On Friday, April 5, 2024, the first episode of Wind Breaker was finally released, much to the excitement of fans eagerly awaiting the shonen delinquent action series. The episode focused on introducing the main character, Haruka Sakura, a socially isolated loner who finds validation in defeating others in physical altercations due to her unconventional appearance.
The first episode of Wind Breaker effectively sets the series’ setting by introducing the supporting character Kotoha Tachibana. It also manages to subvert common delinquent anime tropes and storylines, providing a refreshing and promising experience for fans.
Meet Haruka Sakura: The Complex and Emotional Protagonist of Wind Breaker Episode 1
Summary of events
The first episode of Wind Breaker opens with a stylized black-and-white scene of a person walking on a tightrope. Interspersed with this are flashbacks of school girls discussing someone who is known for getting into fights and is considered dangerous. They advise others to avoid this person. As the scene progresses, the focus shifts to general criticisms of the person’s appearance, particularly their hair and eyes.
As these flashbacks come to a close, the individual loses their balance on the tightrope and the audience is brought into the bedroom of young protagonist Haruka Sakura. It appears to have been a dream based on the scowl he quickly displays before the scene shifts. While Haruka explores the town, he declares his admiration for the strong and his disdain for the weak.
The first episode of Wind Breaker then shows a girl being surrounded by a group of aggressive delinquents. Haruka steps in, scolding them for their false sense of strength. He demands that they cease their actions, causing one of them to lunge at him with a punch. Haruka skillfully avoids the attack and retaliates with a punch of his own, swiftly defeating the entire gang.
Haruka Sakura introduces himself as a student from Furin High School, sharing his name with them. This causes the weak to avoid him and the strong to challenge him. As he is being thanked by a girl who chases after him, Haruka becomes flustered and confused. He soon learns that she is grateful for his help and offers to cook for him if he is hungry. It is then revealed that Haruka is from out of town, explaining why they have not crossed paths before.
In episode 1 of Wind Breaker, the girl reveals that the town was once plagued by dangerous conflicts between rival gangs. She also discloses that she is not a native of the town, introducing herself as Kotoha Tachibana. Haruka initially questions Kotoha’s friendly behavior towards him, but eventually puts aside his doubts to enjoy the omurice she prepared for him.
Kotoha observes the unusual appearance of Haruka, noting that his right eye and the right side of his hair are black, while the left side of his hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes are white. His left eye also has a golden hue. Haruka teases her for not being repulsed or rejecting him right away, but she replies that she is accustomed to seeing even stranger things.
“Curious, she inquires if that’s the reason he engaged in a fight with the street thugs. He clarifies that he came to Furin because physical appearance holds no importance in a brawl. As he envisions battling his way through the town’s toughest fighters, he reveals his determination to claim the title of the town’s ultimate combatant.”
Kotoha confronts him for putting on his school uniform in advance due to his eagerness for the classes to commence on the following day. As a departing customer forgets his bag at the table, Haruka kindly returns it to him. Kotoha expresses her gratitude by offering Haruka some candy from the elderly man, causing him to blush and showcasing his kind and considerate personality.
Kotoha explains to Haruka that, even though he is a skilled fighter, he will not be able to reach the top of Furin in his current state. She believes this is because he is all alone, which triggers a memory of his dream. However, Haruka disagrees and claims that he has the strength to win on his own. In response, Kotoha suggests that he should meet the other Furin kids in order to fully comprehend her point.
The scene shifts to the group of troublemakers that Haruka had previously defeated, now causing chaos in the town with the help of reinforcements. As they encounter Haruka, their leader mocks his appearance, only to discover that his hair and eye color are natural. Haruka takes pleasure in receiving the reaction he anticipated, using it as motivation to defeat his opponent and prove his superiority. He is determined to find worth in himself by triumphing over his adversary.
