REVIEW: ‘Wind Breaker’ Episode 1 — “Sakura Arrives At Furin”

Brash, kinetic, and a little absurd, Wind Breaker Episode 1 refuses to hold back. While Tokyo Revengers will be the easy (lazy) comparison, the latest series from CloverWorks shares more DNA in the vein of something like SK8 The Infinity. With its heightened but accepted reality and high-octane stakes that lean heavily into melodrama, the series premiere is an addictive viewing experience. Sure, not much makes sense yet in terms of the rules of this world. But it doesn’t matter much when it looks as good as it does with characters so immediately electrifying.

Based on the manga written and illustrated by Satoru Nii, Wind Breaker Episode 1 embraces its loud, abrasive personality. We meet Haruka Sakura (Yuma Uchida), who is accustomed to being alone. With every interaction, he expects a level of hostility. His recent move to attend Furin High School is due to ridicule over his appearance. Furin High School is a school of degenerates known for their strength in public brawls. Haruka wants nothing to do with those he deems weak, seeking out the strong to fight.

However, he doesn’t account for the students at Furin High School being heroes to their town. Two years prior, the students declared the town their territory, threatening anyone who stepped foot into it who meant to harm the residents or their property. It’s a hilarious pivot for the series that introduces a much different challenge to Haruka. His expectations derail before his first day of school. Instead of being met with judgment from people in the town, he instead, to his amazed embarrassment, meets kindness. People who want to help him don’t automatically suspect him of wrongdoing.

And why would they, considering their heroes all look and behave like him? Aside from Haruka, we don’t meet much of the main cast. Kotoha Tachibana (Ikumi Hasegawa) is the only other character we meet, though she also acts as something of an audience insert. She helps introduce and expand the world-building. It leans a little into exposition-heavy writing. We especially see this when Kotoha observes that Haruka isn’t alone by design. She says that he still has hope in others even though people let him down in the past. It’s a nugget of information that would’ve been better suited to be developed over time. Regardless, it allows for some of the episode’s funnier and more subtlety-moving moments.

Because despite his strength and bluster, Haruka has a sweet center. At one point, he’s compared to a cat due to his appearance and having two different eye colors. What makes this comedic moment land is that until now, his personality has also been catlike. A cat who might hiss and bite and puff out its chest but is lovable, too. He wants to appear strong and separate himself from the weak but is quick to help those in need, even if he questions his motives. We first see this when he ensures an older man doesn’t forget his granddaughter’s gift. We see it later when, mid-fight, he pushes himself directly into harm’s way to protect Kotoha.

He’s an instantly lovable, rough around the edges character. And while we see his humanity in the slower moments, Wind Breaker Episode 1 truly finds its footing in a standout, bruising centerpiece fight scene. An opposing group of delinquents moves to attack Haruka. Haruka, though, isn’t easy to take down. The combat is swift and impactful, and the direction by Toshifumi Akai beautifully weaves between the actions to keep the movement cohesive. Every kick to the chest and bone-breaking fist to the face lands with ultimate impact as we feel the wind leaving the opponent’s chest and hear bones crunch.

It’s better, too, due to its restraint. Due to the series’ nature, it would be easy to rely on excess. There’s innate brutality in a show about fighting. Instead, the series finds the most significant moments through subtle transitions. From a knife wound on Haruka’s ankle to the way he impulsively backs up to shield Kotoha’s body from the bat rising against them, the direction and animation find room to breathe despite the breakneck pace.

The animation is gorgeous beyond this moment, as the series brings life to this town. The cityscape contains excellent details that characterize it. It’s a well-lived town with inhabitants who celebrate their young protectors. Despite the swift pacing, the episode ends on a note that opens up greater possibilities for the world. Haruka gets a warning from Kotoha as she tells him he’ll never rise to the top alone. We know why now, as Furin High School comes to Haruka’s aid during the fight. No battle here is a solo offense. Instead, the series instantly adapts a sports anime approach, noting that Wind Breaker is all about team effort.

Wind Breaker Episode 1 is a whirlwind of bloodshed, world-building, and character beats. The series all but dares us to embrace the absurdism of its premise. To do otherwise would be to miss the thrill of the premiere, which has abundant fun in a lawless world inhabited by reformed would-be heroes.

Wind Breaker Episode 1 is out now on Crunchyroll.