I Saw Someone Say That Every Time Gojo Lets Himself Be Human, He Ends Up Getting Punished

If you think that Dick doesn't share his problems with other people because he thinks it will upset others...

Let me introduce you:

Dick knows perfectly well that he has a world of people who would drop everything to go help him, that he would never be a bother to them, but that's precisely why he doesn't want to worry them, because as he is usually the support, he knows how tiring it can be, and because he doesn't want anyone to think that he is unwilling to help them.

What's the role of suo character? He is considered as main character with nirei or as deuteragonist but I see he has no importance outside protecting nirei!. I don't understand the hype around his mysterious aura

I think probably what you're looking for is a more flashy fight/action centric series then! You'd probably enjoy all this time you're putting into sending anonymous asks about a show you don't see the appeal of more if you spent it instead on media you can enjoy! However, I will absolutely take this opportunity to gush about Suo you are giving me on a silver plate happily! So let's talk about why Suo is so fascinating narratively!

Labeling him as a deuteragonist is actually pretty spot on, to be honest. He is a character that sticks by the protagonist's side pretty consistently throughout the story. Suo as a character gives advice to Sakura about what will help him grow and achieve what he wants as class captain as well as provides an interesting combination of parallels as well as differences in perspectives compared to Sakura. Additionally, Sakura's presence draws forth the aspects of Suo's character that are likely to be developed within the story. Let's start with how Suo provides a difference in perspective for Sakura!

There is more strength in drive and ideals than in physical strength

Suo says it pretty clearly to Sakura before his match in the Shishitoren arc-

When he first met Sakura, it is very likely his first impression was 'ah, here's yet another brute who thinks he can beat others up and claim himself to be the strongest'. The same kind of person Sakura calls weak or lame himself. However, even Sakura's goal that he says to everyone in the beginning... kind of reflects this idea that physical strength gives you value. He judges Nirei because he can immediately tell Nirei isn't a fighter yet is a student at Furin, he thinks the only thing that is important is winning fights and making sure everyone knows they can't bend him under their will. Sakura thinks the only thing valuable about himself is his fighting ability/strength. But what is shown through his actions? That he protects those who can't defend themselves. That he is pissed off when someone enjoys causing others pain or suffering. Outside of the manga, when asked about what Suo's dream is, he says 'emancipation of slaves'. Right from the get-go he is challenging Sakura to start to think about what his purpose is when he fights. Because it's not really about just proving he's the strongest guy around. Why does this bleed so much into what Suo says to Sakura? Well, for Suo-

2. Empathy is the most important thing to possess

Suo is extremely good at understanding where other people are at emotionally/mentally. A LOT of his dialogue is trying to explain how a person might be feeling or encouraging others (rather forcefully at times haha) to try to demonstrate empathy themselves.

Suo is the calm to Sakura's storm. Except. Suo isn't actually the calm. Not in truth. This is part of why he is so intriguing as a character. It is also where Suo starts to actually parallel Sakura. Because Suo is-

Very Emotional

Incredibly so. The difference is, Sakura wears his heart on his sleeve. He doesn't hide how he feels or his inner thoughts at all because Sakura wants to be true to himself no matter what. It's hard for him, it is agonizing for him at times because of his bad prior experiences, but it is still something he tries to do at all times. Suo, however? Keeps those emotions hidden behind a "friendly" smile most of the time (to talk towards him being appealing- a lot of people like characters who put up fronts. I am included in this 'lot of people' lmaoo. I am such a sucker for a character who puts up a front to guard themselves or keep others at an arm's length).

But Suo gets angry. Incredibly so. He also judges others all the time. He's VERY opinionated, but he doesn't often state any of these opinions so directly. It's important to Suo that he upholds appearances and comes across as disciplined, calm, and collected. Sometimes though, he is anything but. Which is what we're shown in the Keel arc. Keel takes advantage of kind people who are just strong enough to be useful, but weak enough that they can be beaten into submission and manipulated. And that? Already pisses off Suo I'm sure. But then, on top of everything else, Suo is kept from running to the aid of someone he cares about. Someone who has such good drive, who also has a strong core but has some ways to go in being able to act on that drive. Suo is kept back from saving his friend and Nirei is beaten into unconsciousness. So what happens? Attempted murder. Suo's anger and frustration boils over. He hates these people. He hates seeing those he cares about and seeing those who can't defend themselves, broken. So he's going to put an end to it. To them. "Nice Guy" façade be damned. "The level headed one" be damned. And we get this look at Suo in a chapter literally titled "Extreme Emotions"

Which like, if you wanna talk about why his character garners a lot of hype, I think a large part of it is because of his aura when he's genuinely mad. It's the duality of it all.

I don't have as smooth of a transition for this one but what else does Suo do that Sakura absolutely does as well?

2. He keeps people at an arm's length; he doesn't like letting people in

This is also where Suo has a lot of duality, but here it makes him something of a hypocrite. He tells Sakura it's important to delegate and rely on others alongside Nirei. He pokes and prods Sakura to try to get him to open up to them. To not assume how others feel. But Suo doesn't show that himself. The ONLY thing Suo has honestly given about himself is that he has a mentor who taught him the 'hodge-podge' martial arts he uses as his fighting style. Everything else? Jokes, lies, dismissive words. Suo is hardly ever injured or dirtied in a fight because it isn't a conversation to him. He's the one doing the talking. He's the one teaching a lesson to the other person. The other person doesn't need to say anything to Suo. He's already pretty damn sure what kind of person they are. He doesn't eat with the others because he claims he is on a diet. It keeps him from participating in what is probably the BIGGEST symbolism/metaphor for personal connections in the story. Because Suo doesn't try to connect with others. He actively avoids it.

