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Run with the Wind
A bestseller in Japan—a beautiful story about shared self-discovery and friendship involving an unlikely group of students who decide to defy the odds and pursue a seemingly impossible goal together.
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 revery 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.
Heartfelt and inspiring, Run with the Wind is a thrilling celebration of what it means to run—for yourself, for others, and with the wind.
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 revery 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.
Heartfelt and inspiring, Run with the Wind is a thrilling celebration of what it means to run—for yourself, for others, and with the wind.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2006
189 people are currently reading
4426 people want to read
About the author
Shion Miura
80 books377 followersShion Miura (三浦しをん) (1976–) , daughter of a well-known Japanese classics scholar, acquired her love of reading at a very young age. When, as a senior in the Faculty of Letters at Waseda University, she began her job hunt looking for an editorial position, a literary agent recognized her writing talent and hired her to begin writing an online book review column even before she graduated. Miura made her fiction debut a year after finishing college, in 2000, when she published the novel Kakuto suru mono ni maru (A Passing Grade for Those Who Fight), based in part on her own experiences during the job hunt. When she won the Naoki Prize in 2006 for her linked-story collection Mahoro ekimae Tada Benriken (The Handymen in Mahoro Town), she had not yet reached her 30th birthday—an unusually young age for this prize; in fact it was her second nomination. Her novels since then include the 2006 Kaze ga tsuyoku fuiteiru (The Wind Blows Hard), about the annual Ekiden long-distance relay race in which universities compete, and the 2010 Kogure-so monogatari (The Kogure Apartments), depicting the lives of people dwelling in an old rundown wooden-frame apartment house. In 2012 she received the Booksellers Award for the novel Fune o amu (The Great Passage), a tale about compiling a dictionary. A manga aficionado, Miura has declared herself a particular fan of the "boys' love" subgenre about young homosexual encounters.
Source: http://www.booksfromjapan.jp/authors/...
Source: http://www.booksfromjapan.jp/authors/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
June 10, 2016
I have no interest in novels about sports, I knew nothing about running, and I had never even heard of the Hakone ekiden. I only picked up this book on a whim with a gut feeling that this author probably writes pretty good books since she wrote the afterword to my favorite novel.
I am a runner now all because of this book. I was so inspired that I immediately bought a pair of shoes and started running, and I've stuck with it for about 9 months now. I never would have started if I hadn't read this book, and thinking about this book has kept me running when I haven't felt the most inspired to get out and go.
This is a fantastic book that is more about perseverance and human relationships than it is about sports, and Miura has such a beautiful way of writing that I completely got swept away in the atmosphere she creates. Her characters feel extremely real, and the book even features a foreign character WHO SPEAKS LIKE A FOREIGN LEARNER OF JAPANESE ACTUALLY WOULD. And is treated with respect as a fully fleshed out character. And discrimination against him is even addressed in the book. This is insanely rare for Japanese writing, and as someone who speaks Japanese as a second language, I can't begin to say how happy I am to see a realistic portrayal of a non-Japanese speaker of Japanese instead of another "CRAZY GAIJIN!!!" stereotype who speaks like a moron or with some crazy dialect for no reason.
Miura does a fantastic job of portraying the complexities of people's emotions and the bond between friends (read: bromance). This is a riveting, bittersweet book that I am sure I will read again to get inspired, and I am insanely grateful I gave it a chance.
I am a runner now all because of this book. I was so inspired that I immediately bought a pair of shoes and started running, and I've stuck with it for about 9 months now. I never would have started if I hadn't read this book, and thinking about this book has kept me running when I haven't felt the most inspired to get out and go.
This is a fantastic book that is more about perseverance and human relationships than it is about sports, and Miura has such a beautiful way of writing that I completely got swept away in the atmosphere she creates. Her characters feel extremely real, and the book even features a foreign character WHO SPEAKS LIKE A FOREIGN LEARNER OF JAPANESE ACTUALLY WOULD. And is treated with respect as a fully fleshed out character. And discrimination against him is even addressed in the book. This is insanely rare for Japanese writing, and as someone who speaks Japanese as a second language, I can't begin to say how happy I am to see a realistic portrayal of a non-Japanese speaker of Japanese instead of another "CRAZY GAIJIN!!!" stereotype who speaks like a moron or with some crazy dialect for no reason.
Miura does a fantastic job of portraying the complexities of people's emotions and the bond between friends (read: bromance). This is a riveting, bittersweet book that I am sure I will read again to get inspired, and I am insanely grateful I gave it a chance.
November 2, 2024
this is not a drill. dont let the lowercase fool you im losing my mind
September 3, 2024
Every great race, like the Boston or New York Marathons, deserves a story. And by that I mean each great race needs a work of fiction to help us feel the drama. Most of the time we get a long history of the contest, which is fine, but not so exciting. Sometimes you get an account of just one of those races, like Duel in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathon. Oh, boy – that might be better than fiction. But still not fantasy, not a bedtime story. So, a bestseller all about a classic race, finally translated and exported to the US, is certainly welcome.
The story opens with Kiyose, something of a house captain at a small university in Tokyo, who spots a shoplifter cutting through the night with breakneck speed and flawless form. He hops on his bike and manages to chase down the blazing Kakeru, and asks the question I love to hear: “Do you like to run?” He entices Kakeru to live in Chikusei-so house with a rent he can’t refuse, but it’s packed with a group of straight-up eccentrics.
It isn’t long before Kiyose springs it on the group: they’re there to train for the Hakone Ekiden, a 2-day relay in which each participant runs just about a half-marathon, most of it in the hills. He makes it a condition of the low, low rent, so no one backs out. But only Kakeru and Kiyose are real runners, so their odds of even qualifying are pretty grim.
I’m a little ashamed, as a marathoner and track coach, to have been ignorant of the Ekiden. But the more I learned, the more I liked. Try not to decipher all the complicated details and seeming calculus it takes to understand how to qualify. As Kiyose explained it, my head hurt and I daydreamed a bit. But if you just look at it as a cool but grueling competition that’s cherished by Japan, that’s good enough.
When you have a book with ten characters, there’s a tendency to want to develop them all. Not gonna happen, at least not with much depth. But Miura does very well, providing each with funny quirks and interesting backstories to keep everything moving. The foci, of course, are the past demons faced by Kakeru, and what might just be Kiyose’s last chance at glory. So, while the side quests of the other characters are neat, the drama really lies with those two.
The writing seems a little…literal? We say, “show, don’t tell,” and there’s a lot of “tell” here. “He had a lot of determination toward his goal,” is the style. I wonder if it’s due to the translation, however. The ideas and feelings were there, but often the descriptions didn’t have the pizzazz.
What does match the excitement is the action. Yeah, the strange wording is there, but the plot is key. Miura raises the stakes gradually, giving each Chikusei-so runner a reason to go for it. She also introduces something of a villain from another university.
And the race. That probably could’ve been a novel in and of itself. The sights and sounds are clear and thrilling. Miura takes us through just about every step of every runner, and includes their thoughts, anxieties, and triumphs.
