Haruka Nanase (played by Nobunaga Shimazaki) is a protagonist in Free!.
The central protagonist and a gifted high school swimmer. He revitalizes his school's swim team, navigates intense rivalry with Rin, overcomes personal pressure and isolation to continue swimming, and ultimately competes on the national and global stages, winning gold medals. Rei Ryugazaki (played by Daisuke Hirakawa) is a protagonist in Free!.
Recruited member of the Iwatobi High School swim team. Gou Matsuoka (played by Akeno Watanabe) appears in Free!.
Rin Matsuoka (played by Mamoru Miyano) appears in Free!.
Haruka's childhood rival from Samezuka Academy. His competitive drive escalates despite setbacks, and he eventually joins the Japan National Swim Team, competing alongside former rivals for gold medals. Makoto Tachibana (played by Tatsuhisa Suzuki) appears in Free!.
One of Haruka's childhood friends and a core team member. He later leaves Iwatobi to attend university in Tokyo, which significantly impacts Haruka's emotional journey and decisions. Aiichiro Nitori (played by Kouki Miyata) appears in Free!.
Sosuke Yamazaki (played by Yoshimasa Hosoya) appears in Free!.
Free! (2013) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Haruka Nanase
(played by Nobunaga Shimazaki) — protagonist
The central protagonist and a gifted high school swimmer. He revitalizes his school's swim team, navigates intense rivalry with Rin, overcomes personal pressure and isolation to continue swimming, and...
Rei Ryugazaki
(played by Daisuke Hirakawa) — protagonist
Recruited member of the Iwatobi High School swim team.
Gou Matsuoka
(played by Akeno Watanabe) — supporting
Rin Matsuoka
(played by Mamoru Miyano) — supporting
Haruka's childhood rival from Samezuka Academy. His competitive drive escalates despite setbacks, and he eventually joins the Japan National Swim Team, competing alongside former rivals for gold medal...
Makoto Tachibana
(played by Tatsuhisa Suzuki) — minor
One of Haruka's childhood friends and a core team member. He later leaves Iwatobi to attend university in Tokyo, which significantly impacts Haruka's emotional journey and decisions.
Aiichiro Nitori
(played by Kouki Miyata) — cameo
Sosuke Yamazaki
(played by Yoshimasa Hosoya) — cameo
Key Relationships
Rin Matsuoka → Aiichiro Nitori
(Alliance Teammate)
Rin Matsuoka → Gou Matsuoka
(Family Sibling)
Rin Matsuoka → Sosuke Yamazaki
(Social Childhood Friend)
A coming-of-age story following competitive swimmers as they navigate friendship, rivalry, and personal growth through their shared passion for swimming.
