Wind Breaker continues to be a thrilling and engaging series, with Chapter 4 and 5 delivering more of the same action-packed and emotionally charged storytelling that fans have come to expect. The series maintains its fast pace and emotional depth, with the characters continuing to develop and grow throughout the story.
The Good
- Action-Packed Storyline: The series maintains its fast-paced and action-packed storyline, with intense fight scenes and dramatic plot twists keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
- Emotional Depth: The characters continue to develop and grow throughout the story, with emotional depth and complexity adding depth to the narrative.
- Well-Developed Characters: The main characters, particularly Haruka and Umemiya, are well-developed and relatable, with their motivations and backstories adding depth to the story.
- Interesting Themes: The series explores interesting themes, such as the importance of teamwork and the consequences of one’s actions, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
The Bad
- Slow Start: The series takes some time to get started, with the first few chapters feeling a bit slow and uneventful.
- Lack of Depth: Some readers may find that the series lacks depth, with the characters and plot feeling a bit one-dimensional at times.
- Unrealistic Expectations: Some readers may have unrealistic expectations about the series, particularly if they are familiar with the anime adaptation.
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Sex & Nudity3
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Violence & Gore4
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Profanity2
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Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking1
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Frightening & Intense Scenes3
As we near the end of the successful run of Wind Breaker, we take a look at Volumes 4 and 5 of this action-packed shonen manga. The series has already captivated readers with its dynamic fight scenes and well-developed characters, and these latest installments are no exception.
The Final Match
Volume 4 concludes the intense fight between Bofurin and Shishitoren, with Umemiya, the leader of Bofurin, facing off against Tomiyama, the head of Shishitoren. Umemiya’s approach is unique, as he aims to have a heartfelt conversation with Tomiyama rather than simply defeating him. This fight serves as a poignant conclusion to the arc, and we see the development of Shishitoren as a team that has lost its way.
A New Beginning
Volume 5 marks the start of a new storyline, as the first-year students at school are tasked with electing a class captain. Haruka, despite his initial reluctance, accepts the role with the support of his classmates Hayato and Nirei. As he navigates his new responsibilities, Haruka begins to realise the importance of forming bonds with those around him, a lesson reinforced by Umemiya’s fight with Tomiyama.
Emotional Storylines and Fast-Paced Action
Throughout Volumes 4 and 5, the series maintains its fast pace and emotional depth. Mangaka Satoru Nii expertly balances action and narrative moments, making us care deeply about the characters and their struggles. The cast is diverse and well-developed, with each character having their own unique personality and backstory.
A Series Worth Following
Wind Breaker continues to be one of the most enjoyable action manga series out there. With its engaging storyline, memorable characters, and dynamic fight scenes, it’s a must-read for fans of the genre. If you’ve been following the anime and want to continue the story, the manga is definitely worth picking up.
The Cast
The cast of Wind Breaker is truly diverse and well-developed. Each character has their own unique personality and backstory, making it easy to become attached to them. Even if you don’t like Haruka, you might become attached to Hayato or Nirei. Or even the extended cast like Umemiya or those on rival teams. Characters rotate enough that you’re always seeing someone different temporarily take the spotlight. And despite the size of the cast compared to the amount of volumes so far, Nii has done a good job of keeping a steady handle on them so it never feels like anyone is generic or underdeveloped.
The Art and Animation
The art and animation in Wind Breaker are bright, colourful, and charming. The character designs are all very distinctive, with particularly strong attention to detail regarding fashion. The backgrounds are often pretty low on detail and have an odd crayon-like effect to them if you look closely, but this doesn’t detract from the overall quality of the series.
The Music
The score is composed by Hyadain (who you may recognise from Nichijou) and matches the series’ slightly cheesy outlook with lots of upbeat tunes and bright tones, before going a bit crazy to play up the melodrama. It won’t have you racing to buy the soundtrack CD, but it works well enough for the show. It’s instead the opening and ending themes that stand out here, with the peggies’ “Centimeter” being a fantastic sounding opener, and halca’s “Kokuhaku Bungee Jump” being perfectly paired with an innuendo-filled ending animation.
The Release
Wind Breaker Volumes 4 and 5 come to the West thanks to Kodansha and continue to be translated by Jacqueline Fung with lettering by Michael Martin (Andrew Copeland is still credited for the digital version). As always the releases read well with no issues. Sadly no colour pages still, but extras include character profiles and design sheets from Satoru Nii.
Conclusion
Overall, Wind Breaker continues to be one of my favourite action manga right now. There’s just so much to enjoy from the cast to the dynamic fight scenes. Satoru Nii is doing an excellent job with this one and it only keeps getting better as it goes on. If you’ve been watching the anime and want to continue the story, definitely do pick up the manga as well.
