So, to find a realistic sports anime is hard, but those few mean much. And I dare to write: Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru is the king of the real sports animes.
The characters are not high school students, but university students, which also gives the base to this anime to be serious. Kurahara Kakeru was a runner in his high school years, but he finished it because of certain happenings. At the beginning of the anime, he steals a sandwich from a glocery store, and Kiyose Haiji saw him running. When he caught him up, Haiji made Kakeru to return the sandwich to the store, and apologize. After it, he asked Kakeru, that he likes running. Because he ran quite fast, Haiji wanted Kakeru to join to his running group to enter the Hakone Ekiden. Only 10-member group can enter to that running contest, and with Kakeru the group would have 10 members. Haiji made Kakeru to enter to the group, and they 10 together prepared and practiced much to give their best in the contest.
And this is main different: They give their best, and not to win at any cost. It also refers the character's age they think more serious, because they see the things of life as it is, and in this reality they do their best. Every of group members have different personality, and sometimes it's hard for them to work as a group or practice, because most of them have their own life, not running is their biggest hobby. Sometimes, they have enough of it, and ask what is this all for, but later they find each other, and practice even harder.
The animation is beautiful. If you liked the animation of Haikyuu!! or Ballroom he Youkoso, well, I'm pretty sure that, you will be fascinated of the animation of the Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru. The characters are well-drawn, the background and surrounding is detailed, the colors are realistic. And the music... I think, it's enough to say, Hayashi Yuuki's name, his name is guarantee for the quality original soundtrack, because he proved with Haikyuu!! and Boku no Hero Academia, that he's a great composer. He wrote funny, happy, even dance songs to this anime as well as sorrowful, depressing soundtracks. He felt the guys' adult-like personality. Sometimes they feel the pressure of the weight of life, despite they can laugh, feel themselves well, and do their best in running. Hayashi Yuuki sensed the harmony of this dual personality, and he wrote not only great music for this anime, but the songs harmonize to each other. I listen to the OST very much.
This is really one of the greatest sports anime. And if Haikyuu!! is the king of the high school sampled animes (in good way), then Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru is the king of the realistic animes. Highly recommended to very anime fans.
