REVIEW: ‘Wind Breaker’ Episode 5 — “A Gentlemen”

Wind Breaker Episode 5 delivers the action we’ve been waiting for with dexterous animation and thrilling consequences. Suo (Nobunaga Shimazaki) gets his spotlight moment as Fuurin and Shishitoren commence their 1v1 showdowns. Packed to the brim with hilariously specific character moments (spot whatever Choji is up to in the background in any given moment) and aided by artistic solid direction, “A Gentleman” ups the stakes.

From the OP, Suo stands out, and we get a brief look at his fighting style. Wind Breaker Episode 5 goes all in on depicting it, and the results are superb. First, though, we watch as Fuurin acclimates to Shishitoren’s fighting style. In a fun design choice, their “lair” is an abandoned movie theater, meaning that their fights will be on a literal stage. It proves to be a strong backdrop, the lights hitting the characters and stages amplifying the intensity of their battles.

Shishitoren’s territory stands out against Fuurins. The premiere of the series instantly establishes the warmth of Sakura’s (Yuma Uchida) new home through the personalized, eclectic shops and vibrant streets. The storefronts have touches that make them feel like they are lived in, from decorations to owners constantly giving Sakura and other members food. In contrast, Shishioren’s space is barren and rundown without Fuurin’s requisite comfort. A pub destination, their storefronts are shuttered during the day, only coming alive at night.

Fuurin operates in the sun, happily wandering their streets to protect their own. Meanwhile, Shishitoren is every person for themselves, ready and willing to discard anyone who doesn’t benefit them. We already saw this in Episode 3, but the writing doubles down on it after Sugishita’s (Koki Uchiyama) fight. He levels his opponent with one punch, enraged when his match is disrespectful towards Umemiya (Yuichi Nakamura). Rather than try to aid their fallen member, Choji dismisses him. He and Togame (Yūichirō Umehara) display cruelty towards anyone who fails to live up to their standards.

Chōji Tomiyama (Kikunosuke Toya), in particular, shines as a little menace, lording his power over everyone. Togame reigns him in, but only when Choji tries to fight anyone he deems cool. The animators clearly have a blast with his character as his sinister exuberance comes through. His impish behavior is a darkly hilarious note as he runs after anyone he finds interesting, grins so wide it splits his face in two and falls asleep while watching a fight riddled with parries rather than blows. Even when he isn’t the focus, he’s in the background kicking and swinging his feet and sitting curled in his chair.

That level of detail in background work makes the central fight an obvious standout. There’s no looking at Suo’s design and assuming anything less than that. We always knew he was going to be strong. But it’s how that strength manifests that makes it so thrilling. Because while Sakura and Sugishita have brute force, Suo utilizes defense. The scene completely engages us between the balletic grace of the character, the kinetic direction that flows with his movements, and the taunting he levels at his opponent.

It’s the latter aspect that gives us the name of the episode. Suo is enigmatic to his group members. They know little about him, though Sakura can tell from looking at him that he’s strong. Umemiya believes he’s a kind gentleman based on their brief interactions. And there might be some truth to his kindness. However, as Sakura points out and Suo confirms through his actions, he’s anything but a gentleman. In his own way, he’s just as ruthless as Sakura or Sugishita; his words deliver the most brutal blows.

There’s a delicacy in the fine-tuning elements of the combat. While it definitely looks better up close, even the shots from a distance convey Suo’s natural skill. That Wind Breaker Episode 5 is just the start of the fight sequences is exciting. Sugishita brought humor in his hulking, sulking build, while Suo delivered an impactful fight that allowed the creative team to show off. The biggest fights are still coming, and it’s wonderful to see CloverWorks thriving with such a spirited, engaging series that goes toe-to-toe with some of the better action series.

Throughout the combat, it maintains its Haikyu!! energy due to the strong ensemble and buzzy energy. This is critical for the series. This and the traits that make the characters stand out rather than blend together. From Sakura’s inability to handle basic kindnesses or compliments to Sugishita’s idolization of Umemiya and Suo’s personality clash with his calm demeanor but acidic tone, these characters are dynamic and personality-driven.

Wind Breaker Episode 5 is just one part of the larger story between the two groups, but it excels because of its tremendous character and world-building. With dynamic and cohesive action sequences, the series promises even more significant moments as this showdown continues.

Wind Breaker Episode 5 is out now on Crunchyroll.