History Characters / RunWithTheWind

* FirstNameBasis: Everyone refers to one another by their first names or preferred nicknames (with the appropriate ''-san'' honorific for members older than themselves), demonstrating their good relationships. This includes Kakeru--as the newest member he's initially called by his surname, but this gets dropped once the others warm up to him.

* SenpaiKouhai: The age range of the Kansei varies from first year to fourth year university level, so there's various upperclassmen and underclassmen in the group. In particular are those studying the same degree, for example both Nico-chan-senpai and Musa study Engineering (and there's a brief scene of the former teasing the latter and scolding him to listen to his department's seniors). As Nico-chan-senpai is the oldest on the team (he's been held back), he's the only member that is referred to by the senpai honorific by the rest of the team, although the younger members will talk to the older members more politely. It's also occasionally discussed that the team will have to scout for more track members if they decide to try run at Hakone next year, since a couple of the current members are in their final year.

** Nico-chan-senpai has a slight PermaStubble in the manga and short hair, whereas in the anime the PermaStubble is more obvious and he wears his hair long and in a ponytail.
** King is perhaps the most changed character of the bunch. In the manga he has HotBloodedSideburns, a goatee and slightly wavy brown hair; in the anime he simply sports short black hair, and he also has a more prominent jaw and larger nose.

* CareerEndingInjury: He injured his knee during high school due to unspecified circumstances (although it's implied to be due to the intense track training) which still affects his ability to run in the present. [[spoiler:The physical strains on his leg from running his section of Hakone Ekiden officially ends his days as a competitive runner, and in the DistantFinale he can be seen slightly limping.]]

* GoodScarsEvilScars: Haiji, aka the protagonist/deuteragonist of the story (depending on the version) and one of the good guys (his scheming aside), got his leg injured during high school. A big scar remains--it isn't pretty to look at but isn't a complete distraction from his standard bishounen looks, either. Haiji is not fully recovered yet and apparently shouldn't be running, but he still insists on training and competing at Hakone Ekiden.

* CountryMouse: His family runs a farm and their home is in the mountain area, so he would have to climb the valley just go to school. This fitness is what convinces Haiji that Shindo is suitable for the track team. He particularly appears to be good at running in steep areas thanks to this, as seen when he runs uphill with more enthusiasm than the others during their summer training.

* TheHeart: One of the most caring and determined members of the team, not to mention very proactive. Kakeru notes that the team would be unable to form nor keep going without him.
* HonorBeforeReason: In Episode 20, [[spoiler:Shindo is so ill during Hakone that the coach urges him to drop out before his condition gets worse, and even gets out of the car to talk to persuade him in person. Despite that, Shindo insists on completing his section for the sake of everyone on the team]].

* TheSmartGuy: Though not the brains of the team when it comes to running (that naturally falls with Haiji), Shindo's still helpful in this regard and handles all the administration work, including their website and negotiating with the small businesses supporting them. His intellect is likely what got him the nickname Shindo ("prodigy"). [[spoiler:Unfortunately the gradual build-up of the work takes a toll on him and he falls ill just as Hakone begins.]]

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Prince is calm and usually only shows over-the-top emotion when manga is involved. He doesn't even properly join in the team's boisterous celebrations, preferring to sit back and quietly watch them. In Episode 23, [[spoiler:he's estatic when Kakeru finishes his leg of Hakone, shouting at him and jumping up and down, showing that yes Kakeru breaking the record section (and a mere 10 minutes after Fujioka did it) is that damn impressive]].

* BigBrotherInstinct: Jota's protective side and affection for his younger brother, whom he declares is a part of his soul, is made more apparent in his inner monologue later in the series. He fondly reminisces over Joji's growth as a runner that's come to see Kakeru as his rival, and Jota acknowledges he's now prepared to let him go and have him pursue his own path.

* AgonyOfTheFeet: [[spoiler:At the end of his Hakone race, blood can be seen seeping its way through his shoes which indicates just how much he pushed himself while he was running at a super speed.]]
* BerserkButton: Nico-chan-senpai's smoking absolutely infuriates him. He doesn't have much patience for loud noises either.

* LikeAnOldMarriedCouple: Shares this dynamic with Nico-chan-senpai. They're prone to snarking at one another and petty squabbles, but they frequently stick to one another and consider each other good friends.

A Tanzanian transfer student in his second year, and studies Science and Engineering.

* BlackAndNerdy: Downplayed; Musa is from Africa and is legitimately academically gifted (he studies science and engineering and speaks Japanese well), yet lacks any stereotypical nerdy mannerism and comes off more of a dorky AcademicAthlete.

[[folder: Akihiro "Nico-chan-senpai" Hirata]]

An older recruit to the team. In his third year and has yet to graduate, even though he was originally Haiji's upperclassman. He was a part of the track team in high school. Like Musa, he studies Science and Engineering.

* InSeriesNickname: Everyone calls him "Nico-chan-senpai". This is derived from Tazaki's nickname for him "Nicotine", which he got due to his smoking habits. The nickname still sticks even after he quits smoking.

