Free!

Nanase Haruka has always been a natural swimmer, but he stopped swimming competitively for a while for reasons unknown to his close friends Tachibana Makoto and Hazuki Nagisa. When they were in elementary school, the three met Matsuoka Rin in the swimming club and formed a team for a relay competition. It is said that the four finished an unforgettable race. However, Rin went abroad to train and the trio went to high school together at Iwatobi and forgot swimming competitions.

One day Nagisa decided they should form a swimming club, an idea which both Haruka and Makoto agreed to. But to be officially recognized, they need to find a fourth member, a coach, and fix the old swimming pool at Iwatobi.

Iwatobi High School Swimming Club's biggest obstacle yet is Rin's reappearance. He challenged Haruka to a match but it seemed that both of them were dissatisfied. Rin wants Haruka to swim competitively again, but Haruka seems to hold back for a reason. What's more, their swim club still lacks a fourth member and a talented prospect named Ryugazaki Rei seems hesitant despite Nagisa's persistence.

From left: Hazuki Nagisa, Ryugazaki Rei, Nanase Haruka, and Tachibana Makoto

Haruka, Makoto, Matsuoka Rin, and Nagisa

Like most series which focus on sports, the point of course is competition. What caught my attention the first time was Haruka's seeming lack of interest in competing despite his obvious talent. In this 12-episode series, the protagonists have to build a team from scratch, a complication which most sports anime don't usually have. They're already at a disadvantage from the beginning. Their best swimmer does not want to compete, they're not officially a club yet until they have at least four members, and the lack of proper training for years might make a difference. If you think about it though, it's unusual how they're having a hard time finding more members for the club.

I love the funny scenes especially those with Rei and some of the drama between the rivals Haruka and Rin. You'd also pick up a thing or two about swimming.

If you're also one of those women like me who are getting tired of series which mostly cater to the male audience, I think you'd love this series. Half naked, fit, young men is a welcome feast for the eyes. Don't let that factor ruin your experience if you don't like fanservice however. Free! has a decent story, great animation and fun characters.

Rating: 9 out of 10