Okay, but can we talk about how excellent of a narrative choice it was for Nii-sensei to have Suo be a "translator" in the story.
Like, he is the one bridging the literal gap in comprehension between people who speak different languages in Bankoku-Gai.
But from moment one he was translating Sakura to the others and the others to Sakura, he tried to bridge the gap between the others and Sugishita, he did the same with Ito and his late wife....
He is a translator, and because he is the one constantly translating, he stays out of the scope of understanding as a figure meant to connect and understand others but never quite connect or be understood himself.
And when he doesn't speak the language or isn't familiar with it, his translation comes off wonky, like it did in the Sick Sakura mini arc.
Truly outstanding writing there.
Nirei seems to be the one who has started learning Suo's language a bit, and thus his attempt at translating Suo for the others, but it's lacking in so much.
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Something that's occurring to me is that Wind Breaker isn't just doing found family narratives, but also other examinations of non-standard family structures.
Sugishita is being raised by his grandparents because neither of his parents wanted to be involved in his life after their divorce.
Umemiya and Kotoha were raised in a group foster home.
Togame has lived with his grandfather since he was young.
And all of these situations are not just okay, they're good environments for a kid to come up in.
Then we have Tsubaki, whose parents we haven't seen directly, but who has loving non-custodial adults.
Kiryu is a situation where we see parents aren't always willing or capable to provide a nurturing environment, but his sister ensured he has support.
I have a feeling Suo will fall somewhere in here with his master and martial brothers.
It just, it really is underlining that there's no one true way to have a family, regardless of blood ties or direct descent.
Endo said the furthest thing from the truth, and it's completely understandable that Sakura reacted so aggressively.
Okay, Suo wasn't honest with the boys and constantly lied to them. But does that mean he wasn't their ally?
What about everything Suo did during his time at Furin? It was Suo who suggested Sakura become first-year grade captain because he believed in him. It was Suo who trained and motivated Nirei. He was seen as the brain and heart of their team, when he proved himself as the strategist during the Noroshi War.
Throughout his time at Furin, Suo supported the boys, helping them develop. He cared about their well-being and making them even stronger. If that's not behavior worthy of an ally, I don't know what is.
Suo did what he had to do and disappeared and only his disappearance should be considered betrayal. I refuse to believe that what he did while he was with the boys stemmed from malicious intent. He brought too much good to the group to be considered anything other than an ally.
I believe Suo was the strongest ally from the very beginning.
I used to think Wind Breaker was a sports series where the sport happened to be bare knuckle street fighting but after 219 I understand
This is a dating sim.
No no no, by all means let’s pause the action about this mysterious town who had a spy among the main characters FOR YEARS so that the cute boy can cook the other cute boy breakfast as they discuss their feelings and recurring dreams about yet another cute boy
Analyzing the way the Bofurin boys sleep, and how it reflects their personalities
Wordy title, but I think it explains the intent of this post well enough.
(obligatory) DISCLAIMER: I am not a sleep doctor or professional. Certain sleeping positions may or may not reflect personality traits IRL. But given that these are fictional characters, I thought it would be interesting to analyze the characters using this certain angle as I’m sure Nii Satoru had taken their canon characteristics in mind in the process of making this sketch.
That’s enough yapping though, let’s just get into the post lol
Nirei
Amongst the other characters in 1-1 here, the way Nirei sleeps is quite… strange. His pillow is strewn far away from him + his blanket is pretty much discarded. Both of these things (and his unnatural position) imply that Nirei is a very restless sleeper, which could reflect his heavy anxieties or overt enthusiasm.
As for the position itself, it almost looks like Nirei is crawling rather than sleeping normally. Given how one side of his body is leaning like that, it’s not the most comfortable nor healthiest for a teenager. But do you know what age group in particular sleeps with their hips raised into the air in a similar fashion to Nirei?
Babies. Nirei literally sleeps like a baby. (Infants are also prone to kicking away blankets as well!)
This isn’t to say that Nirei is mentally or subconsciously an infant, though. I believe it can refer to his lack of physical strength when he first joined Furin. As he trains under Suo and gets stronger, Nirei develops his confidence and fighting skills more, ie. he’s slowly growing as a person.