* WeightWoe: When he becomes more invested in his training, he starts to worry about his figure. As a result, he starts skipping meals or eating smaller portions in an attempt to lose weight. Haiji notices this and tries to set him straight. After Haiji's collapse, Nico-chan-senpai goes back to eating normally but still frequently checks the scales. Fortunately, it's implied that having regular meals alongside training has a better effect on his weight than skipping meals.

A local girl who volunteers to help the team.

* CuteSportsClubManager: Downplayed. She's a sweet young girl who helps out the team every now and then but isn't formally associated with them (especially since she's only a high school student in the anime). [[spoiler:In the anime she's officially become the manager by the three year timeskip however, now being a Kansei student.]]

* LethalChef: She cannot cook well, at all. When Haiji is unwell, she cooks breakfast for the team but it just sends everyone to the bathroom (except for Kakeru and Prince who like her food just fine, somehow).

Kakeru's former teammate. He attents Tokyo Sport University.

* LaserGuidedKarma: Sakaki's frequent mockery of Kakeru and his team eventually comes to bite him, as [[spoiler:his team Tokyo Sport University places 11th at Hakone (after Kansei, no less) and misses a seeded position]].

* PermaStubble: Less than Nico-chan-senpai, but his chin is left unshaven.

[[folder: Manas]]

* FriendlyRival: Competes with Kakeru for a good chunk of the Hakone qualifier race. He congratulates Kakeru with a pat on the shoulder after being beaten by him by mere seconds, and he's also quick to go have a friendly chat with him and Musa [[spoiler:while they're waiting at the base during Hakone itself]].

[[folder: Yaokatsu]]
A local man who aids the Kansei team however he can.

* PermaStubble: Has the unshaven look, not too different from Nico-chan-senpai. Unlike Nico-chan-senpai, it serves to emphasize Mochizuki's creepiness.

* YouDontLookLikeYou: The character designs in the manga adaptation and anime adaptation are drastically different, since the anime character designer (Takahiro Chiba) is separate from the manga artist (Sorata Unno). The different art styles alone make the characters in the two mediums almost unrecognisable, with the manga style making everyone look a bit sharper overall (Kakeru for example looks more hot-blooded in the manga than his reserved self in the anime). Additionally, at least half of the main cast have different hair styles or colours and other different features.

** In Episode 10, when he attempts to make peace with Akane after trying to kick the latter out of the team, Kakeru uncouthly tries to ask him to lend him some manga.
* AlliterativeName: '''K'''urahara '''K'''akeru.

* NoSocialSkills: Begins rather awkward and antisocial but gradually improves. After some self-reflection, Kakeru becomes a much more pleasant person and starts interacting with the other guys in the dorm.

* TheDeterminator: He wouldn't ever give up on assembling the track team, no matter the means. He's also been very committed to rehabilitating and going back to his running ways ever since injuring his knee.

* FollowInMyFootsteps: This appeared to the case of Haiji's father, who was his high school track team coach. The pressures his father put on him is said to have broken him mentally, prior to his injury.

* IllBoy: Though mostly fit, it becomes evident his lingering knee injury (which he's had since high school) still bothers him and affects his running. A minor focus in the series is his constant efforts to rehabilitate and keep his leg in check, so he can still run at Hakone.

* ExpositoryHairstyleChange: A flashback of him shows he had short hair while he was part of the track team in high school. After being told by his coach he's not suited for running, he goes through a slump up until the present which is symbolised by him growing his hair to a lax shoulder-length style.

* RedBaron: Parodied. Apparently, he is known as 'Tazaki the Beggar', which comes in hand when he's begging the university to [[spoiler:keep Kakeru's high school incident (which was leaked) under wraps]].

* CuteSportsClubManager: Downplayed. She's a sweet young girl who helps out the team every now and then but isn't formally associated with them (especially since she's only a high school student in the anime).

Kakeru's former teammate.

* SmugSnake: Relishes in mocking the Kansei team for their [[JerkassHasAPoint admittedly underwhelming lineup of runners]], yet he himself doesn't appear to have a big role in his own team. On top of that, as soon as Sakaki notices Fujioka, he is shocked and the very presence of [[BadassCrew Rikudo University's]] leaves him unnerved.

An old rival of Haiji. The champion of Hakone and Rikudo University's ace.

* TallDarkAndHandsome: One of the tallest characters in the cast and a {{hunk}}, complete with short black hair.

* LonelyAtTheTop: Kakeru being a prodigy runner in high school made it difficult for him to be friendly with his team since the coach always singled him out and punished the others for not being on his level. In the present, he initially finds it difficult to really sympathise with the other Kansei members because, as Haiji puts it, he's always running far ahead which leaves him unable to look at the members behind him. Watching his team members from the audience's point of view at an official track meet for the first time and training Prince helps improve his outlook and dissolve this trope.

