Wind Breaker, Episode 5 recap – the first two of five fights see Bofurin earn a commanding lead
Michelle Topham 
Windbreaker, Episode 5 recap — Bofurin shows off their fighting skills
The fifth episode of the delinquent-themed anime Wind Breaker begins with a brief recap of the events leading up to the showdown between the Bofurin and Shishitoren gangs.
The episode itself, which is titled “A Gentleman,” dives deeper into the rivalry and sets the stage for the first few fights of the five-match series.
The episode opens with the Bofurin team, consisting of Sakura, Suo, Umemiya, Hiragi, Sugishita, and tag-along Nirei, entering Shishitoren territory.
They are met by the overly enthusiastic Choji Tomiyama, who seems eager to initiate the fights. The Shishitoren side of town is depicted as a graffiti-laden area with closed pubs, setting a gritty, urban backdrop for the impending conflicts.
The first fight features Sugishita from Bofurin against Arima from Shishitoren. The fight is not just a physical battle, however, but also a display of artistic expression, as it takes place on a literal stage in an abandoned movie theater — The Orion.
The Shishitoren members are not kind to the loser — Arima, who is defeated by Sugishita with one smackdown — which once again reflects on the harsh and unforgiving nature of the gang. (Rewatch the incredibly short fight in the video below)
After Sugishita’s victory, Suo is next to step up to the stage to face his opponent — Kanuma — as the Bofurin group all comment they don’t know anything about Suo or his fight style as, like Sakura, he is new to Furin High.
Suo’s fight showcases his impressive martial arts skills, while also toying with Kanuma, making it seem like his opponent is falling down on his own.
This display of skill and Suo’s ruthlessness impresses both his teammates and his opponents, with Sakura commenting, while Suo is a good fighter, he has a terrible personality.
Meanwhile, Tomiyama, the leader of Shishitoren, is seen sleeping, which causes Kanuma to panic. Kanuma then loses his composure and subsequently loses the fight, leading to Togame expelling him from Shishitoren.
The episode ends with the stage set for the next fights in the series.
Wind Breaker, Episode 5 commentary
Throughout the episode, there are several character interactions that highlight the dynamics within the Bofurin and Shishitoren gangs.
For instance, Sakura and Suo share a moment where Suo compliments Sakura, showing a growing respect and camaraderie between the two.
Wind Breaker, Episode 5 also delves into the backstory of the gangs, providing more context for the ongoing conflict.
The Bofurin members are shown to be a tight-knit group with a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie, while the Shishitoren members are depicted as more ruthless, individualistic and happy to evict any member who cannot win a fight.
The tension between the two gangs is palpable, and viewers are left eagerly anticipating the next episode to see how the conflict will unfold.
Wind Breaker Episode 5 again successfully blends action, character development, and world-building to create a compelling narrative.
Read recaps of Wind Breaker‘s previous episodes — Wind Breaker, Episode 1, Episode 2 and Episode 3 and Episode 4 on Baozi Buns.
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