Tsugeura
Tsugeura’s way of sleeping is also a bit over the place. His arms are stretched out, his shirt is disheveled, and his legs are also strewn about. Tsuge’s mouth is wide open, so I’ll assume he also snores (and dear god snoring is loud). But despite the fact his sleeping position would occupy the most size in a bed, Tsuge looks quite relaxed. All of these characteristics point to the fact that Tsugeura is a pretty rambunctious person, though he does know when to step back if needed.
Suo
In contrast with the previous boys, the way Suo sleeps is much more composed. His head is flat against a pillow, he clasps his hands when he sleeps (which adds to Suo’s generally dignified demeanor), and he actually uses a blanket! There’s not much to comment here, but the stillness of Suo’s pose could resemble a corpse—which only adds to the mysteriousness of his character.
Sakura
Sakura’s position is also quite healthy—it resembles a fetal position, but his joints remain stacked. However, Sakura uses his forearms to support his head. This is not healthy and can lead to arm/neck problems, which implies that Sakura doesn’t sleep with a pillow or even a makura in with his futon.
Although sleeping without the support of a pillow can be healthy for some people, this only emphasizes how neglected Sakura was growing up (you can’t even see a pillow provided in his flashback). He’s used to always supporting himself, even in a state when he’s supposed to rest. Someone get this poor guy a flat pillow so he can comfortably sleep
Kiryu
As opposed to Sakura, Kiryu sleeps comfortably despite living in a shed. He uses a body pillow and hugs it, which promotes a sense of comfort and security for the hugger—but he also locks his legs around the pillow, making this gesture seem a lot more clingier than it should be. It only goes to show his laidback personality, but it’s no surprise he might seek out other means of security given his home situation. Kiryu also has a tendency to hug his cushions even when he isn’t sleeping (cute)
Sugishita
Sugishita’s position is… not very healthy to say the least. When one sleeps, it’s generally recommended to sleep on your spine and not on your stomach (unless there are health reasons you might need to sleep on your tummy instead). He usually sleeps with his face on a desk, which isn’t an issue within itself.
Unfortunately, Sugishita sleeps on his stomach quite often (since we see him wake up that way in the manga). It’s an easy position to fall asleep in (given how Sugi always seems so fatigued + he takes naps often), but it can mess with your spine in the long term This is probably why his posture is kind of screwed.
Kaji
Kaji’s position is also pretty weird. It looks like the Peter Griffin Fallen pose lmfao
Aside from that, Kaji is also shown to be a restless sleeper, given his unnatural position (all his weight is sitting on that poor arm) and a pillow being present but not used. However, this could probably indicate how Kaji tries to suppress his ‘beast’ in his day to day life, and its erratic nature may be subconsciously manifesting itself as he sleeps.
Umemiya
Umemiya’s pose is similar to Tsugeura’s, however his body is a lot less spread out. This can reflect his cheery personality, while retaining his general composure as the top of Bofurin and someone that many people respect/admire.
Ume is also shown to be asleep with his reading glasses and a book in his hand, implying that he likes to read before he sleeps, which is a healthy habit to have before going to sleep. Umemiya likes to read in general, usually lounging with a book on the Furin rooftop.
He is the only character we see using a bed in this art, which shows that the kids at the orphanage sleep on beds rather than futons. Just like Sugishita, we see a makeshift mount (made of books?) to accommodate Ume’s tall height.
Hiiragi
Compared to Umemiya, Hiiragi’s arms are crossed while he sleeps—reflecting his strict and rather uptight personality. Doing this can also be a self-soothing act [as a way to protect oneself subconsciously], which is needed for someone like Hiiragi who often gets stressed easily.
