Summary
The flashbacks in Wind Breaker feel forced, which hurts the pacing and depth of character development. Anime's use of tragic backstories for villains can become tiresome and predictable, as seen in this series. The timing of character reveals is important in crime anime like Wind Breaker to avoid being seen as apologetic or manipulative.
Crime fighting anime Windbreakeris currently streaming on Crunchyroll, adhere to the tried and true formula of “foe today, friend tomorrow” – to a fault. While previously reprehensible villains recounting their tragic backstories is an anime staple, the pace of CloverWorks' adaptation is revealed almost too quickly. Revealing the results lacks punch and ultimately feels like a shallow attempt to generate empathy.
Episode 7 finally pits Haruka against Lion's Head gang member Jo. Although the fight between the sworn enemies is a visual experience, Ironically, a lot of the dramatic tension is eliminated when Jo's backstory is revealed. Although intended to add nuance, the abrupt nature of the flashback makes it feel uncomfortable.
While tragic pasts are standard revelations in Shounen series, Wind Breaker shows that it also needs to be timed properly, otherwise this story will become too obnoxious.
Wind Breaker's flashbacks feel forced
Anime's use of plot shows the artificiality of its use
Haruka and Jo's fight serves as a clash between opposing gang philosophies in this promising new crime anime, giving the two plenty of reason to shout at each other about the nature of strength. as well as when they exchange blows between the two. However, halfway through the episode, the focus shifts to exploring Jo's time at Lion's Head. While scenes of his and Choji's past friendship add depth to their characters, it still feels like an attempt to excuse their thuggish and bullying behavior by showing that they are not always one-dimensional villains, just that in the present, when fight scenes are required.
This becomes even more complicated when Jo essentially tells the audience that his cruelty is just an act to protect Choji's reputation. It feels apologetic, as if the anime is telling the audience that Jo may be a violent gang ruler, but he's a good guy but only pretending. But these details are revealed even though Lion's Head is acting as a villain. It feels ill-timed, like the anime is afraid the audience will hate the rival gang too quickly, especially since the ending credits imply that its leaders will appear regularly in the future. So painful histories are used to attract sympathy before the dust settles.
Nowadays, a tried and true anime is more tired and tiring
The tragic backstories of villains are an indispensable part of anime. As early as the 1980s, Thouzer in Fist of the North Star was exempted from his bloody tyranny by his madness and grief for his dead master. Famously, Naruto's Gaara made the transition from ruthless killer to beloved ally by making judicious use of a traumatic childhood. However, frequent use of this drawing device will reduce its value over time and WindbreakerThe attempt is difficult to take seriously, as it is seen as an explicit request to forgive Jo and Choji, and ask them to return as recurring extras.