Wind Breaker episode 2 review: more hilarity, a side of plot progression, and quick fights

A major dose of comedy helps to balance out all the seriousness we saw in the first episode. Learn more in our Wind Breaker episode 2 review.

The Wind Breaker episode 2 review

The first episode of Wind Breaker was pretty serious and didn’t leave much room for any moments of levity. This second installment changes that as Haruka Sakura begins his quest to be Furin High’s best fighter.

Picking up after Sakura and the Bofurin (the town’s protectors) protect the townsfolk from a horde of hoodlums, this episode slows things down a bit and focuses more on amusing the viewer, starting with the introduction of Nirei. Like Sakura, he’s a first-year student but is more enthusiastic and a little clumsy, as well as a little weird since he jots down notes regarding any strong people he meets.

He’s the comedic relief character, which is made apparent when he tells Sakura that he’ll go bald trying to become the town’s best fighter, or when he initially thinks Sakura has white hair because of extreme stress. Of course, even he has his reasons for becoming a member of the Bofurin, though it aren’t particularly memorable. Still, Nirei is a nice addition to the main cast and his dynamic with Sakura is fun, especially when he tries to ensure Sakura doesn’t get beaten up by their classmates.

Accepted right off the bat

Speaking of the protagonist, Sakura’s lesson for this episode is the fact that people have multiple sides to them and that you can’t look at them from just one perspective, which he learns when Nirei explains why he wants to be a Bofurin member.

He also helps to make the episode amusing to view by becoming flustered whenever someone thanks him. It’s especially hilarious when he tells Nirei to stop recording details of him and when a liquor store owner dares him to get into a drinking contest with him, only for his son to remind his father that Sakura is still a minor.

The leading man also hasn’t gotten over the fact that people are treating him nicely since he helped them out and we’re reminded that it’s going to be a while before his warped perspective on himself and others shifts into a healthier view. Sakura considers people who give him gifts because of his actions in the last episode to be out of their minds. It’s honestly a little sad to see.

We also get a good look at Furin High, which is covered from top to bottom in graffiti. Like the main character’s looks, the outside appearance contrasts with what’s inside, i.e., the protective and good-natured Bofurin. One member, Suo, is introduced and he comes off as another comedic relief character, but Nirei hints that he’s also very capable in a fight.

The action

Regarding the action, there’s only one fight that ensues, when Sakura needs to beat up a handful of thugs that were harassing a shopkeeper, only to discover that Nirei is also trying to do that, but is completely inept at it.

What ensues is Sakura giving the thug’s head honcho a swift kick to the face, before the dust literally settles and we see that the leading man has neutralized every other gang member.

There is a tease at the end where one member of the Bofurin, Sugishita, tries to land a hit on Sakura, but he dodges it in time. Dialogue from Nirei hints that Sugishita is one tough customer and given that this is where the episode ends, I’m looking forward to Sakura scrapping with him next week.

The animation looked the smoothest whenever Nirei was being overly dramatic and Sakura reacted to his actions. Besides that, the animation felt like any other episode of an anime, while the music was just okay. It just didn’t stand out while I was watching the episode.

Overall, I’d say that even though this episode was very light on the action, it was still an enjoyable episode of Wind Breaker and I’m looking forward to the next episode. I’m also interested in learning more about the characters that made their debut and what makes them tick. While there was a bit of story progression as well, it’s ultimately the funny moments that holds things up in this second episode.