Rei Ryugazaki

Living… in Iwatobi, a small town near Japan's coast.

Profession… star student at Iwatobi High School. In addition to his academic success, Rei is also a talented member of the track team, using his mathematical skill to calculate the angles that allow him to excel at pole vaulting and hurdling.

Interests… math, running, and all things beautiful. From his attire to his form while running, aesthetics rule Rei's life. It's part of the reason he's initially reluctant about joining the swim club. He complains, "A swimmer must flap his arms and legs underwater while struggling to break the surface for a gasp of air. You can't look good while doing that!"

Relationship Status… single. Rei's a serious student, with academics and clubs leaving little time for romance. But ever since he was badgered into joining the Iwatobi swim club by Nagisa Hazuki, Rei's found himself growing closer to his teammates, especially the energetic and carefree Nagisa.

Challenge… swimming. Rei's a runner, not a swimmer, and for one very important reason: he can't swim. Freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke: it doesn't matter what style Rei tries, he always ends up sinking. While he eventually manages to learn butterfly by using "theory and calculation," Rei is still very much a beginner and has many things to learn before winning any competitions.  

Personality… scientifically-minded to a fault, though not as straight-laced as he looks. Rei places a lot of faith in theory, claiming that "You can attain the perfect form through theory and calculation," but he hasn't seemed to realize that what seems good in theory doesn't always work in practice. Still, for all his ability to think circles around himself, Rei can also be quite dramatic, going on long, involved tangents about his passions or his friends.