Review of Wind Breaker Season 2
Windbreaker season 2 was an improvement over the first season in almost every way to me. Its writing, character development, emotional moments and overall flow were much better than season 1. The only thing I’d say it’s slightly weaker in is the fighting and that’s just because this season prioritized character development and story over action. This cour feels like the real starting point of the series as we finally get our first big overarching bad, Sakura really comes into his own not just as a member of Bofurin, but a leader who inspires those around him and it feels like the story has aclear goal and conflict to work towards now. If you felt like the first cour lacked substance or you wanted a more clearly defined plot to follow, I believe you’ll be quite pleased with how windbreaker season 2 went. I loved this show from episode 1 of season 1, but this season really showed me why it has such a devoted fanbase who see the boys as part of their own family.
I can’t even begin to count how many times this season made me cry. So many episodes just spoke to me on such a very personal level. I believe that’s because at its core, Wind Breaker is a series about self-acceptance and it is one of the best depictions of healthy male relationships I’ve ever seen. The way people in this series are so accepting of non gender conforming individuals, homosexuality and everything in between is just amazing to me. People don’t even bat an eye when they see a guy crossdressing, Sakura doesn’t show the slightest hint of being uncomfortable at a guy having a crush on another bofurin member.. in fact, he’s their biggest shipper because for him it’s just all about romance. Love is love. It’s just a very heartwarming story that the real world could learn a thing or two from. I especially loved the episodes this season focusing on Tsubakino who is one of the most interesting characters of the year, it’s one of the most tactful and interesting depictions of a non gender role conforming man I’ve seen in anime. It’s not played up as a joke, but as just an everyday thing. There’s plenty of other examples of how well written this season is from the KEEL arc at the start, to Shizuka/Suzuri’s ordeal at the end. It was a very fun and emotional ride.
Sakura was already a great MC, but this season saw him take a lot of big steps towards becoming a future Bofurin leader. Season 1 and the first few episodes of this season were the start of him opening his heart up to others, but the last few episodes were really where that comes to fruition. It’s really a night and day difference from where he started and it’s satisfying because we’ve been on that journey with him, seeing the ups and downs. Can’t express how proud of him I am!
While the character development is the big focus this season, there’s still some really good action set pieces and as you’d expect, Cloverworks cooked with them. I love the fluidity of the fights in this show. The fighting styles are also indicative of the personalities and mental states of the characters too which I think is cool. Might sound a bit cliche, but I really think you can feel the characters communicating through each punch/kick in this show. It makes the big action scenes not just cool for the animation, but also the overall characterisation they bring. Very few shonen are able to do that properly in my opinion.
Wind Breaker season 2 is a no brainer to watch if you liked season 1, but I think people who felt season 1 lacked an actual story and was just cool animation should enjoy this too if they go in with an open mind. It’s the sort of show with the sort of cast that you really start to hyperfixate on and form parasocial relationships with because they’re just that good! Very much looking forward to more of this.
Wind Breaker season 2 gets 9 out of 10.