Free! was a breakout anime in many ways. For starters, it not only acknowledged the existence of an extremely large and always ignored female fanbase, it treated them as equals to their male counterparts and gave them what they’ve always desired – blatant man-service.
Free! Is extremely popular in the anime circle as “that swimming anime” and the debate over its fanservice often overshadows its beautiful animation and the beautifully intimate bonding that occurs between its 5 young school boys. Even so, for fangirls (and fanboys) who couldn’t get enough of the show, here are 10 anime you’re likely to enjoy just as much (if not more).
10 Dive!!
Right from the moment the first trailer came out, everyone and their granddaddy could see that Dive!! was hugely “inspired” by Free! This anime, which also is about swimming, focuses on the school’s aquatic club that is closed to being shut down due to lack of members. A group of misfits come together to help the school’s club from being shut down, while finding their passion for swimming in the process.
This anime has a wide array of male characters who are often shirtless, and if it’s manservice you’re aiming at, then this is the show to watch.
9 Kuroko’s Basketball
Both these sports anime have a lot to offer to fans (apart from boys sweating in gym wear showing off their muscular bodies). The main characters are very similar – they’re both the silent types who rarely let emotions show on their faces. Yet, they’re passionate about the sports they play and would go to great lengths to save their teams/help them win.
Fans also get to see a girl becoming the manager of both teams, as well as the main characters participating in school sport competitions to help improve their ranking/positions.
8 Seraph of the End
This is an unexpected entry, but it is here for a reason. Free! fans who ardently supported MakoHaru, RinHaru or SouHaru ships will definitely enjoy this anime.
The backdrop of this anime is different – an alternate Japan where humans exist at the mercy of vampires, as their livestock. In such bleak conditions, two teenage boys (Mikaela and Yuuichirou) with intense love for each other, fight all odds to reunite with one another. Call it romance or bromance, but either way it’s a treat for the minds and souls of excited fangirls.
7 Prince of Stride: Alternative
Free! is about swimming, while Prince of Stride is about stride. Both shows begin with friends who come together to form a club in their school, and the sudden threat of closure of the club springs them into action.
Both anime focus on building trust, teamwork and friendship, and together these beautiful young boys work hard and overcome obstacles (literally) in order to bring pride and respect back to the names of their school clubs. Prince of Stride is more lighthearted than Free! so it’s a good watching for those wanting something less serious after watching Free!
6 Tsuritama
Free! and Tsuritama have one major thing in common – the theme of water. Extremely attractive boys bond with each other over their passion for water related activities. Both shows have a school setting, and show a main character who struggles to become good at something he is passionate about.
Both shows also have excellent animation that’s a treat for the eyes.
5 Yuri!!! on Ice
Free! will always be accused of being fujo-bait and queer-bait for not actually having its two main characters have romantic feelings for each other. But then came along Yuri!!! On Ice, and everything changed, as this show showcased an openly gay couple as its lead characters.
Needless to say, both shows are about sports and how their protagonists go from good to better. Both shows also focus deeply on the relationships between its two male leads, the strong emotions have they have for each other, how they have to face many obstacles and professional rivals, as well as minor misunderstandings, before they can finally be with each other.
4 Tsurune: Kazemai Koukou Kyuudoubu
One similarity between both Free! and Tsurune is that both have been animated by Kyoto Animation, a studio that is famous for its breathtakingly beautiful animation, slice of life feel, and the emotional bonding between all its characters.
Both shows have a main character who is good at what he does, but something in his past holds him back from being the best version of himself. However, once he decides to open his mind (and his heart) towards new people and thus new approaches, he realizes he can be who he always wanted to be.
3 Haikyuu!!
It is difficult to be an anime fan and to not have heard of Haikyuu!! This show is the most similar to Free!. Both sports based shows have two extremely gifted main characters (Hinata and Haruka) who both strive to become the best in their respective fields, but lack the resources to do the same.
Both these anime also focus on other extremely enthusiastic young school-going boys with different personalities coming together, bonding over their passion for said sports, failing and winning and failing again, and breaking down walls to salvage and build new friendships.
2 Kamigami no Asobi
Some might find it odd to have a reverse harem on this list, but Kamigami no Asobi is an excellent alternative for Free! fans. Even though all the boys have to have a soft spot for the female lead, this reverse harem goes out of its way to also show male bonding – aka having various love rivals bond with each other.
The cherry on the icing is to not only see handsome boys bond with each other, but handsome young GODS bond with each other. Gods like Loki, Hades and Apollon (each of whom has a strikingly unique character design and personality trait) going into full-on bromance mode is quite the treat for fangirls.
1 Uta no Prince Sama
As a bonus, this anime too is about a sport – music. The main lead enters an elite music school on a scholarship, and not only is she behind on her music-study schedule, she has no friends who can help her. Needless to say, an army of "bishies" (bishonens) instantly become her knights in shining armor and help her out whenever she needs their help (and also when she doesn’t)
Uta no Prince Sama is a reverse harem and honestly, it’s in this list simply for its heavy doses of man-services. The bishies here make for total eye candy and it’s a much watch for those who enjoyed the man-service in Free!