It’s been quite a while since we at THP have read a translated book, but we’re so back! You may know of Run with the Wind as an anime adaptation of Shion Miura’s novel of the same name. Well, this Japanese novel has been translated into English by Yui Kajita and is set to release in the United States very soon.
Run with the Wind by Shion Miura tells the story of ten college students at Kansei University who band together to form a ragtag track and field team. Though many of the guys got pulled in against their will, each one pushes himself past his limits to compete in the renowned Hakone Ekiden.
An emotional novel about friendship and achieving the impossible, Shion Miura’s Run with the Wind had us tearing up more times than we can count. Here are three of our favorite things about Run with the Wind!
Book Overview: Run With The Wind
Content Warnings: mention of parent death, serious injury, mention of medical procedures, smoking, vomiting
Summary: After shoplifting some bread one chilly March night, just before the start of a new academic year at Kansei University in western Tokyo, former high school track and field star Kakeru Kurahara runs through the city streets. Though he has grown disillusioned with the sport, he feels as if he could keep running forever . . . but to where, and for what? His reverie is broken by a mysterious boy on a bike who has been following him, a fellow student at Kansei University named Haiji Kiyose, who also happens to be a runner.
Impressed by Kakeru’s agility, Haiji Kiyose persuades Kakeru to move into Chikusei-so, a run-down dormitory where he lives with eight other boys, including identical twins Jota and Joji, honor student Shindo, detail-oriented Yuki, trivia junkie King, Tanzanian international student Musa, nicotine-loving Nico, and manga otaku Prince. None of the students know that Chikusei-so is the historic home of the Kansei University Track and Field team.
At Kakeru’s welcoming party, Kiyose reveals his grand plan: assembling a 10-man team of runners to compete in the Hakone Ekiden, a legendary college marathon relay race. Except for Kakeru and Kiyose, the Chikusei-so gang aren’t athletic—or interested in competing. But Kiyose’s enthusiasm wins them over and they agree to this crazy plan. Over the course of ten months, this ragtag team will put aside their differences to pursue an elusive dream . . . and gain so much more than they ever expected.
Everyone’s Personal Growth
Out of the ten members on the team, only Kiyose and Kakeru would actually be considered runners. And at the beginning of Run with the Wind, we could already see how much potential these guys had. Several of them played sports or were former athletes. Others had the drive and discipline needed to practice properly. Prince, however, was almost a lost cause, having had no athletic training in his life. But as the months of strict training passed, we got to see each character gradually cut down their times. They become even stronger physically and mentally than we could’ve imagined.
The Hakone Ekiden Race
One thing about us: we love a good underdog story! Run with the Wind made it so easy for us to root for Kansei University’s team. Kiyose, Kakeru, and the others finally make it to the Hakone Ekiden, an annual relay race spanning the course of two days. Each leg of the race came with its own set of obstacles, whether it be the terrain or other competitors. Though Kansei University’s team had a major setback on the first day, each member successfully completed their route. We held our breaths on the second day when it came to the ninth leg with Kakeru running and the final leg with Kiyose as the anchor.
Our Own Emotional Attachment
Whether you participate in sports or not, you’re bound to walk away from Run with the Wind with a new outlook on life. As readers, we got so attached to each character’s journey to the finish line. Prince and Shindo pushed beyond their physical limits. Musa and Yuki played crucial roles in catching up and closing the gap. Jota, Jiro, King, and Nico charged forward and refused to fall behind. Finally, Kakeru and Kiyose brought it all home. We felt absolutely inspired by everyone’s efforts, and the team more than deserved the results of the race.
Shion Miura’s Run with the Wind does much more than tell a story about an underdog track team. It inspires us to find what makes us run, a dream that makes us cry out and fight for the rest of our lives.
Run with the Wind by Shion Miura releases on October 15th, and you can preorder a copy of it here!
What do you think about Shion Miura’s Run with the Wind? Have you seen the anime adaptation already? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!
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