A Delinquent Anime Carried by Its Protagonist

The primary episode of Crunchyroll’s latest delinquent anime, Wind Breaker, aired on April 5. Followers have been initially not sure what number of episodes the anime’s first season would obtain, however on June 27, its finale lastly premiered, leaving followers ready expectantly for the present’s second season. Whereas delinquent anime are declining apart from fan favorites like Tokyo Revengers, Wind Breaker earned a stunning 4.9-star ranking on Crunchyroll with over 46K consumer evaluations.




Satoru Nii’s 16-volume Shōnen manga collection, Wind Breaker, was first serialized on Kodansha’s Journal Pocket manga web site in January 2021. Whereas the collection is lesser identified than Shōnen giants such as One Piece or Jujutsu Kaisen, it has confirmed to be probably the most attractive collection on Crunchyroll within the first half of 2024.

Delinquent anime generally comply with a school-aged protagonist who struggles with following the group. They typically reject social requirements and the authority of their superiors. Moreover, the primary character joins a bigger forged with related rule-bending tendencies. The viewers then tags together with these teams’ misadventures, that are continuously sparked by their attitudes and foolhardy actions. Wind Breaker is a strong addition to the delinquent style, following iconic anime such as Tokyo Revengers. Nevertheless, whereas the story has some excellent redeeming qualities, it peaks early within the season, leaving the protagonist to hold the present to its finish.


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The favored Crunchyroll anime Wind Breaker has been confirmed to obtain a sequel season and it’s coming a lot ahead of followers anticipate.


Catching Up: A Transient Abstract of Season 1’s Storyline

What Occurred in Wind Breaker’s Debut Season

Wind Breaker Opening screenshot depicting Haruka and his Friends eating together at a diner.

From CloverWorkers Studios, Wind Breaker follows the story of Haruka Sakura, a hot-headed first yr, solely in being the strongest of the robust. Sakura desires of enrolling in Furin Excessive Faculty, an institute of degenerates identified primarily for his or her power. As soon as there, he plans to achieve the highest of the meals chain. Nevertheless, the pessimistic protagonist’s expectations are shortly shattered when he learns that Bofurin, a gang of Furin college students, serves because the city’s protectors.


Whereas wandering close to the border of a rival gang’s territory, Sakura and his gang rescue a center schooler from the Shishitoren. He picks a struggle, inciting a problem from the enemy gang’s second-in-command, Jo Togame. Quickly, the Shishitoren’s chief declares a full-on battle between the 2 teams.

“That’s why I’m going to take all of Furin…and also you for myself!”

Choji Tomiyama

Gathering in an deserted auditorium used for Shishitoren duels, the gangs battle it out in a one-on-one showdown. After a number of grueling matches, the Bofurin reigns victorious, leaving Tomiyama in give up. He then provides up his staff to the Bofurin’s chief, Umemiya. He declines and, as an alternative, proposes a truce between the 2 enemy gangs:

“As an alternative of taking on your staff, we’ll be pals!” – Hajime Umemiya


Within the ultimate few episodes of Season 1, new classmates are launched, Sakura will get promoted to the first-year grade captain, the 4 Heavenly Kings make an look, and a brand new rival gang emerges, spelling bother for the Bofurin staff.

Haruka Sakura Steals the Present in This In any other case Predictable Anime

Wind Breaker’s Protagonist Carries the Present

Haruka Sakura’s eye-catching design, each inside and outside, instantly captivates viewers’ consideration. Nevertheless, his strikingly memorable look isn’t only for appears to be like. The primary character’s half-black, half-white hair, and heterochromia are a key a part of his story, as they appeal to judging feedback from these round him.


Within the collection’ first scene, Sakura precariously balances on a tightrope. He stumbles, permitting snide remarks echoing within the distance to have an effect on him. However, the bull-headed excessive schooler manages to stay true to himself. Not solely does he absolutely anticipate criticism when serving to others, he’s extra snug with it than compliments and reward.

Sakura from Wind Breaker

One other refined facet of Sakura’s character design is his tendency to blush every time he receives thanks. After efficiently defending a pleasant barista, Kotoha Tachibana, she thanks him. Greatly surprised, Sakura blushes a vibrant pink, however claims he has no real interest in saving others, solely beating weaklings. Nevertheless, Sakura’s blushing isn’t restricted to fairly women’ compliments.


All through the collection, the protagonist is uncomfortable with any form of optimistic reinforcement, making his cherry blossom-inspired title the right match. Haruka Sakura’s character design is visually attractive, and his humorously blunt persona and quirks make him stand out from his co-stars.

Overused Inventory Characters in Wind Breaker

Sakura is the Good Protagonist, however the Facet Characters Aren’t Fairly as Distinctive

Cast of Wind Breaker inside a classroom all sitting very close together in their uniforms.

