REVIEW: ‘Wind Breaker’ Episode 9 — “Umemiya’s Style”

Leaning heavily into its melodrama instincts, Wind Breaker Episode 9 delivers a cacophony of blood, sweat, and tears. With a heavy hand, “Umemiya’s Style” utilizes tenderness in the face of toxic masculinity as Choji (Kikunosuke Toya) and Umemiya (Yuichi Nakamura) continue their brawl. It exemplifies the best and worst instincts of the series, based on the manga by Satoru Nii. The worst instincts are the incessant need to score the heavy-hitting moments with songs that rip us straight out of the drama as we resist our natural urge to plunge our eyes into the back of our sockets.

That said, Wind Breaker Episode 9 just about earns that sonic moment. If nothing else, the episode commits to the hyper-dramatization of the fight as Umemiya’s chill demeanor works to provoke Choji’s more antagonistic, hyperactive style of fighting. What is meant to be a conversation through their fists becomes verbal, as Umemiya plays therapist to Choji and his demons. Choji, who, up until now, has been an overeager pest, willing to discredit anyone he doesn’t deem strong enough. We learn the meaning of “Umemiya’s Style” as the head of Fuurin strips back Choji’s emotional layers, revealing a boy scared of being left behind.

It also speaks to a type of depressive episode, though it’s uncertain whether or not that is the intent of the writing. But as Choji speaks about looking for anything to spark a sense of fun in his life and confesses to feeling empty and like the world is turning gray, it’s hard not to read his characterization as someone who is depressed and apathetic.

It makes a stark turn to the ferocious little character we first meet. The truth is much more impactful as his composure disappears at Umemiya’s prodding. Umemiya tells him that despite the number of blows he’s landing, all of Choji’s punches lack weight. Because how can it hold anything if there’s no reason behind his fighting?

Their brawl doesn’t reach the consistent highs of Sakura’s (Yuma Uchida) or Suo’s, but it delivers an interesting dynamic regardless. Both in physicality and personality, Choji and Umemiya are miles apart from one another. The way the animation utilizes their differing statures makes for a dynamic fight scene as Choji leaps further to reach Umemiya. That and his speed make for a feral combatant, even if Umemiya’s hits deliver a more significant impact. Because, as he says, he holds more actual power. But Wind Breaker Episode 9 is much more interested in what the duo has to say rather than the fight itself.

It’s a shame because Choji’s fight style has so much potential. One of the most startling and character-driven moments in the fight happens when Choji leans down to bite into Umemiya’s neck in desperation. It’s not a heroic move, one made of Choji’s inability to vocalize his feelings and act out of pure instinct. It says as much about the character as the overwrought dream sequence between him and Togame (Yūichirō Umehara). Sometimes, even in anime, less is more.

The dream sequence continues to build on Choji and Togame’s friendship. In it, Togame tries to keep the broken pieces of their dream of freedom together. In an act of healing, Choji realizes the burden he places on Togame and apologizes. It’s a sequence that would work better had we gotten more development on Choji’s side. Until this point, we’ve seen him from the point of view of others. To have this personality shift so suddenly is a bit too neatly done. The moment is also undercut by the reminder that their heartfelt conversation is happening in front of an audience.

Kikunosuke Toya is the MVP, however, delivering a tremendous performance as Choji goes through the emotional ringer. Best known for his performance as Denji in Chainsaw Man, he cuts loose as Choji goes through the ups and downs of realizing that he’s the reason his team has lost its spirit. Umemiya, despite being the episode’s namesake, gets less to do, though we get a better idea of his attitude. His just being someone who maintains peace could get boring without any apparent flaws in his character.

After five episodes, the arc wraps itself up with Umemiya rebuffing Choji’s offering of him leading the Shishitoren gang. He never signed up for that, he tells Choji. In an act of necessary levity, he suggests they be friends and call the day a casual group gathering. It is a hilarious prospect considering the blood staining the stage they stand on, but it is something that just speaks to the heightened nature of Wind Breaker.

Wind Breaker Episode 9 is a messy yet satisfying conclusion to the current arc. With some tremendous voice performances and continued strong animation, the series fully establishes these characters and their motivations, even if it took a little too long to fully set up.

Wind Breaker Episode 9 is out now on Crunchyroll.