REVIEW: ‘Wind Breaker’ Episode 12 — “The Dependable One”

It’s hilarious that, for all its focus on fighting and being the “strongest,” Wind Breaker is so consistently cute. There’s an inherent sweetness that courses throughout it, apparent once more in Wind Breaker Episode 12. It all comes down to the lead character, Sakura (Yuma Uchida), whose journey in the series might as well be boiled down to what it means to unlearn past trust issues as he continues to learn what it means to be friends and rely on others.

Sakura, by nature, is an interesting lead character and one who, during Episode 1, would’ve quickly built into a flat archetype. Instead, the writing smartly goes for a mix of the archetypal protagonist destined for greatness with the personality of a feral cat. The entirety of Wind Breaker thus far is watching him learn how to be a person after running away from a community that seemingly rejected him — though we’ve yet to dive too fully into his past. He’s strong but bashful, blushing as he growls at others who try and poke at him as he tries to acclimate to the atmosphere around him.

Wind Breaker Episode 12 builds on this when he is elected the Grade Captain by Suo and the rest of his classmates. They see his strength and resilience and know he deserves the role. Suo (Nobunaga Shimazaki), and Nirei (Shōya Chiba) even quickly offer to be his support as Vice Captains. But he isn’t convinced. He believes he isn’t worthy, especially after hearing Umemiya talk about why he scaled walls to become the school’s leader. Umemiya has a purpose, while Sakura is still working out if being the strongest in name alone is all he wants. He fears that, like Choji, his goal is weightless compared to those with clear, just objectives.

But he can’t stop them from making the decision, pushing him into the role. It’s further decided by Grade 2 captain Kaji (Nobuhiko Okamoto), who doesn’t understand the hesitance. Kaji, like Choji, offers a strong parallel for Sakura. He doesn’t have Umemiya’s benevolence but understands Kaji’s need to be relied on. This comes to a head when Sakura, Suo, and Nire shadow Kaji on a day patrolling town where they’re tasked with finding a lost cat. After the cat is safe and sound, Sakura asks Kaji about his plan. Why does he want to be a Grade Captain?

The answer is simple. Kaji doesn’t, but his friends do. Kaji relies on his friends to do what he cannot and, in return, plans to become strong enough to be relied upon. It’s the least he can do. Sakura understands this line of thinking, and while he still doesn’t believe he fits the role, he takes it more seriously. The first step involves him calling Suo and Nire by their names, which is a nice touch. Sometimes, the smallest demonstrations of kindness are the most significant hurdles.

These bonding moments in Wind Breaker Episode 12 demonstrate the sweet underbelly of the series. Yes, there’s a lot of bloodshed and knuckles scraping teeth, but it’s also a show entrenched in the idea of camaraderie and the strength of learning to work with a group rather than alone. Each Grade Captain has their jobs cut out for them, but they can handle them because they have solid support. Sakura isn’t able to meet Umemiya where he’s at, but he is at least in the process of learning how to open up a little bit more and rely on those around him. Even if it is just Suo and Nire, his two closest friends.

Wind Breaker Episode 12 is also rich in comedy, from visual gags to sincere intensity. Sugishita hasn’t been given as much to do as our three main Fuurin students, but the image of him nonchalantly watering Umemiya’s plants is hilarious. Similarly, the sheer gravity with which they treat catching the cat perfectly suits the characters and their inability to chill. From Sakura’s parkour to Kaji jumping off a bridge, catching a cat is just as serious to them as defending a town. That they manage to showcase a few notable animated sequences of Sakura scaling a building while in chase is just them showing off.

Wind Breaker Episode 12 leaves us on a cliffhanger as all of Fuurin’s notable students arrive for a meeting. Light on its feet and endlessly charismatic, “The Dependable One” is yet another strong installment that speaks to how lovable these characters are.

Wind Breaker Episode 12 is out now on Crunchyroll.