Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
maya_kotori
This is honestly such a beautiful anime. The animation is gorgeous, the water scenes are stunning, and the whole vibe feels warm and summery. But I totally get what you mean: there were moments where it didn’t fully pull me in, and I had to push myself a bit to keep watching. Not because it was bad, but because some episodes just felt slower or less engaging. Still, what really makes this anime shine is the way it portrays true friendship. That part is absolutely divine :3 The bonds between the characters feel so real, supportive, chaotic, emotional, and full of that “we’ve been through everything together” energy. It’s the kind of friendship dynamic that makes your heart melt a little. Even if it wasn’t perfect for you all the way through, the emotional core of the story is incredibly bea…
Read at the sourcecronaaa
I don’t know why I get so emotional and hooked with this kind of anime. Maybe it’s the way it shows friendship, growing up, and dealing with feelings that hit me so hard. There’s something comforting about watching people build real bonds and push each other forward, not just in sports but also in life. Free! is one of those anime that somehow made me care deeply about the characters and their connection, and honestly, I didn’t expect that from a swimming anime.
I won’t talk about the plot because you can already find it in the description and other reviews, but I do want to share my thoughts. Some people might say that the plot is somewhat similar to other sports anime. Yes, it also has a team that grows closer, rivals that push each other, and characters chasing their dreams. But the wa…
Read at the sourceSuperAdventure
Well, this was a pleasant surprise. It's hard to believe Free! is a 12 year old anime. 2013 is when I started streaming anime seasonals and the year I moved into my condo. It's been that long, I've changed a lot since then, not all for the better- and I remember when this came out- and caused quite a stir.
Well the passage of time and how we change, not always for the better, is the major theme in Free. A group of boys decide to start a swim club at their high school, but three of them were involved with another boy who is the main antagonist when they were younger- but have since grown apart. The theme of change was there throughout, an early scene shows them going by their old middle school- while it's being demolished. Demolitions are another thing that I have witnessed a lot of since…
Read at the sourcexyrkre
Great anime but mostly focuses on friendship rather than the sports itself.
The story revolved mainly on drama and the friendship of Haruka Nanase, Makoto Tachibana, Nagisa Hazuki and Rin Matsuoka (mostly Rin and Haru's friendship)
The character designs are great, as expected of KyoAni they make eye visually appealing characters. Although there's nothing really unique with the characters as they follow a certain character archetype. (Typical thing that happens in anime)
Voice acting (Japanese dub) was splendid though. I have nothing else to say because these voice actors are professionals and they know how to read the characters well and voice them accordingly.
Plot wise, it felt a bit flat. When the KyoAni promoted Free! the animation didn't exactly aligned with the set expectation…
Read at the sourcejoaa1905
While Free! doesn't have as deep a plot and its characters aren't as... emotionally complex, that doesn't take away from how good it actually is. The anime is very entertaining, funny and emotional in its own way. I really love that romance is not the focus of this show, but rather the friendship between the boys and their taste swim. I actually loved the platonic friendly chemistry between the boys and obviously the fanservice of the shirtless boys, I am a girl after all.
It's just an entertaining and fun anime, there's no need to go around in circles and get angry because there aren't any super complex plots, it's just a light anime to pass the time and that's fine.
Read at the sourceValentine07
(Spanish review below)
'Free' is one of my favorite animes. Of all its seasons, the first is the one that I've watched the least, because it seemed a bit basic and introductory to me. But this time, when I rewatched the entire series, I found it really fun to watch this first season again.
It's very funny to see how dramatic the characters are, how they magnify their problems until they seem to have no solution. But it's also nice to see them in these first steps in their respective clubs, forging the friendships that I like so much in the following seasons.
A lot of people don't like 'Free' because of its fanservice: either because of the nudity or because of the relationships between the characters. Personally, I don't pay much attention to this. I don't care if the characters have cl…
Read at the sourceCurlybrace101
Free! dominated the sports anime scene when it came out, and reigned supreme for quite awhile before being dethroned by Haikyuu. This show had an absolute chokehold on its fans, garnering obsession even before it was released.
But...why? What about Free! was so captivating? The characters? The yaoibait? Or, perhaps, somehow, the sports?
The answer is I have no idea, because it is one of the most nothingburger shows I have ever watched.