And if you’ve ever achieved a lifelong running goal, whatever it might be, you’ll relate to the Chikusei-so runners. There’s ten of them, so you’re sure to identify with at least one: be it the back of the pack guy, the record-setter, the would-be coach. It’s the crux of the novel for a reason: we’re meant to join the guys in the race, to experience it in some small way for ourselves. It’s what you’d want from a running novel, and you get it. It’s also got an ending that makes sense, doesn’t go all Hollywood, and leaves you with a smile.
Did it make me want to run an Ekiden? Eh, only if someone needs an old, slow leg. But it’s books like this that keep me running.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. Run with the Wind comes out October 15.
The story opens with Kiyose, something of a house captain at a small university in Tokyo, who spots a shoplifter cutting through the night with breakneck speed and flawless form. He hops on his bike and manages to chase down the blazing Kakeru, and asks the question I love to hear: “Do you like to run?” He entices Kakeru to live in Chikusei-so house with a rent he can’t refuse, but it’s packed with a group of straight-up eccentrics.
It isn’t long before Kiyose springs it on the group: they’re there to train for the Hakone Ekiden, a 2-day relay in which each participant runs just about a half-marathon, most of it in the hills. He makes it a condition of the low, low rent, so no one backs out. But only Kakeru and Kiyose are real runners, so their odds of even qualifying are pretty grim.
I’m a little ashamed, as a marathoner and track coach, to have been ignorant of the Ekiden. But the more I learned, the more I liked. Try not to decipher all the complicated details and seeming calculus it takes to understand how to qualify. As Kiyose explained it, my head hurt and I daydreamed a bit. But if you just look at it as a cool but grueling competition that’s cherished by Japan, that’s good enough.
When you have a book with ten characters, there’s a tendency to want to develop them all. Not gonna happen, at least not with much depth. But Miura does very well, providing each with funny quirks and interesting backstories to keep everything moving. The foci, of course, are the past demons faced by Kakeru, and what might just be Kiyose’s last chance at glory. So, while the side quests of the other characters are neat, the drama really lies with those two.
The writing seems a little…literal? We say, “show, don’t tell,” and there’s a lot of “tell” here. “He had a lot of determination toward his goal,” is the style. I wonder if it’s due to the translation, however. The ideas and feelings were there, but often the descriptions didn’t have the pizzazz.
What does match the excitement is the action. Yeah, the strange wording is there, but the plot is key. Miura raises the stakes gradually, giving each Chikusei-so runner a reason to go for it. She also introduces something of a villain from another university.
And the race. That probably could’ve been a novel in and of itself. The sights and sounds are clear and thrilling. Miura takes us through just about every step of every runner, and includes their thoughts, anxieties, and triumphs.
And if you’ve ever achieved a lifelong running goal, whatever it might be, you’ll relate to the Chikusei-so runners. There’s ten of them, so you’re sure to identify with at least one: be it the back of the pack guy, the record-setter, the would-be coach. It’s the crux of the novel for a reason: we’re meant to join the guys in the race, to experience it in some small way for ourselves. It’s what you’d want from a running novel, and you get it. It’s also got an ending that makes sense, doesn’t go all Hollywood, and leaves you with a smile.
Did it make me want to run an Ekiden? Eh, only if someone needs an old, slow leg. But it’s books like this that keep me running.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. Run with the Wind comes out October 15.
December 19, 2021
One of my favourite anime Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru (aka Run With the Wind - it’s on Netflix!) is based on this novel. There’s no English translation to date but there’s a Chinese one, which made me more eager to read the book as a challenge for myself, having not read any novel-length work in Chinese for many many years. Lots of praise to the Chinese translators, because even for me, with my mediocre level of Chinese, the prose flowed very beautifully and I was as immersed in reading the novel as I was watching the anime. There’s plenty of running and competition action to get you engrossed, and above all what struck me right in the heart is the found family!!! Following these ten boys as they grow to trust and love one another, I laughed out loud and teared up a few times.
Two of the characters, both of whom really love running, ask themselves, why do we run? What is the true essence of running? You don’t need to have an interest in running or any sport to find meaning in the novel and the questions it explores; if there’s anything in your life you feel passionate about, the novel encourages us to think deeper about what it means to be “good” at or “successful” at it, about why we find joy in it, and about the people that are part of that joy.
The anime follows the novel very faithfully but I was surprised to find that some of the most memorable parts in the anime did not come from the novel, and in the other way round, there was more development for some story points in the novel compared with the anime. So if you enjoyed the anime and can read in one of the languages the novel has been translated into, it’s definitely worth a read! Hopefully it will get an English translation soon so the novel can reach more readers!
Two of the characters, both of whom really love running, ask themselves, why do we run? What is the true essence of running? You don’t need to have an interest in running or any sport to find meaning in the novel and the questions it explores; if there’s anything in your life you feel passionate about, the novel encourages us to think deeper about what it means to be “good” at or “successful” at it, about why we find joy in it, and about the people that are part of that joy.
The anime follows the novel very faithfully but I was surprised to find that some of the most memorable parts in the anime did not come from the novel, and in the other way round, there was more development for some story points in the novel compared with the anime. So if you enjoyed the anime and can read in one of the languages the novel has been translated into, it’s definitely worth a read! Hopefully it will get an English translation soon so the novel can reach more readers!
September 6, 2025
insane
this was really a fun and thoughtful piece. i am, however, going to pretend the romance parts never existed.
this was really a fun and thoughtful piece. i am, however, going to pretend the romance parts never existed.
December 12, 2024
A series of coming-of-age and a friendship premise composed in a sport arc following its 10 characters in their journey of joining the famous collegiate relay marathon event; the 217-kilometer Hakone Ekiden. Having an eccentric backdrop that was set at a run-down dormitory known as Chikusei-so (I find it hilarious that none of the members know it was actually a rented dorm to Kansei University Track and Field team), I followed Haiji Kiyose; a former elite runner in his quirk and wits recruiting the 10-man team— too amusing at times reading on their banters yet surprising much that none having a major drama to protest Haiji’s request despite most were not actually an advanced runner to begin with.
An enthralling emotional depth displayed on the writing, so inviting with its character-centric chapters from Haiji to the talented Kakeru (crush!), kind hearted Shindo, nicotine lover Nico senpai, the skeptical Yuki, the fun twins Jota and Joji, the cheerful international student Musa, nerdy manga enthusiast Prince and the slightly cynical King. It gets so heartwarming to follow their narratives; of each backstories with few having familial issue and inner crisis, worrying on future and the anxiety of having to fight as the underdog team.
Personally enjoyed Into The Distance and Meteor chapters the most for its intricate and grueling log on the race day— a balance of action and thrills, so neat with all of their dynamics and teamwork blending in tune even for coach Tanazaki. Love how Miura crafted the contra enemy characters in between Sasaki (he really getting on my nerves!) and Fujioka; the interactions were compelling giving more drama to both Haiji and Kakeru’s narratives.
