Manga Monday: WIND BREAKER Volume 1

Author/Artist: Satoru Nii
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
Released: April 26, 2022
Received: NetGalley

I’m not going to lie, I totally thought that WIND BREAKER Volume 1 would be a sports manga. Doesn’t the cover sort of give that impression? But nope, this one is all about fighting and becoming the best.

Haruka Sakura has very strong opinions about what makes a person weak or strong, himself included. That’s why he transferred over to Furin High School – to make himself stronger. Or more accurately, to test the strength of every other student there.

You see, Furin High School has a bit of a reputation. They’re known for being the worst humanity has to offer, nothing but fighters and jerks. That’s exactly what Haruka is looking for though, so it’s perfect.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m feeling very ambivalent about WIND BREAKER Volume 1. It’s okay, but it didn’t blow me away either. Haruka’s whole passion felt pretty shallow. I generally don’t mind the whole concept of fighting to prove oneself. I think I just wish we had gotten to know his character (and reasoning) more before it all kicked off?

However, if you enjoy a manga that is absolutely full to the brim of fun fight sequences, then I have some good news for you. WIND BREAKER Volume 1 will not disappoint on that front. There are a lot of really good looking fights here, and that makes up for a lot of the lacking elements, at least in my book.

Thanks to Kodansha and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.