Free and Easy Collection
The story focuses on salaryman Densuke Hamasaki (a.k.a. Hama-chan), whom his supervisor Sasaki has dubbed the "Crazy Fisherman" because of his passion for fishing. One day Hama-chan meets and befriends an older fisherman named Su-san, who turns out to be Ichinosuke Suzuki, the CEO of the "Suzuki Construction" company that Hama-chan works for. The stories tend to focus on their relationship inside and outside of the office.
Free and Easy Collection Movies: Timeline & Franchise Overview
The Free and Easy Collection franchise spans roughly 21 years, featuring 22 interconnected films that build a shared narrative universe.
From its earliest installment to the most recent release, the series has expanded its world-building while introducing new characters and story arcs. Notable entries such as Free and Easy 2 demonstrate the franchise's ability to maintain audience interest over time.
Franchise Quality Benchmark
Across all entries, the series holds an average audience rating of 7.5. While many long-running franchises experience declining reception, this series continues to deliver memorable cinematic moments.
Viewing Order Strategy
Most viewers prefer watching the films in release order, which reflects how audiences originally experienced the evolving story.
However, a chronological viewing order can provide deeper insight into the timeline of events within the Free and Easy Collection universe.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the Free and Easy Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.
Free and Easy
Densuke Hamazaki is an office worker at Suzuki Construction and gets transferred to the main Tokyo office. After settling in to his surrounding along with his w...
Free and Easy 2
Hama-chan gets Su-san hooked on fishing, but Su-san has some problems to deal with; a beautiful woman saves Su-san when he collapses while fishing....
Free and Easy 3
Su-San invites Hama-chan to go fishing at a place close to his heart after learning about Hama-chan and his wife's fertility problems....
Free and Easy 4
Hama-chan and his wife are ecstatic about their long-awaited pregnancy. Meanwhile, Su-san's nephew joins Hama-chan's department at the company....
Free and Easy 5
Hama-chan shows up to work with his son on his back when his wife goes to her class reunion and his mother throws her back out....
Free and Easy 6
Hama-chan and Su-san go fishing during a business trip, but Hama-chan has to give a lecture on Su-san's behalf in a case of mistaken identity....
Free and Easy Special
Approached by a friend about a matchmaking arrangement, Su-san goes to Hama-chan's home seeking help. Hama-chan is away on a business trip, but Michiko entertai...
Free and Easy 7
Hama-chan and Su-san meet a charming woman on a fishing trip, but forget to ask her name. Days later, Hama-chan sees her again at a dentist's office....
Free and Easy 8
When Su-san invites his late friend's daughter to come along on a fishing trip, she falls in love with Hama-chan's fishing protégé....
Free and Easy 9
Hama-chan’s sales department gets a new supervisor, a hard-working taskmaster that’s the very opposite of carefree, irresponsible Hama-chan. The veteran employe...
Free and Easy 10
Su-san resigns after getting fed up with corporate life, but he finds himself back in familiar surroundings on his first assignment at a new job....
Free and Easy: Samurai Edition
A traveling ronin perceived as a fool impresses a samurai leader with his fishing skills and gains employment....
Free and Easy 11
Hama-chan accompanies Su-san on a business trip to Okinawa in the middle of the recession, but Su-san remains in low spirits over business matters....
Free and Easy 12: Big Holiday Bonus Project
Mr. Takano, a company employee, announces plans to take an early retirement so he can return to his home town and spend his days fishing. Su-san and Hama-chan e...
Free and Easy 13
When unexpected trouble arises with an account Hama-chan brought in, he's sent to Toyama with his beautiful colleague to fix the problem....
Free and Easy 14
Hama-chan's supervisor is promoted after many frustrating years with his wayward, fishing-obsessed underling, and Hama-chan's new boss naively tries to retrain ...
Free and Easy 15
Hama-chan takes a vacation to go fishing in Akita despite warnings from Su-san as his company faces a restructuring process....
Free and Easy 16
Hama-chan meets a friendly US soldier on a trip to Nagasaki with Su-san. Su-san returns to Tokyo and is informed that Hama-chan has gone missing....
Free and Easy 17
Yumiko returns to work in Hama-chan's department. She had once left the company after getting married, but a dark shadow now seems to loom over her....
Free and Easy 18
Hama-chan goes to Okayama to look for Su-san when he goes missing a few days after freezing up during his inaugural speech as the company chairman....
Free and Easy 19
Hama-chan joins a company excursion to Oita with the rest of his department including his new junior Daisuke. Beautiful Namiko, the organizer of the trip is a c...
Free and Easy 20: Final
The final instalment in the popular series featuring the duo of Hama-chan, a lifelong low-ranking employee and fishing enthusiast, and Suu-san, the chairman of ...
Common Questions about Free and Easy Collection
How many movies are in the Free and Easy Collection?
There are currently 22 movies in the Free and Easy Collection, starting from Free and Easy 2 to the latest release, Free and Easy.
What is the best order to watch the Free and Easy Collection?
The best way to watch the Free and Easy Collection is usually in release order: starting with Free and Easy 2 and ending with Free and Easy. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the Free and Easy Collection?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for Free and Easy 2 in this franchise.