Former ace runner of Sendai Josei High School, Kakeru Kurahara is chased away from a convenience store for shoplifting. Shaking off his pursuer, he runs into Haiji Kiyose, another student from his university. Haiji is impressed by Kakeru's agility and persuades him to live in Chikusei-sou, the run-down apartment where Haiji resides along with eight other students. Having lost his entire apartment deposit at a mahjong parlor, Kakeru accepts the offer reluctantly. However, Haiji reveals a secret during Kakeru's welcoming party: the apartment is actually the dormitory of the Kansei University Track Club. He unveils his ultimate goal of participating in the Hakone Ekiden—one of the most prominent university marathon relay races in Japan. Unfortunately, all the residents apart from Haiji and Kakeru are complete running novices. Worse still, none of the inhabitants are even remotely interested in being involved with Haiji's ridiculous plan! With only months before the deadline, will the fourth-year student be able to convince them otherwise and realize his elusive dream of running in the Hakone Ekiden?
~~~img(https://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/anime/1029/93168l.jpg)~~~ Recently, sports anime have become a bit of a dying breed. Falling into the same hole as Mecha, aside from a passionate base audience, most are overlooked. There are the occasional hits like _Haikyuu_, _Yuri on Ice_, or _Darling in the Franxx_ for Mecha, but those are few and far between, often taking years. Even then, rarely does a series come along that can reach the heights of the old classics such as _Hajime no Ippo_ or _One Outs_. However, _Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru_, _Kaze Fui_ or _Run With the Wind_, attempts to do just that. With a phenomenal cast, tight direction and a 5 episode finale that was executed neigh perfectly, Kaze Fui is one of my favorite sports anime in recent years. So that said, lets jump in! __Quick Warning:__ This is my first review here, still learning the code/process. There are spoilers past this line. For a better formatted version, feel free to head to my blog [here](http://starcrossedanime.com/kaze-ga-tsuyoku-fuiteiru-anime-review-93-100/) ~~~img(https://i.imgur.com/0DzYuU4.png)~~~ # ~~~__Animation/Art__~~~ We have to, as always, start off with the art and animation. This is perhaps _Kaze Fui’s_ rockiest area, which considering the ending is saying something. Right off the bat, I need to start with the harshest criticism, the CGI. In multiple scenes at the start/middle of the series, CGI runners are rampant. They stand out, their run cycles are all basically the same, just offset, and they are ugly to look at. Simply put, the CGI is something that has to go in the BD release. Luckily, this gets less prevalent as the series goes on and we barrel down to the Hakone Ekiden, the big event. Had the finale been as laden with CGI runners as most of the other races, I do not think it would have been near as successful. However, with my only major gripe out of the way, what does it do right? The answer is, a lot. _Kaze Fui_ does a lot right. First off, when the animation is on, it is on. Multiple times in the finale I just thought “Wow, this is beautiful”. Its a combination of the direction and animation, sure, but it looks fantastic. Art wise the series also stands out. Production IG’s style here just resonates with me, as it is a similar style to their recent Welcome to the Ballroom. Tall, lean bodies with long legs and striking eyes. Bright colors to make every scene pop, and particular detail put into the characters musculature. When zoomed out for group shots, a good deal of this detail is lost. But when _Kaze Fui_ focuses in on a single character, their experiences and their story, you can’t look away. So while the CGI is painful, it is surrounded by enough beauty to, if not forgive, to forget it. ~~~img(https://i.imgur.com/vJjhVxB.png)~~~ # ~~~__Direction__~~~ Next up we have the direction, the cinematography, the art of the scene itself. At its worst, I would classify _Kaze Fui_ as average. At a minimum, every shot serves as a place for the characters to interact. Never detracting from what is going on. Meanwhile at its best, the composition enhances the emotions on screen. The best examples of this take place, naturally, in the finale. Where each individual character has the spotlight and their stories are given time to shine. However there are plenty of examples of this prior to the finale. One stand out for me is during their training arc at the lake, with beautiful mountain vista’s. Often the shot places our cast in the corner, or zoomed out, making a point of just how small they are in the grand world. _Kaze Fui_ also makes great use of perspective and its “camera” during a number of its running scenes. Tilting with Yuki as he makes his turns, or tracking Kurahara as he sprints by from another characters perspective. The sense of speed pretty much anytime Kurahara runs is especially worth mentioning. As his talent is made clear without any need for words, making his performance never feel unearned or out of nowhere. Suffice to say, _Kaze Fui's_ direction does more of the heavy lifting than the animation does. Making scenes with minimal movement feel much more impactful. From just sitting in a bath at night to lounging in a field, the intent of the scenes are clear, and so I can’t help but call this category a success as well. ~~~img(https://i.imgur.com/cL60Pwd.png)~~~ # ~~~__Story/World__~~~ Now though we can start getting to the meat of the series, the story and characters. Considering how intertwined the two are in this case, talking about one without the other is neigh impossible. So this section will be on the characters stories and journey, where as that section will be on their depth and personality. For those stories, once again, _Kaze Fui_ did fantastically. The only complaint I can really make here is that some concepts/plot threads were shoved under the bed for convenience's sake. While most of the work was left for the finale to cleanup in one big chunk. Those chunks were fantastic and emotionally resonate. I teared up at least once an episode during the finale. However this does occasionally make them feel underdeveloped until the literal last seconds of their arc. The quality of those arcs more than makes up for it though. While the individual characters stories, excluding Kurahara, might feel sparse at times though the overall arc does not. Their transformation from ragtag band of dorm mates to full fledged team is beautiful. Step by step we see them coming together, taking roles and putting their individual skills to use. _Kaze Fui_ does a fantastic job of having each individual grow, but most of all, our lead Kurahara Kakeru is nothing short of astounding. His growth from angry and closed