In conclusion: Tsugeura, Suo and Umemiya sleep in the healthiest way. Don’t sleep like Sugishita on a bed kids
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the revelation that suo helped care for and train younger kids that were in harsh environments puts this scene, and the entirety of 56, into a fresh perspective for me. suo was familiar with circumstances like these. it even explains why he took the lead, when hes usually more content hanging back. suo couldve been working off of his own personal experience in ch56, but i dont really believe that anymore. he was very efficient when he entered sakuras house. it was well practiced. he intruded as much as necessary to ascertain sakurasa well-being, and left once he had.
these panels, however, i completely believe are things that suo went through. especially the second one. that has to be how he felt after losing/damaging his eye. the only thing we dont know is what happened that 'wasnt normal for him' but considering this whole conversation is about receiving help that you dont know how to engage with, it couldve been from his master, or from rakta or from bacchus. or someone unrelated! we dont know yet. OR it could even serve as foreshadowing for this current arc. nii sensei put in a blaring neon sign saying "SUO CANNOT HANDLE RECEIVING HELP IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES" and nirei being like "i want to anyway ❤"
this panel also sticks out to me. theres something so distinctly longing in his expression. and the way that we see nirei moving away from him but not him with kotoha really emphasizes that lonely feeling. suo is so cleanly separated from them and their ways of thinking.
Why Shishitoren was a good first arc and what it established about our main characters [Analysis]
(Pretty long post ahead!!)
[From chapter 10]
Who I'm referring to when I say main characters: Sakura, Umemiya, Sugishita, Suo, and Nirei (even though I had nothing to say about him in this analysis). And I personally do not count the first four chapters as an arc, considering it's literally just an introduction.
We're gonna go in order, so:
Sugishita vs. Arima
I adore how fast that fight happened, if we can even call it a fight. It really didn't need to be longer, because Sugishita already had his time to shine during his fight against Sakura.
Though, it does put into perspective just how strong Sugishita is (and how skilled Sakura is, considering he was able to keep up with him) and it establishes that his high pain tolerance is one of his main strength.
But it also displayed his biggest weakness: Umemiya, or, how much he cares about Umemiya, even above himself or his own safety.
[From chapter 10]
Despite his outward nonchalant attitude, it becomes obvious very quickly that Sugishita is very fragile emotionally. He struggles to handle and hide his emotions, and lacks the emotional maturity a fifteen years-old should have (which we learn later why), as we can see with just how jealous he is of Sakura being skilled, but most importantly, the fact that Umemiya recognises Sakura's potential too.
But the thing is, he's clearly aware of it, which is why he's so focused on staying by Umemiya's side, who guides and reassures Sugishita like it's breathing.
[From chapter 10, 11, & 28]
Sugishita and Umemiya's dynamic also emphasises Umemiya's own maturity, patience and natural leadership. It would be easy for Umemiya to force Sugishita to be more social, to sit in the circle and talk with others, but he doesn't. He doesn't tease him for it either, he just lets Sugishita stay in his comfort zone where and when he wants to, without babying him or coddling him in that comfort zone either.
Suo vs. Kanuma
During his very first introduction, we're clearly told there's something off about Suo, but he's still so friendly!! And helpful to Sakura! It's hard to know just how genuine this friendliness is, but with this fight, we get a much better idea of Suo's personality as a whole. Yes, Suo is kind, playful and protective, but he's also got this much darker, sadistic, and childish part of himself.
I like the difference in which Umemiya and Sakura see Suo letting the fight go on, instead of ending it just as quickly as Sugishita did. Umemiya has more experience, and is able to see Suo as a whole, both his kindness and childish desire to show how strong he can be to Sakura, despite the fact that Sakura doesn't understand that and instead sees Suo's way of handling this fight as cruel.
[From chapter 12]
But this fight also gives us clues on who Suo used to be, or who he's trying not to be, and on his master as well, with his Staircase to adulthood metaphor, which is ironic because he's still a teenager himself.
[From chapter 12 & 13]
We're also told to expect a fight between Sakura and Suo at some point.
Hiragi vs. Sako
I really don't have anything to say about their fight xD Other than the tension between these two is so thick you could cut it with a knife
like.
[From chapter 14 & 15]
I'm honestly really glad that Sako came back later on, it was a nice surprise!
Sakura vs. Togame
While this fight is a lot more about Togame than Sakura, Togame's problematic with Tomiyama's behaviour and how much he's indulged him in this behaviour serves as a great warning on the ways that love and devotion can turn into something twisted, even if the love is pure.
But I think that Togame sort of giving up at the end (and then trying to talk to Tomiyama when he came on stage) is also a good comfort for Sakura to see that even someone who he considers trashy can change, actually.