Too well written all in all, so full of warmth and admirable scenes that it felt like I am too was a part of the running team (though I won’t go as crazy as under 3 mins per pace). Adding this to my fav-shelf and into my best reads list! 5/5*
**review copy courtesy of Times Reads
An enthralling emotional depth displayed on the writing, so inviting with its character-centric chapters from Haiji to the talented Kakeru (crush!), kind hearted Shindo, nicotine lover Nico senpai, the skeptical Yuki, the fun twins Jota and Joji, the cheerful international student Musa, nerdy manga enthusiast Prince and the slightly cynical King. It gets so heartwarming to follow their narratives; of each backstories with few having familial issue and inner crisis, worrying on future and the anxiety of having to fight as the underdog team.
Personally enjoyed Into The Distance and Meteor chapters the most for its intricate and grueling log on the race day— a balance of action and thrills, so neat with all of their dynamics and teamwork blending in tune even for coach Tanazaki. Love how Miura crafted the contra enemy characters in between Sasaki (he really getting on my nerves!) and Fujioka; the interactions were compelling giving more drama to both Haiji and Kakeru’s narratives.
Too well written all in all, so full of warmth and admirable scenes that it felt like I am too was a part of the running team (though I won’t go as crazy as under 3 mins per pace). Adding this to my fav-shelf and into my best reads list! 5/5*
**review copy courtesy of Times Reads
September 21, 2024
4.5/5.0
這本書有著讓喜歡跑步的人更喜歡跑步，讓不喜歡跑步的人也想去跑步的魔力。
結論，很好看，看到結局還感動落淚。
《強風吹拂》描述了由十名雜牌軍組成的田徑隊挑戰箱根驛傳，也就是由十個人接力完成東京到箱根蘆之湖來回的長程接力賽，總長度達到217.9公里。這十個人的個性與形象大相逕庭，也讓我放不下這本小說。
挑戰箱根驛傳是隊長(兼教練)的清瀨灰二的主意，原本是田徑好手的他因故選擇了非田徑名校，但他從入學就在尋覓組成參加箱根驛傳的隊員，好不容易到了大四那年，他才湊齊了其他九名隊員，也就是一起住在竹青莊裡的鄰居們。
最後加入的阿走應該是除了灰二以外的男主角，他在高中時期也是田徑好手，但卻與教練和隊友產生衝突，最後也放棄跑步。沒想到的是，在灰二的堅持之下，阿走和其他八位成員決定一起為箱根驛傳備戰。
除了這本書緊湊、且高潮不間斷的劇情，竹青莊裡十個人的角色設定是我很愛這本書的原因，雖然一開始閱讀時有點摸不著頭緒，但後來大家朝著一樣的目標共同前進，且各自發揮專長的設定，不禁讓我越讀越感動，而故事最後的衝刺更讓我掉了幾滴眼淚。
不管你喜不喜歡跑步，這都是一本很好看的日本小說，讓人想跑步、也想去箱根走一趟。我好久沒看日本小說了，但這本真的不愧大家的好評，真心推薦給還沒有看過《強風吹拂》的讀者。
這本書有著讓喜歡跑步的人更喜歡跑步，讓不喜歡跑步的人也想去跑步的魔力。
結論，很好看，看到結局還感動落淚。
《強風吹拂》描述了由十名雜牌軍組成的田徑隊挑戰箱根驛傳，也就是由十個人接力完成東京到箱根蘆之湖來回的長程接力賽，總長度達到217.9公里。這十個人的個性與形象大相逕庭，也讓我放不下這本小說。
挑戰箱根驛傳是隊長(兼教練)的清瀨灰二的主意，原本是田徑好手的他因故選擇了非田徑名校，但他從入學就在尋覓組成參加箱根驛傳的隊員，好不容易到了大四那年，他才湊齊了其他九名隊員，也就是一起住在竹青莊裡的鄰居們。
最後加入的阿走應該是除了灰二以外的男主角，他在高中時期也是田徑好手，但卻與教練和隊友產生衝突，最後也放棄跑步。沒想到的是，在灰二的堅持之下，阿走和其他八位成員決定一起為箱根驛傳備戰。
除了這本書緊湊、且高潮不間斷的劇情，竹青莊裡十個人的角色設定是我很愛這本書的原因，雖然一開始閱讀時有點摸不著頭緒，但後來大家朝著一樣的目標共同前進，且各自發揮專長的設定，不禁讓我越讀越感動，而故事最後的衝刺更讓我掉了幾滴眼淚。
不管你喜不喜歡跑步，這都是一本很好看的日本小說，讓人想跑步、也想去箱根走一趟。我好久沒看日本小說了，但這本真的不愧大家的好評，真心推薦給還沒有看過《強風吹拂》的讀者。
July 11, 2024
感謝推薦我這本書的人！好好看！
第一次看青春熱血的體育社團故事，不是漫畫而是小說，但閱讀的體驗一點都沒有遜色，反而有更多想像空間，真是熱血沸騰！
本書描述非田徑名校的田徑隊參加箱根驛傳的故事，有別於軍事化管理、鐵血風格的訓練方式，本書的主角們幾乎都是自主訓練的門外漢，但客製化且符合人性的訓練內容讓人會心一笑、看得非常過癮。每個角色都有賦予長跑一個意義，能夠看到大家在身體與心靈上獲得進步，相當感動，讀起來也很有成就感，甚至也會興起自己是不是也要去跑步的念頭。
這本書最喜歡的段落是看阿走跑步的心理狀態，描寫得很細膩，讓我明明沒有相關經驗的人都彷彿能置身其中，好生羨慕，不過我最喜歡的角色應該是阿雪，因為他很冷靜、很清楚知道自己該做什麼，並且善用自己的能力在團隊中發揮自己的最大價值，不過這本書其實每個角色都很討喜，一群個性獨特的人聚在一起反而產生微妙的和諧，即使是緊張的比賽或痛苦的訓練���能感受到大家很有愛，讀起來很輕鬆、很療癒。
推薦給所有喜歡日本青春熱血體育故事的人，太快樂了！
（更何況我讀這本書的前一本小說是渺小一生…超級需要被治癒一下~~~）
第一次看青春熱血的體育社團故事，不是漫畫而是小說，但閱讀的體驗一點都沒有遜色，反而有更多想像空間，真是熱血沸騰！
本書描述非田徑名校的田徑隊參加箱根驛傳的故事，有別於軍事化管理、鐵血風格的訓練方式，本書的主角們幾乎都是自主訓練的門外漢，但客製化且符合人性的訓練內容讓人會心一笑、看得非常過癮。每個角色都有賦予長跑一個意義，能夠看到大家在身體與心靈上獲得進步，相當感動，讀起來也很有成就感，甚至也會興起自己是不是也要去跑步的念頭。
這本書最喜歡的段落是看阿走跑步的心理狀態，描寫得很細膩，讓我明明沒有相關經驗的人都彷彿能置身其中，好生羨慕，不過我最喜歡的角色應該是阿雪，因為他很冷靜、很清楚知道自己該做什麼，並且善用自己的能力在團隊中發揮自己的最大價值，不過這本書其實每個角色都很討喜，一群個性獨特的人聚在一起反而產生微妙的和諧，即使是緊張的比賽或痛苦的訓練���能感受到大家很有愛，讀起來很輕鬆、很療癒。
推薦給所有喜歡日本青春熱血體育故事的人，太快樂了！
（更何況我讀這本書的前一本小說是渺小一生…超級需要被治癒一下~~~）
May 1, 2025
If I had to describe myself in terms of characters from Run with the Wind, I would tell you that I am a cross between Nico—the gruff, out-of-shape upperclassman with a nicotine addiction—and Prince, the unathletic, perpetually bored manga addict. In no universe should I love a novel about any sport, let alone running(?!) this much. That’s where we’re at. I can’t explain it. I love this book. On top of not being into sports novels, this book breaks another one of my cardinal rules. The sheer volume of characters. I had to keep track of a ten man track team, plus tertiary characters and I did it and I loved every god damn one of them! Oh?! You say it’s been adapted into anime? Tell Jeff Bezos, I said “Thank you!”, because it will be here tomorrow. I love this book. I friggin’ love this book! Now… I’m off to gobble up whatever else I can find by Shion Miura.
