Rei Ryugazaki is a student at Iwatobi High School who joins the swim club after starting with the track and field team. He loves theory and logic, often seeking beauty in sports through calculations. At first, he doesn't like swimming and can't swim at all, but after seeing Haruka Nanase swim, he's drawn to the sport. Rei is known for his polite speech, red hexagonal glasses, and a strong sense of aesthetics, but he sometimes gets emotional, especially when dealing with Nagisa Hazuki’s pranks. He specializes in butterfly stroke, enjoys reading and studying, and becomes the swim club captain in his third year. Rei is hardworking, a bit awkward, and has a unique idea of what is beautiful.
Rei wears bold, red, hexagon-shaped glasses.
He has grown from 152cm (in High☆Speed!) to 177cm in the first and second seasons of Free!, and 179cm in season three.
He weighs 65kg.
His birthday is December 14, and his star sign is Sagittarius.
Rei's charm points are his deltoid and biceps.
His image colors are purple and his image animal is a butterfly.
He often carries a backpack with a waist belt and runs one station length to school every morning.
Rei speaks very politely, almost always using formal speech.
He is logical and loves calculations, facts, and theories.
Rei has a special sense of beauty, finding beauty in things that follow logical rules.
He can be stubborn and tends to jump to conclusions based on his theories.
Rei is a hard worker who secretly practices to improve himself.
He gets emotional, especially when Nagisa Hazuki plays pranks on him.
He is weak to the word "beautiful."
When upset, he stops using polite language.
He is not scared of haunted houses.
Rei is a first-year at Iwatobi High School when introduced.
In the second season, he moves to second year, and in the third, he is a third-year.
He is in the same class as Nagisa Hazuki, and their seats are in front and back of each other.
His family includes his father, mother, and an older brother.
He likely lives in an apartment building.
Rei is very good at mathematics and English.
He is skilled at calculations, reading, and studying.
He was originally in the track and field club, focusing on pole vault.
He has trouble with art and music, and cannot swim at first.
He eventually learns to swim the butterfly stroke, and later, all strokes, thanks to Rin Matsuoka’s training.
He uses kickboards and pull buoys during practice.
Rei is also able to cook, as shown when he makes cookies for Rin Matsuoka.
Rei is very close to Nagisa Hazuki, who often plays tricks on him.
He often gets emotional, arguing back, but Nagisa rarely listens.
He admires Haruka Nanase's swimming style and is inspired by his freedom and beauty in the water.
Rin Matsuoka helps Rei learn all swimming styles.
After Makoto Tachibana graduates, Rei becomes the new captain of the swim club.
He is friends with many members of the swim club and meets Asahi Shiina again at the national competition.
After graduating high school, he goes to Shimorou Academy University with Aiichiro Nitori.
Rei’s favorite food is sushi, and he likes things that are good for the body.
He avoids foods that seem unhealthy.
He doesn’t like supernatural things like UFOs.
His favorite hobbies are reading and studying.
He loves pole vaulting and swimming the butterfly stroke.
His image number is 11.
He is not afraid of haunted houses.
His seat in class is in front of Nagisa Hazuki.
Falling asleep often leads to Nagisa drawing or playing pranks on him.
Joining the Swim Club
Rei starts as a member of the track and field team, doing pole vault.
He thinks swimming is not beautiful or natural enough for humans, so he refuses to join the swim club when Nagisa Hazuki invites him.
Falling for Swimming
Because Nagisa keeps following him and trying to convince him, Rei agrees to a trial membership during a joint practice with Samezuka Academy.
Rei is embarrassed when everyone discovers he cannot swim — he floats, but always sinks when trying to move.
After seeing Haruka Nanase swim, Rei finds the beauty and freedom that theory alone can't explain.
He decides to join the Iwatobi Swim Club.
Learning to Swim
Rei is challenged by Gou Matsuoka to learn how to swim within a week before the prefectural competition.
He tries all strokes except the butterfly and fails, but after talking to Haruka, he tests the butterfly stroke and, surprisingly, can swim it well.
He becomes the team's butterfly specialist.
He keeps practicing, using kickboards and pull buoys for support.
Improving Skills and Growth
In the second season, with help from Rin Matsuoka, Rei learns how to swim all the strokes.
He shows his gratitude by baking cookies for Rin.
He continues to train and improve, always chasing after the beauty he sees in swimming.
Rei is unsuccessful at stopping Nagisa's pranks, and sometimes finds himself the target, such as when Nagisa draws on him at camp.
Captain and Nationals
In the third season, after Makoto Tachibana graduates, Rei becomes the new swim club captain.
He works hard with the team and makes it to the national competition.
At nationals, he meets Asahi Shiina, whom he had met long ago in a library during elementary school, and updates his personal best times.
After graduation, he attends Shimorou Academy University with Aiichiro Nitori.
💬 Community Discussion
Talk about this anime with people who actually care.