Wind Breaker

“The Ultimate 2024 Delinquent Anime That Packs a Punch”

Do you have a very peculiar skill that isn’t very well received or recognized in conventional society? This may be your greatest strength, but the lack of acceptance can be quite harsh and may even stunt your ability’s growth. But what if you found a team that values those skills most? You would definitely feel like you’ve found your perfect fit within the complex puzzle of society, but this doesn’t necessarily mean smooth sailing henceforth. Challenges and hardships come to everyone everywhere, so buckle up and get ready to tackle them head-on!

Wind Breaker, also known as “Winbre” or "WBK," is a 13-episode TV anime series that aired from the 5th of April till the 28th of June in Spring 2024. It was produced by Aniplex, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Kodansha, and Tohan Corporation, licensed by Aniplex of America, and brought to life by Studio CloverWorks. The main staff behind it include producers Maeda Toshihiro, Fukushima Yuuichi, Uryuu Kyouko, and Yamazaki Hiroaki. Featuring the genre of action alongside the themes of delinquents and school, this series of 23-minute episodes earned a rating of PG-13 for teenagers 13 years of age or older. The show was also aired on MBS and TBS' Super Animeism Turbo block.

Wind Breaker is based on the web manga of the same name, which began publication on the 13th of January 2021 and is still ongoing. It is the work of author and artist Nii Satoru, whose work got serialized in Magazine pocket. It has been published digitally in English by Kodansha USA since the 26th of April 2022 and in printed format since the 1st of August 2023. Additionally, it has been simulpub through K Manga. A sequel TV anime series titled “Wind Breaker Season” has already been announced, set to air sometime in 2025. A music video titled “Zettai Reido (2024) by Natori, “Absolute Zero” in English, aired on the 18th of April 2024. This original song lasted three minutes and was used as the opening theme for the Wind Breaker anime.

The story centers around protagonist Haruka Sakura, who was made out to be an outcast thanks to his unconventional appearance from an early age, leading up to his inherent lack of social skills as well. But unlike most cases, this rough treatment from society molded him into a very proficient fighter, and this became the one thing he fully prided himself on. Embarking on a new chapter of his life at Furin High School, he hears rumors that strength is valued over academics there, prompting him to set up a tough goal for himself: taking the top spot for himself!

As fate would have it, he gets entangled in a street brawl the day right before his enrollment and happens to meet the group of people who would change his life forever. They are both his future schoolmates and allies in battle, who instead of rejecting him like most do, choose to fight alongside him. During the mayhem, they demonstrate what Haruka’s new school truly cares about: protecting the town of Makochi from any harm that may befall it, which is why these students call themselves "Bofurin." Regardless, his past experiences make it difficult for Haruka to accept the goodwill and support and appreciation of the townspeople in due course, leaving him fully surprised as well.

As unfamiliar as he is with the kindness given to him, our MC must now learn to overcome his discomfort as Bofurin gets pitted against formidable enemies at every turn. Finally experiencing the cozy feelings of acceptance and warmth, Haruka soon finds himself fighting for the sake of others for the very first time!

Many people are reminded of Tokyo Revengers when they see any Wind Breaker material. While they certainly follow similar genres and themes, all while featuring gritty action sequences and some good ol’ teenage dilemmas, the two are vastly different. I would even dare to say this show is better than Tokyo Revengers in the anime department, undoubtedly one of the best of its kind that would grip you from the very start and even make you want to read the manga by the end. This is one of the finest delinquent series I’ve had the pleasure of watching, backed by incredible production values, edge-of-your-seat fights, and characters you will fall in love with. Whether you are someone who loves martial arts and cool fights or someone who wants to watch attractive dudes throw hands, this show will deliver!