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
April 10, 2025
"Running is everything."
I've been trying to decide how I feel about this book since I started it. It's anywhere between a 1-star and a 5-star read. I'm going to give it a 4, but I may change it up in a few months.
Run with the Wind follows 10 university students (nine Japanese and a foreign student from Tanzania) who suddenly decide to try and join the prestigious Hakone Ekiden - a two-day race for university students. Some of these students have a background in running, but the majority of them start from scratch and spend 10 months training like crazy for it under the guidance of Haiji Kiyose - a final-year university student who loves running but has a very bad injury. The experience goes beyond running better and trying to get into the Hakone Ekiden, as each character finds an answer to the question: "Why do I run?"
Things I liked:
- Everything running.
- The line "running is everything" and seeing the characters fall in love with it.
- How this book shows running isn't about the physical destination, but that deep, beautiful place only running can take you.
- I empathized a lot with Haiji. Running with an injury, making it worse, coming to terms with the fact that your stupidity has a cost.
- The found family vibes.
- The characters (except Haiji. I have a love-hate relationship with him) (I also hated the main character. Kakeru was just so boring). Though there were too many characters lol.
Things I hated:
- There's a girl who has a crush on the twins, and she's like, "I would date either of them, who cares about personality."
- The writing was beyond apathetic. I rooted for the characters because we were talking about running and I'm a sucker for the subject, but it bored me. Especially at the end—I wanted more emotion, I wanted to have a sense that things were critical, but tone-wise it was very dull.
- TOXIC RUNNING COMMUNITY BULLSHIT. My god. This book had my blood boiling half the time. And this was all Haiji fucking Kiyose, who kept being like: "People with bad ankles are not fit for running," "Running 10km in more than 28 minutes = you're slow as a snail" (how?), etc. Fuck off. If you run, you're a runner. This is also coming from a dude with a knee injury, so it was even more frustrating. You don't need to join races to be a runner, or win them to be a runner, or be crazy fast, ffs.
- Body size stuff. So, there's a bit where someone explains how his dad married his mom because she was skinny. The dad checked the parents were skinny too to ensure the kid would not have the "obese gene" and therefore he'd have the perfect son for running. Women aren't cattle to breed athletes 😊😊
I've been trying to decide how I feel about this book since I started it. It's anywhere between a 1-star and a 5-star read. I'm going to give it a 4, but I may change it up in a few months.
Run with the Wind follows 10 university students (nine Japanese and a foreign student from Tanzania) who suddenly decide to try and join the prestigious Hakone Ekiden - a two-day race for university students. Some of these students have a background in running, but the majority of them start from scratch and spend 10 months training like crazy for it under the guidance of Haiji Kiyose - a final-year university student who loves running but has a very bad injury. The experience goes beyond running better and trying to get into the Hakone Ekiden, as each character finds an answer to the question: "Why do I run?"
Things I liked:
- Everything running.
- The line "running is everything" and seeing the characters fall in love with it.
- How this book shows running isn't about the physical destination, but that deep, beautiful place only running can take you.
- I empathized a lot with Haiji. Running with an injury, making it worse, coming to terms with the fact that your stupidity has a cost.
- The found family vibes.
- The characters (except Haiji. I have a love-hate relationship with him) (I also hated the main character. Kakeru was just so boring). Though there were too many characters lol.
Things I hated:
- There's a girl who has a crush on the twins, and she's like, "I would date either of them, who cares about personality."
- The writing was beyond apathetic. I rooted for the characters because we were talking about running and I'm a sucker for the subject, but it bored me. Especially at the end—I wanted more emotion, I wanted to have a sense that things were critical, but tone-wise it was very dull.
- TOXIC RUNNING COMMUNITY BULLSHIT. My god. This book had my blood boiling half the time. And this was all Haiji fucking Kiyose, who kept being like: "People with bad ankles are not fit for running," "Running 10km in more than 28 minutes = you're slow as a snail" (how?), etc. Fuck off. If you run, you're a runner. This is also coming from a dude with a knee injury, so it was even more frustrating. You don't need to join races to be a runner, or win them to be a runner, or be crazy fast, ffs.
- Body size stuff. So, there's a bit where someone explains how his dad married his mom because she was skinny. The dad checked the parents were skinny too to ensure the kid would not have the "obese gene" and therefore he'd have the perfect son for running. Women aren't cattle to breed athletes 😊😊
March 5, 2020
Mình chưa bao giờ nghĩ một cuốn sách về chạy bộ lại có thể đem lại cho mình nhiều cảm xúc đến như vậy. Không ít lần mình đã bật cười ha hả giữa đường (mình có tật xấu vừa đi bộ vừa đọc sách) chỉ vì một câu nói đùa của King, cũng rất nhiều lần thẫn thờ cùng với nỗi buồn của các nhân vật. Với mình, kết quả họ đạt được là tuyệt vời cho họ, và vừa đủ cho cuốn sách. 10 tay mơ lần đầu tiên đến với cuộc đua tiếp sức lớn nhất Nhật Bản (theo như mô tả trong truyện), nói đạt được hạng nhất thì có vẻ tâng bốc những nhân vật chính và làm cho câu chuyện bớt đi nhiều phần chân thật. Nhưng vị trí sít sao cuối cùng trong 10 đội hạt giống cho cuộc thi năm sau, là thành quả thật tuyệt vời rồi.
Lâu lắm rồi mới có một cuốn sách về tình bạn, chứ không phải là tình yêu, hay tình cảm gia đình, lại làm mình cảm động đến vậy.
P.s: Có điều, pace của các nhân vật thì hơi... ảo quá :v
Lâu lắm rồi mới có một cuốn sách về tình bạn, chứ không phải là tình yêu, hay tình cảm gia đình, lại làm mình cảm động đến vậy.
P.s: Có điều, pace của các nhân vật thì hơi... ảo quá :v
May 5, 2025
This narrative unfolds as a coming-of-age story centered around friendship, set against the thrilling backdrop of a competitive sports arc. It follows ten characters as they embark on their journey to participate in the prestigious collegiate relay marathon, the 217-kilometer Hakone Ekiden. The setting is an eccentric, rundown dormitory known as Chikusei-so, which provides a humorous twist; none of the team members realize that it's actually rented by the Kansei University Track and Field team. The story primarily revolves around Haiji Kiyose, a former elite runner known for his quirky personality and sharp wit, as he recruits a ten-member team.
