The BEST episodes of Free! season 1

Every episode of Free! season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Free! season 1!

Four boys-Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa and Rin-all participated in a swimming tournament shortly before graduating elementary school and later parted ways. Years later, they reunite when Rin challenges Haruka to a race and wins.

Last Updated: 11/15/2024Network: Tokyo MXStatus: Ended
Distant Free!
star
7.80
147 votes

#1 - 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

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Reunion at the Starting Block!
star
7.61
209 votes

#2 - 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.

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Memories in the Distance!
star
7.57
159 votes

#3 - 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.

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Revenge in the Medley!
star
7.56
143 votes

#4 - 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.

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One Style Final!
star
7.54
140 votes

#5 - One Style Final!

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/22/2013

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.

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Captive Butterfly!
star
7.53
153 votes

#6 - 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.

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Hesitant Loosen Up!
star
7.52
143 votes

#7 - 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.

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Shocking No Breathing!
star
7.52
145 votes

#8 - 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.

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Theoretical Dolphin Kick!
star
7.50
151 votes

#9 - 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.

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Trial in Open Water!
star
7.49
146 votes

#10 - 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.

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Irritated Heart Rate!
star
7.43
141 votes

#11 - 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.

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Furious All-out!
star
7.29
140 votes

#12 - 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.

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