off to happy, relaxed and emotional was fantastically done. Considering a good 80% of the show is dedicated to this arc, that is a very good thing. This boy provides emotional payoff after emotional payoff, each step of the way growing as a person. Suffice to say, when focusing on Kurahara, _Kaze Fui's_ story is strong. ~~~img(https://i.imgur.com/T3Uvftw.png)~~~ # ~~~__Characters__~~~ As far as the characters go, this is _Kaze Fui's_ strongest point. Each member of our core 10 is well fleshed out and established. While their individual story arcs are done with varying degrees of success, all of them are easily distinguished from each other. Every single member of this core group, from Yuki and Musa to Prince and King, are distinct in their personalities and histories. Its astounding really, as there are shows with a cast half this size that can’t manage that beyond stereotypes. Yet not a single member of _Kaze Fui_ is easily classified as one, not by the end. Piece by piece _Kaze Fui_ pulls back their layers. The tact and skill with which _Kaze Fui_does this makes each one relatable. And that might be it’s greatest strength. Somehow making 10 different people, with different dreams and circumstances, relatable in each their own way. The biggest complaint I have seen, that I agree with about the characters, is their running ability. For lue of a better place to put this in the review, their progress simply isn’t realistic. For example, in the span of a year Prince goes from having never run a day in his life, to finishing a section of Japan’s largest college race. Sure, it’s a close thing. But as much as I love the kid, he had no business being in that race in the first place. Personally, I found this to be a minor gripe that stopped bothering me by the end. _Kaze Fui_ had drawn me in to its narrative and it no longer mattered. If you can put aside the scientific quandaries of the original Steins;Gate time travel, or Hajime no Ippo’s bullet punches, then _Kaze Fui's_ stretching the effects of training shouldn’t bother you much. ~~~img(https://i.imgur.com/HYiz2mc.png)~~~ # ~~~__Music__~~~ Finally, let's talk music. _Kaze Fui's_ OST is an interesting one, it’s very quiet and subtle. Its purpose being to enhance a scene, rather than dominate it. With only a few standout tracks, ones that stick in your memory, it just doesn’t fit the same mold as the recent Megalo Box or Devilman. It is an OST meant to be listened to with the accompanying visuals, not imbuing a scene with emotion inherently but focusing on enhancing what is already there. Personally I quite enjoy it, its the sort of tracks I could listen to while running and just zone out for 30 minutes. Never once hearing a spoken word or getting pulled out by heavy choruses. Basically, If I were to rate this OST as a standalone, it would be just a little above average most likely. Nothing to write home about. But in context, it fits perfectly. # ~~~__Conclusion__~~~ So all in all, how was _Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru_? Phenomenal. One of my favorite series from last year and easily one of the best sports series I have had the pleasure to watch. I expected very little from it going in. After all, its a series about running, how exciting can that be? Yet still it managed to surprise me. _Kaze Fui_ was never going to be some kind of mega blockbuster. It doesn’t have the bombastic nature of big Shounen like _Mob Psycho_, nor the brand recognition of _Attack on Titan_ or _One Punch Man_. It’s a drama about sports, a genre most nerds tend to avoid because of preconceptions about sports. It was doomed to a niche audience from the start. But I firmly believe that, among that audience, it will and has become a classic. The sort you revisit time and time again. What I am saying it, if you are reading this and have not watched _Kaze Fui_, if you have even the slightest interest in sports, watch this. You will not regret it. I know I don’t.
I've always dreamed of a sports anime, I could relate to. I finally got one with Run with the wind, which is a very fitting name for the show. The MC started off aloof and distant because he thought results were the only thing that mattered. Over time, his talent shined so brightly, it blinded him to the most important thing ever. The journey, which is the reoccurring theme in run with the wind. If you only worry and care about results, what kind of life are you living? A strength of this anime is every character had their defining moment and you learned how running directly or indirectly helped them. I like some of the characters hated running, it was nothing more than some chore you were forced to do at certain points in your life. Over time, you realize you hate running as a whole because you focus on the physical aspect of being tired. But running, in general, is a handy skill and good for your health. It was a nice touch how each character had a certain outlook on running in addition to experience with it. Some use to do track, some just never liked it all. Watching these characters battle their inner demons and learn to get over their insecurities reminded me how everyone, no matter how energetic or powerful they look are human. Even the annoying "antagonists" seemed relatable, all it takes is one bad experience to make a decent person become a jerk or douchebag. Slowly but surely, you'll fall in love with this loveable and diverse cast. Now onto the portrayal of the marathon running, It reminded of how I felt when I did cross country. You are focused on getting the best time possible during the run while you hear your teammates, families, and friends cheer you on to push as hard as you can. You really get the sense of the environment and the thoughts of the athletes as you watch. It was truly eye catching., the sweat and breathing patterns came off authentic. Every event felt important like it was the last, you'll be screaming and cheering along with the main cast as you watch each competition. There was a good amount of twists in this series, sometimes, you thought one thing but you got something totally different. The show did a nice balance of sports and slice of life. We are always reminded outside of running, these college students have lives. They have to worry about assignments, their future careers, friends, relationships, etc. Nothing felt out of place or thrown in there to fill a quota. I literally looked forward to every episode because of the episode preview made you wish it was next week already. The best takeaway, I got from this show is it's never just about the end or beginning, it's about the experiences and everything leading up to it. Once you can spend that precious time with loved ones and find something meaningful in your life, everything will change dramatically. So instead of fighting and losing to the wind, why not run with it?
