Ep 1. E 1

In the first episode of Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club, we meet Haruka Nanase, a high school student who has a deep love for swimming. He loves the feeling he gets when he's in the water and the sense of freedom that comes with it. Haruka has a close group of friends, including his best friend Makoto Tachibana and their classmate Nagisa Hazuki.

Nagisa is determined to start a swim club at their school and convinces Haruka and Makoto to join him. They soon discover that their old rival Rin Matsuoka has returned from studying abroad in Australia and is also attending the same high school as them. Rin and Haruka used to swim together when they were kids, but Rin's focus has shifted and he's now a competitive swimmer with a serious attitude.

Despite Rin's dismissive attitude towards Haruka and his friends, the boys are determined to start their swim club and train to compete with Rin's team. They are also joined by a new transfer student named Rei Ryugazaki, who brings his own unique style of swimming to the group.

The first episode sets up the dynamic between the characters and the underlying competition between Haruka and Rin. There are moments of humor, particularly with Nagisa's over-the-top enthusiasm and Rei's analytical approach to swimming. However, there is also a sense of tension as the boys begin to realize just how talented Rin has become and how difficult it will be to beat him.

The episode also features several swimming scenes, which are beautifully animated and showcase the characters' individual styles. The relationship between Haruka and the water is particularly emphasized, with shots of him diving and gliding effortlessly through the pool.

Overall, the first episode of Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club is a strong start to the series, introducing us to a likable cast of characters and setting up the central conflict. The swimming scenes are a highlight and help to establish the show's unique identity as a sports anime focused on swimming. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers curious to see how the boys will fare in their upcoming competition against Rin's team.