Aiichiro Nitori

Aiichiro Nitori (似鳥 愛一郎 Nitori Aiichirou) is a supporting character in the anime series Free! beginning with Free! As a third-year high school student at Samezuka Academy, he is the captain of the Samezuka Swimming Club. Following high school graduation he attends Shimogami University.

Appearance

Aiichiro has light blue eyes and short gray hair with straight bangs. He appears to be the shortest member of the Samezuka swim team but, nevertheless, is about average height. A notable feature of his is a beauty mark, which is located diagonally under his right eye. His swimwear is a purple and yellow square-leg swimsuit, and he is sometimes seen wearing a Samezuka Academy jacket.

Personality

He is a friendly and slightly chatty person, sometimes saying a little too much, like when he mentions that all the Iwatobi swim team members have girly names only to be reminded by Rin Matsuoka's glare that Rin also has a girly name. He is a hardworking swimmer who recognizes his own limits, but often pushes himself to extremes in trying to improve. He admires Rin to the point of wanting to specialize in two swimming styles (breaststroke and freestyle), just like him, and does anything he can for Rin. Aiichiro remains a bubbly person, never giving up, even when Rin snaps at him or finds him annoying.

Probably because they share the same room, he often does the same things as Rin. He looks up to Rin and feels sincerely happy for his victories. He participates earnestly in club activities and is a hard worker. At one point, Aiichiro feels miserable and frustrated with himself, since he was unable to participate in his preferred event. Because of that, he was unable to understand Rin who, although he was able to participate in any event, only participated in the 100-meter free.

When Rin says that he would "see his father," Aiichiro misunderstands him and sobs, "No, you can't die!" with pure tears coming from listening to Rin's obstinate heart. More so than his tears, his crying face was emphasized. During the joint practice with Iwatobi High School, the side of Aiichiro who firmly separates business is shown when he urges Rei Ryugazaki, who isn't wearing a swimsuit, to change.

History

In elementary school, Aiichiro is in the same swimming competition as Rin, Haruka Nanase, Makoto Tachibana, and Nagisa Hazuki. However, he and his team lose in the prelims. Even so, Aiichiro is extremely moved after watching Rin and everyone else's winning relay. Ever since, he has looked up to Rin.

Free!

While running with Rin Matsuoka, Rin says to Aiichiro Nitori that he didn't know there was going to be a joint practice with the Iwatobi High School Swim Club. Aiichiro tells Rin that the captain made the call, and mentions that the club's team members all have girly names. However, he immediately cuts himself off and apologizes after Rin glares at him and Aiichiro is reminded that Rin also has a girly name. When Rin asks him how he knows, Aiichiro tells him he was in the same swimming competition as them and says that the race was amazing to watch. When Rin is taken off of the Samezuka relay team by Captain Seijuro Mikoshiba, Aiichiro is the first person to approach him in order to calm him down. Although Rin is rude to him, he eventually apologizes and says he realizes that Aiichiro was simply trying to help.

Free!-Eternal Summer-

In season 2, Aiichiro is assigned a new roommate, Momotaro Mikoshiba, who will later become one of his best friends. At first, he's disappointed because he enjoyed sharing a room with Rin, but he and Momotaro become really close later on. When Momotaro's time qualifies for the Samezuka relay team and his doesn't, Aiichiro is disppointed. However, he makes a promise to himself that he will improve his swimming time so he can swim in the relay with Momo and and Rin. His skills improve with the assistance of Sosuke Yamazaki, his teammate and senior by one year.

Free!-Dive to the Future-

Aiichiro's swimming improves over time and his dedication is noticed by Rin who decides to make him the Samezuka team captain after Rin graduates. Nagisa Hazuki continues to tease Aiichiro at the start of every race they share, but now, Aiichiro takes it in stride instead of being intimidated and even, at times, counters with confidence.

Relationship

Rin Matsuoka

Main article: Rin Matsuoka

Aiichiro says that he's known Rin Matsuoka since elementary school. Initially, Aiichiro and Rin were not on the same team, however, once Rin joined the Samezuka Academy swim team, the two became teammates. Aiichiro thinks of Rin as a role model and is faithfully loyal to Rin, even after being yelled at or brushed aside by him. Throughout the series he continues to cheer him on and support him. He cares about Rin and earnestly respects him.

It is shown that Aiichiro is somewhat jealous of Haruka Nanase because Rin calls Haruka 'Haru', but keeps calling him 'Nitori'. However, when Rin called him 'Ai', he states that it makes him happy that he recognizes him as a fully-fledged athlete. According to the Drama CD, Aiichiro keeps a diary in which Rin gets mentioned on every page. He decides to buy Rin a diary as a Christmas present, as well.

Sosuke Yamazaki

Main article: Sosuke Yamazaki

Aiichiro greatly admires Sosuke Yamazaki, be it because he is a high class swimmer (being in the top ten national butterfly swimmers), or because of his long relationship with Rin. At first, Sosuke seemed to dislike Aiichiro, giving him a cold look when he tried to approach him, but then he quickly smiled and ever since then, they're on good terms. While Aiichiro is training to gain a place in the regionals, Sosuke offers to train him. Alongside Rin and Momotaro Mikoshiba, Sosuke and Aiichiro compete against the Iwatobi High School Swim Club, losing at the end.

Seijuro Mikoshiba

Main article: Seijuro Mikoshiba

Seijuro Mikoshiba and Aiichiro are both on the Samezuka Academy swim team. They appear to be good friends, with a respectful senpai-kohai relationship.

On Sora's Team

Aiichiro joins Sora's team as Rin Matsuoka's ally.