The anime "Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru," which began airing in the fall of 2018, is set around the Hakone Ekiden marathon. It is based on the novel of the same name by Shion Miura. It has previously been adapted into a manga illustrated by Sorata Unno, with a total of six volumes published. It has also become so popular that it has been adapted into a movie, a stage play, and a radio drama. In this article, we will introduce a character from "Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru," based mainly on the manga, Hirata Akihiro (Nicochan), the 7th section runner.
The Resident of Room 104 at Taketsuyo-so is Addicted to Nicotine
Source: Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru © Shion Miura, Shinchosha / Kansei University Track and Field Club Supporters Association
Taketsuyo-so (commonly known as Aotake) is a rundown apartment building. Living in Room 104 is Akihiro Hirata (Nikochan), a third-year student in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He is one year younger than Kiyose Haiji (Heidi) and his friends, but repeated his second year. As a result, he is three years older than them. He is a heavy smoker and addicted to nicotine, which is why he was nicknamed "Nico-chan." He used to smoke so much that smoke would overflow from his room door into the hallway, but he apparently quit smoking after starting training for the Hakone Ekiden. Despite this, Nico-chan was a track and field athlete until high school.
Why Nicochan Runs
Source: The Wind is Strong © Shion Miura, Shinchosha / Kansei University Track and Field Club Supporters Association
Although a member of the track and field club, Nicochan once gave up running and apparently opposed aiming for the Hakone Ekiden. However, he reluctantly decides to participate because he owes Heidi a lot of favors, such as waking her up the morning of an exam she cannot afford to fail and helping her replace tar-stained wallpaper.
Nikochan gets the words he wanted most
Source: Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru © Shion Miura, Shinchosha/Kansei University Track and Field Club Supporters Association
Akihiro Hirata (Nikochan) used to be a track and field athlete. During his high school years, he was told that his muscular build made him unsuited for long-distance running. Nico-chan seemed to be worried about not being able to break 17 minutes for the 5000m. However, Nico-chan loves running and continues to work hard, determined to be selected as a long-distance runner. Today, she thought maybe she could break 17 minutes, but she felt frustrated, thinking maybe she wasn't cut out for it after all. In the end, she couldn't break 17 minutes. After that, Nico-chan seemed to have given up on this Hakone Ekiden. However, one day during practice, she suddenly realized she was running slower than Akane Kashiwazaki (Oji), the slowest runner at Takeseiso (Aotake). Kiyose Haiji (Heidi) was wondering what to do about Nico-chan, who had a tendency to give up even though she should be able to endure, when Kurahara Hashiru (Kakeru) said, "I think you could run if you pushed and pulled her," and it seemed to hit home. Heidi ordered Kakeru to push Nico-chan's back while running. Nico-chan was surprised by the sudden strain on her back. Pushing Nico-chan along, Kakeru called out, "Come on, senpai, do your best." Nico-chan, who needed the words "do your best" the most, crossed the finish line with a refreshed look on her face and resolved to first try quitting smoking. Nico-chan had given up on running as a lingering memory from her high school days, but it seems that the words "do your best" marked a turning point.
The voice actor for Nicochan in the anime version is Takanori Hoshino.
Source: Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru © Shion Miura, Shinchosha/Kansei University Track and Field Club Supporters Association
Takanori Hoshino voiced Akihiro Hirata (Nikochan) in the anime "Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru." He previously played the roles of Jumonji Ikki in the anime series "Eyeshield 21" and Hibiki Taitetsu in "Kanonagi."
Akihiro Hirata (Nicochan), Summary!
Source: "Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru" © Shion Miura, Shinchosha / Kansei University Track and Field Club Supporters Association
This article, based primarily on the anime and manga, introduces Akihiro Hirata (Nikochan), a character from "Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru," the 7th section runner. Nikochan's dreams were shattered in high school, he repeated two years at university, and he had given up on many things. It's incredibly touching to see Nico-chan take on the challenge of achieving her dream once again after being told to "do her best." Please pay attention to Nico-chan. Thank you for reading until the end.
