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The Worst Episodes of Free!

Every episode of Free! ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst 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

Worst Episodes Summary

"Stroke of an Unexpected Meeting!" is the worst rated episode of "Free!". It scored 6.9/10 based on 40 votes. Directed by Haruka Fujita and written by Masahiro Yokotani, it aired on 7/10/2014. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Irritated Heart Rate".

  • Stroke of an Unexpected Meeting!
    6.9/1040 votes
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    #1 - Stroke of an Unexpected Meeting!

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 7/10/2014

    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

  • Irritated Heart Rate
    7.0/1052 votes
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    #2 - Irritated Heart Rate

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 9/12/2013

    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

  • Furious All-out
    7.0/1052 votes
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    #3 - Furious All-out

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 9/19/2013

    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

  • A Resolution's Heads-Up!
    7.0/1040 votes
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    #4 - A Resolution's Heads-Up!

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 7/31/2014

    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

  • The Butterfly of Farewell!
    7.1/1038 votes
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    #5 - The Butterfly of Farewell!

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 7/17/2014

    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

  • The Promise's Somersault Turn!
    7.1/1038 votes
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    #6 - The Promise's Somersault Turn!

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 7/24/2014

    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

  • Reunion at the Starting Block!
    7.2/1084 votes
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    #7 - Reunion at the Starting Block!

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 7/4/2013

    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

  • Trial in Open Water
    7.3/1055 votes
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    #8 - 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

  • Hesitant Loosen Up
    7.3/1052 votes
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    #9 - 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

  • The Crouching Start of Vindication!
    7.3/1039 votes
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    #10 - 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

  • The Locomotive of a Twist!
    7.3/1039 votes
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    #11 - 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

  • One Style Final!
    7.4/1053 votes
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    #12 - 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

  • Stormy Dash-Dive!
    7.4/1050 votes
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    #13 - 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!
    7.4/1039 votes
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    #14 - 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

  • A Promise on a Shooting Star!
    7.4/1022 votes
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    #15 - A Promise on a Shooting Star!

    Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 7/19/2018

    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

  • Memories in the Distance!
    7.5/1065 votes
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    #16 - 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!
    7.5/1061 votes
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    #17 - 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
    7.5/1061 votes
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    #18 - 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
    7.5/1056 votes
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    #19 - 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!
    7.5/1037 votes
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    #20 - 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

  • The Open Turn of Destiny!
    7.5/1041 votes
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    #21 - 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

  • An Ominous Workout!
    7.5/1019 votes
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    #22 - An Ominous Workout!

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 8/9/2018

    The Iwatobi High School Swim Club is participating in a joint training camp with the Samezuka Academy and Soufuukan High School teams. Sousuke is also participating as an alumnus. In the midst of the excitement, Rei and Nagisa notice that something is odd about Romio's swimming. Then Shizuru tells them the story of what happened to Romio in middle school...

    Director: Taichi Ogawa, Taichi Ishidate

    Writer: Haruna Matsuda

  • Sprouting Dive Start!
    7.6/1024 votes
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    #23 - 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

  • Interference of Loss!
    7.6/1019 votes
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    #24 - Interference of Loss!

    Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 8/2/2018

    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

  • The Mermaid of the Abyss!
    7.6/1019 votes
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    #25 - The Mermaid of the Abyss!

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 8/16/2018

    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