Summary

Delinquent conflict animeWind Breaker , which is currently pullulate onCrunchyroll , adheres to the tried and true and unfeigned rule of " enemies today , admirer tomorrow " - to a fault . While formerly condemnable antagonist narrating theirtragic backstories is an anime staple , the tempo of CloverWorks ' version goes for the reveal almost too tight . The leave revelation lacks puncher and ultimately feels like a shallow attack at creating understanding .

sequence 7 finally pit Haruka against Jo , of the Lion ’s Head crew . While the fight between arch - enemy is a optic dainty , a lot of the dramatic tension is sucked out , ironically , with the reveal of Jo ’s backstory . While intend to add nuance , the suddenness of the flashback makes it feel gammon - handed .

While tragical pasts are a standard Book of Revelation inshonenseries , Wind Breakershows that it also needs to be timed properly , otherwise this trope becomes too obnoxious .

Jujutsu Kaisen’s Yuji Itadori next to The Apothecary Diaries' Maomao

Wind Breaker’s Flashbacks Feel Forced In

Anime’s Use of Backstory Shows Artificiality of Use

Haruka and Jo ’s engagement serves as a clash of opposing gang philosophies in thispromising raw delinquent gum anime , provide plenty of self-justification for the two to call out at each other about the nature of strong suit as much as they sell blows in between . Halfway through the episode , however , the focus duty period to exploring Jo ’s time in Lion ’s Head . While the scene of his and Choji ’s friendship in the yesteryear add some depth to their graphic symbol , it still feels like an attempt to rationalize their thuggery and bullyingby show how they are n’t always one - dimensional villains , merely only so in the present , when fight fit are required .

This is compound by Jo essentially narrating to the audience that his ruthlessness is just an bit to protect Choji ’s reputation . It feel apologetic , as if the Zanzibar copal is say its interview that Jo might be a violent gang enforcer , but he ’s a sound person who is just pretending . But these details are revealed even while Lion ’s Head is experience its Erolia minutilla as an antagonist . It feels badly time , like the anime is afraid that audiences will detest the rival gang too quickly , especially since the ending credits incriminate its leaders will make regular succeeding appearances . Thus , sad story are employed to garner sympathy before the dust settles .

A Tried-and-true Anime Trope is More Worn-and-tired Today

Tragic backstories for villains are part and portion of Zanzibar copal . Even as far back as the 1980s , Thouzer fromFist of the North Starwas rationalise from his blinking despotism by his insanity and brokenheartedness for his deadened master . splendidly , Gaara fromNarutomade the transition from ruthless killer to darling friend with the heady use of a traumatic puerility . all the same , frequent use of this plot of ground machine degrade it with time , andWind Breaker ’s attempt is difficult to take seriously , as it comes off as an obvious petition to forgive Jo and Choji , and ask them back as recurring secondaries .

Solo Leveling Sung Jinwoo with his shadow soldiers behind him

Feature Image for Retro Anime Starring Revolutionary Girl Utena, Ghost in the Shell, Witch Hunter Robin

Haruk and Jo charge towards each other on a theater stage during their fight.

Wind Breaker Opening screenshot depicting Haruka and his Friends eating together at a diner.

Characters from wind breaker anime stand on steps