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.

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.

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.

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.