Episode 13 – Windbreaker

Calling this a finale is a bit beneficiant, if I am trustworthy. Sure, it is the final episode of this season earlier than a major hiatus till the subsequent episode, however the “ultimate” offers a way of conclusion that this episode lacks. That is in all probability an inevitable consequence of that WindbreakerThe bizarre strategy to season-long storytelling that gave us three full episodes of decision after Shishitoren, but it surely’s such a non-conclusion that I’d consider you should you instructed me it was coming again subsequent month as an alternative of subsequent 12 months. Both means, it’s in all probability higher to name this a teaser for season two, as there’s a variety of set-up for the subsequent story arc, however no payoff to talk of.

Properly, okay, we get a bit of character work for Sakura’s arc. Now that he is warming as much as his position as a pacesetter for his class, we get a great take a look at him actually sticking his neck out for one more member of Furin. As at all times, it is humorous and useful how he blushes throughout what would in any other case be an enormous hero second, avoiding eye contact at the same time as he guarantees to assist Anzai and his pals. It is a very endearing second and reveals how a lot Sakura has grown because the starting of this story. He has gone from a haughty loner with a chip on his shoulder to a person who rushes into conditions with out being requested. That is a strong little capstone to the story to date.

In any other case, there’s not a lot occurring. The entire Anzai and Nagato deal is unclear at this level, and to date we all know nothing about KEEL aside from the tremendous cool hoodies they pay for by way of purse snatching and teenage extortion rackets. We get a short introduction to the important thing leaders inside Bofurin, however don’t spend any time with any of them or be taught something about their personalities. It’s all a set-up for what comes subsequent courlastly. It is not a very dangerous episode, however it’s the least impactful means they may have ended this season. This would possibly as effectively have been the subsequent season’s opener and nothing would have been misplaced by chopping issues off the place final week ended.

In a means, that sums up a variety of this season. Windbreaker has some undeniably nice moments, and not less than a couple of glorious episodes, however as an entire it feels a bit of too gentle to stay with you. It is straight and to the purpose with its character arcs, naked bones with its storytelling, and enhanced by a slick manufacturing that strikes just a bit too casually to maintain your fists pumping for so long as you need. Whereas the present has weaker moments and sometimes misses the mark in combining its melodrama with the proper tone, there’s nothing actively dangerous about what it portrays. With a quicker tempo or extra meat to its characters, Windbreaker Might have been an actual contender, however for now he is a strong midcard fighter who could make the gang go wild beneath the proper circumstances. Let’s hope he could make an actual run for the belt when he returns.

Judgement:

Windbreaker presently streaming on Crunchyroll.