#character: akihiko nirei

[bex-pencil]

무궁화 꽃이 피었습니다~

[hunihimig]

Windbreaker Art trade with @officialmiintee 🌱🍓🐈

cutting classes to pet cats

post-patrol cooldown with kitties!

[grey-spark]

Analyzing the WIND BREAKER Trio

TW: BIG SPOILERS FOR THE MANGA, light mention of abuse.

It’s high time I talk about the main characters of Wind Breaker, who are surprisingly unconventional. They don’t seem to fit neatly into any of the old characters' trifectas we see across media. None of them are girls, for starters, and they don't even seem to fit the classic Freudian trifecta of Id, Ego, and Super Ego. No, in this analysis, I want to talk about their unusual dynamic and how they depend on each other for what they lack in themselves. These traits being:

Sakura’s lack of social skills

Nirei’s lack of strength.

Suo’s lack of self-belief

Sakura Lacks Social Skills

The only evidence I have to cite is the entire manga. He’s no mystery. Sakura has been abused and neglected from a young age both by his parents and his old town. And by the start of the manga, he’s never been shown kindness before. And what this has created is a form of independence from society. Sakura is someone who only deigns society. Something Yamato Endo later adores about him, something Endo has only seen in one other person. Sakura doesn’t need other people, and will never bend himself to other’s will. He said so as much in his fight with Togame.

However, this virtue comes at the price of having ANY sort of common sense. He doesn’t know how to make friends. He doesn’t know how to operate a phone. It’s almost like he’s been living on a deserted island his whole life. He has no interests, no furniture.

So he needs a guide. That’s Nirei. He lets Nirei hang around him like a little remora fish because he knows that Nirei will point him in the right direction. He’s not so much a “best friend” rather he’s better described as a “foremost friend” who’s made it his personal mission to guide Sakura to the top. 

He displays a greater comfort around Nirei than he does with Suo. To Sakura, Suo is a rival and begrudging mentor to who he derives wisdom from. Now, he’s not a complete rival and foil in the way that Sugishita is, but from the moment, he sees Suo fight, he’s already dreaming of ways to have a real fight with him, but he respects him enough to plan the bridge defense while preparing for the war.

In this sense, Sakura takes motherly doting support from Nirei and fatherly challenging support from Suo. Though he would never ever admit to that. Its interesting how clinically he views both of his friends. He treats them more like social workers who’ve been assigned to him than buddies to hang out with.

Nirei Lacks Strength

At the start of the series, Nirei lacks physical and mental strength. He literally doesn’t know how to fight at all and constantly hides behind his friends. And until his breaking point with KEEL, he basically uses them as bodyguards. After KEEL, Nirei realizes that simply advising and studying others is not enough and makes an effort to at least be able to defend himself and become strong.

And to his credit he does this. By the end of the war arc. He has attained complete mental strength. When Nirei throws that punch on the bridge he has everything. He becomes a complete hero. Lacking only muscle and training. Mitsuki knows this. Suo knows this. All of them know it and are more than willing to help him grow into what will probably one day be Hiragi’s replacement. 

Suo Lacks Self-Belief

(in his own moral judgment.)

By self-belief, I don’t mean that in a confidence sense, but rather a worthiness sense. Suo is the most perplexing of the three because we know so little about him at the moment. And that’s by design, he wears a mask of impenetrable mystique.

But we can make some observations of his values even if we don’t know the details yet of how he came to them. So lets start by examining what Suo admires about his friends: Sakura’s moral conviction and Nirei’s purity. 

Suo adores Nirei’s purity and innocence, which he finds infinitely more valuable than strength. Nirei doesn’t have a bad bone in this body. The concept of doing something evil has never once crossed his mind. Even after years of being tormented by bullies, one would expect him to go on a revenge arc. But NOPE. He doesn’t even consider it. He’s more concerned about his sick friend or helping an old man he barely knows find peace. As far as Suo is concerned, Nirei is the perfect one and has the most potential of the three because he's already mastered what Sakura and himself lack. Morality and social grace are harder to acquire than muscle. 