* WhenHeSmiles: Initially, any nearby team members are surprised whenever he genuinely smiles and tease him when he's in denial about it.

* FollowInMyFootsteps: This appeared to the case of Haiji's father, who was a high school track coach for his team. The pressures his father put on him is said to have broken him mentally, prior to his injury.

* DudeWheresMyRespect: PlayedForLaughs when he feels like the others don't hold him in very high regard as a fellow member or upperclassman, like when team skips him when asking around for a temporary substitute leader (and the others lampshade that him complaining about it makes it harder to respect him). He even gets put in the backseat of the van on their way to their summer base because he lost the better seat to ''Nira''.
* GoofyPrintUnderwear: The twins walk in on him changing in the opening, and he's seen wearing a quiz-themed pair of underwear.

* ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything: Since Haiji handles all the training for the team, Tazaki is the team coach in name only. Lampshaded by the members when he seems to finally be offering important advice (which is to... alternate using your left and right feet; he was drunk at the time). He does offer some words of wisdom and encouragement while the team is [[spoiler:running Hakone, such as urging Shindo to drop out and warning the rest of the team to refocus for Day 2]].
* RedBaron: Parodied. Apparently, he is known as 'Tazaki the Beggar'.

* SmugSnake: Relishes in mocking the Kansei team for their [[JerkassHasAPoint admittedly underwhelming lineup of runners]], yet he himself doesn't appear to have a big role in his own team. On top of that, as soon as Sakaki notices Kazuma, he is shocked and the very presence of [[BadassCrew Rikudo University's]] leaves him unnerved.

* BrokenAce: His backstory. Due to his remarkable running speed and his high school track team coach treating him as the TeachersPet as a result, he was left loathed by his peers.

* TrainingFromHell: Was prone to using incredibly excruciating training methods especially as punishment, to the dismay of every student in Sendai Josei High School team. [[spoiler: While his talent enabled him to overcome it, even Kakeru was repulsed by the way the coach managed the team.]]

* BrokenAce: His backstory. Due to his remarkable running speed, he was left loathed by his peers.

* {{Dismotivation}}: Had a passion for running but was told to quit the team by his coach during high school. This did such a number on him mentally that he gave up not only his passion but also his motivation in life in general. When the story begins, he's incredibly slack and struggles to even pass his subjects. Thanks to the team's training and goal to go to Hakone, he reignites his love for running and becomes motivated again.

* MeaningfulName: His nickname Shindo means prodigy, and he's an intelligent business student.

* ThemeTwinNaming: The Jo twins are named Taro and Jiro. Equally applies to their nicknames, which combines their names with their surname to get Jota and Joji.

* ThemeTwinNaming: The Jo twins are named Taro and Jiro. Equally applies to their nicknames, which combines their names with their surname to get Jota and Joji.

A fourth year law student who passed the bar on his first try.

* DudeWheresMyRespect: PlayedForLaughs when he feels like the others don't hold him in very high regard as a fellow member or upperclassman, like when he gets ignored when the team is trying to designate a temporary substitute leader (and the others lampshade that him complaining about it makes it harder to respect him). He even gets put in the backseat of the van on their way to their summer base because he lost the better seat to ''Nira''.

* InSeriesNickname: Everyone calls him "Nico-chan-senpai", with "nico" being short for "nicotine" due to his smoking habits. The nickname still sticks even after he quits smoking.

* FriendlyRival: Was friends with Haiji during high school and on the track team together. Fujioka doesn't intend to go easy on him and acknowledges him as a great runner, while also asking from Kakeru to help him out.

* WorthyOpponent: He not only becomes the object of Kakeru's determination, but also makes it clear that he sees Haiji as good rival despite his injury derailing his running career.

* SingleMindedTwins: Subverted; at first glance he and Joji seem like one character in two bodies, as they look and often act very similar. However, there are some [[IdenticalTwinIDTag subtles differences in their clothing choices]] (like how their track suits are different colors) and a look into their inner thoughts shows that their personalities are more different than most people think. Jota in particular has a BigBrotherInstinct for Joji and wants to see him grow beyond the relationship they have with each other.

* SingleMindedTwins: Subverted; at first glance he and Jota seem like one character in two bodies, as they look and often act very similar. However, there are some [[IdenticalTwinIDTag subtles differences in their clothing choices]] (like how their track suits are different colors) and a look into their inner thoughts shows that their personalities are more different than most people think.

* IllBoy: Though mostly fit, it becomes evident his lingering knee injury (which he's had since high school) still bothers him and affects his running. A minor focus in the series is his constant efforts to rehabilitate and keep his leg in check, so he can still run at

A first year Sociology student and the final recruit to the team. He's a talented runner but is less than keen with everyone's goal to go to Hakone Ekiden thanks to a troubling past with his high school track team.