First and foremost, this is a sports story that fails at being a sports story. The narrative of any good team sports story is about a team who wants to win and wants to compete, and in order to do that they all have to come together and learn to work together. You are invested in their sport because they are. You want to see them win because they want to…
Read at the sourceSagaiko
I enjoyed it so much, not only because of the characters (mainly because of it), but i have to highlight the character development, it's a strong point of this anime. Each character has their own motivations, fears, and aspirations, contributing to a diverse and well-rounded cast. The series explores the friendships and rivalries among the characters, delving into their personal struggles and growth both in and out of the pool.
However, like any series, those who enjoy character-driven narratives, "sports drama", and themes of friendship and rivalry are more likely to enjoy it.
The animation and art style have a good quality, especially in depicting the fluidity and intensity of swimming competitions. The character designs are well-crafted (kinda cliche, but loved them so much), and the vi…
Read at the sourceGrumar
It's really boring, anything that you think is going to happen is going to happen, the melodrama over swimming is farcical, the main character is the annoying type of autistic, the other characters are nothing burgers with the only one coming close to interesting is the guy with the glasses. The only thing this show has going for it over other sports anime is that it doesn't over explain the sport while it's happening, it's nice quick has some commentary then it's over very much appreciated. It also isn't offensively bad, it's just a bland gray slop of a show some moments more than others will hold your interest but nothing is going to have you on the edge of your seat. if you ant a story about rivalry and sportsmanship there are plethora of better options out there for you, if you want a…
Read at the sourceFAKECROSS97
Well, where do I begin with Free!, the anime about a group of high school boys who love swimming?
The story is about as deep as the shallow end of a kiddie pool. It follows the typical sports anime formula of a group of friends striving to achieve their dreams, in this case, becoming champion swimmers. It's predictable, clichéd, and unoriginal.
The style of the anime is nothing to write home about either. The animation is decent, but nothing stands out as particularly impressive. The character designs are generic and forgettable. The only thing that might catch your eye is the excessive amount of fan service, with gratuitous shots of muscular male bodies in tight swimwear.
Speaking of characters, there are a few that stand out, but most of them are one-dimensional and lack any real dept…
Read at the sourceIWantUrSabitoes
“It's Finger Lickin' Good”
-KFC
This anime feels like the creator intended for it to be a boy’s love, but then was afraid of backlash and decided not to commit.
If you’re looking for an actual story with fully fledged out characters, then this probably isn’t for you.
However, if you’re looking for shirtless pretty boys, then boy, oh, boy, do I have some news for you.
All characters are bland and have a certain personality trait that they gate-keep to themselves To sum up the main dudes, we have: dude who has an incredibly unhealthy obsession with water, the codependent best friend, the twink, dude who loves to impersonate butterflies, and shark boy
Read at the sourceeggary
Don't like watching real sports? Do you like swimming? congratulation you made it to the swimming sports anime. They have rivalry and they have races because it's swimming which is what you do when swimming. this anime I'm sorry but it's mediocre at best, the art is beautiful but the plot line is weak. if you're watching this anime to look at hot muscly swimming boys then I can't blame you, okay they're muscly and that's okay, but this show does not need as many seasons as it has and the fact that it was somehow kept afloat (pun) as long as it did is bewildering.
5/10 MID
Read at the sourcemmdr10
This anime gets a bad rep for as an anime just for girls to google at handsome men. However, Free! is so much more than that. The series has done a truly beautiful job at exploring friendship and growing up. In between some amazing swimming matches and the fan-service, there's an amazing story about the trials and tribulations of growing up as a "gifted" person and as the friend of said "gifted" individual. It does a fantastic job at demonstrating how there are different paths to success and which of those lead to happiness or misery.
Plus, it is incredibly funny and heartfelt. And it has a super diverse cast of interesting and enjoyable characters. From genius Haru to loyal Makoto and from sentimental Rin to awkward Ikuya, Free! has it all. You will 100% find at least one character's wi…
Read at the sourceRemmiore13
I honestly don't remember literally any of this anime-
I finished the entire show in a day when I was in the 5th grade. Thought it would be funny to give a review for it.
As far as I remember was that I enjoyed it back then but thinking that the main character was rather one dimensional, not really having any character. As far as that, the rest of them fell into stereotypical tropes (For example, the hotheaded one, the smart one, the innocent child, golden retriever boy, ect). Overall, 6/10, I didn't mind it. The characters were a bit blank when it came to personality. I do remember enjoying the Art & sound design, it was quaint and it reflected the anime well.