Although sports novels are not usually my go-to, I found myself completely engrossed in this one. It reads like an exhilarating anime (which, by the way, has an adaptation), brimming with the common theme of "LET'S GET THESE GAINZZZZ," while exploring the deeper bonds of friendship.
Although sports novels are not usually my go-to, I found myself completely engrossed in this one. It reads like an exhilarating anime (which, by the way, has an adaptation), brimming with the common theme of "LET'S GET THESE GAINZZZZ," while exploring the deeper bonds of friendship.
April 29, 2021
讀起來完全沒有四百多頁的感覺，可能部分得歸功於譯者流暢的譯文，感受得到作者的田調之扎實，除了細緻描寫長跑的各種姿態及心理，箱根驛傳一路上的景色、天氣及日本電車的描繪也都讓人身歷其境，在關鍵時刻也和觀眾一樣緊張起來。不大喜歡感覺硬是要加入的女角和戀愛線，幸好沒有占太多篇幅，有非常多讀起來稍嫌狗血肉麻的句子，在某些段落有效有些就還好。
February 3, 2018
Mấy chục trang đầu khiến mình khá ngán ngẩm. Chưa hiểu tác giả muốn viết về điều gì, các nhân vật thì cứ xuất hiện liên tục; cộng với những cái tên tiếng Nhật dài loằng ngoằng mà mỗi lần đọc xong mình lại quên béng, lần sau nhìn thấy lại tốn thời gian phát âm trong đầu lại lần nữa khiến tốc độ đọc cuốn này của mình phải chậm hơn gấp đôi gấp ba tốc độ đọc lúc bình thường của mình. Đọc mãi không hết một trang như vậy khiến mình càng nản hơn, nhưng với tính cách lì lợm, mình vẫn quyết đọc cho bằng hết cuốn này haha. Đến khi hiểu rằng cuốn sách này viết về chạy bộ mà không phải đơn thuần là tình cảm như những cuốn sách có hai chữ "thanh xuân" trong tựa đề thì mình bắt đầu thấy hứng thú hơn. Lúc đọc cũng như bị cuốn theo nhịp luyện tập của đội mười người. Cảm thấy Kiyose là một đội trưởng tuyệt vời, sao một người mà có thể cáng đáng cùng lúc được nhiều việc đến thế cơ chứ. Vừa giỏi sắp xếp vừa giỏi quản lý điều khiển các đồng đội, vừa lên kế hoạch huấn luyện thật chi tiết thật phù hợp với từng người. "Bước chạy thanh xuân" là một cuốn sách đưa mình cuốn theo cung bậc cảm xúc của nhân vật - tức là, khi mọi người nghi ngờ rằng không biết có thể đến với Hakone không, thì mình cũng cảm thấy lo lắng y như thế rồi ngờ vực rồi thấy sao mà viển vông. Rồi đội mười người cứ từng bước từng bước một đến với Hakone như một kỳ tích - mình biết nên là một câu chuyện có hậu để chúng ta còn tiếp tục mơ mộng, nhưng mình vẫn cảm thấy kết quả này vẫn hơi... ảo quá. Biết rằng tám người còn lại đều có tiềm năng về chạy bộ đường trường, nhưng những đối thủ của họ đều là những người đã luyện tập từ cấp hai, cấp ba luôn đó :D Một năm thời gian đã làm được vậy rồi, ừ thì đúng là quyết tâm rất cao, nhưng đây cũng là một giấc mộng thanh xuân quá đẹp đẽ quá huyền diệu nhỉ :D
November 24, 2024
A note:
I hate running. With every part of my being. I ran in high school and despised every second of it [even though I was very good at it ]. Never in a BAZILLION years would I expect to like, much less love a book about running [of course, I never expected to love a book about dictionaries, or two gorgeous books about forestry either, so there is that ], but here we are.
While this IS a book about running, as with the author's other novels, it is just so much more. It is, at its heart, a book about friendship [the deep, abiding kind ], chosen family, and even through the hardest times, accomplishing just what you set out to do.
Gorgeously written, you are quickly sucked into this world and as with Ms. Miura's other books, the writing keeps you there until the very end and you are left wondering how you existed before you read this book [and even makes you wonder if you too should start running {for me, that is an ew, no LOL} ], and it will leave you, days later, still thinking about what you read.
Absolutely magnificent.
Thank you to NetGalley, Shion Miura, Yui Kajita - Translator, and HarperVia for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I hate running. With every part of my being. I ran in high school and despised every second of it [even though I was very good at it ]. Never in a BAZILLION years would I expect to like, much less love a book about running [of course, I never expected to love a book about dictionaries, or two gorgeous books about forestry either, so there is that ], but here we are.
While this IS a book about running, as with the author's other novels, it is just so much more. It is, at its heart, a book about friendship [the deep, abiding kind ], chosen family, and even through the hardest times, accomplishing just what you set out to do.
Gorgeously written, you are quickly sucked into this world and as with Ms. Miura's other books, the writing keeps you there until the very end and you are left wondering how you existed before you read this book [and even makes you wonder if you too should start running {for me, that is an ew, no LOL} ], and it will leave you, days later, still thinking about what you read.
Absolutely magnificent.
Thank you to NetGalley, Shion Miura, Yui Kajita - Translator, and HarperVia for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2024
I didn't want it to end 😭😭 can't they just keep running forever or something? surely that has to be possible
June 15, 2017
Một người bạn đặc biệt đã tặng tôi cuốn sách này. Về điền kinh, tôi nhớ đến "Tôi nói gì khi nói về chạy bộ" của tác giả cũng người Nhật Haruki Murakami. Cuốn sách "Bước chạy thanh xuân" do Miura Shion cũng có nhiều điểm tương đồng.
Nhưng ở "Bước chạy thanh xuân", tác giả không chỉ đề cập đến thể thao, sức mạnh và nỗi đau của con người. Nó hơn Haruki ở cái, nó nói về tuổi thanh xuân. Cuốn sách cổ vũ chúng ta: hãy dám thử, dám liều, hãy tin vào bản thân mình! Chẳng có bức tường lửa nào gian nan hơn ngoài bản thân chúng ta đâu! Hãy vượt lên chính bản thân mình!
Điểm trừ ở cuốn sách này là vì mình đọc sách dịch, hay vì mình không ưa cách dịch truyện của dịch giả mà mình cứ có cảm tưởng đang đọc fanfic của Kakeru với Kiyose vậy. Ngoài ra, tên riêng của Nhật Bản hoàn toàn xa lạ với mình. Trong khi đó, có đến mười nhân vật chính trong truyện. Đây hoàn toàn là cả một hành trình gian nan đối với cá nhân mình nếu như dám tóm lược tỉ mỉ từng thành phố, địa điểm chạy, từng diễn biến tâm trạng của cả 10 thành viên clb điền kinh Kansei. Thú thực khi viết cái review này, mình đang phải khổ sở tra lại từng từ gốc Nhật để viết cho đúng. Vì thế, muốn để 3.5 sao mà không hỉu sao mình không nhập số 3.5 vô được.