** In episode 1 he is comically flabbergasted by the noise caused by the other dorm members.
** In episode 6, when he sees that he is the only one not donning his FunTShirt made to promote the team yet (aside of King who barely arrived at the time and initially didn't want to wear them in the first anyways), Kakeru awkwardly rushes to put on his as quickly as possible.
** In episode 10, when he attempts to make peace with Akane after trying to kick the latter out of the team, Kakeru uncouthly tries to ask him to lend him some manga.

* CharacterDevelopment: Realizing the flaws in his views and seeing Haiji collapse from overwork causes him to become much more open and understanding towards his team's shortcoming, as well as willing to put effort into helping them overcome said shortcomings. {{Lampshaded}} in episode 11.

* DefrostingIceKing: From episode 10 onward, he starts properly socializing with the rest of the team and is generally a lot nicer then before.

* MeaningfulName: The kanji used for Kakeru (走) means to run, fitting his natural talent for running.

A fourth year Literature student and leader of the team. Willing to use almost any means necessary, Haiji successfully assembles the track team, thus kick-starting the plot. A talented runner in the past who's still recovering from an incident that left a scar on his leg and hindered his running for a while.

* IllBoy: Though mostly fit, it becomes evident his lingering knee injury (which he's had since high school) still bothers him and affects his running. A minor focus in the series is his constant efforts to rehabilitate and keep his leg in check, so he can still run at Hakone.

* CareerVersusMan: In episode 11, his girlfriend settles to break up with him, given that Shindo obviously has a hard time juggling his numerous assignments and duties, on top of actually finding the time to be with her.

* AdjustingYourGlasses: Sometimes seen adjusting his glasses by the bridge, emphasising his status as the cool guy of the group. He'll do during for various types of moments, including annoyance.

* StoicSpectacles: The only one in the whole team to wear glasses, and he at least tries to be the most level-headed of the group.

An older recruit to the team. Has yet to graduate, even though it isn't his first attempt. He was a part of the track team in high school. Like Musa, he studies Science and Engineering.

* TeamDad: As the oldest and perhaps most masculine of the team, he keeps the members under control, gives the occasional heartfelt advice and will put the hammer down if someone's about to wreck havoc.

* MiniatureSeniorCitizens: Despite of his athletic past, his current self is way past his prime.

* ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything: Since Haiji handles all the training for the team, Tazaki is the team coach in name only. Lampshaded by the members when he seems to finally be offering important advice (which is to... alternate using your left and right feet; he was drunk at the time). He does offer some words of wisdom and encouragement [[spoiler:while the team is running Hakone, such as urging Shindo to drop out and warning the rest of the team to refocus for Day 2]].

* PurpleIsPowerful: His team wears purple uniforms during official meets. He himself has quite a reputation, not to mention that in his debut episode he managed to beat both Kakeru and Manas.

* ForeignExchangeStudent: Like Musa, he's a sponsored African student who comes to study in Japan. Unlike Musa, he specifically came to compete at Hakone.

* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: His track suit is blue and a different color from his brother.

* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: His track suit is red and a different colour from his brother's. Additionally, at official track meets, he wears a necklace.

* YoungerThanTheyLook: His (lack of) shaving habits and the effects of smoking makes him look older than he really is (doesn't help that he's the oldest on the team and should have graduated already). A few students mistake him for the coach at one point, much to the team's amusement.

* OlderThanTheyLook: His (lack of) shaving habits and the effects of smoking makes him look older than he really is (doesn't help that he's the oldest on the team and should have graduated already). A few students mistake him for the coach at one point, much to the team's amusement.

* SenpaiKouhai: Naturally, as most of them aren't of the same year.

* FatalFlaw: He cannot keep his emotions under check. [[spoiler: This is the real reason why he ended up on sour terms with Kousuke.]]

* AlternateCharacterReading: Shindo is written with characters for 'god' and 'child'.

* TheStoic: Most of the time, Prince's facial expression is calm and/or indifferent. When cheering for his teammates, he is comically reticent compared to Kakeru and ''especially'' Haiji.

[[folder: Tarō Jō]]

* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: His CasanovaWannabe tendencies aside, he is a fairly decent guy. He also happens to have the brightest hair among his teammates.
* InSeriesNickname: Called Jota by everyone on the team.

[[folder: Jirō Jō]]

* AlwaysIdenticalTwins: There are very few differences between himself and his older twin Jota at a glance. As Jota explains later on, they aren't as identical as they let on, for example having different tastes and interests.

* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: Just like his brother, he has blonde hair and is a very friendly guy.
* InSeriesNickname: Called Joji by everyone on the team.

[[folder: Musa Kamala]]

An older recruit to the team. Has yet to graduate, even though it isn't his first attempt. Like Musa, he studies Science and Engineering.

* WeightWoe: When he becomes more invested in his training, he starts to worry about his figure. As a result, he starts skipping meals or eating smaller portions in an attempt to lose weight. Haiji notices this and tries to set him straight. After Haiji's collapse, Nico-chan-senpai goes back to eating normally but still frequently checks the scales. Fortunately, it's implied that having normal meals alongside training has a better effect on his weight than skipping meals.

