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The Best Episodes of Free!

Every episode of Free! ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Free!!

Binge this in 14h 48m•Peaking at 8.5/10

The story revolves around Haruka Nanase, a boy who has always loved to be immersed in water, and to swim in it. Before graduating from elementary school, he participated in a swimming tournament along with

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Free! Season 1 Episode 12 - Distant Free
    8.5/10(93 votes)

    S1:E12

    The Iwatobi Swim Club must win to advance to nationals. As the tournament draws near, the members get nervous. Meanwhile, Rin grows increasingly irritated. As it comes time for the medley relay, each member must find their own answer as they step up to the start line

    Director:Eisaku Kawanami
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  2. Free! Season 3 Episode 12 - Dive to the Future!
    8.4/10(59 votes)

    S3:E12

    Nagisa, Rei, and the rest of the Iwatobi Swim Club have come to cheer on their former teammates at the All-Japan Invitational. Makoto tells them the story of how ever since Haruka swam for the first time, he'd been swimming only freestyle.

    Directors:Eisaku Kawanami, Taichi Ogawa
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  3. Free! Season 2 Episode 13 - The Eternal Summer of Beginnings!
    8.3/10(61 votes)

    S2:E13

    Having faced his feelings honestly at last, Haruka tells Makoto, Nagisa, and Rei what he has decided for himself and his future. The Iwatobi Swim Club is once again fully united as they mount the starting block at nationals, ready to swim for themselves, for their friends, and now, for the future as well.

    Directors:Hiroko Utsumi, Ai Yukimura
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  4. Free! Season 2 Episode 10 - The Six-Beat Kick of Tears!
    8.2/10(58 votes)

    S2:E10

    As the tournament continues, Sousuke finally tells Rin about how he’s passed their years of separation. Rin is concerned at Sousuke’s nonchalant attitude toward certain things and tries to speak his mind. Meanwhile, the Iwatobi Swim Club looks toward the relay final.

    Director:Taichi Ogawa
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  5. Free! Season 3 Episode 8 - Metamorphosis of the Soul!
    8.2/10(36 votes)

    S3:E8

    After the breakup of his middle school swim team, Ikuya decided to get stronger on his own and not rely on anyone. But Haruka, breaking out of his freestyle comfort zone to swim in the individual medley, tells Ikuya that he's not alone.

    Director:Haruka Fujita
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  6. Free! Season 3 Episode 11 - Streamline of Unity!
    8.2/10(35 votes)

    S3:E11

    Makoto meets up with the members of the Iwatobi Swim Club who are in Tokyo for the nationals. Meanwhile, Haru continues his training.

    Director:Taichi Ishidate
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Free!

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  7. Free! Season 2 Episode 12 - A Swim-Off in a Foreign Land!
    8.1/10(60 votes)

    S2:E12

    Upon Rin’s invitation, Haruka finds himself venturing to “a certain country.” Knowing that Haruka has hit a wall worrying about his future, Rin opens up and speaks to him about his own thoughts and feelings. Afterward, Rin quietly asks Haruka what he will do about his own future...

    Director:Naoko Yamada
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  8. Free! Season 3 Episode 3 - First Swim in Another Country!
    8.1/10(35 votes)

    S3:E3

    Rin, now living in Australia, trains hard every day with swimmers from all around the world. Then a Japanese guy shows up where his team is training, challenging each of his teammates to races and beating them one by one. Even Rin is surprised when this newcomer reveals his identity...

    Director:Yasuhiro Takemoto
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  9. Free! Season 3 Episode 10 - The Grab Start of Hope!
    8.1/10(33 votes)

    S3:E10

    Makoto has been unable to get in touch with Haruka following the friendly race at his training camp, making him worry that Haruka is dwelling on what happened. Then Nao approaches Makoto to tell him about a rumor he heard.

    Director:Yasuhiro Takemoto
    Writer:Reiko Yoshida

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  10. Free! Season 1 Episode 8 - Revenge in the Medley!
    8.0/10(74 votes)

    S1:E8

    Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa, and Rei swim in their individual events. Rin becomes irritated as he remembers watching them swim back in grade school. Afterwards, the four Iwatobi Swim Club members must prepare for the medley relay.

    Director:Yasuhiro Takemoto
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  11. Free! Season 3 Episode 7 - A Solitary Medley!
    8.0/10(35 votes)

    S3:E7

    With the college championships approaching, all the swimmers are training hard on their own in addition to their official club practices. Haruka is also undergoing some extra training, with coaching from the mysterious man they've been seeing around campus. Makoto is concerned about the arrangement, but Haruka assures him that he asked for the help himself

    Director:Noriyuki Kitanohara
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  12. Free! Season 2 Episode 11 - The Open Turn of Destiny!
    7.9/10(58 votes)

    S2:E11

    The Iwatobi Swim Club continues their training. However, signs of confusion seem to keep surfacing in the silent Haruka’s swimming. Makoto and the others are worried about him, but try to continue acting cheerfully as though nothing was wrong. But one day, Sousuke appears, asking to speak to Haruka…

    Director:Takuya Yamamura
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  13. Free! Season 3 Episode 9 - Interval in the Evening Calm!
    7.9/10(33 votes)

    S3:E9

    Haruka's next race is the All-Japan Invitational, which determines who will represent Japan at the global level. To prepare for this important tournament, Haruka is invited to a special training camp.