From the very first episode itself, this series shows you exactly what it has to offer by featuring one of the best fight scenes in recent anime history. By the halfway point, you’ll be treated to your first battle arc, and the action stays consistent until the finale; throwing hands is the norm here, and every single frame of it looks incredible! The story itself is nothing to write home about, but it serves its purpose as a steady platform upon which these lovable characters establish themselves and grow together. It gives a reasonable enough narrative for the fights and possesses a lot of potential going forward.

Most of their resources go toward developing the MC and his relationships with other characters, which can pay off in the long run. This is also what develops a strong emotional bond between you and the characters; you’ll find yourself rooting for Haruka and his success in no time. It should be stated that the show is heavily dramaticized, though, because there is a core of teenage turmoil here. If you can get past that or enjoy it, I’m pretty sure you’ll find the very concept of Bofurin to be engaging: a delinquent school gang that acts as a police force dedicated to helping their community. No, they don't want to rule Japan's underworld or be the baddest gang.

This wholesome premise pushes it a step further in making us care for the characters. That said, it has its fair share of unrealistic elements; for example, where on earth are the adults? Despite the massive brawls, we don’t see any actual police officers, teachers, or any other adults for the entire season, even though they are in a school.

On the other hand, the plot is grounded enough for Haruka to learn to open up and be vulnerable around other people. He has the traditional masculine guy personality from the get-go, believing himself to be capable of fighting his way out of every single situation.

This is how he initially plans to rise to the top of Bofurin, but what awaits him is a journey where he learns that there’s much more to “strength” than just the physical aspect. Our little macho social outcast needs to forge bonds that will imbue him with the motivation and drive necessary to push forward in a harsh reality, to become the best version of himself for everyone’s sake.

The fights are far more than just throwing hands; they help Haruka realize such important things while opening up to the world, and therein lies the beauty of this show. All the major characters look and feel amazing, especially Haruka, who is constantly flustered and bashful owing to his limited social exposure. These emotions are vividly on display, and I found this side of him to be adorable. The remainder of the cast are just as charming and unique; you will be fully attached to them halfway through the show. Their designs reflect their personalities and quirks perfectly, each one being appealing and memorable in their own refreshing way.

As always, Cloverworks did a groundbreaking job in the Art and Animation department. The biggest highlight here are the fights, which feature extremely fluid action scenes, and every single impact is felt right through the screen. It’s amazing how much life they pumped into even minor scenes like Haruka chasing a cat through an alley! Like I stated earlier, the character designs are distinctive and fitting, saying a lot about each character and making you fall for them in new ways every time.

While their outfits are largely similar, their style, facial expressions, and mannerisms speak for themselves. You would find yourself melting at some of the character closeups, because that’s what happened to me. The backgrounds are stages for awesome fights; they do this job perfectly and nothing more. Honestly, watching the first fight is enough to draw you into the show, and that really tells bucketloads about the sheer animation quality!

The opening theme is "Zettai Reido" by natori, which is just amazing in my eyes. It is fitting, memorable, and really gets you hyped for each episode; it even made it onto my playlist. The ending theme is "Muteki" by Young Kee, which is fitting but nothing much else. Similarly, the OSTs exist to heighten the action and bring out character quirks, which deserves credit for being done well. The voice actors truly shine in the audio department; the casting choices are perfect, and every single major character’s portrayal elevates them to a new level. Each character was voiced with passion, precision, and loyalty to the source material; there’s literally no fault I could point out here.

Overall, Wind Breaker is an extremely fun and treat-for-the-eyes kind of show that centers around a lovable cast of delinquents. Be it cute guys doing macho stuff, so meatheads brawling day in and day out, this show has it all. What you are guaranteed are mesmerizing action scenes with next-level animation and choreography.

The story itself may not be very profound, but this is the right way to portray the “power of friendship," progressively showing you that strength alone won’t get you through fights and life in general. Haruka may have his flaws, but he is a character who learns with every fist thrown, and taking the journey alongside him makes him that much more endearing. I only have minor complaints about the supporting characters and dialogue, but the pros outweigh the cons. Highly recommended unless you're looking for a deep and thought-provoking narrative!