* TeamPet: A Shiba Inu that belongs to the team's dorm. He frequently accompanies them in their training.

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Non-fatal example. After Haiji collapses from overwork, Genichirou expresses regret over not doing anything to ease the burden that was placed on the young man.
* OldMaster: Subverted. While he certainly has the experience, it is Haiji who takes over most of the work around the team. Genichirou only had one condition: the team had to be assembled in the first place.
* ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything: Since Haiji handles all the training for the team, Genichirou is the team coach in name only. Lampshaded by the members when he seems to finally be offering important advice (which is to... alternate using your left and right feet; he was drunk at the time).

* NeverLiveItDown: InUniverse. [[spoiler: After Kakeru dished out a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown on their almost Spartan coach in high school, the team was banned from participating in any further races for the time being in order to cover up the incident.]] Even in the present, Kousuke still deeply loaths Kakeru for it.

* SmugSnake: Relishes in mocking the Kansei team for their [[JerkassHasAPoint admittedly underwhelming lineup of runners]], yet he himself doesn't appear to have a big role in his own team. On top of that, as soon as Kousuke notices Kazuma, he is shocked and the very presence of [[BadassCrew Rikudo University's]] leaves him unnerved.

* {{Foil}}: He is far more sociable and amicable than Manas.
* ForeignExchangeStudent: Like Musa, he's a sponsored African student who comes to study in Japan.

The coach of the Sendai Josei High School where Kakeru and Kousuke used to be part of the same team.

* CharacterDevelopment: Reallizing the flaws in his views and seeing Haiji collapse from overwork causes him to become much more open and understanding towards his team's shortcoming, as well as willing to put effort into helping them overcome said shortcomings. {{Lampshaded}} in episode 11.

[[caption-width-right:350:some caption text]]

* CluelessChickMagnet: PlayedWith. While he's no Casanova, Kakeru occasionally draws some attention from girls [[AdrenalineMakeover while running]] but isn't paying much attention to them. Haiji [[ExploitedTrope even uses him as an example]] to get the [[CasanovaWannabe Kizuki twins to be more motivated]].

* TeamDad: While the idea was initially was presented to him by Kazuma, Kakeru settles to take over some of Haiji's roles after Haiji collapses from overwork. He proves to be surprisingly efficient.

* CountryMouse: His family runs a farm and their home is in the mountain area, so he would have to climb the valley just go to school. This fitness is what convinces Haiji that Shindo is suitable for the track team. In particular, his home life has become handy for running in steep areas, as seen when he runs uphill with more enthusiasm than the others during their summer training.

* ButtMonkey: Even more so than the Kizuki twins. He gets hit the hardest by the training due to his lack of sports experience and struggles to finish the course without fainting or collapsing spectacularly on the ground.

[[folder: Jōtarō Kizuki]]

A first year Economy student and the older of the Kizuki twins.

* BigBrotherInstinct: Jota's protective side and affection for his younger brother is made more apparent in his inner monologue later in the series, as he fondly reminisces over Joji's growth as a runner that's come to see Kakeru as his rival and acknowledges he's now prepared to let him go and pursue his own path.

[[folder: Jōjirō Kizuki]]

A first year Economy student and the younger Kizuki twin brother.

* SmartPeopleWearGlasses: Wears glasses and his academic track record is pretty stellar.

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: In Episode 19 King mentions he hasn't been looking for jobs for a while, shocking Joji. This emphasises how seriously he's been taking running and [[spoiler:preparing for Hakone]], a stark contrast to the beginning of the series where he was declining to train because he would rather focuse on job-hunting.

* WeightWoe: When he becomes more invested in his training, he starts to worry about his fitness. As a result, he starts skipping meals or eating smaller portions in an attempt to lose weight. Haiji notices this and tries to set him straight. After Haiji's collapse, Nico-chan-senpai goes back to eating normally but still frequently checks the scales. Fortunately, it's implied that having normal meals alongside training has a better effect on his weight than skipping meals.

* ForeignExchangeStudent: He's a sponsored international student from Tanzania who comes to study in Japan. However, he mostly avoids any typical FunnyForeigner traits and his Japanese is pretty fluent. One of the on-site reporters and cameramen take particular interest him [[spoiler:while he and Kakeru are waiting at their base during Hakone]] and remark how unique his situation is (as unlike the other exchange students Musa's had no prior running experience).

* ADayInTheLimelight: ZigZagged. Some of the episodes focus more on one or two specific characters, but rarely leave out the other guys.

* EnsembleCast: While Kakeru and Haiji are the main two characters, the other members on the team have the same amount of focus and plot relevance.

A 1st year Sociology student and the final recruit to the team. He's a talented runner but is less than keen with everyone's goal to go to Hakone Ekiden thanks to a troubling past with his high school track team.

* ItRunsInTheFamily: Implied. In the first episode, upon hearing the name Kurahara, the coach of the Kansei team Genichirou - himself a veteran runner - remarks that the it sounds familiar.