NOTE: SPOILERS AHEAD - THIS REVIEW FOCUSES ON THE RUNNING ONLY. I was incredibly happy to find out that there was a two-cour anime about running, and was ecstatic to find that it was also really good. I was out there running before I watched this anime, so this isn't really a critical review as it is comparing the running in the anime to running in real life, just in case you're one of those people that gets a bit too inspired by anime and actually tries out the sport (I may have gotten carried away and started playing volleyball for a year because of Haikyu). First, I like that the anime shows that you really can just put on a pair of running shoes and just... run. That is pretty much true. Although, wearing basketball shoes would likely give you blisters after racking up a few miles, and wearing jeans is definitely not recommended, unless you really like chaffing. If you do only have jeans, wear your loosest pair. There is actually a WR for fastest mile ran in jeans, so it's not impossible. One of my first hype moments when watching the anime was a short shot of Haiji's notebook which displayed everyone's first 5K times. Everyone's times bar Prince's were around 19-21 minutes, with Prince's being around 35. I can tell you that this is *mostly* accurate, but in a good way. Prince's time is pretty much dead on. I live with a bunch of weebs, and also forced both weebs to run a timed 5K, with the times being 34 and 36 minutes. And they had about as much training as Prince in that time (a few runs, but over a longer period of time). The other times though, were relatively *insane*. At the time of watching, I had been running for a year, and my PB was 22 minutes. It's worth emphasizing that they all have some sports in their background (Jota and Joji's times were probably the most realistic, as they both still play football), but times like that are quite difficult to get. Even now, my PB of 21:34 on a 5K barely scrapes those times. Then there's the Hakone qualifier. This is where the real anime stuff kicks in. A 16:30 5K is absolutely, balls-to-the-wall fast. Maybe not by professional standards, mind, but my God, that's blistering. I will tell you now, realistically you absolutely CANNOT go from 35 minutes to 16:30 in 10 months. With Haiji's training schedule, it does actually seem possible, but his training schedule also wouldn't have worked on Prince. Early on, they're running 5K to the lake, then 5K back, which is a 10K a day, every day, every week. That's roughly 42 miles a week. That's not a mileage you can start on. Even if your stamina can push through, your legs will not. It takes a fair bit of time to build the leg muscles needed for that kind of running, even with hot baths everyday and Haiji's magic protein rice. The least you could probably start on is 15, and then building up by 10% each week. Any more than that and you'll get shin splints as an amateur, for sure. Shin splints are not fun. After that, he also runs them ragged on a track, which is basically training for elites at this point. Your legs would pretty much be beyond dead. Also, it's very, very lucky that none of them were injured or caught a cold during training, as injuries would've put you out, and colds are aggravated by running (even though you can run with one, just as Shindo did). Other than that though, I'd say everything was fairly on point. It would have probably been completely spot on if they had another year to train and started off more slowly. If you want to take up running, definitely do it. I'd recommend listening to some anime OPs with a good BPM to set a nice running cadence. At first it'll be hell and you'll be exhausted, but it gets better and better until eventually you become addicted.
I had this series in my 'Plan to Watch' list for some time but I hesitated to start this series because I know I will feel ___empty___ after I finish the last episode, and guess what? I felt heavy and empty, but _sort of_ in a good way, if you know what I meant. ~~~img440(https://66.media.tumblr.com/e4ec96629dccfe123b547a433b9cdd37/tumblr_pk3oa0ugLH1x3g63go1_500.gifv) img440(https://66.media.tumblr.com/f412fbee4684daaba4d80d2ff612050b/tumblr_pk3oa0ugLH1x3g63go2_500.gif)~~~ --- ~~~__PLEASE NOTE THAT MY REVIEW CONTAIN MINOR (Okay, MAJOR) SPOILER__~~~ --- Indeed, the title has given you a big hint on what the anime is going to be about but it's not all about running. There is more than to _just running_. The anime centers around Hakone Ekiden, a university relay marathon race that exists in real which is held annually between January 2 and January 3. The animation is awesome and the pace of the story is steady, plus it flows nicely. The story may be a little slow in the beginning but I honestly feel that none of those moments are wasted and in fact, are needed in order to understand the ending better. From having to persuading the members to run the marathon to learning about the members' strengths and weaknesses to daily practices to attending qualifiers and lastly the marathon itself, the anime has shown us their determination, teamwork and friendship which leads them to completing the marathon. _It was only a person's goal to run in the Hakone Ekiden in the beginning of the series but it became 10 people's goal to complete the Hakone Ekiden at the end._ However, I feel that we are only scratching the surface when it comes to character developments. Well, it might be hard to throw in the story and full character developments when there are only 23 episodes with 10 important characters. Despite that, I like all the 10 unique characters in the team and I am glad that we managed to see them grow mentally and physically. On a side note, I’m really glad that we get to see their inner thoughts when they were running on their allocated section during the marathon that helps to build up towards the ending. That part sticks with me the most for some reason. __Oh, and did I mention that I really love the ending?! <3 __ I really like how the ending is concluded but one, just one questions that has not been answered. _Musa, can you tell us is it Jota or Joji? ~_ I have to say this because Haiji Kiyose is definitely one of the best leader I have seen in anime! He cares a lot about his teammates, encourage them, giving advice and even cook for them despite having his own problems to deal with. I'm glad that none of the members gave up and Haiji gets to have his dream fulfilled :) Of course, Kakeru Kurahara is one of the person who is gifted in running but that doesn't mean that the rest cannot compete in the marathon. Every one of them is important and there is no way Kakeru can win the race without his team, which I'm glad that this is also emphasized in the story. Thank you Haiji, for giving Nico-senpai, King, Yuki, Shindo, Musa, Prince, Jota, Joji and Kakeru a chance to participate in this marathon and for teaching us that there is more to than just running :) Not so related to the story/characters but I really love the two ending songs 'Reset' & 'Michi' by Taichi Mukai. It fits well with the series and I see myself listening to these songs quite often for a period of time. And to end this lengthy review, '' __The mountains of Hakone are?__"
