Run Anime Run!
Anime is like a box of chocolates... something Kumiko from Hibike! Euphonium learned the hard way.
Stand up and run across the room and back. We'll wait.
Back? Awesome. Now think for a moment: did you throw your arms out behind you and let the wind flap them around? Did you make the appropriate facial expression necessary for proper running? No? You're obviously doing it wrong. Let these anime running gifs show you how it's done.
Anime ninjas running
According to anime, ninjas like the cast of Naruto run with their arms flailing behind them. It's rumored (by us) that, at maximum speed, the wind pressure will one day help them achieve liftoff. Flying ninjas, aww yeah.
Running for your life
When you're running away from something, you better run like you mean it. Here, Fullmetal Alchemist demonstrates the correct way to flee: hold your arms at perpendicular angles and pump like your life depends on it (which, incidentally, it does).
Charging into battle
In anime, when you're not running away then you're running towards something. Running into combat is less about running, and more about that face. Unless you're making a determined expression as Sword Art Online and Toradora! demonstrate, your attack just won't hit as hard. Fact.
Implied running
Animating running feet isn't easy, so animators sometimes take shortcuts. Some rhythmic bouncing like in Kyoukai no Kanata, some arm flailing like in One Punch Man, and no one's the wiser.
Anime girls can't run
Anime girls can't run. Seriously, just look at the girls from K-On! trying to run… it looks downright painful! At least they're actually running. Who knows what Anastasia is doing. Interpretive dance, maybe?
Running like a pro
Anime track stars and sporty types run… pretty well, actually. Check out Bakemonogatari's track star Suruga - even her shadow runs beautifully.
Running Late for school
Did you oversleep for school? Let's practice proper running protocol. A panicked expression and toast hanging from your mouth are mandatory, as Neon Genesis Evangelion demonstrates. Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou gets bonus points for creativity.
Take my hand!
Sometimes you have to let someone grab your hand and run, like in Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi. Come with me, there's no time to explain!
Anime animals run too
Did you think only human characters would make this list? Chi from Chi's Sweet Home is just too adorable whether he's getting into trouble or just running along. Ein from Cowboy Bebop is pretty darn cute when he runs too, even if he's not exactly getting anywhere...
Running like a squid girl
There's running, and then there's Shinryaku! Ika Musume. That's right, Squid Girl gets her own category. This is my list and I can do what I want. You'll never run as cute as Ika!
