Poll: Are the main characters in Free! actually gay/bisexual or not?

[otakon17]

As far as I can see, they're all just really close friends. More like family than friends. But I have acquaintances who insist that they're all gay for each other and I don't see it. So I figured I'd turn to the Escapist for some insight on the matter. They are convinced that this is some Yaoi when it's never been marketed as such and no one has acknowledged as such either. Hell, I've been to LGBT community websites saying basically "Yes, there are undertones and a lot of pretty guys, but they're not actually gay".

So, anyone that's familiar with the show and both seasons, lend an ear and a hand with this debate would you?

 

[sextus the crazy]

I was under the impression that it was just a fanservice show directed towards men. The gay vibes are fan-created; they have a gay old time in the show, but not in the homosexual sense.

 

[DaWaffledude]

I've never watched an episode of Free! but I know it's a fanservice show, so they're probably going to tease it as much as possible without actually committing to it.

 

[Mangod]

I've never watched an episode of Free! but I know it's a fanservice show, so they're probably going to tease it as much as possible without actually committing to it.

This, more or less. In fact, you should probably add "They're teasing it, but won't commit one way or the other" as a third option in the pool.

 

[Kaimax]

Just the usual Fujoshi bait anime. They're not Gay, but are easily made to look like it.

Free itself has a harmless entertaining story, too much flashbacks in the 2nd season though.

 

[otakon17]

Huh, pretty much same thing I thought from the beginning, but this kind of thing wasn't the first time it happened. When

Spoiler

Mako wanted to go on a "date" with Ryuko in Kill La Kill, our chat was divided in half whether it was a romantic date or just hanging out. The yuri lovers of the group insisted on it being a romantic date, while me and the females of the group insisted it was just hanging out

.

 

[mecegirl]

No, they are not gay. Its just fan service to put them in situation that make it look like they are kinda in love with each other.I wouldn't even say that its made up by the fans just because the "gay" moments have been intentionally put in by the creators.

 

[Saetha]

I was under the impression that it was just a fanservice show directed towards men. The gay vibes are fan-created; they have a gay old time in the show, but not in the homosexual sense.

Didn't it start off as some commercial for glasses or swimming or something, and then fan girls lost their shit and the company that made the commercial launched it as an anime?

I seem to recall something along those lines...

*Shrug* I don't watch the show, I just hear about it via Tumblr, which leads to think that yes, everyone in the show is 100% straight but Tumblr in it's yaoi-obsessed delusions refuses to admit that.

 

[sextus the crazy]

I was under the impression that it was just a fanservice show directed towards men. The gay vibes are fan-created; they have a gay old time in the show, but not in the homosexual sense.

Didn't it start off as some commercial for glasses or swimming or something, and then fan girls lost their shit and the company that made the commercial launched it as an anime?

I seem to recall something along those lines...

IIRC, it was a demo by KyoAni showing off how good their animation was. People lost their shit over it, so they made a show out of it.