For a story as simple in concept as running a relay, it seems hard to imagine how it could be so captivating, yet it manages to do exactly that in mere 23 episodes. The story starts off with a group of ten individuals who have been gathered together at the Chikuseisou dormitory, where it is revealed to them that they have actually joined the university's track club. Wanting to realise his dream of running in the Hakone Ekiden Haiji Kiyose, one of the main characters of the anime, uses his manipulative skills to persuade all the other residents to join him. There is resistance of course, at the beginning nobody takes him seriously, but throughout the story each member recognises their own reasons for running. Even when they are constantly being put down by others who do not believe in them, *they* do. It is easy to lose focus on your own, but they are united by the team. The characters *are* what make the story for me. With a cast of characters as big as ten, developing each and every person as an individual is not an easy job, but KazeTsuyo carries it out almost effortlessly. All characters have *character* so to say, they are not there to support the main characters by just being there, they have their own goals and little quirks. Without even one of them the story would not have been the same. The characters are all memorable, their designs are easily distinguishable and the interactions between them are a pleasure to watch. Kakeru Kurahara seemed almost unlikable at first, but throughout the story little glimpses of his past are revealed. As the story unfolds, just as the characters themselves, I started seeing a glimmer of hope for these amateurs to succeed. Prince's growth in particular was fascinating and the one that made this all the more relatable.
This anime was already on my watchlist when it aired around the last quarter of 2018. I've been a fan of sports anime for a while so when I found out there was a Track and Field/Running anime I was like "Oh cool! Let's watch this!". But sadly it was around the time when my anime watching declined so I never got around to watching it... until now. img620(https://d1a2e1vehwcxq9.cloudfront.net/news/2018/10/sentai-news-run-with-the-wind.png) # __The story, the setting, and all that jazz__ The story centers around Kurahara Kakeru, a college freshman who encounters Kiyose Haiji one night when he was chased away for shoplifting. Haiji persuades him to stay in their run-down apartment, Chikusei-sou, where he resides along with 8 other residents. After gathering a total of 10 tenants, Haiji reveals his true intenton: Forming the Kansei University Track Club with all the residents in the apartment. He then unveils his ultimate goal: to participate in the Hakone Ekiden—one of the most prominent university marathon relay races in Japan. img620(https://data.whicdn.com/images/328442036/original.jpg) # __The characters__ >I hate people who criticize others for what they do! I'm not sure if these people are my friends of not. But at the very least, they recognize me, my ideas, and my worth. ~Prince I honestly don't think you can dislike anyone in the series _(well maybe except for Sakaki, but if you were annoyed by him then that just means he did a good job as the sort of 'anti hero' or whatever of the series)_. The anime has a very diverse set of characters, each with their own unique personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. It's not difficult to say that by the end of the series, you'll find yourself relating to at least one of them. - Haiji seems like the optimistic all-rounder but has doubts about himself, his capabilities, and his ways. - Kakeru is a prodigy at running but has trouble controlling his emotions, so much so that it caused him his track and field career in high school. - Akihiro (Nico-senpai) loved running but was forced to give it up after being told that his body type was no longer ideal for the sport. - Yukihiko (Yuki) is a smart bar exam passer, but he has a strained relationship with his family. - Jota and Joji are your happy-go-lucky twins, but each struggle to separate themselves from each other. - Musa is an exchange student from Africa. That alone is enough for him to feel like he's different, especially when he sees other exchange students who are better than him. - Youhei (King) is a pretty smart guy but has trouble finding a job and navigating through his career. - Takashi (Shindo) seems like your typical honor student but actually struggles with self-esteem issues. - Akane (Prince) is an otaku who loves reading manga. Because of his hobbies, he was the most frail among all the members and thus struggled the most. So how can such different people even get along? Well, truthfully they never 100% got along. But that's what made it work. They acknowledge each other's strengths and weaknesses, and used it to their advantage. They trained each other by knowing what can help motivate them, by learning how they do their ways. And trust me, a LOT of them still hated the idea of running by the end of the series, but they didn't close their heart to it. Because eventually, because of the people around them, they found themselves having fun. img620(https://data.whicdn.com/images/328529642/original.gif) # __The experience__ >It's not for fun! Yesterday, our teammate practically gave his life to pass along our sash. Who suffers that much for fun? ~Musa There are sports anime that teach you the in-depth and technical side of a certain sport. In a way, it helps otakus like us who may or may not have any knowledge of the sport to at least know a little more about it. I can honestly say that this anime, went beyond that. Kaze ga Tsuyoko Fuiteiru went beyond just being another sports anime. It was just... different. By the end of the series I found myself learning a lot from the characters. They're so vastly different from their personalities to what motivates them to run, and yet they're all connected by their newfound love for running. I bawled my eyes out in almost every episode of this series, that's how much it tugs your heartstrings. More than just the sport, the series lets you know the importance of recognizing everyone's strength, their passions, and who they are. >You're always facing forward. Everyone else is running behind you. Until you turn around, you'll never see them from where you are. ~Haiji Everyone has their own timeline in life, their own pace, their own way of doing things. By understanding that, and understanding them, you can bring out the best in everyone. I love this anime. It made its way to my favorites of all time list. Fun, exciting, and enriching. I highly recommend it to everyone who likes sports anime.