Xem ra việc đọc sách viết bởi tác giả người Nhật là thử thách mới đối với mình đây ^^
Nhưng ở "Bước chạy thanh xuân", tác giả không chỉ đề cập đến thể thao, sức mạnh và nỗi đau của con người. Nó hơn Haruki ở cái, nó nói về tuổi thanh xuân. Cuốn sách cổ vũ chúng ta: hãy dám thử, dám liều, hãy tin vào bản thân mình! Chẳng có bức tường lửa nào gian nan hơn ngoài bản thân chúng ta đâu! Hãy vượt lên chính bản thân mình!
Điểm trừ ở cuốn sách này là vì mình đọc sách dịch, hay vì mình không ưa cách dịch truyện của dịch giả mà mình cứ có cảm tưởng đang đọc fanfic của Kakeru với Kiyose vậy. Ngoài ra, tên riêng của Nhật Bản hoàn toàn xa lạ với mình. Trong khi đó, có đến mười nhân vật chính trong truyện. Đây hoàn toàn là cả một hành trình gian nan đối với cá nhân mình nếu như dám tóm lược tỉ mỉ từng thành phố, địa điểm chạy, từng diễn biến tâm trạng của cả 10 thành viên clb điền kinh Kansei. Thú thực khi viết cái review này, mình đang phải khổ sở tra lại từng từ gốc Nhật để viết cho đúng. Vì thế, muốn để 3.5 sao mà không hỉu sao mình không nhập số 3.5 vô được.
Xem ra việc đọc sách viết bởi tác giả người Nhật là thử thách mới đối với mình đây ^^
September 4, 2025
this book single handedly gave me a genuine obsession with running…. it has such a rich inner world and i am so fond of everyone in here
update: i reread this again after it made me get into running and ngl i liked it a lot less LMAO but…. it did give me a good habit so i still love it 🤍
update: i reread this again after it made me get into running and ngl i liked it a lot less LMAO but…. it did give me a good habit so i still love it 🤍
April 22, 2017
Bắn hint lòi họng :))
June 10, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up // what a beautiful, nostalgic novel about friendship, self-discovery, & reckless yet noble determination. i HATE hate hate running but this story makes me want to run. i LOVE the premise; there were times i had to physically cover the lines below because i didn’t want to get even slightly spoiled. the characterization & back stories of all 10 friends is so well developed & there were so many COOL moments. it reminded me of one piece — those noble moments (haiji is sooooo cool AHH) of pure joy & passion & admiration between the team.
if you want to read a book that feels like you’re looking into the bright blue sky & unwavering sunlight, i really recommend. it’s such a pure book that makes you want to cheer wholeheartedly for the characters :’)
if you want to read a book that feels like you’re looking into the bright blue sky & unwavering sunlight, i really recommend. it’s such a pure book that makes you want to cheer wholeheartedly for the characters :’)
September 1, 2025
If a sports anime were a book, it'd be this. And lo and behold it did get adapted!
August 19, 2019
雖然這本評價很高
但一開始看時有點不對盤看不到幾頁就膩了~
不過調整一下，抓到感覺之後大概三四個小時看完
是很典型的日式勵志故事
日本人實在很愛名不見經傳的弱小隊伍突然大放異彩
團隊成員捨命達成目標的模式
就連現實中也很愛這種類型
還有日本人的寫實總是離不開被霸凌排擠
主角常常都有程度不一的KY傾向
到底現實生活中有多壓抑啊?
這幾年這類日本作品看得多了
雖然也不是不好看，但總覺得也沒好值得這樣稱讚吧?
覺得該仔細研究一下江戶武士道
應該可以找到這種根性精神的源流
但一開始看時有點不對盤看不到幾頁就膩了~
不過調整一下，抓到感覺之後大概三四個小時看完
是很典型的日式勵志故事
日本人實在很愛名不見經傳的弱小隊伍突然大放異彩
團隊成員捨命達成目標的模式
就連現實中也很愛這種類型
還有日本人的寫實總是離不開被霸凌排擠
主角常常都有程度不一的KY傾向
到底現實生活中有多壓抑啊?
這幾年這類日本作品看得多了
雖然也不是不好看，但總覺得也沒好值得這樣稱讚吧?
覺得該仔細研究一下江戶武士道
應該可以找到這種根性精神的源流
February 4, 2025
"Do you like to run?"
-i absolutely loved the anime and was skeptical about if the novel could accomplish making me feel what the anime did
-i was very wrong
-my rating may be biased bc I love the anime so much, but idc
-listening to the anime ost while reading was a great experience. Even though I had the playlsit on shuffle, Spotify knew which tracks to play
-miura does a fantastic job at bringing her characters to life and having such a diverse set of personalities come together. I especially love Haiji (loml, please stop stressing me out), musa, and shindo
-found family is one of my absolute favorite tropes and this book definitely has it
-idk how realistic everyone's progress was, but who cares :D I love an underdog story
-some parts of the training were a little slow, but I think miura did a good job of incorporating the technical bits of running / the Ekiden without losing the readers' engagement
-the Hakone Ekiden was by far the highlight of the novel. I really liked the way miura used this to dive deeper into each character and let them shine, showing how each of them had something irreplaceable to bring to the team
-kakeru's growth. That's it. It's like Kageyama's: a beautiful arc in the story
-i think I really enjoy stories like this (both fictional and not) because I've never loved something to this scale where I have pushed myself this hard to attain it. I think RWTW in particular is very inspiring bc the majority of the characters are like me, but managed to accomplish something huge together with each other's support.
-i really liked how it put everyone on an even playing ground, no matter their skill or experience
-also, the translator's note was beautiful. I loved how they compared the process of writing, translating, and editing to the Ekiden itself.
Time to rewatch the anime soon 🫡
-i absolutely loved the anime and was skeptical about if the novel could accomplish making me feel what the anime did
-i was very wrong
-my rating may be biased bc I love the anime so much, but idc
-listening to the anime ost while reading was a great experience. Even though I had the playlsit on shuffle, Spotify knew which tracks to play
-miura does a fantastic job at bringing her characters to life and having such a diverse set of personalities come together. I especially love Haiji (loml, please stop stressing me out), musa, and shindo
-found family is one of my absolute favorite tropes and this book definitely has it
-idk how realistic everyone's progress was, but who cares :D I love an underdog story
-some parts of the training were a little slow, but I think miura did a good job of incorporating the technical bits of running / the Ekiden without losing the readers' engagement
-the Hakone Ekiden was by far the highlight of the novel. I really liked the way miura used this to dive deeper into each character and let them shine, showing how each of them had something irreplaceable to bring to the team
-kakeru's growth. That's it. It's like Kageyama's: a beautiful arc in the story
-i think I really enjoy stories like this (both fictional and not) because I've never loved something to this scale where I have pushed myself this hard to attain it. I think RWTW in particular is very inspiring bc the majority of the characters are like me, but managed to accomplish something huge together with each other's support.
-i really liked how it put everyone on an even playing ground, no matter their skill or experience
-also, the translator's note was beautiful. I loved how they compared the process of writing, translating, and editing to the Ekiden itself.