A 4th year Literature student and leader of the team. Willing to use almost any means necessary, Haiji successfully assembles the track team, thus kick-starting the plot. A talented runner in the past who's still recovering from an incident that left a scar on his leg and hindered his running for a while.

* TheDeterminator: He wouldn't ever give up on assembling the track team, no matter the means.

* GoodScarsEvilScars: Haiji, aka the deuteragonist of the story and one of the good guys (his scheming aside), got his leg injured during high school. A big scar remains--it isn't pretty to look at but isn't a complete distraction from his standard bishounen looks, either. Haiji is not fully recovered yet and apparently shouldn't be running, but he still insists on training and competing for Hakone Ekiden.

* InSeriesNickname: Is never referred by his first or last name and is instead called Shindo (which appropriately means "prodigy") by the group.
* IntoxicationEnsues: Downplayed. While drunk he's a bit louder than usual and speaks with less hesitation.
* TheSmartGuy: Though not the brains of the team when it comes to running (that naturally falls with Haiji), Shindo's still helpful in this regard and also handles all the administration work, including their website and negotiating with the small businesses supporting them. His intellect is likely what got him the nickname Shindo ("prodigy"). [[spoiler:Unfortunately the gradual build-up of the work takes a toll on him and he falls ill just as Hakone begins.]]

A 2nd year Literature student nicknamed "Prince". Usually immersed in manga, he has a huge stash of volumes in his apartment.

* TookALevelInBadass: While the other non-athletic members initially have at least some average running form, Prince is completely hopeless at the start of the series and can barely run properly without collapsing, making him the last guy you'd want to recruit. Thanks to some encouragement from other members and sheer willpower, he slowly yet surely manages to improve his running speed and becomes more invested in his training. Finally finishing one of the track meets within 30 minutes (in contrast to the initial ''45 minutes'') is made a big deal by the team, despite everyone else's confusion. [[spoiler:To everyone's joy, he finally gets an official record on his very last attempt, enabling the team to participate in the qualifier.]]

The older of the two twins.

* AlwaysIdenticalTwins: He and his younger twin Joji have few differing features.

The younger twin brother.

* AlwaysIdenticalTwins: There are very few differences between himself and his older twin Jota.

A 4th year law student who passed the bar on his first try.

* {{Irony}}: His teammates don't miss out on the opportunity to {{lampshade}} how much he got interested in running depite of initially being strongly defiant to the idea.

A Tanzanian transfer student in his 2nd year, and studies science and engineering.

* AcademicAthlete: A science student that becomes a part of the track team, so he's both studious and well-built.

* ForeignExchangeStudent: He's a sponsored international student from Tanzania who comes to study in Japan. However, he mostly avoids any typical FunnyForeigner traits and his Japanese is pretty fluent.

A 4th year sociology student. Obsessed with quizzes and trivia in general, to the point that he declared himself the 'king of trivia'.

* GoofyPrintUnderwear: Has a quiz-themed pair of underwear in the opening.

* ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything: Since Haiji handles all the training for the team, Genichirou is the team coach in name only. Lampshaded by the members when he seems to finally be offering important advice (which is to [[spoiler:alternate using your left and right feet]]; he was drunk at the time).

* AdaptationDyeJob: Has long black hair in the original novel (as well as the manga and movie adaptation), but has short brown hair in the anime.

* CuteSportsClubManager: Downplayed. She helps out the team every now and then but isn't formally associated with them (especially since she's only a high school student in the anime).

* FriendlyRival: Was friends with Haiji during high school and on the track team together. Fujioka doesn't intend to go easy on him and acknowledges the latter as a great runner, while also asking from Kakeru to help him out.

An African transfer student from another team.

* PerpetualFrowner: Manas smiling is a rare sight, as he prefers to wear a very focused and intense glare. An exception is when he gives a very satisfied smile on in episode 16 after achieving an excellent result.

!Others
[[folder: Yaokatsu]]
A local man who aids the Kansei team however he can.

* DotingParent: Dotes on Hanako greatly, to the point he cannot bring himself to directly criticize her cooking.
* NiceHat: Easily identifiable by his green cap.

[[folder: Shuji Mochizuki]]
A reporter of the ''Shinjitsu Weekly'' magazine who is intrigued by the Kansei team, but especially Kakeru.

* KubrickStare: Usually has this unnerving facial expression.
* {{Paparazzi}}: Has shades of being an obsessed paparazzi, especially in regards to Kakeru. He's also implied to have lent a hand in [[spoiler:exposing Kakeru's incident with his high school track coach in the news]].
* PermaStubble: Has the unshaven look, not too different from Nico-chan-senpai. Unlike Nico-chan-senpai, it serves to emphasize Mochizuki's creepiness.

[[folder: Sendai Josei High School coach]]
The coach of the Sendai Josei High School where Kakeru and Kousuke used to be part of the same team.

* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: A major hurdle they need to overcome is the vast differences in personalities and athletic experience. Only two of them are experienced runners (one of them is still recovering from an injury and the other is socially awkward), the twins and the transfer student are reasonably fit but lack in finesse, the oldest member of the team isn't much of a long distance runner, while the rest are anything but athletic. And then there's the otaku [[GeekPhysiques Akane]].

* PerpetualFrowner: In contrast to Haiji's PerpetualSmiler, he usually frowns or looks uncomfortable in some way at the start. He starts to smile more as he changes resolve.

* TheSmartGuy: Though not the brains of the team when it comes to running (that naturally falls with Haiji), Shindo's still helpful in this regard and is also handles all the administration work, including their website and negotiating with the small businesses supporting them. His intellect is likely what got him the nickname Shindo ("prodigy"). [[spoiler:Unfortunately the gradual build-up of the work takes a toll on him and he falls ill just as Hakone begins.]]

A 2nd year Literature student. Usually immersed in manga, Akane has a huge stash of volumes in his apartment.

* NoRespectGuy: Parodied. [[http://ladyseara.tumblr.com/post/179596257226/akane-kashiwazaki-is-the-best-character-inAt At one point]] he openly wondered if ''[[TeamPet Nira]]'' has a higher status than him.

* SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan: Akane is the sensitive man ''to all nine other members of the team'', being more fragile mentally and makes it clear he hates trash-talking.
* SeriousBusiness: If anyone makes even the slightest reference to some manga, Akane will be the one to point it out, no matter how inadvertent the said reference is.
* TheStoic: Most of the time, Akane's facial expression is calm and/or indifferent. When cheering for his teammates, he is comically reticent compared to Kakeru and ''especially'' Haiji.
* TookALevelInBadass: While the other non-athletic members initially have at least some average running form, Akane is completely hopeless at the start of the series and can barely run properly without collapsing, making him the last guy you'd want to recruit. Thanks to some encouragement from other members and sheer willpower, he slowly yet surely manages to improve his running speed and becomes more invested in his training. Finally finishing one of the track meets within 30 minutes (in contrast to the initial ''45 minutes'') is made a big deal by the team, despite everyone else's confusion. [[spoiler:To everyone's joy, he finally gets an official record on his very last attempt, enabling the team to participate in the qualifier.]]

* SpannerInTheWorks: A strangely neutral example. Annoyed by the ruckus caused by the twins, he interrupts Akane's attempt to buy a treadmill online. Shortly after, it turns out that there is an unused treadmill back at Shindo's house, which ends up saving Akane a sizeable amount of money.

* AngryBlackMan: {{Averted}}; Musa is Tanzanian but otherwise avoids any aggressive stereotypes black people are associated with. His soft personality, if anything, makes him the second ''least'' intimidating member of the team (only [[ButtMonkey Akane]] surpasses him in this regard).

* WeightWoe: When he becomes more invested in his training, he starts to worry about his fitness. As a result, he starts skipping meals or eating smaller portions in an attempt to lose weight. Haiji notices this and tries to set him straight. After Haiji's collapse, Nico-chan goes back to eating normally but still frequently checks the scales. Fortunately, it's implied that having normal meals alongside training has a better effect on his weight than skipping meals.

* LethalChef: She cannot cook well, at all. When Haiji is unwell, she cooks breakfast for the team but it just sends everyone to the bathroom (except for Kakeru and Akane who like her food just fine, somehow).

* PermaStubble: Has the unshaven look, not too different from Akihiro. Unlike Akihiro, it serves to emphasize Mochizuki's creepiness.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: [[spoiler: Him beating up the [[AssholeVictim detestable]] Sendai Josei High School coach leads to the school withdrawning the team from any further competitions for the time being, effectively rendering the efforts of everyone else in the team for naught.]]

* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler: Kakeru delivered him a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown, much to the shock of all the witnessing students.]]

* PrettyBoy: Despite of already being a third year, he is noticeably less rugged than some of the other guys in the dorm.

* PrettyBoy: Has the most effeminate appearance of all the boys in the team.

* {{Otaku}}: Specifically for manga; he has an absolutely enormous collection of manga volumes, to the point that it takes up most of the space in his room. Since he's a literature student, he also counts as something of a {{Bookworm}} as well.

* InSeriesNickname: Everyone calls him "Nico-chan-senpai", with "nico" being short for "nicotine" due to his smoking habits.

* AgeAppropriateAngst: One of the older members, and a big deal is made of his efforts to find a job.

** In episode 10, when he attempts to make peace with Akane [[spoiler: after trying to kick the latter out of the team]] Kakeru uncouthly tries to ask him to lend him some manga.

* AlmightyJanitor: He is well-versed in all aspects of the track team and on good terms with one of the most famous runners of his generation, and is revealed to have been good enough to be offered to go to Rikudo University while he was in high school. However, he belongs to a completely new and inexperienced track team in the present and is virtually unknown to the younger competitors. Justified, as the leg injury he suffered years prior to the start of the series kept him from competing in the recent races, leaving the more junior competition unaware of Haiji's existence.