This is something I picked up to cope up with there being no more Haikyuu, but I never thought that it would be such an enthralling story and that I'd be so much invested in a running anime. While Run with the Wind is a sports anime about running, the main premise is the character development. No joke, this story had one of _the best_ character development arcs I've ever come across. The cast has so many characters but the story does such an amazing job in incorporating all of them without feeling that anyone was sidelined. All the characters are likeable and relatable, very well fleshed out and the most important, realistic. You understand their backgrounds, behaviours and motivations. Furthermore, the soundtrack is simply amazing. It packs a punch when it needs to but is super chill and relaxing otherwise, giving the whole anime a really cozy feeling. Combine all that with what is arguably a perfect pace for the story, and it keeps you hooked throughout the whole anime. It starts with this scattered group of college students and slowly builds up their characters and the relationship between them, and delivers till the last episode. There are downsides too though: The Running part in this seems pretty unrealistic. ~!Prince running like that to even achieve 30mins for 5k with no experience at all is pretty unrealistic. So is his sudden improvement in terms of his times in a few months. The author might have done this to keep the qualifier time realistic, but a team of amateurs achieving that time record in 10 months is unrealistic. !~ That said, If I had to describe this anime in a single word, it would be __wholesome__. The episodes always left a wide smile on my face. Running is not sidelines for character development, but quite well incorporated. This was also my somewhat proper introduction to long-distance running apart from knowing that they exist. If anything, this show makes me want to run now. To experience what it feels like. Furthermore, I found this explanation of the title of the anime quite apt: >"Sometimes we run with the wind like Kakeru, and sometimes it blows against us. We cannot control the direction the wind blows, we can only choose whether to run with it or not." ~/u/Zalveris, ep 23 thread (r/anime) Lastly, __The Mountains of Hakone, are the steepest in the world! __ Personal Note: Haiji is personal goals # End of Review Because of this review word limit, I would share one of my favourite moments [ep 23 spoiler] ~!The whole anime revolves around Haiji and Kakeru trying to find what Running is to them. By the end, to Haiji, he still hasn't found his answer, but he is so mesmerised by Kakeru's running form that he thinks that if he chases him, he will get to know what running actually means. On the other hand, Kakeru in the end says to one of the twins that he loves running and in the end says that to him, Running is You (Haiji). While this could be romantic, this could also be him seeing Haiji's passion for running, despite being faced by a huge wall (his leg injury). Haiji never stopped believing in running, and kept going on to finally achieve ~~his~~ their dream of running in Hakone Ekiden. Both feel that the other person is the answer to why they run, and in turn make each other stronger. It is quite poetic if you think about it. !~
What at first comes across as every sports anime in existence evolves to become a character driven story of people wanting becoming better versions of themselves. The anime at the surface brings very little that is new to the genre and it is extremely easy to draw parallels to existing anime and characters but the key thing on which it differs is in the sport it chose, running lacks the inherent action that a lot of the sports have so the anime lacks flashy moves, grand iconic moments and nail biting sports action for the most part. It replaces those traditional aspects by being more about the characters and their journey of growth not just as runners but also as individuals. A recurring theme of the show was the idea of becoming stronger, the team was pretty much forced to join Haiji and the characters were unwilling to try for his lofty goals that too for a sport that most of them didn't care about but as we progress they find themselves wanting to aim for Haiji's goals too and the underlying reason of why they became willing is because the sport wasn't just a sport, it rather was the means through which they found themselves becoming stronger individuals. Some key attributes about relay marathon running is that it requires endurance, stable rhythms and speed, it serves as the perfect sport for these characters to reinvent themselves. The anime is realistic is in depictions of the characters but some of the progress made by the characters in terms of running is certainly helped by anime magic. __Characters:__ The show essentially has 10 key characters, I will not go into detail about all of them but will discuss them two protagonists and aspects of other characters that moved.me. Kakeru: Kakeru is the common grumpy talented lead with a sad backstory and I didn't care much for him for a good part of the show, he seemed a bit one note but as he grows closer to the team and actually takes them seriously even trying to help them I began to root for him and by the end he won me over. Haiji: In the beginning he comes across as a bit overbearing as he forces the team to run for the sake of his goals but as the show goes on his desperation is understandable. His story of getting back up and wanting to run again is inspirational. I particularly enjoyed watching him coach the team, he is just simply a great guy giving his all for the final shot at his dream. The other characters that made an impact on me are Nico, King and Prince. Their struggles in life were so relatable for me, wanting to be healthy, wanting to succeed in life and have company or just being an otaku who just wants to read mangas. Seeing these people in the setting of a sports anime was something I really enjoyed. Prince's arc in general was very satisfying. The entire cast is very easy to root for even the twins who were not given as much depth as the others. __Soundtrack and Score:__ This aspect of the show is very well done, the scores are used well and really effectively at times. The openings and endings are great as well. I personally enjoy ending 1 a lot. __Animation:__ The animation was by no means bad and is actually really good at a lot of points but there are also points where I felt it was lacking, I am not an expert on this aspect but there were instances I felt it could have been more fluid. However like I said it is well done for the most part. Overall I will just say it is at the end a sports anime that is filled with all tropes out there but it has a lot of sincerity and heart and eventually manages to be different enough because of its character driven nature. I really adore the ending of the show as well even if it was bittersweet. On a secondary note if you simply want to watch good looking characters running then the show delivers on that aspect too.
