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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 6.6/10

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 4 - Captive Butterfly
    6.6/10(5 votes)

    #1 - Captive Butterfly

    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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  2. Free! Season 2 Episode 1 - Stormy Dash-Dive!
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #2 - Stormy Dash-Dive!

    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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  3. Free! Season 2 Episode 4 - The Promise's Somersault Turn!
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #3 - The Promise's Somersault Turn!

    S2:E4

    In anticipation of the upcoming prefectural tournament, the members of the Samezuka Swim Club enthusiastically show off their individual abilities. At the Iwatobi Swim Club, an equally enthusiastic Gou proposes a lunchbox inspection to ensure the boys are getting the right nutrition to support their training. However...

    Director:Eisaku Kawanami
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  4. Free! Season 2 Episode 5 - A Resolution's Heads-Up!
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #4 - A Resolution's Heads-Up!

    S2:E5

    The members of the Iwatobi Swim Club ponder over the cause of Nagisa’s odd behavior at the end of practice that day. Though they time their chance well to ask Nagisa what’s happened, Nagisa stubbornly refuses to explain why he’s upset...

    Director:Taichi Ogawa
    Writer:Maiko Nishioka

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  5. Free! Season 2 Episode 6 - Invincible Prime!
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #5 - Invincible Prime!

    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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  6. Free! Season 2 Episode 12 - A Swim-Off in a Foreign Land!
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #6 - A Swim-Off in a Foreign Land!

    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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Free!

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  7. Free! Season 2 Episode 13 - The Eternal Summer of Beginnings!
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #7 - The Eternal Summer of Beginnings!

    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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  8. Free! Season 1 Episode 1 - Reunion at the Starting Block!
    6.2/10(4 votes)

    #8 - Reunion at the Starting Block!

    S1:E1

    After spending their first year of high school in peace and quiet, Haruka and Makoto run into Nagisa, a new student who was a member at a swimming club with them when they were kids. That swimming club is being torn down, so the three of them sneak in to dig up a time capsule that they buried in the back, which is when they are reunited with Rin, the fourth member of their group who left to study abroad.

    Director:Hiroko Utsumi
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  9. Free! Season 1 Episode 2 - Memories in the Distance!
    6.0/10(4 votes)

    #9 - Memories in the Distance!

    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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  10. Free! Season 1 Episode 3 - Theoretical Dolphin Kick!
    6.0/10(4 votes)

    #10 - Theoretical Dolphin Kick!

    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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  11. Free! Season 1 Episode 5 - Trial in Open Water
    6.0/10(4 votes)

    #11 - Trial in Open Water

    S1:E5

    Haruka and the other club members decide to hold a training camp to prepare for prefectural. Each member follows his own regimen. However, Rei is unhappy about falling behind and heads back into the ocean at night to practice.

    Director:Eisaku Kawanami
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  12. Free! Season 1 Episode 9 - Hesitant Loosen Up
    6.0/10(3 votes)

    #12 - Hesitant Loosen Up

    S1:E9

    Prefecturals are over and the Iwatobi Swim Club members are pleased by the progress they have made. A local summer festival gives them an opportunity to relax. When Nagisa finds out that Rin is also at the festival, he orders Rei to follow Rin and make sure that Haruka and Rin do not meet.

    Director:Taichi Ogawa
    Writer:Reiko Yoshida

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  13. Free! Season 2 Episode 2 - Stroke of an Unexpected Meeting!
    6.0/10(2 votes)

    #13 - Stroke of an Unexpected Meeting!

    S2:E2

    The crew ponders how to attract new members to the Swim Club. Haruka is called in by Amakata-sensei to discuss his intended career path, but as always, Haruka moves to the beat of his own drum. Meanwhile, Coach Sasabe brings an interesting opportunity to the boys…

    Director:Haruka Fujita
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  14. Free! Season 2 Episode 3 - The Butterfly of Farewell!
    6.0/10(2 votes)

    #14 - The Butterfly of Farewell!

    S2:E3

    The Iwatobi Festival has begun! Haruka and friends are fired up for the Club-versus-Club Relay Race, hoping to attract new members by putting in an impressive performance. Meanwhile, Rei begins training but is worried by the fact that he can still only swim the butterfly stroke…

    Director:Ai Yukimura
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  15. Free! Season 2 Episode 7 - The Crouching Start of Vindication!
    6.0/10(2 votes)

    #15 - The Crouching Start of Vindication!

    S2:E7

    Haruka and the boys have trained hard to prepare for this showdown against Samezuka. After Day 1 of the tournament, Gou and Amakata-sensei treat the boys to a fabulous, carb-rich feast and allow them to take a breather. Meanwhile, Rin is faced with a tough decision as captain of the Samezuka Swim Club. Who will he choose to swim the relay with him?

    Director:Noriyuki Kitanohara
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  16. Free! Season 2 Episode 8 - The Locomotive of a Twist!
    6.0/10(2 votes)

    #16 - The Locomotive of a Twist!

    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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  17. Free! Season 2 Episode 9 - Forming of a Slump!
    6.0/10(2 votes)

    #17 - Forming of a Slump!

    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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  18. Free! Season 2 Episode 11 - The Open Turn of Destiny!
    6.0/10(2 votes)

    #18 - The Open Turn of Destiny!

    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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  19. Free! Season 1 Episode 7 - One Style Final!
    5.7/10(3 votes)

    #19 - One Style Final!

    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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  20. Free! Season 1 Episode 8 - Revenge in the Medley!
    5.7/10(3 votes)

    #20 - Revenge in the Medley!

    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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  21. Free! Season 1 Episode 12 - Distant Free
    5.7/10(3 votes)

    #21 - Distant Free

    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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  22. Free! Season 2 Episode 10 - The Six-Beat Kick of Tears!
    5.5/10(2 votes)

    #22 - The Six-Beat Kick of Tears!

    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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  23. Free! Season 1 Episode 6 - Shocking No Breathing
    5.3/10(3 votes)

    #23 - Shocking No Breathing

    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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  24. Free! Season 1 Episode 10 - Irritated Heart Rate
    5.0/10(3 votes)

    #24 - Irritated Heart Rate

    S1:E10

    Coach Sasabe begins training the Iwatobi Swim Club for the upcoming tournament. Meanwhile, Rei is unhappy about the fact that he's the only one who doesn't know about what happened with Rin in the past. After Rin expresses his frustration, Haruka decides to tell him about what happened when they were in grade school.

    Director:Noriyuki Kitanohara
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  25. Free! Season 1 Episode 11 - Furious All-out
    5.0/10(3 votes)

    #25 - Furious All-out

    S1:E11

    After hearing about what happened in the past, Rei goes to Samezuka Academy to ask Rin what he wants. The night before Iwatobi and Samezuka leave for regionals, Rin calls Rei to explain how he feels about the relay. And then, Samezuka announces its lineup for the relay.

    Director:Rika Ota
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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Best Episodes Summary

"Captive Butterfly" is the best rated episode of "Free!". It scored 6.6/10 based on 5 votes. Directed by Yoshiji Kigami and written by Masahiro Yokotani, it aired on 7/25/2013. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Stormy Dash-Dive!".