Makoto & Haru’s Relationship
So with the announcement of s3 and timeless medley movies, I’ve been re-watching the whole Free! series. And I’ve been wondering about Makoto and Haru’s relationship. First and foremost, I’d like to say that I’m a hardcore MakoHaru shipper and am probably biased when it comes to them and that is why I want to know other’s opinions.
I want to know their relationship without thinking of it romantically. Also, I’ve never read the novels, so I don’t know how they are portrayed in them.
What exactly is Makoto to Haru? We know they share a deep bond and are childhood best friends. Throughout the whole series, it’s obvious that Haru means a lot, if not everything to Makoto. We get to see that pretty clearly and obviously. But what about Haru? We get that Makoto is very dear to him too even if he doesn’t show it much. Although we get to see more in the Starting Days movie, Rin was still always at the back of Haru’s mind.
I know that Haru and Rin are the protagonists of the show so obviously their relationship will have more focus and development. They help each other grow and be better. They’re really fixated on each other. But because of that I feel that Makoto just gives and gives and.. doesn’t really get much back..? And that’s just so sad.. cause I feel like he deserves so much more. It’s kinda hard for me to explain their relationship platonically, but romantically, Makoto’s love for Haru feels kind of.. unrequited? It’s like.. Makoto likes Haru who might like him back but at the same time likes Rin who kind of likes Haru back but also likes Sousuke who likes Rin..? I know, that’s stupid, but that’s the feeling I get sometimes.
I get that both Makoto and Rin are important to Haru. I don’t know if it’s just me but I feel as if the show is saying Rin means a lot more to Haru. What of Makoto then? Whether it’s platonic or romantic, Makoto loves Haru and really, no one can deny that.
I guess what I want to know is, does Haru feel the same way towards him? Is Makoto’s existence just as important and meaningful to him as how Haru’s is to Makoto? Is Makoto Haru’s most important person? Is he a precious and irreplaceable existence to Haru?
I’m not even gonna depend on the interviews lol. I don’t know which one to believe, especially when it comes to comparing Makoto, Haru and Rin’s relationship. Like, on one side MH would be each other’s halves, and on the other side, RH would be destined pairs, or something along the lines and I’m just like “…what”.
On a side note, excluding the duet CDs, I know that Makoto has a character song about his and Haru’s friendship. And both Haru and Rin have one for each other as well. It saddens me that Haru doesn’t have one about Makoto :( (or at least, none that I know of?)
Anyway, for those who actually read this whole thing, wow, thanks. I don’t know who exactly is still active enough in the fandom so I didn’t know where to ask but, I hope that whoever comes across this post will help out. And if no one does, well, then I’ll just wait for s3 to see how their relationship plays out.
