Discussing television series such as Wind Breaker might be difficult. Not because they’re difficult or cover delicate subjects, but rather because their objectives are so clear-cut that you feel foolish for even pointing them out. Hey guys, have you noticed that the sky is blue and that most things are rather modern? That’s pretty ingenious worldbuilding demonstrating that it takes place on Earth in the present era! When a show revolves around guys beating the shit out of other guys for episodes, that’s how it can seem. I will so concentrate on dissecting the hows and whys of those confrontations. There will be a lot of analogies to wrestling in that.
Consider Sugishita’s battle, if battle is the right word to use. It’s what’s known as a squash match in the world of wrestling, and its purpose is to make Sugishita appear so strong that his opponent has no chance of fighting back. Depending on the format, that can be employed effectively or badly, however in this case, it makes perfect sense. First off, finishing the battle quickly is a far better use of our time because I don’t think anyone really expected Sugishita to lose to a nameless guy and two lines of conversation. Belaboring the point would drag down a show that is already content to take its time, especially when the conclusion of a fight is so obvious from a mechanical and narrative standpoint.
Perhaps the most significant thing is how people responded to his victory. It enables us to observe how Shishitoren functions and how drastically different their group dynamic is from Bofurin’s. They are our heel faction, the people we should be rooting for and hoping our heroes defeat; thus, it is wise to play them off against the good guys by making it clear that they have no regard whatsoever for any member who fails. Unlike our antagonists, who can’t even be bothered to help their collapsed friend off the stage, Bofurin is the kind of person who will defend their allies no matter how strong they are. They stand for deliberate violence used to protect their community, as Shishitoren will devour their own at the slightest hint of vulnerability. It’s a straightforward but effective setup that sets up the far more interesting match that comes next.
Suo is likely a much more overwhelming opponent for Sugishita since Suo is all about control and elegance while Sugishita is all about raw instinct and strength. We may deduce a lot about him from the way he fights, which involves using skilled martial arts to subdue his opponent and expressing distaste for Shishotoren’s methods. It becomes evident right away that he can defeat Kanuma whenever he pleases. Suo wants to make a point, so he psychologically dissects not just Kanuma but also the entire immature philosophy of Shishitoren’s brutal concept of power. Instead of taking his easy W and moving on. Your credibility will gradually erode if you base your worth solely on your most recent fight and disregard anyone who loses for any reason. You’ll eventually find yourself at the bottom of the hierarchy, getting trampled by people you once trod on.
Even though Kanuma is experiencing the consequences of his actions, watching that lesson be ingrained in him is almost disturbing, and it provides Suo with a powerful beginning. Though he could have easily humiliated Kanuma and called it a day, he continues the utter ass-whooping until he is certain that the message has reached its target. Suo comes across as nearly spiteful in contrast to the rest of our characters, who are a combination of noble and realistic. He is prepared to use extreme cruelty when he believes it is appropriate. It’s a great way to set him apart from a cast that is characterized by violence, and it’s a great illustration of how you can use a straightforward fight scene to do a great deal of character development. If I had one criticism, it would be that, to use Sakura’s phrase, the Shishitoren feels very weaksauce after spending an entire episode mopping the floor with their minions. Perhaps that’s an inevitable byproduct of utilizing these fights as a preface. Next time, I hope the competing gangs are able to deal some damage.