In Sakura, Suo sees a champion who can carry his moral convictions like a banner. He says as much before challenging Minoru to a “fight”. 

Time and time again, he reiterates that Sakura is bound to surpass him. But he never means it in reference to combat. In fact, by that point, he hasn’t even seen Sakura have a real fight. And later on, he says it again, when Sakura is able to get a handle on his rage, whereas Suo wants to beat an opponent while he is down. The guy who hurt someone they both deeply cared about.

What he sees in Sakura is a moral conviction that he lacks in himself. At the time I am writing this we know shockingly little about Suo. About his backstory, his master, his Chinese fashion taste, his eye. And neither do his allies. But have clues. We see him refuse to eat with the others, claiming to be on a diet. It was disrespectful of him to not eat anything at that leadership summit, so he had to have a bigger reason. Consider the other character who refused to eat in the story, it becomes more obvious he may have a guilt complex.

What this points to is that Suo has a history. He’s done bad things in the past and now feels guilty and undeserving. His solution is to not find moral clarity in himself but to surround himself with those who can. It's an issue he's going to have to deal with at some point.

What to do with these three?

Looking back, you begin to notice that the nature of their friendship starts out as very transactional. Sakura needs social guides and barely considers them friends at all. Nirei uses his friends as protection and role-models to get stronger. And Suo uses his friends as a way to outsource his moral compass.

But it didn’t stay that way. Sakura starts fighting with others in mind and even plays games with Nirei; who becomes a real fighter just like the others with the help of Suo, who trusts himself enough to become a teacher after being inspired by Sakura. They inspire each other and grow. That’s normal for Shonen. But this strange dynamic is something I find peculiar, breaking the mold of what i’d expect from a heroic trio. It's all very refreshing.

[falling-star-cygnus]

WHY IS HE SUCH A DORK 😭 ->The LOOK on Sakura's face is absolutely sending me, his ass was NOT impressed

i think this might be my favorite arc so far, with the way everyone immediately rushes to Sakura's defense. AND THE WAY SAKURA INDIRECTLY SAID HIS PLACE WAS IN MAKOCHI ↑ NIREI BEING SO HAPPY THAT SAKURA STILL WANTS TO SPEND TIME WITH THEM!? AND THAT HE'S NOT RUNNING AWAY FROM THEIR AFFECTION!?

i need a crossover between WinBre and Natsuyuu now, i fear...

[101suouexpressions]

Suou, the one who values his words

I know I recently kinda called him a liar in my fic, but despite what people might think, Suou truly never lies.

Harmless jokes

Suou had made quite the entrance with his unique style and the famous "Leo Dicaprio" line.

This, to people who knew he was just bluffing for fun (which was pretty much everyone except our beloved Sakura), was quite the shocker, but in a good way, since it helped bringing across that he was indeed friendly.

Facing inquiries from his peers

Suou's way of dealing with questions he doesn't want to answer resembles his fighting style a lot: Deflecting, and throwing the opponent off-balance.

Deflection here refers to how he diverts the attention to someone/something else, thus avoiding having to elaborate.

For example, after the duels with Shishitouren, Suou redirected his classmates to Nirei so that he didn't have to answer.

And by throwing the opponent off-balance, I mean he asked the question back at the other person, like how he dealt with Sakura here.

This doesn't always work, but it is surely effective against someone who is as easily flustered as Sakura.

However, this means that Suou's natural enemies are people who push for an answer regardless of his effort to drive them away.

Entering: Tsugeura Taiga.

Apparently, Suou really had a hard time fending himself off of pushy people. I'm pretty sure he would just beat it into their heads if they weren't someone he cares about, but Tsugeura was his classmate and although stubborn, the boy meant no harm. This left Suou, in a way, kind of helpless.

