REVIEW: ‘Wind Breaker’ Episode 13 — “For A Friend”

Wind Breaker Episode 13 tees up the recently announced second season. Less its own singular installment and more the bridge between arcs with the Keel arc ahead of us, “For a Friend” is a charming, if sparse, finish. There are a lot of suggestions, but little is done as Haruka Sakura (Yuma Uchida), Suo (Nobunaga Shimazaki), and Nirei (Shōya Chiba) meet with the Furin elite, and Sakura confirms his place as the class leader.

More than anything, Wind Breaker Episode 13 succeeds in showing the full circle story for Sakura as he reaches out first to help a classmate in need. So much of Season 1 has consisted of trailing Sakura as he learns to be a team member and allow others into his life rather than just push them away. Slowly but surely, those people have taken up residency in his life as he’s learned from others what true strength means. This isn’t Sakura at his best yet, but it’s him demonstrating sincere, natural growth. It makes the finale worthwhile, even if so much is table setting.

“For a Friend” mainly teases us on elements of Season 2 to look forward to, from the central drama and action to a fan-favorite character we see but don’t speak to. The opening gathering on the roof acts to reinforce Umemiya’s (Yuichi Nakamura) enigmatic personality rather than drive the plot forward. There’s also the hilarious gag of Sugishita already being there, watering Umemiya’s beloved garden. Of the first-year characters, Sugishita (Koki Uchiyama) has the least screen time but is arguably one of the funniest despite how little he speaks. His adoration of Umemiya, which works against his brutish attitude and stature, is a natural comedic bit.

But the real drama arrives when, while patrolling, they find another member of Class 1-1 bleeding in an alleyway after being attacked by members of a rival, rising group, KEEL. While he’s initially reluctant to share what happened, Sakura speaks to one of Anzai’s friends and learns the truth. Anzai was attacked because he’d been trying to help his childhood friend, Nagato, leave after learning Nagato was being mistreated. By learning the truth, Sakura can be more decisive in his actions, which becomes necessary when Anzai receives a photo of Nagato beaten, bloody, and unconscious from KEEL.

This is where Sakura shows his growth and sparks his singular character in Wind Breaker Episode 13. Because while Anzai doesn’t ask for help, Sakura is ready and willing to go after KEEL immediately. Anzai asks him why, reminding him that Fuurin is meant to protect the town and only attack those who threaten them first. Why would Sakura go after KEEL when the attacks have been targeted explicitly at an outsider? The answer is simple: By attacking Anzai, they’re attacking Fuurin.

Class 1-1 seemingly agrees as they ready themselves for yet another battle with even a tired Sugishita in tow, led by Suo. The season ends with the group of them leaving the school as the second years watch on from above. It’s a high-impact moment bolstered by the character growth that’s taken place throughout the season. While it’s a shame that, yet again, the main drama is driven by a new character (similar to Choji and Togame earlier in the season), it at least is a quick motivator to the group and speaks to their own personalities as well. And we know them better now, making them less blank slates delivering cool-looking punches and kicks.

It’s funny that Wind Breaker still finds ways to demonstrate its kinetic direction style in a relatively action-less episode. Similar to Episode 12, where Sakura chases a lost cat, Wind Breaker Episode 13 allows the camera to once again track Sakura as he gives chase to Anzai. It’s a bit indulgent and unnecessary but is engaging nonetheless. It’s a dialogue-heavy episode, and this flashy moment is determined to ensure we remember that the visuals are one of the major selling points of the series.

Wind Breaker Episode 13 is a decent closer but even better segue as it bridges the finale to Season 2. While there’s not much time spent with our actual lead group of characters, Sakura is once again in the spotlight as we remember just how far he’s come since Episode 1. Possessing its now signature vibrancy and fluid animation, “For a Friend” is a solid finish on a near-constantly entertaining premiere season.

Wind Breaker Episode 13 is out now on Crunchyroll.