The first episode of Crunchyroll’s newest delinquent anime, Wind Breaker, aired on April 5. Fans were initially unsure how many episodes the anime’s first season would receive, but on June 27, its finale finally premiered, leaving fans waiting expectantly for the show’s second season. While delinquent anime are declining aside from fan favorites like Tokyo Revengers, Wind Breaker earned a shocking 4.9-star rating on Crunchyroll with over 46K user reviews.

Satoru Nii’s 16-volume Shōnen manga series, Wind Breaker, was first serialized on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket manga website in January 2021. While the series is lesser known than Shōnen giants such as One Piece or Jujutsu Kaisen, it has proven to be one of the most enticing series on Crunchyroll in the first half of 2024.

Delinquent anime commonly follow a school-aged protagonist who struggles with following the crowd. They often reject social standards and the authority of their superiors. Furthermore, the main character joins a larger cast with similar rule-bending tendencies. The audience then tags along with these groups’ misadventures, which are frequently sparked by their attitudes and foolhardy actions. Wind Breaker is a solid addition to the delinquent genre, following iconic anime such as Tokyo Revengers. However, while the story has some outstanding redeeming qualities, it peaks early in the season, leaving the protagonist to carry the show to its end.

Catching Up: A Brief Summary of Season 1’s Storyline

What Happened in Wind Breaker’s Debut Season

From CloverWorkers Studios, Wind Breaker follows the story of Haruka Sakura, a hot-headed first year, interested only in being the strongest of the strong. Sakura dreams of enrolling in Furin High School, an institute of degenerates known primarily for their strength. Once there, he plans to reach the top of the food chain. However, the pessimistic protagonist’s expectations are quickly shattered when he learns that Bofurin, a gang of Furin students, serves as the town’s protectors.

While wandering near the border of a rival gang’s territory, Sakura and his gang rescue a middle schooler from the Shishitoren. He picks a fight, inciting a challenge from the enemy gang’s second-in-command, Jo Togame. Soon, the Shishitoren’s leader declares a full-on battle between the two groups.

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

Gathering in an abandoned auditorium used for Shishitoren duels, the gangs battle it out in a one-on-one showdown. After several grueling matches, the Bofurin reigns victorious, leaving Tomiyama in surrender. He then offers up his team to the Bofurin’s leader, Umemiya. He declines and, instead, proposes a truce between the two enemy gangs:

“Instead of taking over your team, we’ll be friends!” – Hajime Umemiya

In the final few episodes of Season 1, new classmates are introduced, Sakura gets promoted to the first-year grade captain, the Four Heavenly Kings make an appearance, and a new rival gang emerges, spelling trouble for the Bofurin team.

Haruka Sakura Steals the Show in This Otherwise Predictable Anime

Wind Breaker’s Protagonist Carries the Show

Haruka Sakura’s eye-catching design, both inside and out, immediately captivates viewers’ attention. However, his strikingly memorable appearance isn’t just for looks. The main character’s half-black, half-white hair, and heterochromia are a key part of his story, as they attract judging comments from those around him.

In the series’ first scene, Sakura precariously balances on a tightrope. He stumbles, allowing snide remarks echoing in the distance to affect him. Nevertheless, the bull-headed high schooler manages to remain true to himself. Not only does he fully expect criticism when helping others, he is more comfortable with it than compliments and praise.

Another subtle aspect of Sakura’s character design is his tendency to blush whenever he receives thanks. After successfully protecting a friendly barista, Kotoha Tachibana, she thanks him. Taken aback, Sakura blushes a bright pink, but claims he has no interest in saving others, only beating weaklings. However, Sakura’s blushing isn’t limited to pretty girls’ compliments.

Throughout the series, the protagonist is uncomfortable with any sort of positive reinforcement, making his cherry blossom-inspired name the perfect fit. Haruka Sakura’s character design is visually enticing, and his humorously blunt personality and quirks make him stand out from his co-stars.

Overused Stock Characters in Wind Breaker

Sakura is the Perfect Protagonist, but the Side Characters Aren’t Quite as Unique

Furthermore, the characters surrounding Sakura are resemblant to anime stock characters. Akihiko Nirei, Sakura’s closest friend, has mirroring qualities of Zenitsu from Demon Slayer, both in appearance and demeanor: easily startled, panicky, and often fainthearted. Nevertheless, his first appearance in Episode 1 was an unexpected surprise, introducing him as a cool, casual, stylish classmate. Together, the short-tempered Sakura and notebook-scribbling Neiri make an entertainingly contrasting duo comparable to My Hero Academia’s Deku and Bakugo or Haikyuu’s Hinata and Kageyama.

Similarly, Hajime Umemiya, while likable in personality, is almost a carbon copy of Rengoku from Demon Slayer. He is first mentioned in Wind Breaker as the untouchable, intimidating leader of the Bofurin. However, in the following episode, it is quickly revealed that he is a warm, charismatic, foodie like the Flame Hashira, whose skills are also shown off in select battles for shock value.

In addition, the “nice guy exterior” but “intimidating fight skills” trope is used many times in Wind Breaker in characters such as Umemiya, Mitsuki Kiryu, Choji Tomiyama, and Jo Togame, making their personalities increasingly predictable after the first few introductions.

Wind Breaker Peaks Within Its First Few Episodes, But Fans Should Still Tune into Season 2

The Final Episodes of Season 1 Keep Fans Hooked and Ready for Season 2

Wind Breaker is undeniably entertaining throughout the entire first season. However, the anime peaks within its first few episodes. As Haruka Sakura is introduced and maintains his rigid exterior, it appears that his walls could take some time to knock down. However, while he is still as hot-tempered as ever in the following episodes, his character arc seems relatively cut short and neglected in the rest of the season.

Instead of battling internally with his preconceived notions of the world, he is bombarded with seemingly random “enlightenment” moments throughout the show. However, in the second to last episode, Tachibana comments on Sakura’s inability to foster deep relationships, leaving the door open for a Season 2 character arc.

Furthermore, the miniature duel arc between the Bofurin and the Shishitoren feels like one big exposition dump, with little payoff in the end, as a white flag is raised. However, while the series’ best episodes occur within the season’s first half, fantastic scenes are still sprinkled throughout the anime.

For example, in Episode 7, “Fight to Win,” Sakura faces Togame, the Shishitoren’s second-in-command. From Sakura’s far-from-desirable win to Togame’s display of justice after finding out about his gang member’s attack on a middle schooler, Episode 7 marks another point of proof of how entertaining Wind Breaker can actually be.

Wind Breaker’s final episodes leave plenty of new content to be explored in the show’s confirmed second season. The Four Heavenly Kings, the revered leaders of the Bofurin, are finally introduced, but only for a brief time. In addition, the Bofurin become wrapped up in a personal battle with the terrifying new gang, the KEEL, who have wronged one of their fellow members. As Season 1 comes to a close, the Bofurin head to the KEEL’s headquarters at the abandoned Senkan Shipyard.

Wind Breaker, Season 1, is a fun, short watch for any delinquent fan. While its side characters seem to be cut from the same mold as other popular protagonists, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t enjoyable to watch. The 1st Season locks in viewers within the preliminary episodes, slows down a bit in the middle, and then hooks audiences for Season 2 at the last minute.

Wind Breaker Season 1 is a delinquent anime carried primarily by its protagonist, but fans have made their feelings about the series clear through glowing reviews on Crunchyroll, leading to the confirmation of a second season, which will likely air in 2025.