In Wind Breaker episode 1, Haruka recalls Kotoha’s words and then proceeds to punch the leader of the delinquents, declaring that he is the one being abandoned by everyone. He acknowledges his appearance but questions why he has been targeted, insisting that he is not to blame. Haruka continues to attack the delinquents, expressing his feelings of isolation, and successfully defeats each one of them.
Kotoha steps outside to witness the chaos, only to be held hostage by one of the delinquents. Haruka comes to her rescue and focuses on protecting her while taking down the others. However, this also hinders his fighting skills, making it difficult for him to defeat the remaining delinquents. As he subdues one of them, he is suddenly struck in the heel with a knife, and then hit with a baseball bat.
In Wind Breaker episode 1, Kotoha is approached by another person wearing a Furin uniform at the last moment. They ask her to keep quiet about her danger before expressing gratitude towards Haruka. As three more Furin students join them, the one who assisted Haruka impressively bends a bat in half. The protagonist inquires about the reason for Furin’s assistance, and the students are introduced as Hiragi, Matsumoto, Kaji, and Yanagida.
The four of them immediately take action, battling the remaining delinquents and shielding Haruka from further harm. Despite his attempts to reason with Hiragi, who urges him to leave if he’s wounded, Haruka eventually complies. He becomes aware that the townspeople are cheering for the Furin High School students from their homes, curious about the commotion.
Kotoha reiterates that the Furin High students have been responsible for keeping the town safe for the past two years, as she had mentioned before. She also reveals that the locals have given them the nickname Bofurin, meaning Wind Breaker, and see them as the protectors of the neighborhood. As the townspeople come out to express their gratitude towards the Bofurin team, Haruka initially appears upset, perhaps due to their sudden acceptance by the community.
Despite Haruka’s initial reluctance, some of the townspeople begin to praise him and offer to treat his injuries. Haruka becomes overwhelmed and demands that they stop, but Kotoha steps in to explain the situation. She assures Sakura that Haruka did not choose to be alone and that the townspeople will eventually come to rely on him. However, Haruka insists that he doesn’t need anyone and wants to be left alone.
Kotoha argues that his actions of returning Grandpa Yama’s forgotten bag and defending her during the fight prove his true character. She urges him to acknowledge their presence and be receptive to their support, assuring him that he will achieve his desired goals if he does so. Haruka jumps, appearing ready to confront the Furin students and belittling their involvement before expressing admiration.
Afterward, it is revealed that he was actually protecting one of the delinquents who was approaching the other students from behind. Kotoha smiles at his acceptance of his newfound role and remarks on how this is the tale of how Haruka, who had nothing to begin with, became the beloved hero of the town. This marks the end of Wind Breaker episode 1.
Final Evaluation
In keeping with the typical delinquent shonen style, Wind Breaker episode 1 starts off slowly. However, as the episode progresses, it sets itself apart from other genre staples with the introduction of Haruka’s character. Unlike other delinquent anime series where the main characters are outcasts who find a sense of belonging among other delinquents, Haruka and his Furin classmates are surprisingly accepted by the townspeople.
Moreover, it is evident that Haruka’s priority lies in fulfilling her own desires rather than seeking companionship with those in similar circumstances. The introduction of Kotoha’s character and the appearance of the other Furin High School students in the final act of Wind Breaker episode 1 serve to underscore this point.
Concluding thoughts
In general, the first episode of Wind Breaker delivers an exhilarating and promising start to the highly-anticipated Spring 2024 anime series. Although it may be challenging to make a final assessment at this stage, there is much to look forward to if the rest of the season is as captivating as its premiere episode.
Links related to the topic
Find out the release date and time, as well as where to watch the first episode of Wind Breaker and additional details.
Crunchyroll is introducing Spring 2024 anime such as Kaiju No.8 and Wind Breaker to India.
Crunchyroll has announced the line-up and release schedule for their Spring 2024 anime series.
Crunchyroll will be making KonoSuba’s third season, the seventh season of My Hero Academia, and other Spring 2024 anime available in India.
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