Japan’s iconic relay race – the Hakone Ekiden — rings in the new year. This event takes place every January 2nd and 3rd, featuring qualifying university teams of ten who race from Tokyo to Hakone and back. The course is divided into five segments each day, with each runner taking on one leg of the journey. It’s an athletic event that remains a significant aspiration for many runners throughout Japan, bringing to mind the beauty and significance of one of my favorite anime — 2018’s lesser-known Run With the Wind.
“Do you like running?”
This is the question fourth-year college student Kiyose Haiji poses to Kurahara Kakeru upon first meeting as he pedals furiously on his bike to match Kakeru’s sprint. Haiji is instantly drawn to Kakeru’s speed, and at that moment, I, too, was captivated. This is in part due to the kinetic movement of the characters, Kakeru framed as a beam of light. With the rhythmic slap of sneakers striking the pavement and the steady cadence of measured breaths, this series strikes us with immediacy. As their breaths labor, we’re holding ours.
Haiji eagerly invites Kakeru to take an available room in his college home. However, Haiji’s invitation is part of a secret plan he has been orchestrating. Unbeknownst to Kakeru and the other eight roommates, this house is part of the university’s designated track living space. Haiji’s ultimate goal is to form a competitive team to participate in the Hakone Ekiden — but the other nine want nothing to do with it. This lays the groundwork for some hilarious moments, as Haiji approaches each member with different tactics to persuade them into joining. With varying levels of reluctance, the team forms.
Fall in love with the characters of Run With the Wind.
As the story unfolds, viewers are confronted with the physical challenges our characters face while running, and this is truly where the series starts to shine. Sports anime are popular for a reason — there’s something inherently appealing about characters pushing their limits and evolving through determination and hard work. Unlike stories featuring superpowers or other fantastical elements, these struggles feel more real and relatable, grounded in the tangible world. Audiences can engage with these shows, experience these moments, and find inspiration in a manner that feels achievable.
Run With the Wind captures this essence beautifully, highlighting the physical exertion of long-distance running and the mental and emotional hurdles the characters must overcome. Throughout only 23 episodes, the anime showcases each character and allows them the opportunity to grow. The character Prince is a manga-obsessed otaku who had previously never run a day in his life. During their first few practices, his run resembles an awkward hobble, with hunched shoulders and clawing hands. Though it’s purely comedic at first, there’s something valuable to watching someone so far behind continue and finish each practice. Kakeru was initially annoyed by Haiji’s belief in Prince. While his doubt wasn’t unfounded, we watch Prince slowly transform with support from his teammates and self-determination that seems to surprise even himself.
Fourth-year Nico, a former high school runner, is journeying to rediscover his sense of belonging in the sport. Nico grapples with the idea of what a runner should look like, being comparably larger in physique to other runners. His participation allows him to reclaim a passion he had never wanted to let go of in the first place. Third-year King feels the looming pressure of job searching and the anxieties of life beyond college. Through running he discovers a truer sense of confidence and emerges stronger as a result. He feels secure in himself, and his place on the team.
Then we have Yuki, our most cynical team member, who kept his distance as a protective measure. We witness his transformation as he gradually lowers his defenses and begins to enjoy running more. A highlight of the series is his exhilarating descent down the mountain which gains him a clear mind and bloodied toes.
Endurance over speed.
Kakeru’s high school running career ended tragically, leaving him feeling lost and directionless. Our introduction to this character was at his low point, having shoplifted from a store after blowing his money gambling. Kakeru had a lot of baggage to tackle at the start of the show — his past coach left a stain on his perception of competitive running, causing him to question his love for the sport. However, with the steadfast support of his teammates, particularly Haiji, Kakeru confronts these past traumas.
Haiji serves as the unifying force for this eclectic team, yet he carries his own burdens. Run With the Wind skillfully unveils Haiji’s backstory throughout the season through a series of poignant moments. The scar on his knee is apparent from the first episode, and we gradually learn how this injury altered his future and shaped his relationship with running. His thoughts become clear during an argument with Kakeru, “Is speed the only thing that matters to you? Then, there is no reason to run. Ride a bullet train. Ride a plane. They’re faster. Wake up, Kakeru. It’s not enough to chase speed. It’s futile.”
Often, our thoughts about running are tied to the idea of escape or being pursued, a sentiment that resonates with many. Life can sometimes become dull or overwhelming, but running provides a momentary escape. When Nico reflected on what running meant, he said it made him feel “clean.” Running can grant us liberation from our own thoughts, allowing us to break free from the worries that weigh us down.
Move with purpose.
More than anything, Haiji values strength over speed. Endurance over haste. In Haruki Murakami’s 2007 book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, he explains, “Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you’re going to while away the years, it’s far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive than in a fog, and I believe running helps you do that.”
Run With the Wind shares this same outlook. Face challenges and discover peace in your present circumstances. Be at home in your body and take pride in who you are. Instead of fleeing from something, aim towards something worth running towards. This could be a goal, such as the shared aspiration of participating in the Hakone Ekiden. It might involve running toward your future, seeking self-improvement, or even pursuing someone who reignites your passion and love.
Run With the Wind is continuously worthy of celebration and attention, speaking to our intense desire to chase camaraderie and personal growth. Welcome to the New Year. If you haven’t found your way to this series, settle in for an easy binge. Or maybe meet the day with a crisp jog instead.
Run with the Wind is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Images Courtesy of Crunchyroll.