[From chapter 1 & 20]
The story keeps on pushing Sakura to face this new perspective, the one where he doesn't have to reject people and stay alone, to aim for the top alone, simply because he believed so for so long, he's allowed to meet new people who expend his perspective on life and himself.
I was thinking this might have also been an important fight for Sugishita to see, even if he seemed more focused on Sakura being a good fighter than the way his own devotion for Umemiya parallels Togame's for Tomiyama. But, to be fair, we barely get any insight on Sugishita's thoughts in general, so he might have noticed but just thought something along the lines of: It's not like Umemiya would ever lose his mind like Tomiyama, right? Right.
[From chapter 22] (Umemiya isn't in the shot here but he is sitting where Sugishita's looking at, on his right.)
Also, this fight was a good way to start Togame and Sakura's friendship, which becomes really important later on!
Now, about Sakura, we've got yet another claim that he'd prefer death over humiliation/giving up, and while it may seem like an exaggeration, we learn much later on that he means it. So, Sakura values his goals above himself or his own safety, and he might have suffered or even still suffer from some type of suicidal ideation/thoughts.
[From chapter 17]
And once again, the story insists on Sakura's instinctive protectiveness, when he tries to attack Tomiyama for kicking Togame.
One last thing I think this fight did well was 'refuse' to give the answer of who's the strongest between the two. By making Togame give up, the author basically said "This story may have fighting as a mean to create tension and push its characters to change, but it's still at its core about teenagers learning to be better people." and I think that's neat.
Umemiya vs. Tomiyama
This fight was perfect to showcase Umemiya's emotional maturity regarding his title, and his talents as a fighter, which were contrasted by Tomiyama's current mental and emotional instability.
I've also just found the depiction of Tomiyama's breakdown beautiful, both in the textures and emotions on their faces, but also in how calm, patient, and stable Umemiya stays toward Tomiyama, like an anchor during a storm. Even when it would have been more than justified to just throw him of, Umemiya makes a point to have a conversation with Tomiyama, to try to guide him out of this lonely path.
[From chapter 25]
Forgiveness is a core character trait of Umemiya, and knowing about his past, his patience and gentleness toward Tomiyama make a lot of sense.
Now, back on Sakura. Sakura and Tomiyama have one trait in common, which is the one that drove Tomiyama out of line: they love fighting and find purpose in it.
Sakura seeing just how destructive letting yourself fall into that feeling of loneliness, while pushing others away (or having others pushed away from him, in Tomiyama's case) was crucial for him and his journey as the next leader of Bofurin.
Basically, this arc is a direct continuation of Sakura's first obstacle in the story: Kotoha's claim, clashing with Sakura's core belief that he can only count on himself.
[From chapter 29 & 28]
Despite being one of my least favourite arc (I don't hate it, I just prefer other arcs), I think it did a really good job at 'selling' itself and wbk. The way the fights gradually become more and more interesting made sense, it's basically a tournament arc but remixed and a lot more interesting because there are only 5 fights, and it shows us that despite the anatomy, poses, textures, and angles of the 'camera' being mastered, wbk also has many stories to tell with its characters, and that Sakura's journey will be a lot more complex than getting strong enough to beat Umemiya in a fight.
This panel is so pretty but what I love about it most is them. Poor Nirei, worried sick over Suo, feeling awful that his friend is missing, isn’t answering calls, doesn’t trust the Bofurin class that’s become this family, calls Suo not expecting a reply after days of missed calls from everyone…and Suo answers. He actually answers. He answers Nirei’s call after ignore everyone else’s attempts, after letting everyone else blow up his phone. He answers only Nirei. Not only that but he answers and the first thing he says after days of silence is out of concern about his health in this cold weather, while Nirei shouts concern about where he’s been.
Not only does Suo answer, but he’s physically there and lets himself be seen after days by only one person: Nirei.
There’s so much here and so much I want to say but for now I’m relieved that at least Nirei, precious Nirei gets Suo. That Suo lets himself be heard, and lets himself be seen by Nirei. I only hope that Suo lets him in completely and explains. A secret like this might be hard for Nirei to hold for long, but I hope Suo fully opens to him so at least someone knows and he doesn’t have to carry whatever this is alone anymore.