Moreover, the characters surrounding Sakura are resemblant to anime inventory characters. Akihiko Nirei, Sakura’s closest good friend, has mirroring qualities of Zenitsu from Demon Slayer, each in look and demeanor: simply startled, panicky, and sometimes fainthearted. However, his first look in Episode 1 was an surprising shock, introducing him as a cool, informal, fashionable classmate. Collectively, the short-tempered Sakura and notebook-scribbling Neiri make an entertainingly contrasting duo corresponding to My Hero Academia’s Deku and Bakugo or Haikyuu’s Hinata and Kageyama.


Haruka Sakura and Nirei from Wind Breaker

Equally, Hajime Umemiya, whereas likable in persona, is nearly a carbon copy of Rengoku from Demon Slayer. He’s first talked about in Wind Breaker because the untouchable, intimidating chief of the Bofurin. Nevertheless, within the following episode, it’s shortly revealed that he’s a heat, charismatic, foodie just like the Flame Hashira, whose abilities are additionally proven off in choose battles for shock worth.

As well as, the “good man exterior” however “intimidating struggle abilities” trope is used many instances in Wind Breaker in characters akin to Umemiya, Mitsuki Kiryu, Choji Tomiyama, and Jo Togame, making their personalities more and more predictable after the primary few introductions.


Wind Breaker Peaks Inside Its First Few Episodes, However Followers Ought to Nonetheless Tune into Season 2

The Remaining Episodes of Season 1 Preserve Followers Hooked and Prepared for Season 2

Wind Breaker Opening animation screenshot depicting Haruka's Past, showing four figures looking in his direction as he walks away.

Wind Breaker is undeniably entertaining all through the complete first season. Nevertheless, the anime peaks inside its first few episodes. As Haruka Sakura is launched and maintains his inflexible exterior, it seems that his partitions might take a while to knock down. Nevertheless, whereas he’s nonetheless as hot-tempered as ever within the following episodes, his character arc appears comparatively minimize brief and uncared for in the remainder of the season.

As an alternative of battling internally together with his preconceived notions of the world, he’s bombarded with seemingly random “enlightenment” moments all through the present. Nevertheless, within the second to final episode, Tachibana feedback on Sakura’s lack of ability to foster deep relationships, leaving the door open for a Season 2 character arc.


Moreover, the miniature duel arc between the Bofurin and the Shishitoren seems like one huge exposition dump, with little payoff ultimately, as a white flag is raised. Nevertheless, whereas the collection’ finest episodes happen throughout the season’s first half, implausible scenes are nonetheless sprinkled all through the anime.

For instance, in Episode 7, “Struggle to Win,” Sakura faces Togame, the Shishitoren’s second-in-command. From Sakura’s far-from-desirable win to Togame’s show of justice after discovering out about his gang member’s assault on a center schooler, Episode 7 marks one other level of proof of how entertaining Wind Breaker can really be.

Haruk and Jo charge towards each other on a theater stage during their fight.


Wind Breaker’s ultimate episodes depart loads of new content material to be explored within the present’s confirmed second season. The 4 Heavenly Kings, the revered leaders of the Bofurin, are lastly launched, however just for a short time. As well as, the Bofurin change into wrapped up in a private battle with the terrifying new gang, the KEEL, who’ve wronged certainly one of their fellow members. As Season 1 involves an in depth, the Bofurin head to the KEEL’s headquarters on the deserted Senkan Shipyard.

Wind Breaker, Season 1, is a enjoyable, brief look ahead to any delinquent fan. Whereas its aspect characters appear to be minimize from the identical mildew as different fashionable protagonists, it doesn’t imply that they aren’t pleasing to observe. The first Season locks in viewers throughout the preliminary episodes, slows down a bit within the center, after which hooks audiences for Season 2 on the final minute.


Haruka flips backwards while kicking Togame in the head hard enough to wrench his head back.

Wind Breaker Season 1 is a delinquent anime carried primarily by its protagonist, however followers have made their emotions in regards to the collection clear via glowing evaluations on Crunchyroll, resulting in the affirmation of a second season, which can possible air in 2025.

Wind Breaker Anime Poster

Wind Breaker

A highschool scholar with distinctive biking abilities steps up because the chief of his faculty’s biking staff. Going through robust opponents and private challenges, he works to encourage his teammates and drive them in the direction of victory. The story follows his path of dedication and management, showcasing the highs and lows of aggressive biking and the bonds shaped via shared ardour and arduous work.

Solid
Kristian Eros , Austin Tindle , Yuma Uchida , Bryson Baugus , Jordan Sprint Cruz , Aaron Campbell , Drew Breedlove , Gen Satô

Launch Date
April 4, 2024

Seasons
1

Creator(s)
Satoru Nii