REVIEW: ‘Wind Breaker’ Episode 10 — “Dialogue”

As the battle between Fuurin and Shishitoren reaches its final notes, Wind Breaker Episode 10 highlights its weakest element. Despite the rush of adrenaline from the fights and the ensemble cast of charismatic characters, the series can’t seem to avoid its one crucial hurdle: its pacing.

From Episode 8 onwards, the series has demonstrated an inability to let a scene end naturally, instead dragging it out to the point of redundancy. For a show still in its infancy, it’s troubling, especially compared to other series that continue to cut plot corners. In a way, “Dialogue” is a fitting title for the episode, as there’s simply too much of it.

Not to say that it’s enough of a blight to diminish the episode highlights fully. The opening scene is shockingly wholesome, considering the blood that splatters half of the party’s clothes. Togame (Yūichirō Umehara) and Choji (Kikunosuke Toya) join team Fuurin on the rooftop for a post-fight wind-down and meal.

Umemiya (Yuichi Nakamura) holds court as he and Choji discuss the former’s rise to the top spot in Fuurin and how their paths diverge. Choji thought he needed to be the strongest to be the most free, but his lack of drive or meaning lessened the impact of his blows. Comparatively, Umemiya saw what he wanted to change and do and realized he could accomplish the most from that top spot.

Both have power, but only one actively seeks it. Choji wanted to be in charge, while Umemiya wished to make changes. This opens Choji’s eyes to how Umemiya can lead while having fun and also makes a point to Sakura (Yuma Uchida). Sakura, who, until arriving at Fuurin, believed being the strongest was imperative and the only way to escape the restraints of his past. He thought it was all a solo mission but realizes through Umemiya that the path to the top spot takes people backing and believing in you.

It’s a necessary reckoning for Sakura, even if it likely won’t stick after just one conversation. At least it has the right effect on Choji and Togame, who promise to work together to enact change in their own group. And this is where the momentum screeches to a halt. The rooftop establishes their shift in perspective. Episode 9 showed the two’s relationship and their want to course correctly.

We didn’t need their extra tag following the roof scene to once again drive home what they mean to one another and their future goals. It’s not so much a need for ambiguity but instead a need for a tight, cohesive script. Dragging it out to ensure the audience fully understands the characters, their motives, and dynamics ends up causing a force-feeding effect.

It happens later at the cafe as Umemiya tries to talk to Sakura once again and convince him that being a leader is a group effort. It’s poignant, and there’s some excellent comedy in Sakura’s increasingly baffled and flustered expressions, but it goes on a beat too long. It’s a shame because the series would excel further without it (and the terrible needle drops).

Wind Breaker Episode 10 is a solid enough conclusion to the mini-arc between the two schools. The animation is crisp and emotive, fully grasping the fringe lifestyle of these characters. The rooftop sequence is particularly delightful, as it expands on certain character personalities, such as the dynamic between Choji and Umemiya. However, it is notable that of the fights we saw, the first three made the most significant impact, Suo’s in particular. Hopefully, in the future, the writing will hit a better stride for these one-on-one battles.

But despite its shortcomings, Wind Breaker Episode 10 and the series continue to be an odd little comfort watch. There’s something familiar about this style of show and how the story unravels, making for easy viewing. It’s not challenging us or our expectations and doesn’t need to. Instead, CloverWorks creates something engaging through the solid visuals and likable characters.

“Dialogue” isn’t so much a misstep but an episode that highlights both the series’ strengths and weaknesses. And luckily, for the most part, the series has leaned more heavily on the strengths.

Wind Breaker Episode 10 is now on Crunchyroll.