When On Running, the fastest-growing sneaker company in the world, set its sights on creating content for the Japanese market, they knew they needed to make Ekiden central to the story.
A widely-adored relay event that was invented in Japan, Ekiden demands full commitment and camaraderie from its competitors. And the kinship among the Meijigakuin Ekiden Team is what makes them one of the elite teams in the country.
Each day, they strive to be better, not for ego or glory, but because their individual betterment means the betterment of the team around them; each part improving the whole.
We captured the group over an afternoon and evening in Tokyo, showing how they complement one another and together, Run As One.
Director: Dan Buyanovsky
DP: Mikul Eriksson
AC: Sam King
Animation: Kairi Sato
Edit/Music/Color: Andy Nagashima
Stills: Shiori Ikeno + Steve Gaudin
Production: Beige Company + Water Creative