Time to rewatch the anime soon 🫡
December 11, 2024
Bei diesem Buch bin ich absolut voreingenommen, im Guten, wie im Schlechten, da es die Vorlage zu meinem absoluten Lieblingsanime ist. Als ich gesehen habe, dass es endlich übersetzt wird in eine Sprache, die ich lesen kann, habe ich mich so sehr gefreut und obwohl ich am liebsten durch die Seiten geflogen wäre, aber ich es mir regelrecht eingeteilt, damit ich es nicht zu schnell durchlese.
Run with the wind handelt von Kakeru Kurahara, der früher einer der besten Langstreckenläufer seiner Schule war, aber aufgrund von Ereignissen sich plötzlich dazu gezwungen sieht Brot zu stehlen, Bei seiner Flucht trifft er auf Haiji Kiyose, der zufällig an der gleichen Uni wie er studiert und ihn einlädt im gleichen Wohnheim zu wohnen.
Dieses Wohnheim, ziemlich heruntergekommen und daher billig, wird von 8 weiteren Studenten der Universität bewohnt: Vielraucher Nico, Yuki, der sein Abschlussexamen schon in der Tasche hat, King, dessen Leidenschaft Quizshows sind, Musa, der tansanische Austauschstudent, der aus einem Bergdorf stammende Shindo, Literaturstudent Prince und die eineiigen Zwillinge Joji und Jota.
Haiji eröffnet allen Bewohnern auf der Willkommenparty für Kakeru, dass sie mit Abschluss des Mietvertrages Mitglieder des Leichtathletikteams der Uni wurden und da er plant mit ihnen den Hakone Ekiden zu laufen, ein traditionsreiches Langstrecken-Staffelrennen zwischen japanischen Universitätsteams ausgetragen seit 1920 immer Anfang des Jahres.
Die Freude darüber ist natürlich nicht allzu groß, da die meisten Bewohner mit Sport und vor allem Langstreckenlauf bisher nichts am Hut hatten, aber Haiji schafft es nach und nach alle zum Training „zu überreden“ und es beginnt ein Jahr in dem sie viel über sich selbst lernen, aber auch als Team zusammenwachsen. Denn nur zu zehnt können sie den Hakone Ekiden laufen.
Was dieses Buch für mich so großartig macht, sind mehrere verschiedene Aspekte. Da ist zum einen die Dynamik zwischen allen Bewohnern. Das Wohnheim ist nicht groß und so bekommt jeder Bewohner sehr viel mehr Einblick in das innere der anderen Bewohner als es sonst üblich wäre. Es ist ein ständiges miteinander. Miteinander trainieren, feiern, freuen, austauschen, aber auch miteinander streiten und leiden. Und auch wir als Lesende bekommen diese Einblicke.
Zum anderen die spezielle Dynamik zwischen Kakeru, von dessen Innenleben man im Buch mit Abstand am meisten erfährt, und Haiji, die sich einfach gesucht und gefunden haben. Für beide ist Laufen ein fundamentales Bedürfnis und obwohl sie auf einem ähnlichen Leistungsniveau sind, haben sie in ihrer Vergangenheit sehr unterschiedliche Erfahrungen in Bezug auf ihren Sport gemacht und so schlägt sich vor allem Haiji mit der Frage rum, was es heißt zu Laufen.
Des Weiteren ist die Schilderung der Rennverläufe meiner Meinung nach sehr gut gelungen. Trotzdem ich natürlich wusste wie diese ausgehen, war es trotzdem spannend für mich zu lesen. Im Anhang des Buches führt die Autorin verschiedenste Läufer von Universitätsteam auf, die sie zu Recherchezwecken befragt hat um das Buch schreiben zu können.
Gleichzeitig war das Lesen für mich zwischendurch aber auch etwas schwierig. Anime und Buchvorlage gehen doch teilweise auseinander. Manche Szenen der Verfilmung gab es nicht im Buch oder auch andersherum. Gespräche wurde zu anderen Zeiten oder an anderen Orten geführt, so dass ich meinen Film im Kopf nicht immer mit der Handlung im Buch übereinanderlegen konnte.
Nichtsdestotrotz konnte ich mich gegen Ende des Buches damit versöhnen. Das Buch hat nochmal einige Dinge anders hervorgehoben und mir damit mehr Verständnis in Bezug auf die Bewohner, und vor allem Kakeru eingebracht.
Run with the wind handelt von Kakeru Kurahara, der früher einer der besten Langstreckenläufer seiner Schule war, aber aufgrund von Ereignissen sich plötzlich dazu gezwungen sieht Brot zu stehlen, Bei seiner Flucht trifft er auf Haiji Kiyose, der zufällig an der gleichen Uni wie er studiert und ihn einlädt im gleichen Wohnheim zu wohnen.
Dieses Wohnheim, ziemlich heruntergekommen und daher billig, wird von 8 weiteren Studenten der Universität bewohnt: Vielraucher Nico, Yuki, der sein Abschlussexamen schon in der Tasche hat, King, dessen Leidenschaft Quizshows sind, Musa, der tansanische Austauschstudent, der aus einem Bergdorf stammende Shindo, Literaturstudent Prince und die eineiigen Zwillinge Joji und Jota.
Haiji eröffnet allen Bewohnern auf der Willkommenparty für Kakeru, dass sie mit Abschluss des Mietvertrages Mitglieder des Leichtathletikteams der Uni wurden und da er plant mit ihnen den Hakone Ekiden zu laufen, ein traditionsreiches Langstrecken-Staffelrennen zwischen japanischen Universitätsteams ausgetragen seit 1920 immer Anfang des Jahres.
Die Freude darüber ist natürlich nicht allzu groß, da die meisten Bewohner mit Sport und vor allem Langstreckenlauf bisher nichts am Hut hatten, aber Haiji schafft es nach und nach alle zum Training „zu überreden“ und es beginnt ein Jahr in dem sie viel über sich selbst lernen, aber auch als Team zusammenwachsen. Denn nur zu zehnt können sie den Hakone Ekiden laufen.
Was dieses Buch für mich so großartig macht, sind mehrere verschiedene Aspekte. Da ist zum einen die Dynamik zwischen allen Bewohnern. Das Wohnheim ist nicht groß und so bekommt jeder Bewohner sehr viel mehr Einblick in das innere der anderen Bewohner als es sonst üblich wäre. Es ist ein ständiges miteinander. Miteinander trainieren, feiern, freuen, austauschen, aber auch miteinander streiten und leiden. Und auch wir als Lesende bekommen diese Einblicke.
Zum anderen die spezielle Dynamik zwischen Kakeru, von dessen Innenleben man im Buch mit Abstand am meisten erfährt, und Haiji, die sich einfach gesucht und gefunden haben. Für beide ist Laufen ein fundamentales Bedürfnis und obwohl sie auf einem ähnlichen Leistungsniveau sind, haben sie in ihrer Vergangenheit sehr unterschiedliche Erfahrungen in Bezug auf ihren Sport gemacht und so schlägt sich vor allem Haiji mit der Frage rum, was es heißt zu Laufen.
Des Weiteren ist die Schilderung der Rennverläufe meiner Meinung nach sehr gut gelungen. Trotzdem ich natürlich wusste wie diese ausgehen, war es trotzdem spannend für mich zu lesen. Im Anhang des Buches führt die Autorin verschiedenste Läufer von Universitätsteam auf, die sie zu Recherchezwecken befragt hat um das Buch schreiben zu können.
