Run with the Wind Episode 2: Haiji is Scary

Thanks to the cliffhanger from the last episode, I was waiting impatiently for the next episode. It wasn’t anything crazy but it seemed like something intense might come out of the conversation between Haiji and Kakeru. Instead, they just went home to eat breakfast… So not quite what I was expecting, to say the least.

After the OP we are taken back to the late night conversation between the newly founded track and field team. This is new information that we didn’t get in episode 1 that gave us more insight on some of the “strengths” that everyone has from Haiji’s perspective. Initially, everyone was against the idea of running but due to Haiji’s “persistence,” most of them have changed their tune. When Haiji presses Kakeru again, we get a small glimpse of some kind of traumatized past of his. Though due to some unfortunate events, the whole gang winds up at a bathhouse that Haiji frequents. Not planned at all. Ending off the episode with an epic duel of who can stay in the bath the longest…

Episode 2 was a great introduction to the different relationships between the cast as roommates. With large casts like this, they were able to provide enough spotlight to all characters and show their personalities which I thought was pretty neat. We also got to see the rumored determination of Haiji who will stop at nothing to get everyone to run now that he has his 10 members. I very much enjoyed the different tactics that he used to trick all the members to join. Haiji just seems like my kind of character.

I’m starting to like the OP a little more. As I said in my review of episode 1, the band is great but I didn’t think visually there was anything special. I may have misjudged it. I feel like there just isn’t anything being done for this series that we can call lazy. The attention to detail across the board is fantastic. Even in the OP, you get to see how well done there landscape shots of their town is. Production I.G. for some time has rarely shown production quality dips so this is to be expected.

So overall, for episode 1 and 2, I’d give this series an 8. We haven’t gotten to see anything too crazy regarding the story since it’s mainly set up for episodes to come, but the comedy, character diversity and overall entertainment value, push it that high for me. Over the next few weeks, we shall see if this number changes. Would love to hear your thoughts about this series if you are watching. Hopefully, if you haven’t this will make you want to give it the good ol’ three episode test! Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!