Highlights

• Wind Breaker revolves around protagonist Haruka Sakura's struggle with social norms and self-acceptance through the dynamics of high school.
• Characters such as Sugishita, Togame, Tomiyama, Nirei, Suo, Hiragi, Tachibana and Umemiya play fundamental roles in shaping the plot.
• Sakura's journey of self-discovery and moral alignment against the backdrop of Bofurin reveals unexpected layers of strength and vulnerability.

The Spring 2024 anime season doesn't get better than this new high school series. WindbreakSimplistic in its approach, the series centers on its protagonist, Haruka Sakura, who, from an early age, is painfully aware of what it means to not fit in. Due to her unconventional appearance, Sakura becomes an outcast with deep feelings of inferiority compared to her peers.

However, Sakura is determined to turn her weaknesses into strengths, and her starting point is Furin High School. The series features a rather quirky cast of characters, much like the infamous high school anime series, with each character diverse and different from the others. With most of the cast still appearing minimally, here are some critical details about what we've seen so far.

Character chart

Kyotaro Sugishita

Member of the Vaisravana Unit

A member of the Bofurin and a first-year student at Furin High School, Sugishita appears relatively slow and aloof at first. He rarely shows any interest in others, except for the occasional hint of disrespect towards Hajime Umemiya.

For unknown reasons, Sugishita is almost religiously devoted to the current leader of Bofurin, leading him to be seen as a fanatic. Exceptionally tall for his age, Sugishita is not very interactive, as he barely speaks and is not particularly expressive, preferring to express himself primarily through his fists. Despite his aggressive tendencies, he is gentle when the situation demands it.

Jo Togame

Vice leader

The rival school's second-in-command, Shishitoren, Jo Togame, initially appears relaxed and calm. However, his behavior develops into a somewhat volatile and unpredictable one. Togame despises weak people and is arrogant and ruthless in his treatment of his subordinates, who fail to meet the standards he considers a strength.

However, his arrogance stems from his own strength. Despite being only a high school student, he is a fearsome individual, blessed with above-average physical strength, making him considerably stronger than most students his age.

Choji Tomiyama

Shishitoren Leader

The leader of the rival school, Shishitoren, Choji Tomiyama, resembles a child due to his small stature. However, beyond his small appearance lies a twisted individual with a propensity for violence and fighting, as shown when he challenges Umemiya to a fight and throws a tantrum until the latter finally agrees.

Although seemingly harmless, his personality darkens at the slightest sign of violence. He constantly seeks stronger opponents to test his strength, a trait that has propelled him to the top of Shishitoren.

Akihiko Nirei

Vice-Captain of the Vaisravana Unit

Like Sugishita, Akihiko Nirei is a first-year student at Furin High School and vice-captain of Bofurin's vaisravana unit. Nirei is typically cheerful and calm, but occasionally clumsy for various reasons.

Unlike most Bofurin members, Nirei's strengths don't lie in combat. He's easily frightened whenever he faces danger due to years of severe bullying during middle school. However, Nirei possesses excellent memorization and documentation skills, which are useful in most situations. Aside from his strange tendencies, Nirei is one of the most influential freshmen and shares a close relationship with Sakura.

Hayato Suo

Vice-Captain of the Vaisravana Unit

Arguably the strongest of the first years, Hayato Suo is a member of the Bofurin and, like Nirei, vice-captain of the Vaisravana unit. Distinguished by his eyepatch, Suo is always smiling and calm, even in the most extreme situations, and never shows any irritation or negative emotion, which makes him even more intimidating.

Carefully detailed and level-headed, Suo critically analyzes situations and responds accordingly. While he may appear averse to violence, his proficiency in mixed martial arts lends credibility to his overall strength.

Take Hiragi

Vaisravana Unit Leader

A third-year student at Furin High School, Toma Hiragi is one of the four Heavenly Kings of Bofurin and the commander of the Vaisravana unit. Notable for his short, spiky hair, Hiragi is often upset or stressed by the conflicts Bofurin gets involved in.

More than just conflict, Hiragi is also constantly taking medication for constant stomach pains, which began in his freshman year of high school. Hiragi typically appears reckless at the forefront of gang fights and battles. However, he also appears calm and level-headed in critical moments, especially when it comes to his leadership.

Kotoha Tachibana

Waitress

The Bofurin boss's adoptive sister, Kotoha Tachibana, is also a waitress at Cafe Pothos. Unlike her adoptive brother, Kotoha is not a student and opposes violence, although she strongly supports Umemiya.

Soft-spoken and gentle, Kotoha is the first to take a liking to Sakura, noticing how bright and distinctive her eyes are. She also proves both stern and gentle in her dealings with Sakura, her brother, and Nirei, while maintaining respectful relationships with the older members of the Furin community.

Hajime Umemiya

Leader Bofurin

Third-year student Hajime Umemiya is the leader of Bofurin and Furin High School. Notable for his gray hair and eyes, Umemiya appears warm and friendly and carries with him an infectious charisma that permeates all Bofurin members. While his friendly demeanor can be overly characteristic, the opposite occurs when he's involved in a fight, to the point that the disparity can be shocking even to his subordinates.

Due to his efforts within the Furin community, he is greatly respected and loved by the community members, which extends to Bofurin as a whole. While Umemiya may seem overly simplistic in his interactions, he is also deeply invested in the well-being of all his subordinates and, by extension, the Furin community.

HarukaSakura

Vaisravan Unit Captain

The series' protagonist, Haruka Sakura, is a freshman at Furin High School and captain of the first-year Vaisravana unit. After being repeatedly judged for her physical appearance, Sakura finally accepts the delinquent personality projected onto her and moves to Furin to settle down in Bofurin.

Unusually perceptive and reactionary, Sakura is painfully aware of how he is perceived by others, which results in his violent tendencies. However, despite his easy disposition toward violence, Sakura strictly adheres to his morals. He becomes uncomfortable when receiving kindness and cannot handle gratitude. His initial goal for Furin takes on a new form when he discovers that Bofurin uses his strength to protect the city, a trait that aligns with his self-absorbed morals.