Kodansha USA Publishing has announced that the popular manga series, Wind Breaker, will shift to a monthly print release schedule starting in July 2025. This is a significant change for the series, which has seen growing popularity. The move comes as the anime adaptation also gears up for its second season.
Wind Breaker’s Rise in Popularity
Wind Breaker, created by Satoru Nii, is a high school delinquent action manga that has captured the attention of many fans. The series began its English-language journey as a digital release in April 2022. The print version followed in August 2023. The story follows Haruka Sakura, a student who seeks out the strongest fighters, leading him to Fuurin High School, a place known for its brawling students.
The mangaās popularity further increased when CloverWorks produced an anime adaptation. The anime premiered in April 2024. A second season is already slated for April 2025. This simultaneous growth in both manga and anime has fueled the demand for the series.
Anime Adaptation
The anime adaptation of Wind Breaker has been a significant factor in the manga’s growing popularity. The first season, which aired from April to June 2024, was directed by Toshifumi Akai and featured series composition by Hiroshi Seko. Character designs were handled by Taishi Kawakami, and the music was composed by Ryo Takahashi. The anime is available for streaming on Crunchyroll, and a second season is scheduled to premiere in April 2025.
Manga’s Success
The manga has garnered a large following. As of January 2025, there are 20 tankÅbon volumes in Japanese. The English version currently has 17 volumes available digitally and 8 in print. Kodansha USA has been releasing the manga digitally since Spring 2022 and began publishing print versions in August 2023. The series is serialized on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket website, where it consistently ranks highly.
Monthly Release Schedule
The decision to move to a monthly print release schedule highlights the growing demand for Wind Breaker. Currently, print volumes are released every other month. However, starting in July 2025, one new volume will be available each month. This accelerated pace will allow English-speaking fans to catch up with the Japanese releases more quickly.
Upcoming Releases
Before the monthly schedule begins, Volume 9 of the print edition is set to be released on February 4, 2025. Following that, Volume 10 is scheduled for release in April 2025, which will then kick off the new monthly schedule in July.
What to Expect in Future Volumes
The manga promises an intense storyline with more action and character development. As the series progresses, readers can expect to delve deeper into the backstories of characters like Umemiya, while also encountering legendary ex-Furin fighters such as Endo and Takiishi. The battle against the former Furin students is expected to escalate as the story unfolds. The series will continue to focus on the journey of Haruka Sakura as he strives to become the strongest and protect his town.
Where to Read Wind Breaker
Fans can access Wind Breaker through various platforms:
- Digital Editions: Available on platforms like Bookwalker, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, Kobo, MyAnimeList, and Mangamo. All of Kodanshaās digital manga can also be purchased directly from kodansha.us.
- Print Editions: Obtainable from major retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Amazon, as well as other bookstores.
About the Author
Satoru Nii is the talented writer and illustrator behind Wind Breaker. His journey into manga creation was inspired by reading Weekly ShÅnen Magazine during his childhood. Prior to Wind Breaker, Nii created Secret Badminton Club. He was also inspired to create stories about “cool boys,” which led him to focus on creating the story of Wind Breaker.
Synopsis
Wind Breaker centers around Haruka Sakura, a loner and delinquent who enrolls at Fuurin High School, a school known for its tough students. However, he soon discovers that these students, who formed a group known as Bofurin, are not just brawlers. They are dedicated to protecting their town from harm. Sakura, initially only interested in fighting, becomes involved in their cause, aiming to reach the top.
Key Themes
The manga explores themes of:
- Strength and Power: Haruka’s desire to become the strongest is a driving force.
- Friendship and Camaraderie: Despite their tough exterior, the students at Fuurin High show a strong bond.
- Protection and Community: The Bofurin group is committed to safeguarding their town.
- Self-Discovery and Growth: Haruka’s journey is not just about physical strength but also personal development.
The Impact of the Accelerated Schedule
The accelerated print release schedule is expected to significantly impact the mangaās accessibility to its fans in English. By moving to a monthly release, Kodansha is responding to the growing demand and popularity of the series. This will allow fans to immerse themselves in the story more frequently and keep up with the latest developments.
In conclusion, Kodanshaās decision to release Wind Breaker monthly signifies the mangaās increasing influence in the global manga community. With an anime adaptation and an engaging storyline, the series is poised for further growth. Manga fans can look forward to the monthly releases starting July 2025.
