400-meter medley relay.