Wind Breaker – Episode 13 Recap, Review & Ending Explained

For A Friend

Episode 13 of Wind Breaker continues with Sakura and the rest of the Grade Captains, along with their secondaries, meeting the four kings of Bofurin and Umemiya. Nirei introduces the four: Tasuku Tsubakino, head of the Jikoku Team; Saku Mizuki, head of the Komoku Team; Takumi Momoso, head of the Zojo Team; and Toma Hiragi, head of the Tamon Team.

After Nirei’s introductions, Umemiya welcomes the Grade Captains and thanks them for their support, emphasizing that he relies on them to help their friends and the people.

Later, while walking through the streets, Sakura and friends come across a group of hooded strangers known to be from a dangerous team called KEEL, who are looking for a certain person. They later find an injured classmate, Anzai, in a dark alley. Despite numerous encouragements, Anzai lies about his bruises and leaves, feigning cheerfulness.

Anzai meets with his childhood friend and discusses a certain person called Nagato, who is seemingly involved with KEEL. After Anzai leaves, Sakura appears in front of Anzai’s friend, having followed Anzai earlier.

The friend explains how the three were close friends, with Nagato being the kindest and quietest of them. One day, Anzai caught a purse snatcher in town, who turned out to be Nagato, a member of KEEL. Anzai had been trying to bring Nagato back but didn’t want Bofurin to get caught up in his personal issue since Bofurin protects the town. She expresses how hopeless she feels to Sakura, who promises to bring Nagato back.

Later, in the classroom, Anzai receives a mysterious letter and dashes out, with Sakura following him. Eventually, Sakura takes hold of the letter, which has a picture of Nagato getting beaten up and a location for Anzai to come to.

Anzai finally tells Sakura the whole story about how he followed Nagato after the purse-snatching incident and saw him getting bullied by KEEL members for not bringing enough money. When Anzai intervened, Nagato confronted him while visibly crying. Anzai barely managed to flee from the KEEL members.

He relays how Nagato, despite being kind and quiet, had always been strong, and his crying indicates that something is seriously wrong. Sakura decides to visit the place with Anzai, emphasizing that they’re classmates.

At this moment, the entire class, having listened to Sakura and Anzai’s conversation, decides to tag along, highlighting their camaraderie. The entire class heads for KEEL’s hangout as Kaji and the second years spot their juniors leaving.

The Episode Review

Wind Breaker season 1 finally comes to an end with an episode that highlights the spirit of Bofurin and the anime as a whole, aptly titled “For A Friend.” This episode showcases the psyche behind Bofurin and the students who attend Furin High. They are not just a team but a family who protect those in need and stand by each other through thick and thin.

Much of the Bofurin culture is due to Umemiya’s exemplary leadership, as seen in a scene where he bows to his juniors, telling them he counts on them. “Watch your friends closely wherever you are, and help them out, please,” he adds.

This ethos trickles down to how Sakura and his classmates react when they find their friend in need.

Even in the finale, Wind Breaker ends on a high note, highlighting the core themes of friendship, growth, team spirit, and protecting and helping the weak, which define the anime. It also ends with a cliffhanger that teases the next arc in the upcoming season, which we absolutely cannot wait for!