Look at his face, he's going though it! (And I'm cackling about it haha)

No matter what, there will always be situations where he couldn't crack a joke to cover up, but instead of lying about it, Suou simply refused to answer.

This can be either just nodding to what they say and calling it a day...

(You can see the pattern here. "Everyone calls me that", "That's what everyone says". He's avoiding having to give a concrete answer.)

...or, smiling mysterously.

When Sakura took notice of Nirei's scrapings and questioned Suou about it, you can see the contrast between Nirei's and Suou's responses here. Nirei had opted to an innocuous lie in hope that Sakura wouldn't push it, while Suou only gave him a secretive smile.

Suou just, does not lie.

I feel like a lot of people don't recognize this trait of him. To be fair, it was only when I was going through my notes of Suou's behaviors that I finally saw the pattern.

So, what do y'all think?

[goatedgreen]

pt2 of wind breaker as textposts/memes YAY ^-^

pt1 / pt2 / pt3 / pt4 / pt5 / pt6

[raamitsu]

AND ONCE AGAIN, KAJI SPITS 👏

[pan-gya]

nirei is criminally under appreciated by the fandom

[officialmiintee]

i love you wind breaker art! what are your thoughts about nirei? you always draw him so bright and i love that so much!

I LOVE NIREI AKIHIKO SO MUCH

I've always had a soft spot for characters who act as walking encyclopedias/informants/information wielders. Nirei gives a refreshing twist to that because he really just loves knowing everything and anything without any ulterior motive. He's just naturally curious, and I think that's what makes him unique and strong in his own accord in a place like Furin, who is mostly filled with brawlers. What he might lack in physical skills (at the moment), he makes up for his intelligence. His moral and empathy are big pluses too! I feel like he's the type of character who "wants to know because knowing is his way of caring". He wanted to know more about Sakura because he cares for Sakura, he talks to Sugishita and learns more about him because he cares what Sugishita is struggling to feel, and his curious mind is his biggest proof that he cares a lot for everything and anything. I honestly can write an entire essay about him and how I'm truly amazed by Nirei but TLDR: i love him so much, he's such a bright and warm character so I do my best to capture that

[lostsowly]

What's your favorite platonic wbk pairing and/or group and what do you love most about their dynamic? 👀

Stoic, I'm sending you to jail because it should be a crime to make me choose a favourite 😭 /j /nsrs /lh

I guess for me that would be Class 1-1. I love those sillies (affectionate). I was initially going to say the Trio, but honestly I just love the dynamics between the class as a whole. What do I love about them the most? I’d say the way there’s no prejudice or judgement between them. None of them are perfect and have their own set of issues they have to deal with, but that never affects their unconditional care for one another. The major example of it that most of the fans would agree upon would be Sakura’s journey (I love Chapter 60), but I would also add Anzai during the Keel arc as well as how Nirei, by far, may not be the best fighter in the class, but that has never impacted how much they love and respect him as their Vice Captain. They are willing to take on their classmates’ problems as their own while coaxing them to open up without pushing any boundaries or invoking discomfort. The level of openness while respecting their privacy at the same time, giving each other the space to open up and rely on each other without feeling pressured or forced. 

I think I’m also projecting a little here because it took me a long time to find friendship like that, and honestly it’s the most beautiful thing! It's the best place Sakura could've found himself in. Of course the same goes for everyone else (especially certain people who are not so open, *cough* Suo *cough*) and I hope they eventually do find themselves relying on their classmates as much as they are willing to help each other.

Ending this with my favourite Class 1-1 panel ^^

This didn't turn out as well as I was expecting but I hope you get what I'm trying to say 😭🫶

[bex-pencil]

[in-kensington-gardens]

"ultimately, love exists in the lone man who allows himself to be loved even when he's scared."

