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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!!

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...
Genres:AnimationComedy
Network:Tokyo MX

Best Episodes Summary

"Dive to the Future!" is the best rated episode of "Free!". It scored 8.4/10 based on 41 votes. Directed by Eisaku Kawanami, Taichi Ogawa and written by Masahiro Yokotani, it aired on 9/27/2018. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Distant Free".

  • Dive to the Future!
    8.4/1041 votes
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    #1 - Dive to the Future!

    Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 9/27/2018

    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.

    Director: Eisaku Kawanami, Taichi Ogawa

    Writer: Masahiro Yokotani

  • Distant Free
    8.2/1069 votes
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    #2 - Distant Free

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 9/26/2013

    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

  • The Eternal Summer of Beginnings!
    8.1/1045 votes
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    #3 - The Eternal Summer of Beginnings!

    Season 2 Episode 13 - Aired 9/25/2014

    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.

    Director: Hiroko Utsumi, Ai Yukimura

    Writer: Masahiro Yokotani

  • The Six-Beat Kick of Tears!
    8.0/1043 votes
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    #4 - The Six-Beat Kick of Tears!

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 9/4/2014

    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

  • A Swim-Off in a Foreign Land!
    7.9/1044 votes
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    #5 - A Swim-Off in a Foreign Land!

    Season 2 Episode 12 - Aired 9/18/2014

    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

  • Revenge in the Medley!
    7.8/1053 votes
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    #6 - Revenge in the Medley!

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 8/29/2013

    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

  • Metamorphosis of the Soul!
    7.8/1024 votes
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    #7 - Metamorphosis of the Soul!

    Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 8/30/2018

    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

  • Streamline of Unity!
    7.8/1023 votes
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    #8 - Streamline of Unity!

    Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 9/20/2018

    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

  • First Swim in Another Country!
    7.7/1023 votes
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    #9 - First Swim in Another Country!

    Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 7/26/2018

    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

  • The Grab Start of Hope!
    7.7/1021 votes
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    #10 - The Grab Start of Hope!

    Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 9/13/2018

    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

  • The Open Turn of Destiny!
    7.6/1042 votes
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    #11 - The Open Turn of Destiny!

    Season 2 Episode 11 - Aired 9/11/2014

    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

  • Memories in the Distance!
    7.5/1066 votes
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    #12 - Memories in the Distance!

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 7/11/2013

    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

  • Theoretical Dolphin Kick!
    7.5/1062 votes
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    #13 - Theoretical Dolphin Kick!

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 7/18/2013

    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

  • Captive Butterfly
    7.5/1062 votes
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    #14 - Captive Butterfly

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 7/25/2013

    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

  • Shocking No Breathing
    7.5/1057 votes
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    #15 - Shocking No Breathing

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 8/15/2013

    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

  • Forming of a Slump!
    7.5/1038 votes
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    #16 - Forming of a Slump!

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 8/28/2014

    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

  • A Solitary Medley!
    7.5/1023 votes
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    #17 - A Solitary Medley!

    Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 8/23/2018

    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

  • Trial in Open Water
    7.4/1056 votes
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    #18 - Trial in Open Water

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 8/8/2013

    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

  • One Style Final!
    7.4/1054 votes
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    #19 - One Style Final!

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 8/21/2013

    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

  • Hesitant Loosen Up
    7.4/1053 votes
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    #20 - Hesitant Loosen Up

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 9/5/2013

    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

  • Stormy Dash-Dive!
    7.4/1051 votes
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    #21 - Stormy Dash-Dive!

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 7/3/2014

    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

  • Invincible Prime!
    7.4/1040 votes
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    #22 - Invincible Prime!

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 8/7/2014

    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

  • The Locomotive of a Twist!
    7.4/1040 votes
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    #23 - The Locomotive of a Twist!

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 8/21/2014

    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

  • The Crouching Start of Vindication!
    7.3/1040 votes
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    #24 - The Crouching Start of Vindication!

    Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 8/14/2014

    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

  • Sprouting Dive Start!
    7.3/1026 votes
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    #25 - Sprouting Dive Start!

    Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 7/12/2018

    Haruka has entered Hidaka University, where he's now training with the swim club to prepare for a newcomer tournament. One day, he runs into Asahi, a swim teammate from middle school. Haruka is later joined by Makoto, who also moved to Tokyo, at a coffee shop to catch up with Asahi... and the topic quickly turns to Ikuya, another teammate they swam with in middle school. On the day of the newcomer tournament, Haruka and Asahi are in the same race for the first time in years... and the spectacle is watched by Hiyori, who calls Haruka an "inferior copy of Ikuya." After the race, as Haruka is walking through the halls with Asahi, he catches sight of Ikuya passing by..

    Director: Eisaku Kawanami

    Writer: Masahiro Yokotani