While I will not deny that Free! is a fanservice anime for women, it is also more than that. You don’t need to like ripped characters with a slender physique to enjoy Free because it also has a shonen-esque story catering to sports genre fans. Like always, Kyoto Animation did a fantastic job with the animation. Who would have thought animated 2D water would look this good. But we have, KyoAnime breaking all expectations with Free and turning an almost-Yaoi marketed show into a visual feast.
While the animation is what makes Free special, the characters are also great with their charming personalities and optimism towards sports. Plus, when someone mentions fan service in anime, most people assume the anime may lack a good story, which is not the case with Free. Instead, it has an emotional story with loads of hilarious moments and engaging sports events. Free got solid animation, a great soundtrack, and well-written characters, more than what you would expect in other fanservice anime.
If you are thinking of giving Free! anime series a try, here’s a guide to help you watch it in the correct order.
Free! Watch Order:
1. Free!
Alternate Title: Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club
Episodes: 12
2. Free! Eternal Summer
Alternate Title: Free! – Eternal Summer
Episodes: 13
3. High☆Speed! Movie: Free! Starting Days
Alternate Title: Free! Starting Days
Episodes: 1 (Movie)
4. Free! Take Your Marks
Alternate Title: Free! -Take Your Marks-
Episodes: 1 (Movie)
5. Free! Dive to the Future
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 12
6. Free! Movie 4: The Final Stroke – Zenpen
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 1 (Movie)
7. Free! Movie 5: The Final Stroke – Kouhen
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 1 (Movie)
Free! is an original sports anime series created and produced by Studio Kyoto Animation.
Synopsis: Nanase Haruka always liked to immerse himself in water, so swimming was the activity he loved most. Before graduating from elementary school, Haruka and his friends Makoto, Nagisa, and Rin participated in a swimming tournament. Later Rin parted away and went to a different school. Years later, Rin reunites with them and challenges Haruka to a race and wins. Not wanting it to end like this, Haruka gathers Makoto and Nagisa to form the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club along with a new recruit named Rei to practice and challenge Rin once again.