    Director:Shinpei Sawa
    Writer:Haruna Matsuda

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  14. Free! Season 1 Episode 6 - Shocking No Breathing
    7.8/10(78 votes)

    S1:E6

    There's trouble at the beach. The four swim club members are forced to revisit their motivation to swim. After Rei asks Makoto about his odd behavior during the training camp, Makoto tells them about his past.

    Director:Rika Ota
    Writer:Reiko Yoshida

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  15. Free! Season 2 Episode 6 - Invincible Prime!
    7.8/10(55 votes)

    S2:E6

    On the eve of prefecturals, Makoto resolves himself to broach a certain subject with Haruka. As the tournament begins, the Iwatobi Swim Club is extremely enthusiastic about its prospects. But will every member be able to pass the prelims of his individual events?

    Director:Takuya Yamamura
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  16. Free! Season 2 Episode 9 - Forming of a Slump!
    7.8/10(53 votes)

    S2:E9

    At Samezuka Academy, the hot-blooded practices continue ahead of regionals. Meanwhile, the Iwatobi Swim Club trains diligently each day until sundown. Though Amakata-sensei is concerned, Haruka and the boys insist they want to practice as much as possible before the tournament.

    Director:Eisaku Kawanami
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  17. Free! Season 3 Episode 4 - Interference of Loss!
    7.8/10(33 votes)

    S3:E4

    Haru, Makoto, and Asahi visit Shimogami University in hopes of talking to Ikuya, but even after looking all over campus, they can't find him. Hiyori, however, notices them and makes it his mission to keep them from seeing Ikuya.

    Director:Tatsuya Ishihara
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  18. Free! Season 3 Episode 6 - The Mermaid of the Abyss!
    7.8/10(33 votes)

    S3:E6

    Hiyori still remembers the first time he saw Ikuya smile. Both boys grew stronger through rigorous training while they studied abroad in America... but seeing Haruka threw Ikuya off his stride. Now Hiyori wishes Ikuya would just forget about Haruka for good.

    Director:Naoko Yamada
    Writer:Reiko Yoshida

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  19. Free! Season 1 Episode 2 - Memories in the Distance!
    7.7/10(90 votes)

    S1:E2

    Makoto and Nagisa watch with their breaths held as Haruka and Rin engage in an intense race. However, they notice that Rin appears to be have changed. At the same time, Nagisa prepares to start up a swim club with help from Rin's sister Gou.

    Director:Eisaku Kawanami
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  20. Free! Season 1 Episode 3 - Theoretical Dolphin Kick!
    7.7/10(84 votes)

    S1:E3

    The Iwatobi Swim Club needs one more member before it can participate in relays. Nagisa has set his sights on his classmate Rei, who is a member of the track team. Despite Rei's refusal to join, but Nagisa appears intent on recruiting Rei into the swim club.

    Director:Taichi Ogawa
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  21. Free! Season 1 Episode 4 - Captive Butterfly
    7.7/10(84 votes)

    S1:E4

    The Iwatobi Swim Club has a full roster now.As they begin to practice, they run into a little trouble.After a certain member claims that his swimsuit is to blame, the club makes a trip to buy new swimsuits.

    Director:Yoshiji Kigami
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  22. Free! Season 1 Episode 7 - One Style Final!
    7.7/10(75 votes)

    S1:E7

    As prefecturals draw near, Haruka and the other swim club members continue to improve. Meanwhile, Rin reveals his motivations for swimming. The swimmers must now show what they have accomplished at the tournament.

    Director:Naoko Yamada
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  23. Free! Season 2 Episode 1 - Stormy Dash-Dive!
    7.7/10(69 votes)

    S2:E1

    Haruka and his friends have grown after last summer’s tournament. Amidst the hustle and bustle of training for their individual events, their daily lives continue as usual. However, a new season now approaches!

    Director:Hiroko Utsumi
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  24. Free! Season 2 Episode 8 - The Locomotive of a Twist!
    7.7/10(55 votes)

    S2:E8

    While Haruka and the boys redouble their training in the wake of prefecturals, Makoto notices Gou looking troubled and asks her what’s wrong. She tells him that Coach Sasabe has been so busy with his Swim Club lately, he hasn’t been by to approve their new training regimen. Makoto offers to go see him for her, but what he finds at the Swim Club is...

    Director:Ai Yukimura
    Writer:Chika Ishikawa

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  25. Free! Season 3 Episode 2 - A Promise on a Shooting Star!
    7.7/10(37 votes)

    S3:E2

    Haruka and his relay teammates decide to hold a training camp in the summer of their second year of middle school. During the night, Haruka heads out to the pool and finds Ikuya looking up at the stars.

    Director:Shinpei Sawa
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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Best Episodes Summary

"Distant Free" is the best rated episode of "Free!". It scored 8.5/10 based on 93 votes. Directed by Eisaku Kawanami and written by Masahiro Yokotani, it aired on 9/26/2013. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Dive to the Future!".