Free! (English Dubbed) Season 2 Episode 2 Stroke of Chance Encounter!

As the name suggests, in this episode of Free! (Original Japanese Version) season 2, titled "Stroke of Chance Encounter!", chance plays a significant role in the lives of the swimmers. The episode starts with Haruka, Rin, Nagisa, and Makoto, who are about to start their third year of high school. Haruka and Rin are greatly influenced by their past experience and the fact that they'll soon be embarking on separate paths.

Meanwhile, new students are introduced, and Haruka gets a chance to swim with them. He is amazed by their incredible skills, especially with their backstroke techniques. The new freshmen students are excited as their swimming captain, Aki Yazaki, announces that they have a new coach, which brings a wave of enthusiasm in their swim team.

The episode has an overarching theme of destiny and the random chances that determine one's life. Aki reveals that the new coach is an old teammate of her father who showed up at their house the day before. Nagisa and Makoto are amazed by this coincidence and the fact that the coach has been introduced randomly. They have a discussion on how random occurrences, while they can feel uncertain, can lead to amazing opportunities for growth and change.

During their training, Haruka and the new freshman student, Asahi Shiina, start swimming in unison, thereby showcasing their compatibility as swimmers. As a result, Coach Kazuteru Minami sets them up for a backstroke race against each other.

The episode takes a dramatic turn when Rin aims to beat Haruka, driving him to train harder and become better. Rin is determined to win-something he has been aiming for since their childhood days. He feels that by taking down Haruka, he will finally be able to prove that he is the better swimmer. However, Rin's determination leads him to overwork his body, and he falls sick, leaving him unable to participate in the race.

The day of the backstroke race arrives, and Haruka is deemed the favorite to win. However, Asahi surprises everyone by pulling ahead halfway through and giving Haruka a run for his money. It is a nail-biting race, culminating in an unsure winner at the end.

The episode also revolves around the bond between teammates. Through the backstroke race, Haruka learns that team relationships are essential, and winning isn't everything. Asahi's friendship with his fellow teammates causes him to question his competitive nature, and he reveals that he believes Haruka's style of swimming-which is focusing purely on the joy of the sport-is superior to his own.

All in all, "Stroke of Chance Encounter!" is a wonderful episode that touches upon the themes of chance, destiny, and teamwork. It tackles the idea of random circumstances deciding our paths while also highlighting the importance of one's deep connections with their teammates. The swimming race is exhilarating and will leave viewers wondering who will emerge victorious.