Run With The Wind is a sports anime that goes beyond just running. It's an amazing story that contains characters that are all dealing with their own problems and are trying to move on from their past. Throughout the story you get to witness the growth of these characters as they work towards their goals and better themselves. The anime also has a motivational feel to it, as the theme of it pushes self & group improvement. It definitely is a perfect anime to watch if you are looking for something heartwarming and motivational to give you that little extra push in life or just to enjoy. Not to mention the ending soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in a while. In all it is an amazing story with some of the best aspects that almost anyone would find enjoyable. The takeaway is the feeling that you get after watching it, is that you witnessed a well put together story that would most likely have an effect on any viewer. It is filled with many heartwarming events that really make the viewer feel as if they are there and maybe even teach us a lesson or two. __ Spoilers__ ~! One of my favorite parts is the story of Akane or better known as "Prince" throughout the anime. He first started off as basically a nobody that was scrawny and didn't really fit in with the others. When he first started to run with them, he couldn't really do it at all. Every time he tried he was always the last one done and was losing all hope ready to quit, as the others did too. As a group they all strived to help each other out, especially Haiji who acted as the glue of the group to make sure no one ever looked back or quit. With his help they all improved over time, with the most notable one being Prince. Prince started to put in the hard work, while also finding a way to improve his running while not changing who he is as a person. Which is a pretty inspirational thing that brought a tear to many as it is one of the best things in the anime.!~ Within this story you learn a lot, with one of the major lessons being that everyone has there struggles. The anime doesn't revolve around just the main character but around all of them. We get a chance to see the world from their perspectives and what they are all dealing with. You get a sense of motivation when you witness what they are doing and while taking a look back at how far they have come, it might make you feel like a proud father. I definitely have to give it to the creators for being able to tell such a powerful story in such a well executed manner. For me personally, it definitely earned its spot on my top 10 list. Final thoughts are that the anime doesn't build or prosper off the growth of one character, but off the group as a whole. It didn't just focus on them getting better at running, but also them improving their character and getting rid of bad habits. As running was not only a sport to them, but a way to clear their mind and better their life. The journey and enjoyment that you feel while watching it, is one that would be hard to find elsewhere. The impactfulness is really one that can really only be determined by the viewer as it is how you choose to interpret it. Not saying that it is for everyone, but if it seems like something you'd watch, you're in for a ride.
This show is underrated and a true gem. Note that the review will contain minor spoilers related to the plot, you have been forewarned. Story: 9 Run with the Wind is a really special show, it’s been a long time since any story has quite impacted me this strongly. The story is actually quite simple, a bunch of college students decide to run a marathon, and their journey to reaching it. The execution is where the anime shines, there is never a wasted moment at all, every episode either focuses on the growth of a character, the growth of the team, or a major cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more. The anime outside of some unrealistic dramatic scenes, felt very relatable and refreshing, the college students felt mature, but not to mature, just the way people out of high school should feel. There weren’t to many stupid scenes involving walking into a bathroom that was unlocked or getting into a fight with some rival school or team like you would see in a show set in a middle school or high school. The setting was executed effectively, the jokes were solid, the pacing was consistent, and the story did not ignore anything that was very important. The last part is important because it allows the viewer to actually believe a team largely comprised of people who have never run competitively before could somehow actually qualify for the hardest college marathon in their country and perform well in it. The story focused on their training, on the amount of suffering they went through, on the support they had from their community and family, and most importantly on how each character overcame their obstacles one at a time instead of suddenly being a top tier runner. The story is a strong execution of a sports anime plot, it will keep you wanting more, it will make you feel excited for the team and their performance, and it will make you actually focus on all the subtle scenes that are thrown in and connected to the characters in the final race. Art: 8 The animation is smooth and clean, there were no major problems with it, the running choreography was some of the best I seen in anime, especially during the final race. Character designs did feel a bit basic, like the characters were just remodels of other shows done by Production IG, specifically Haikyuu. There is not much else to say, it was a good production, but nothing super amazing, it gets an 8 just for the angle and animation quality for the running scenes. The sound: 8 The second opening was a very fun song especially the last 30 seconds. Overall the music suited the series and was designed to get the viewer hyped up for major scenes, worried during dramatic scenes, and focused during training scenes. The sound could have been better yes, there wasn’t any part of the OST I would listen to outside of watching the show, but for a sports anime this is good enough. Characters: 10 At first, I thought the characters were just Haikyuu clones, with Kageyama as the main character, but I was totally wrong. The character development between the team started pretty slow however it was the right pace for a 24 episode show. The characters were funny, charming, interesting, well written, and extremely real, despite the very large cast by the end of the show you will know them all by name and know them as people. Although some of the characters did not get any real development until the very last episode outside of a few small scenes through the show, their final performance added up to so much more. We had a character quit his addiction to smoking and got to watch it slowly build up in the background until he could run, we got an otaku who couldn’t even jog run a marathon over time, we even a pair of twins each with very distinct personalities coming to terms with each other’s talents and how they should chase separate goals. This was easily the best part of the series, the characters were absolutely amazing, they had good chemistry, great inside jokes, and they even managed to bring an African character in and not have him be 1 dimensional fast runner because he is from Africa. The show also has a very strong MC who grew from a cold expressionless results-oriented person to someone who cared more about his team than his own performance. Overall the characters were simply the best part of the series and even if you don’t like sports anime, I would recommend watching this just for their growth in the series. Enjoyment: 8 Being straight here, I never thought a show about running could be this exciting. I really enjoyed this series, it’s so far, the best sports anime I seen in the last year, and one of the strongest I ever seen. The characters, the drama, the growth, struggles, the successes, all of it resonates with me and anyone else who has ever attempted pursuing any competitive goal before. This is a much watch if you seen any other Production IG sports anime and wanted more. Overall: 8 I give this show an 8, it was really hard deciding whether or not to give this show an 8 or 9 since it was very close, however I will give it an 8 for 2 reasons. One because although the main characters were great, the ending did not tie up all the loose ends for their development, I really wanted to know what happened to some of them given that one had injuries, one had a thing for a girl in the cast, and one that was graduating soon.I also wanted to know more about the future of their running club however that was left unclear and open ended. The second reason why I did not give this show a 9 was because the show required a bit much on unrealistic drama, for example a member is sick before the last race, another gets injured before the race, Kakeru’s argument with his rival also seemed really stupid and I can’t imagine anyone being angry for so long over something like that. But overall everything else was very good and this was one of my favorite recent shows, I still highly recommend it, and its definitely a high 8.
