Ep 6. E 6

Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa, and Rei are invited by Gou to attend a swimming competition where her elder brother, Rin, will be participating. Upon arrival, the group learns that Rin is there to compete in the 100-meter backstroke. Rin is determined to win, and his intense focus and drive unnerves his fellow competitors. As the race progresses, Rin begins to tire, and Haruka, who sees that his rival is struggling, is inspired to do his best, driven by his love of swimming. As the race comes to a close, the two competitors are neck and neck, but only one can win. The outcome of the race is a surprise to everyone, and the group learns that there's far more to Rin's motivations for winning than meets the eye.

While the competition takes up the main focus of the episode, we also see some character development for the supporting characters. We get to see more of Gou's passion for swimming and her role as the team manager for Rin's school. Makoto helps to provide some comedic relief with his shyness around women and awkwardness at a mixer event. Rei takes this opportunity to share his knowledge of swimming history and techniques, further establishing his role as the intellectual member of the group.

The episode is well-paced, with the suspense building steadily as the competition progresses. The animation is fluid and dynamic, particularly in the scenes showing the swimmers in motion. The character designs are also well-done, with each character's unique features and personality shining through.

The themes that the show explores are also present in this episode. The love of swimming and how it can drive a person is a prominent theme, as well as the importance of friendship and supporting each other, even in the face of rivalry. We also see the lengths that people will go to in order to achieve their dreams, and how that can sometimes lead to detrimental consequences.

Overall, this episode is a great addition to the series, further developing the characters and story while also providing suspense and excitement. Fans of swimming and sports anime will enjoy this episode, as well as those who enjoy character-driven stories with heart.