Read at the sourceDoutei-kun
Personally, I've never once tried SWIMMING in my life, and this show perhaps motivates me, reminds me to join the sport (the fluid motion in water, the cold, :D) ; maybe the reason I adore this show so much (despite the score I gave it).
Not much to say about this show, based on 'professional swimming'. It is based on a bunch of guys involved in the sport, a protagonist of course, & their path towards going professional starting from their childhood. Efforts matters, and their skills, experience, luck, surroundings, friendship, passion, motivation,... will be significant to define where & how fast they progress. The show is 'slice of life', drama.
Highlights :
- Hot, ripped (lean) guys.
- Fluid animation during swimming, especially when they swim.
- Slice of Life movements
- Inform…
Read at the sourcegabi11
I have some good reasons for why this anime is my favourite one.
First, is a sports anime, a swimming anime more exactly, and most probably the only one related to swimming.
Second, besides the numerous comments that it's a hardcore yaoi anime masked, it has some awesome characters, with an interesting back story each, that are evolving, not only episode by episode, but also season by season. The classic friendship is formed, as in every sports anime, and then they form a team, in which they compete in competitions, and live their best live togheter, trying to be the best team in Japan. This team evolves, and has a friendship that no anime, or more exactly sports anime has.
The story is a classic one, Haruka Nanase is somehow an anti social teen, that has been a swimmer in the past, but…
Read at the sourcearies418
To borrow from another review I saw elsewhere: Yaoi in Pool. It isn't overt, but the subtext is definitely present. There isn't a lot going on here, and as such, this review won't be very long.
To put it simply, this is first and foremost a love story between a boy and water, if such a thing is possible. It's a light hearted summer show with plenty of friendship and shippy undertones, with a healthy dash of angst thrown in for good measure. Also, drama. Lots of unnecessary drama. It's not deep or complex, but that's not always a bad thing.
In regards to the characters, the show's main focus is definitely on Haru and to a lesser extent Rin. I don't feel like we even get to know them all that well either. The rest of the cast is mostly there for support and ship fodder. With that said, I c…
Read at the sourceMegaSarav
7/10 Overall a GOOD show
I went into this show very skeptical. As a male, it seemed all my female friends were watching this for one reason: attractive shirtless dudes in VERY tight swimwear. I don't blame them, but it made me look a little weird when expressing my interest in the show.
To my surprise, it has a very solid story, fun characters (albeit unoriginal characters), and GORGEOUS animation and art (surprise? Not from Kyoani). I had fun watching this show.
However, I do have some issues. The story is well paced, but still very predictable. Doesn't ruin the experience, but I do sort of wish it was different, it just felt like a regular sports anime.
All in all, I still liked this season of Free! and would recommend it to anyone who either like anime guys, swimming, or sports in g…
Read at the sourcecocolita22
This was my first sports anime, and wow, it is my FAVORITE! I admit anyone who rated this low probably disliked the fan service but… I liked it, and I’m not afraid to admit that.
The bromance and bonds between the characters were definitely my favorite part, but my goodness, the swimming aspect was AMAZING. It made me want to go swim freestyle immediately, even though I can’t swim like them ever. If anything, this show will inspire you to put your all into everything and aim for the top spot in all your endeavors.
Also… Haru x Mikato is everything. However, if you’re not into BL, you will still love this show. I can’t put into words how exciting their swimming competitions are! You will be cheering the entire time for the underdog.
Read at the sourcealaska_sandreas
I remember watching it as a kid and dropping it, so of course, I had to rewatch it now as an adult and give it a proper review.
It was... interesting. An emotional roller coaster to say the least. I laughed quite some times, was shocked when Rin´s major anger issues showed up, but most of the time I just thought to myself "wow, these dudes really need a hug"
Honestly, if they all sat down and talked about it and spoke the truth right away, there would be no anime lol
Personally, I do not enjoy animes that are all based on that 1 little thing that if it wouldn´t be there like this stupid-ass conflict with Rin, but this anime was quite enjoyable anyways. Maybe it´s the magic of sports animes that made me like it, maybe it was just me wanting to hug Rin. Who knows.
Solid 6 out of 10, mayb…
Read at the source