# __~~~Spoilerfree Review~~~__ ____ ~~~Well i don't think this Review needs an Introduction at all, this is my 2nd review of run with the wind if you don't know that already, i recently completed my first full rewatch of the Anime and it got even better in my eyes so i want to write over the new perspective i gained from the rewatch, Ok __READY! SET! GO!__~~~ ____ ~~~__Summary:__ Run with the Wind is about the 1st Year Kansei University Student Kakeru Kurahara, after loosing all his money in a gamble he has nothing and becomes homeless, after feeling hunger he steals a bread and runs away, while running he crosses paths with another Kansei University Student, Haiji Kiyose. After Haiji catches up to him he asks, "Do you like Running?" after hearing his story he invites him to stay at the Chikusei-sou a small dorm building which secretly is the Track and Fieldclub of the Kansei University, over the last 4 years Haiji brought 9 unsuspecting students together which have little to no experience in running or maybe even sports in general, he forms the Hakone Ekiden Team of the Kansei University and so Run with the Wind begins.~~~ ____ ~~~__Characters:__ The Characters are probably the best thing about Run with the Wind all 10 Residents of the Chikusei-sou are so great, from Haiji being like a best friend for all of them and his secret motives to run in the Hakone Ekiden, to Kakeru who got the best Flashback Scene in all of Anime (imo) to Prince a boy who just wants to read Manga and slowly turns into a respectable character, The Character Writing and Development are insane. There really isnt a bad written character here and that will never change in my eyes, just what you wouldn't expect from a series like this but damn you should.~~~ ____ ~~~__Personal attachment:__ For me this is THE feel good anime, i love everything like i said before, there are things which aren't perfect but i can ignore, like the CGI sometimes used or the sometimes weird looking background characters, but still from the soundtrack which i will talk about in more detail, to the journey and what it means to me, this was the anime i watch when i have a bad time and it shows me that im not alone, that there are other people who go through the same things, it sounds dumb but the anime taught me things i want to keep for the rest of my life, i think no other anime will ever be able to do the same to me. ~~~ ____ ~~~__Music:__ Like i just said the Soundtrack holds a special place in my heart, mostly made by Yuki Hayashi who was also the Guy who made some MHA OST's like "Jet Set Run" or "Be a Hero" to the Haikyuu Soundtrack this man is the GOAT when it comes to epic Anime OST's and he proved it once more here. To summarize he made a perfect soundtrack, just his music fits the vibe of the show like no other and that is why its perfect take a listen to one of my favorite OST's of the bunch (there are more check them all out): youtube(https://youtu.be/CSyVp_fv9yY)~~~ ____ ~~~__Favorite Things:__ some of my favorite things from the anime, just shortly listed:~~~ __Favorite Character:__ Haiji Kiyose __Favorite Episodes:__ Episode 13, 20, 21, 23 (they are all great though) __Favorite OST:__ "Running is..." __Favorite Moment:__ "They're all waiting for me..." ~ Shindo ____ ~~~__Why Running?:__ This is the last point i want to talk about, running is the backbone of the anime, even if you dont like running just like me it still holds a deeper meaning here. From my Perspective Running means to move forward in life, the question comes up alot in the anime why we run and where we are going but really we cant know, some run from their everyday problems to find an escape but that means their type of running is them standing still and not developing, not doing something they want to fight for, for me running means living life, why we all do it i don't know but i only know that you cant run from your problems forever it only leads to more problems and anxiety, which also is shown perfectly in the anime, so i have one last question for you "Do you like running?".~~~ ____ ~~~And that was my Run with the Wind Review 2.0 i hope you liked it, i think you should get a good idea of why i love this show and all the things it covers. For me this is it for now but hey maybe we meet again someday, somewhere, somehow. So have a Good Day or Night and Cya!~~~
~~~img(https://i.imgur.com/qp1beA0.jpg)~~~ If you're looking for a sports anime that is just plain inspiring, you can close this review right now. __Watch this.__ You will not be disappointed. The first time I heard about Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru was from some friends on Anilist who were hyping it up while it was airing. I gave it a try and did not regret it. If you want to hear what makes Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru so great, especially from someone who has had a similar experience with running, feel free to keep reading (thanks for being here!). When I was a sophomore in high school, I joined my school's cross country team. I had little experience running except for running casually as a workout every now and then. The only reason I had joined the team was because my parents wanted to keep me busy during the summer and it was either going back to swimming or studying for college exams. I decided to try something different. In a sense, I guess you could say I was almost forced to join the team. A majority of Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru's cast lands in a similar predicament. The residents of the Aotake dorm find out the dorm is really meant for Kansei University's track team and fourth-year Haiji wishes to train them to run in the Hakone Ekiden, a prestigious collegiate relay race where Japan's top long distance track teams compete. img(https://i.imgur.com/qZBg8wd.jpg) I think a common misconception about long distance running is that it is largely based on strength and stamina. While this is true, I feel that the mental aspect is often overlooked. When it hurts to breathe, when you have an ache in your side, or when you feel the pressure of someone passing you, you begin to wonder if maybe you should just stop. It's not like short distance track events or swimming where you can be done in a matter of minutes. Your mind begins to wander as you run. Haiji tells Kakeru that the biggest complement you can give to a long distance runner is to call them strong. What does that really mean? Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru explores this throughout its 23 episodes and utilizes its main cast to do so in a brilliant way. The residents of Aotake who are coerced into Haiji's plan to compete at Hakone include members with some history of running track to complete amateurs. But in the time leading up to Hakone, they are all able to qualify. And as they compete at Hakone, they are the strongest they have ever been. This is no easy feat, however. Initially, some members feel that they have been deceived by Haiji. Others feel they are being essentially forced to do his will. Early on, there are many conflicts between the team members and we learn what kind of people Haiji has recruited to his team. They begin to question why they are doing this or if it's even possible to qualify for Hakone given their lack of experience and the fierce competitors that await them. Some are willing to give it a shot but casually while others are downright opposed. img(https://i.imgur.com/Z80gFB6.jpg) Haiji works with his team and given some time, everyone agrees to give Hakone a shot. Towards the end of the show, as each team member runs their respective section of the Hakone relay, we get a sense of what running means to them and what this journey has meant to them through their monologues as they run. One line by Sakaguchi (King) really resonated with me: img(https://i.imgur.com/BYNnnQF.jpg) What are you supposed to think about when you run? How much more do I need to run? Are there bumps in the road ahead? How tired do I feel? What do my surroundings look like? Am I going to be passed again? Naturally, especially in a long distance race, your mind begins to wander. For me, this has led to moments of introspection. I injured my ankle towards the end of cross country and took a break from running, even outside of the competitive world. Even as I left running behind and instead pursued road cycling, this introspection ocurred time and time again. As I climbed long hill passes and rode across canyons, I would self reflect about who I was, what mattered to me, and what gave me purpose. Oddly enough, I found endurance sports like running and cycling oddly therapeuatic despite the mental stress of climbing steep hills or finding the last bit of energy to race someone to the finish line. I would address thoughts I had been dwelling on. I could come to terms with them, finally giving me some peace of mind. This is something I came to learn long after I had watched this show for the first time. I was surprised to see this exact phenomenon during my rewatch. That's what I think Kansei's track team goes through while running the Hakone Ekiden. Each member realizes things about themselves they might have been avoiding and comes to terms with it. Akihiro (Nico-chan) realizes he loves running, depite quitting during high school, and thanks Haiji for the opportunity to experience that joy again. Yukihiko sees his family cheering him on and thinks about his turbulent relationship with his parents. King comes to terms with who he is, his self hatred, and how he can finally face himself while he is running. Whatever anyone is facing in their life, they can leave it behind for a moment to be free while running. img(https://i.imgur.com/ta5u4OL.jpeg) You don't come to this conclusion easily. Haiji tells twins Jota and Joji that he will show them the top. The top of Hakone? The glory of winning the Hakone Ekiden? For me, that top is this realization and coming to terms with yourself. I think this metaphor of "the top" is pretty open to interpretation and similar to how Haiji and Kakeru are searching for the meaning of running. Why put yourself through so much pain? What can it offer you? The meaning of running is different for all the characters because they are quite literally different runners and different people. Fujioka, Haiji's rival and one of the top runners in Japan, is less concerned about winning Hakone but surpassing his own potential. Sakaki, Kakeru's former high school teammate, is only concerned about winning events. Running is what you make of it. I find a little bit of myself in all these characters. Nico-chan says he feels clean when he is running, most likely because he became an avid smoker after quitting running in high school. For me, running makes me feel strong. In those last moments before I hit the finish line, I push myself despite every muscle in my body telling me to stop. I gather what small stamina I have left to make one final push. When I cross that finish line, I feel like I can do anything. Like I have the strength to overcome whatever I need to do. Any uncertainty I had about anything in my life fades for a brief moment. I see this in the members of the cast in their journey towards Hakone and it brings back fond memories of when I used to run. This show allowed me to experience the beauty of running once more. I can't believe how much this anime has touched me. It's a love letter for runners. I cried so hard during my rewatch so often because it puts in to words what I've been feeling and struggling with lately. It inspires me to be strong both physically and mentally. While whatever journey you are on may seem long and difficult, what lies at the end is beautiful beyond words: the strongest version of yourself who you can accept despite any past mistakes or misgivings. It's the perfect example of why I love anime as a medium. I'll always treasure Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru as one of my favorite anime and revisit for years to come. img(https://i.imgur.com/HylBFWG.jpg) img(https://i.imgur.com/VTLulhI.jpg) img(https://i.imgur.com/zqhKYpV.png) img(https://i.imgur.com/dAewU9K.jpg)