🌿 a sakura haruka character analysis.

we are made of hearts that echo the songs of both hope and despair — and we are all made of stories... unconsciously writing strings of letters, adding sentences over sentences sometimes larger than the pages. a syntax some can empathise, but surely not many can understand on the first read.

an overture... a chapter of grief, of fear, of regrets, of joy — and sometimes, of love.

sakura haruka's began at the first hour of the sun's peak, when he met nirei in a shadowed alleyway, and it overflowed into a rowdy classroom of faces who would soon wear the look of familiarity. shame was what he felt first — he had not known love. it was something he never found from others... the one thing he's never had the privilege of having.

it magnified in the instant he was made representative. an odd sense of belonging bubbling in the pits of his chest, right under the surface of being needed, but a feeling he could not quite pin down as he overhauls with an exaggerated doom. fear was what he felt then — he had not known love. it never occurred to him that regardless of what he could offer, he was someone they believed in unconditionally.

before he realised love existed in the small corners of his classroom, he felt his first surrender. oddly, it was a defeat that which didn't feel like a loss. a defeat he surmised was a sense of equal bewilderment and relief, as though he had been clutching unto a thin thread for so long, nails digging in his skin, and only finally understood the concept of peace. as though surrender was what he was meant to do all along — and it felt right.

a punch to the gut, both literally and figuratively, when sugishita practically forced the truth into his system that one night with noroshi and sakura broke.

you're not alone. we have your back — so don't be afraid to fall.

sugishita wasn't one for many words, but as the mantra of furin's top dog echoed down all the way to the borders, "talk with your fists." and though one-sided, it was a conversation sakura would forever remember.

we are made of hearts that echo the songs of both hope and despair, and we are all made of stories. sakura once believed his was that of a lone man's book, a journey following hands that held only the self and never others, and a cup that filled itself, never by others. a lone man who only knew love in the way he put himself to bed when he was tired, and in the way he carried himself to the stairs even when his knees ached. a lone man who believed love only existed when he was alone.

but love also exists in a run-down box of walls, graffitis signed by hands that try to make a purpose. love exists in the crests of pale knuckles that fight alongside him, in laughter that rings in forgotten hallways. love exists in taiyakis handed in the streets as an extension of thanks, in the omurice sakura makes a point to always have from kotoha. it exists in the scribbles on nirei's notes, in suo's left that rights him on his feet when he forgets his place.

ultimately, love exists in the lone man who allows himself to be loved even when he's scared.

he realises his book wasn't much of a book as it was a love letter. when we are created with hearts that echo a song of hope and despair, who are we to deprive ourselves of the one thing that carries us all?

[beanghostprincess]

Nirei went from hiding behind Sakura

To be the one to stand up for him

[thejollyeclectic]

Wind breaker trio

[101suouexpressions]

Sakura redirected his classmates towards Suou and Nirei because he was shy and bad with words, but Suou redirected everything to Nirei because he didn't want to spend time elaborating to them. That is the difference between "cannot" and "don't want to".

I 100% agree that Nirei is a good story-teller though!

[orange-cheetah]

Nirei Akihiko (楡井秋彦) Character Profile

Bofurin | Tamon Unit | 1st Year Vice-Captain

School: Furin High 1-1

Height: 163cm | Weight: 57kg | Birthday: 21 September | Constellation: Virgo | Blood type: O

Image colour: Dandelion [#FFD900 - see below]

Likes: Everyone in Furin | Dislikes: Horror movies

Favourite food: Gummies | Disliked food: Ethnic cuisine

Fashion style: Hats, sunglasses, open-collared shirts, second-hand clothing (he's the cheap type), likes leather shoes more than sneakers

Hobby: Intel gathering

Favourite season: Autumn | Favourite music genre: Songs with a good flow [bangers]

Best subject: Japanese | Worst subject: Mathematics

Special skill: Memorizing the faces and names of people (isn't aware of this himself)

Person they respect, senpai they look up to: Umemiya-san, Sakura-san

Dream: To win a fight by himself

Recent W (or L): Lost his favourite pen

Favourite place in Makochi: Furin High

What they always do in the morning: Arrange his futon neatly

[masterlist]