* DrivesLikeCrazy: His driving tends to get out of control, and he has a habit of not keeping his eyes on the road. It's to the point that when Shindo and Musa go missing at the summer training camp and Haiji proposes that they split into two groups, everyone volunteers to go on foot since none of them want to get in the van with him.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Haiji, aka the deuteragonist of the story and one of the good guys (his scheming aside), got his leg injured during high school. A big scar remains--it isn't very pretty to look at but isn't a complete distraction from his standard bishounen looks, either. Haiji is not fully recovered yet and apparently shouldn't be running, but he still insists on training and competing for Hakone Ekiden.

* RememberedTooLate: Averted. Thanks to Yukihiko kicking out Akane and the twins after the latter's ruckus annoyed him too much, Akane didn't get to buy a treadmill online before hearing of the unused treadmill in Shindo's house.
* TheSmartGuy: Though not the brains of the team when it comes to running (that naturally falls with Haiji), Shindo's still helpful in this regard and is also handles all the administration work, including their website and negotiating with the small businesses supporting them. His intellect is likely what got him the nickname Shindo ("prodigy"). [[spoiler:Unfortunately he overworks and falls ill just as Hakone begins.]]

* AcademicAthlete: Studious and well-built.
* AngryBlackMan: {{Averted}}; Musa is Tanzanian but otherwise avoids any aggressive stereotypes black people are associated with, and if anything is the second ''least'' intimidating member of the team (only [[ButtMonkey Akane]] surpasses him in this regard).

* NakedFirstImpression: He's just had a bath and greets Kakeru without bothering to put on clothes first.
* RealMenWearPink: Is a reasonably athletic guy but is also frequently seen wearing pink clothes and is very gentle compared to everyone else. He's also quite interested in any potential romance brewing.

* OlderThanTheyLook:Due to being the oldest member and not shaving, a few students mistake him for the coach of the team.
* PermaStubble: Has an unshaven look, which establishes him as the oldest guy in the team.

* WeightWoe: When he becomes more invested in his training, he starts to worry about his fitness. As a result he starts skipping meals or eating smaller portions in an attempt to lose weight. Haiji notices this and tries to set him straight. After Haiji's collapse scare, Nico-chan goes back to eating normally but still frequently checks the scales. Luckily, it's implied that having normal meals alongside training has a better effect on his weight than skipping meals.

A Shiba Inu.

* CuteSportsClubManager: Downplayed. She helps out the team every now and then but isn't formally associated with them (especially since she's a high school student in the anime).

* FriendlyRival: He doesn't intend to go easy on Haiji and acknowledges the latter as a great runner, while also asking from Kakeru to help Haiji out.

* WorthyOpponent: He not only becomes the object of Kakeru's determination, but also makes it clear that he sees Haiji as good rival despite his injury.

* PerpetualFrowner: Manas smiling is a rare sight, but he does have a very satisfied smile on his face in episode 16 after achieving an excellent result.

* ScaryBlackMan: Averted. With the ironic exception of fellow African peer Musa, nobody is actually afraid of him. If anything, a serious no-nonsense disposition and absolute concentration towards results like his is something that makes him more appealing as a character.

* {{Paparazzi}}: Has shades of being an obsessed paparazzi, especially in regards to Kakeru.

* TrainingFromHell: Much to the dismay of every student in Sendai Josei High School team. [[spoiler: While his talent enabled him to overcome it, even Kakeru was repulsed by the way the coach managed the team.]]

* PerpetualFrowner: In contrast to Haiji's PerpetualSmiler, he usually frowns or looks uncomfortable in some way.

* WhenHeSmiles: Initially, any nearby team members are surprised whenever he genuinely smiles and they tease him when he's in denial about it.

* AlmightyJanitor: Even though he is well-versed in all aspects of the track team and on good terms with one of the most famous runners of his generation, he is nonetheless virtually unknown to the younger competitors. Justified, as the leg injury he suffered years prior to the start of the series kept him from competing in the recent races, leaving the more junior competition unaware of Haiji's existence.
* AntiHero: Haiji is one of the protagonists and means well but is also very, very relentless when it comes to the track team.

* GoodScarsEvilScars: {{ZigZagged}}. Haiji's leg got injured during high school and left a big scar. He's not fully recovered yet and apparently shouldn't be running, but he still insists on training and hopes to be better by Hakone Ekiden. Although on the good side, he is also a bit antiheroic.
* HotBlooded: Just watch how garishly he cheers for his teammates.

* InSeriesNickname: Is never referred by his first or last name and is instead called Shindo by the group.

* AgeAppropriateAngst: A big deal is made of his efforts to find a job.

* YouthfulFreckles: Although not the youngest, his freckles further emphasise how newbish he is to running compared to the other members. More-or-less the standard red-hair version.

* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: His track suit is blue and a different colour from his brother.

* PerpetualFrowner: Manas smiling is yet to happen.