Top 10 Best Free! Pairings
Which pairing in the English fandom for Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club (also known as the swimming anime) is the most popular? We all know about Japan's obsession with Makoharu. Let's see if it's different in this fandom!Feel free to add other pairings if you don't see your favorite one on this list.
If you want an example of the most pure and honest form of love, then just look at Makoto and Haru together. They're two sides of one whole and will always be with each other because they need one another. Their relationship is the most beautiful and the most natural.
They don't need dramatics or unsubtle displays of affection or tension for people to ship it. It works because of how they complete each other. They are both the most important person to each other, whether romantic or platonic, and you have to be completely blind not to see (or deny) the love they have for each other, no matter what you ship.
Rin gave Haru a reason to swim, to live, and he gave him a future. He provided Haru with what he lacked: motivation. Because of him, Haru discovered what he really wanted to do in life. Rin made Haru realize that if he wanted to swim, he could do it professionally, improving and succeeding to earn the satisfaction of winning, which Rin felt but Haru didn't.
Haru gave Rin the real meaning of swimming, that it wasn't only about winning but enjoying and feeling it. Rin realized he was happier swimming with Haru because he made him feel emotions no one else ever made him feel. Rin looked up to Haru and felt lost without him. They complement each other and have made a huge impact on each other's lives. Without Rin, Haru wouldn't even have a reason to live, and without Haru, Rin would be an egotistical jerk. And that's why they were made for each other.
But if you ask how I know they love each other: Hey, would you talk about your friend every day in detail to your family? Would you be obsessed with swimming together with your friend? Would you invade your friend's personal space just to ask them to swim with you? Would you cry and blush when your friend agrees to swim with you?
And now Haru. Would you understand a friend who constantly forced you to swim with him? Would you fall into despair just because a friend told you he wouldn't swim with you again? Would you quit doing what you love the most just because you hurt your friend's feelings when he just lost a race? Excuse me, but this is LOVE.
It's so obvious that these two were made for each other. Nagisa is the kind of person who needs someone accepting of his personality, someone who will look out for the little enthusiast and be able to handle his affection. That person is Rei. As for Rei, he needs someone who'll force him out of his little bubble so that he won't miss out on life. Plus, you all know he's pretty much wrapped around Nagisa's little finger as it is.
And the signs are all there. The way they look at each other, how you know one would never let the other down, and how they help each other in different ways. Nagisa wanted Rei to join the swim team so badly, and even after all the times Rei said no, he never gave up. He was so happy when Rei joined and even taught him how to swim correctly.
Before he started hanging out with Nagisa, Rei didn't bother with anything he didn't consider beautiful. Now, he's surrounded by all these new friends, including Nagisa, who's carved out a soft spot for himself in Rei's heart.
In short, these two are opposite sides of the same coin - seriously different, but one without the other is inconceivable.
These two are truly each other's catalysts, helping and pushing each other to be the best they can be. Sousuke is protective and cares deeply for Rin. There is literally no other way to put it. Even when they were young, Rin was always the one who got what he wanted, and Sousuke was totally okay with that - all he wanted was to see Rin smile.
Ugh, they're just so cute together. From the epic brofist to how they fight for the bottom bunk, and how Sousuke asks Haru to stay away from Rin, and he gives Rin the bottom bunk eventually!
After reading some fanfiction, I believe Sousuke and Makoto have great potential as a couple. I think their personalities work well together. Sousuke, being rough around the edges, and Makoto, with his soft heart, complement each other. Makoto will most likely melt Sousuke's cold heart. They really are cute together.
I feel like Sousuke would take care of Makoto, and also, they're just hot together.
It's kind of weird how good this ship would actually be if it were canon!
These two have a special relationship where they look up to one another and seek to be free. Haru definitely has a soft spot for Rei.
They definitely have a connection with each other. They're the ultimate fluff couple.
I like this one the best! It's so hot because of their rivalry. They have a lot of moments together, like the vending machine scene where Sousuke just backs Haruka up against it. Now, isn't that great? Rivalry and smashing another against a wall? Hmm?
I love how Rin doesn't think much of Rei when first meeting him, but when Rei confronts him later asking why he wanted to join the relay, Rin gets defensive and asks Rei the same question. Rei's answer was to swim with all his friends. Rin also calls Rei in the middle of the night to talk to him.
To be honest, I think Rei is the real MVP in season 1 because he helped Rin and the others recover their relationship.
Although we don't get to see them together all the time, I simply love this pair. I love the fact that they care for each other so deeply but rarely show it. Rin is a daring, calm, and adventurous person, and Rei is a sweet, adorable kind of guy that Rin would probably be attracted to.
All I can say is that they are so adorable as a pair, and I hope to see more of them in the future.
When asked about his love life, Haru started talking about a random waterfall he saw.
Have you seen the way Haru looks at H2O? I hope someday someone will look at me like that!
Haru loves water. He just can't stay away.
I only shipped this at first because of jealous Haru, but I genuinely ship this now. Kisumi's the only one who thinks of Makoto first before Haru (because you know, everyone's like gay for Haru, and Kisu is gay for Mako and Asahi). Better not take Makoto for granted anymore, Haru. Or else, Kisumi will be coming to get him.
I wish Kisumi was in the anime more, instead of only being in that one episode. Makoto and Kisumi seem to get along really well, considering they have common interests. Although I love Makoto and Haru, this ship is awesome.
Makoto and Gou are so cute together and match one another dangerously well. Makoto is the tall, calm, muscular leader of the swim team, while Gou is the short, outgoing, and feminine helper to the team. And gosh, they are cute!
Makorin is a hugely underrated ship, and I really do hope they get some more development next season. They contrast each other so beautifully, and even though they barely interact, you can read between the lines and know that they mean so much to each other due to their shared history. It has so much potential as a pairing, and I'm so excited to see how it plays out.
MomoTori is just too adorable not to ship, in my opinion. There, end of discussion.
Why is this ship so low? It's like the most adorable thing ever!
I love this ship. Even platonically, they have a great relationship.
Momo loves Gou. It's hard for me to watch every time she ignores him.
I ship anyone with Nitori, to be honest. He needs love. Plus, he looks up to Rin, and Rin trusts Nitori so much to handle the team after he graduates.
10/10 ship. I often find myself watching Rintori vines just for the satisfaction of this ship.
Nitori looks up to Rin, and Rin respects Nitori, so...
The only non-canon pair in Free! that caught my interest! They would be a perfect pair.
Now, a lot of people don't ship this, and I don't see why not. I ship this because, say, instead of Kisumi trying to get Makoto's attention, what if he was trying to get Haru jealous so that he could make a move?
I think this is cute because Haru is annoyed by Kisumi, and Kisumi can insult people by accident without knowing it, so I think they would be a good pair.
Haru doesn't talk a lot, whereas Kisumi, on the other hand, talks a lot. So, I think this ship is not only cute but really funny too.