Gleichzeitig war das Lesen für mich zwischendurch aber auch etwas schwierig. Anime und Buchvorlage gehen doch teilweise auseinander. Manche Szenen der Verfilmung gab es nicht im Buch oder auch andersherum. Gespräche wurde zu anderen Zeiten oder an anderen Orten geführt, so dass ich meinen Film im Kopf nicht immer mit der Handlung im Buch übereinanderlegen konnte.
Nichtsdestotrotz konnte ich mich gegen Ende des Buches damit versöhnen. Das Buch hat nochmal einige Dinge anders hervorgehoben und mir damit mehr Verständnis in Bezug auf die Bewohner, und vor allem Kakeru eingebracht.
February 13, 2025
La primera vez que oí hablar de la carrera Hakone ekiden fue en un anime de 12 episodios hace unos años.Precisamente es la adaptación de este libro, que ha tardado muchos años en llegar a occidente en su forma original, es decir, la novela. No es la primera vez que leo a Shion Miura y de hecho cuando me enteré de que aquella historia de dos corredores que crean una comunidad en torno a la carrera universitaria más popular de Japón (se celebra todos los años en 10 etapas por relevos entre la ciudad balneario de Hakone y la capital, Tokio, los días 2 y 3 de enero) estaba escrito por ella, me dio rabia que no estuviera traducido porque me gusta mucho la sensibilidad con la que escribe Miura. Pero la espera ha valido la pena.
Lo que más impresiona de este libro es la minuciosidad con la que Miura se ha documentado y plasma los entresijos, no solo de esta maraton tradicional tan seguida por todo el país nipón, sino el retrato casi al milímetro que hace de la psique y la filosofía del corredor, su mentalidad, la templanza con la que se enfrenta a los obstaculos, especialmente cuando esos obstáculos son los que él mismo se ha cargado a la espalda a través de los años. Es cierto que son muy jóvenes, pero no son unos niños y, como se suele decir, cada vida es diferente y cada persona un mundo. Por eso las caracterizaciones de los diez corredores de la universidad de Kansei y de otros personajes que van encontrando por el camino, llaman tanto la atención. Todos tienen cargas distintas y de diferente naturalidad, enfrentan el futuro inmediato (aparcando por el momento el conocido “medio-largo plazo) de manera muy personal sin caer en la individualidad. Teniendo en cuenta que el mínimo de corredores por equipo es de 10 y siendo justamente 10 los que corren por Kansei, si uno cae, caen todos… la individualidad es aquello que deben perder por lograr el objetivo común.
Y no pretenden ganar, no se trata de eso, simplemente necesitan respuesta a una pregunta ¿Por qué corres?
Como veis tengo el libro lleno de señaladores y, no sale en la foto, pero mi lápiz ha muerto en el proceso. Sirva como detalle que yo nunca he corrido, no me gusta correr y no sé correr, no me interesa el atletismo ni el deporte en general. Pero este libro, Haiji y Kakeru, se van a quedar conmigo para siempre.
Lo que más impresiona de este libro es la minuciosidad con la que Miura se ha documentado y plasma los entresijos, no solo de esta maraton tradicional tan seguida por todo el país nipón, sino el retrato casi al milímetro que hace de la psique y la filosofía del corredor, su mentalidad, la templanza con la que se enfrenta a los obstaculos, especialmente cuando esos obstáculos son los que él mismo se ha cargado a la espalda a través de los años. Es cierto que son muy jóvenes, pero no son unos niños y, como se suele decir, cada vida es diferente y cada persona un mundo. Por eso las caracterizaciones de los diez corredores de la universidad de Kansei y de otros personajes que van encontrando por el camino, llaman tanto la atención. Todos tienen cargas distintas y de diferente naturalidad, enfrentan el futuro inmediato (aparcando por el momento el conocido “medio-largo plazo) de manera muy personal sin caer en la individualidad. Teniendo en cuenta que el mínimo de corredores por equipo es de 10 y siendo justamente 10 los que corren por Kansei, si uno cae, caen todos… la individualidad es aquello que deben perder por lograr el objetivo común.
Y no pretenden ganar, no se trata de eso, simplemente necesitan respuesta a una pregunta ¿Por qué corres?
Como veis tengo el libro lleno de señaladores y, no sale en la foto, pero mi lápiz ha muerto en el proceso. Sirva como detalle que yo nunca he corrido, no me gusta correr y no sé correr, no me interesa el atletismo ni el deporte en general. Pero este libro, Haiji y Kakeru, se van a quedar conmigo para siempre.
March 14, 2025
Si corres o tienes interés en correr este libro es indispensable, la historia de la 10 corredores universitarios de que entrenan para correr el Hakone Ekiden, una carrera de relevos entre Tokyo y Hakone. Todos tienen personalidades y motivos para correr diferentes y si corres puedes que encuentres similitudes en tí con alguno de ellos. La adaptación a anime es extraordinaria también.
December 29, 2024
The passion of a rookie team coming together to beat the odds! So well written and captures the emotions of a roller coaster race! I LOVE the bromance of the ten members of Chikusei-so!
October 14, 2023
[2023.10.11_119]
很熱血的跑步競賽故事。那種「就算遇到討厭的人，就算遇到不如意的是，都不必放在心上」〈第四章 記錄賽登場〉
「不用強顏歡笑，不必汲汲營營找尋自己的歸屬，不必在意別人對自己的看法」〈第十章 流星〉，只要集中精神去跑就可以，讓人羨慕能跑的人享有的特權。
-------------------------
只要努力就一定能成功，其實是一種傲慢。〈第十章 流星〉
任何說出口的話都有可能變成謊言，而百分之百的信任只會自然湧現在心裡。〈第十章 流星〉
【新北市立圖書館】
很熱血的跑步競賽故事。那種「就算遇到討厭的人，就算遇到不如意的是，都不必放在心上」〈第四章 記錄賽登場〉
「不用強顏歡笑，不必汲汲營營找尋自己的歸屬，不必在意別人對自己的看法」〈第十章 流星〉，只要集中精神去跑就可以，讓人羨慕能跑的人享有的特權。
-------------------------
只要努力就一定能成功，其實是一種傲慢。〈第十章 流星〉
任何說出口的話都有可能變成謊言，而百分之百的信任只會自然湧現在心裡。〈第十章 流星〉
【新北市立圖書館】
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September 28, 2024You know something is really good when it makes a couch potato like me buy a new pair of shoes and start running.
All I want to say is I was crying almost continuously the last 4-5 episodes of the anime. Would probably cry reading the book too.
Watch the anime!
All I want to say is I was crying almost continuously the last 4-5 episodes of the anime. Would probably cry reading the book too.
Watch the anime!
February 5, 2025
Almost makes me want to start running more seriously. But only almost. Just call me Prince or Yuki.
(We watched the anime series before I read the book, but I still couldn’t put it down towards the end! Very compellingly written!)
(We watched the anime series before I read the book, but I still couldn’t put it down towards the end! Very compellingly written!)
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