Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘Wind Breaker’ Episode 8 — “Succeeding The Past”

REVIEW: ‘Wind Breaker’ Episode 8 — “Succeeding The Past”

Allyson JohnsonBy Allyson Johnson05/24/20244 Mins Read
Wind Breaker Episode 8
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

The impassioned fight between Sakura (Yuma Uchida) andTogame (Yūichirō Umehara) continues in Wind Breaker Episode 8. While “Succeeding the Past” stumbles in pacing, the battle proves that CloverWorks isn’t holding back regarding action animation. As the formidable duo trade blows, we feel their impact on cohesive choreography. It’s a stunner filled with character motivations and bone-crunching details, making it a whirlwind experience. It’s a shame, then, that the overarching narrative is muted.

Launching straight into the continuing fight from Episode 7, the series is unrelenting throughout the bruising sequence. Out of all the fights we’ve watched from the two schools, this is the first one that feels genuinely like a conversation. Togame is inspired by Sakura, who condemns his apathy during the fight. Sakura wants to win, but he wants to win against someone genuinely giving it his all.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

For all his bite and bluster, Sakura refuses to conform to others’ wishes, and it’s that aspect that Togame wishes he could take from. As he thinks back on his and Choji’s (Kikunosuke Toya) relationship, he wonders what might’ve been different had he stood up to their leader rather than allow the bullying and abuse to continue.

These internal musings occur while the two are beating the snot out of each other, a mark of a show that knows exactly what tone it needs to balance. Wind Breaker Episode 8 truly captures the melodrama of the series as the two go through a full emotional journey as their eyes swell and their noses bleed. Sakura and Togame start their fight at complete odds, but they laugh at how much fun it is.

Aside from a few moments of awkward animation — such as the two running across the stage — the action continues to excel. It’s not just in the punches and kicks that land but also the ones that miss. How they deflect is just as enjoyable to watch as the damage they deal.

Because it’s those moments and the attention to detail that demonstrate the sheer artistry on display. Good action is when we can follow an entire sequence of events, and Wind Breaker excels in these moments. We see it later, too, when Choji and Umemiya (Yuichi Nakamura) begin their fight, and Choji throws himself at the other while Umemiya uses the other force to try and drag him back. Every major movement has intent behind it and is cohesive while being expressive of the characters.

Wind Breaker Episode 8

Unfortunately, Wind Breaker Episode 8 stumbles due to repetitiveness. The journey that Togame and Sakura go on is emotional. But it didn’t need so many mini flashbacks to scenes that happened minutes before. Extra, unnecessary padding in the episode drags the story out.

“Succeeding The Past” needed trimming to make it a sleek, engaging experience rather than one that lost its focus. The story is still interesting, and once the fights start back up, it’s impossible to look away, but it’s a case of the pacing not meeting the story where it needed to be. With this much action and bloodshed, there needs to be a constant understanding of keeping the momentive flow going.

Instead, we cycle through a number of flashbacks that fail to serve the Wind Breaker Episode 8 well. Despite this, the character moments that matter land. In particular, it is when Choji violently kicks Togame, annoyed that Togame is trying to get him to stop the fighting. Sakura’s sheer rage at the moment is understandable.

The series also continues to animate Choji in a disconcerting collage of contrasting pieces. His vacant, scribbled eyes work against the chibi-style nature of his design. He’s offputting and unsettling, which works beautifully against the pillar of peace that is Umemiya.

While we only get a taste of their standoff, it already looks like another standout. That said, it’s interesting just how many episodes the first season has dedicated to this round of fights. They’re visually engaging but don’t push us far regarding the timeline. Not a single member of Fuurin has lost, and while it seems unlikely that their leader will be the first, it does set up considerable strikes and drama if that were the case.

Wind Breaker Episode 8 hits incredible highs and frustrating lows. Despite the significant fight at its center, the narrative loses focus and momentum. Regardless, it remains a joy to watch, even with the unnecessary padding. Here’s hoping that the fight between Choji and Umemiya will remember to keep the narrative and visuals tight.

Wind Breaker Episode 8 is out now on Crunchyroll.

Wind Breaker Episode 8
  • 6.5/10
    Rating - 6.5/10
6.5/10

TL;DR

Wind Breaker Episode 8 hits incredible highs and frustrating lows. Despite the significant fight at its center, the narrative loses focus and momentum.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous Article5 Films to Watch After ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Wuthering Waves’ Is Enjoyable, If Bloated (PC)
Allyson Johnson

Allyson Johnson is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of InBetweenDrafts. Former Editor-in-Chief at TheYoungFolks, she is a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics and the Boston Online Film Critics Association. Her writing has also appeared at CambridgeDay, ThePlaylist, Pajiba, VagueVisages, RogerEbert, TheBostonGlobe, Inverse, Bustle, her Substack, and every scrap of paper within her reach.

Related Posts

Kyle in New Saga Episode 1
7.5

REVIEW: ‘New Saga’ Episode 1

07/07/2025
Tsukimiya in Onmyo Kaiten Episode 1
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Onmyo Kaiten Re: Birth Verse’ Episode 1

07/07/2025
Nazuna in Call of the Night Season 2 Episode 1
8.0

REVIEW: ‘Call Of The Night’ Season 2 Episode 1

07/06/2025
Hikaru and Yoshiki in The Summer Hikaru Died Episode 1 From Netflix and CygamesPictures
10.0

REVIEW: ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ Episode 1 — “Replacement”

07/05/2025
Jiji and Okarun in Dandadan Season 2 Episode 1
8.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 1’ – “Like, This is The Legend of the Giant Snake”

07/05/2025
Endo appears in Wind Breaker Season 2
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Wind Breaker Season 2’ Looks For Fun Despite Pacing Issues

07/04/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer First Look Image From Prime Video News

Prime Video Unleashes Teaser for Prequel Series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

By Kate Sánchez07/04/2025

The first Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer was released today by Prime Video. The series…

Together (2025) still from Sundance
8.0
Film

REVIEW: Have A Grossly Good Time ‘Together’

By Kate Sánchez01/27/2025Updated:07/04/2025

Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together (2025) is disgustingly funny, genuinely ugly, and just a good time at the movies.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here