Manga fans, get ready! Kodansha USA Publishing has announced a significant shift in the release schedule for Satoru Nii’s popular manga series, Wind Breaker. Starting July 2025, the print edition of Wind Breaker will move to a monthly release schedule, promising fans a much faster way to collect the series. This exciting news comes as the manga’s popularity continues to surge, fueled by the success of its anime adaptation.
Monthly Manga Releases Begin in July 2025
The acceleration of the print release schedule will begin in July 2025 with the publication of Volume 10. This move is a significant change from the previous schedule, which saw new volumes released every few months. Fans who have been eagerly waiting for new content will now have a steady stream of Wind Breaker volumes hitting the shelves monthly.
What to Expect from the Upcoming Volumes
The upcoming volumes are expected to delve deeper into the intense battles, character backstories, and challenges faced by the members of Bofurin, the group of high school delinquents who protect their town. As the story progresses, readers can anticipate new developments for protagonist Haruka Sakura and his peers.
Wind Breaker’s Journey From Manga to Anime
Wind Breaker first debuted as a digital-first manga series in English in April 2022. The print version followed in August 2023. Created by Satoru Nii, the series quickly gained a dedicated following. Its blend of high school delinquent action and engaging characters has resonated with readers and viewers alike.
Anime Adaptation and Second Season
The popularity of Wind Breaker led to an anime adaptation produced by CloverWorks, which premiered in April 2024. The first season concluded in June 2024, and a second season has been confirmed for an April 2025 premiere. The anime has further boosted the manga’s popularity, drawing in new fans. The series is streamed on Crunchyroll, where it is available in both subbed and dubbed versions.
Where to Find Wind Breaker
As of January 2025, 17 volumes of Wind Breaker are available digitally, and 8 volumes are in print. Volume 9 is scheduled for release on February 4, 2025, and Volume 10 will follow in July, marking the beginning of the monthly print releases. Fans can purchase both print and digital editions of Wind Breaker from a variety of vendors.
Print and Digital Retailers
Print editions of the manga can be found at physical and online book vendors such as Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Amazon. Digital editions are available on platforms including BookWalker, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, Kobo, MyAnimeList, and Mangamo. All Kodansha digital manga can also be purchased directly from their website.
The Story of Wind Breaker
Wind Breaker revolves around Haruka Sakura, a high school student who is only interested in fighting the strongest. He enrolls at Fuurin High School, an institution known for its brawling students, who use their strength to protect their town. Sakura, initially uninterested in being a hero or part of a team, gradually becomes involved in the group Bofurin.
Key Themes and Influences
The manga explores themes of strength, camaraderie, and the desire to protect others. Satoru Nii, the creator of Wind Breaker, drew inspiration from manga such as Rave Master and Samurai Deeper Kyo. He initially considered making Umemiya the main character, but ultimately chose to bring in Sakura to provide an outsider’s perspective on the story.
The Impact of Wind Breaker
Wind Breaker has achieved significant success, with over 1.22 million copies sold as of March 2022, across both its digital and print formats. The series has also expanded into a stage play and a video game. The stage play has had performances in Osaka and is set to have more in Tokyo. The video game is scheduled for release in Japan on March 12 for iOS, Android, and PC via Steam.
Fan Reception
The series has consistently ranked at the top of rankings on Weekly Shonen Magazine’s official app, “Magazine Pocket.” The consistent reprints and the demand for the series highlight its popularity among manga fans. The upcoming monthly release schedule is expected to further fuel this popularity and allow fans to follow the story more closely.
What’s Next for Wind Breaker
With the monthly print releases starting in July 2025, Wind Breaker is set to reach an even wider audience. The second season of the anime in April 2025 will likely introduce more fans to the series, ensuring that the manga’s popularity continues to grow. The accelerated release schedule will also allow the English version to eventually catch up with the Japanese releases.
Catching Up to Japanese Releases
Currently, there are 20 volumes of Wind Breaker released in Japanese, with 8 of them translated into English. With the monthly release, it is projected that the English releases will catch up to the Japanese releases by the end of 2026. This means fans can expect a consistent stream of new content, further solidifying Wind Breaker’s place in the manga world.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Wind Breaker Fans
The announcement by Kodansha to move Wind Breaker to a monthly print release schedule is exciting news for fans of the series. This accelerated pace will not only allow readers to collect the manga more quickly, but also further increase the series’ popularity and solidify its status as a fan-favorite. With a second season of the anime also on the horizon, the future looks very bright for the Wind Breaker franchise.