So uh, yeah! That's why I think people find Suo interesting and get hyped about when he's on screen/in chapter panels! I am sure there are other things that could be said, but I hope I could offer some insight!

Community and Family Through Food

The usage of food in the narrative of Wind Breaker (Spoilers up to the Noroshi War Arc in the manga)

* Content Warning: Mentions of Attempted Sui

Perhaps it is partially because my other biggest fixation right now is One Piece, but something that has always stood out to me in this series is its importance of eating, but even more-so: The ability to eat in good company. Wind Breaker seems to follow this pattern that is also present in One Piece that after every arc, the characters have to have a meal together. A festival, a meal offered by the owner of a restaurant in town, Kotoha’s diner, take-out on a rooftop; Wherever it may be, there is a meal being shared. Nii Satoru doesn’t hide why this is the case, and even has one of the most important characters to the manga, Umemiya, explicitly say why he insists on everyone eating together as often as possible.

Now, of course, Umemiya being who he is, this comes across as both a little ridiculous and perhaps even a bit childish/selfish to the other characters in the scene (and possibly even the reader) who are a little less familiar with Umemiya. Yet, being able to hang out and eat good food is the reason he decided to aim to become the leader of Bofurin, it’s the reason he gives for how he can be so happy while leading, and he sticks by it. He continues to put emphasis on everyone eating together at the end of each arc.

A detail I love about the chapter when he first gets food for everyone at the end of the Shishitoren tournament arc? It is called ‘Umemiya-Style’. Initially, one could see this as being because that’s just how Umemiya Hajime rolls, or, a play off of ‘fighting style’ but for Umemiya he fights against Choji with his words. Using fights as a ‘dialogue’ to get to know the other person better, as he puts it. However, we get the fuller meaning later in the story with the chapters covering Umemiya’s backstory.

We learn at the end of Hajime Umemiya’s backstory that eating meals as a family was a value passed to him from his parents. Your food (and life) is better when you are surrounded by the people you care about. In this story, a character’s ability to enjoy food is directly linked to their quality of life in the narrative. (The fact that this immediately follows an arc that centered around adversaries who were literally living in poverty and starving? Who united together so that they could all continue to have *something* to eat, even if it meant sacrificing their individual hopes and dreams? MWAH, chef’s kiss.)

Umemiya, however, lost his ability to taste or enjoy food when his parents died and he was brought to the orphanage, Furinen.

Umemiya didn’t eat alongside the others in the orphanage. He couldn’t taste or enjoy any food given to him. At the same time as he is rejecting eating, he is of the firm belief at this point that he should stay away from all people because he believed he got his parents killed. He believes that he is a murderer and doesn’t deserve to sit at a table with others- laughing and talking about their day, eating omurice as his family had once done together. During this same meal that he is rejecting, we have Yuki Shitara and the other kids at the orphanage trying to connect with him. They want to know about him: if he’s feeling okay, what his favorite foods are. During this meal they are trying to connect with him as a family, and he pushes himself away from that connection.

It isn’t until just as Hajime Umemiya attempts to take his own life that he gets a flash of the sight of his parents just before they were killed that he remembers that in their last moments they were smiling at him. They weren’t looking at him with fear, they were looking at him with love and relief. Relief that Hajime was going to live. I think it is also important to note that the Furin high schooler who is with Hajime when he attempts to commit suicide says these lines too.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think this could be the first time Umemiya comes across someone from Furin. At the very least, Umemiya does refer to this meeting as a part of fate. And we see this member of Furin mention being hungry, wanting to find something to eat. When he’s taking Umemiya back to the orphanage and comes across Yuki, he mentions how he and his buddies at Furin can’t sit still while outsiders to the town are coming in and doing whatever they want, making a mess of the rest of the town. Their hearts are not full, and they are not happy with the way things are. This shows, even before Umemiya adopts his dream, that there are already people who would probably be receptive to the changes he wants to see in town.

But in the meantime, when Umemiya gets back to the orphanage, we see the words of the others there finally resonate with him. Why? For two reasons- he finally believes he deserves to keep on living, and because they share that they understand him. That he doesn’t have to be an outsider with them, because they are all the same. They know the loneliness he feels, they know that it is hard for him to laugh and enjoy meals and that being able to do so again will take time. But still, whenever he is ready- They could be his family, and he could be their older brother. 

So Umemiya finally decides to step into that role of an older brother. He wants others to be able to rely on him and to do what he can to protect those around him. By the time he’s 14, he’s decided that this doesn’t just extend to the members of the orphanage. He wants his hometown, and all its residents, to be able to feel that same happiness and have the ability to all share in meals as a united family together. Furin is a high school of outcasts, the town of Makochi are constantly beaten down by both infighting and others coming in and making a mess of their homes and businesses. The police and professions that involve building community (teachers) have abandoned the town, deciding that the place is beyond hope. So Umemiya decides he is going to do whatever he can for the people of the town. To bring them into his family. Everyone there, regardless of labels or bitter feelings, deserves to eat and be surrounded by loved ones. At the age of 14 he is already leading by example of what he wishes to see in the future from Furin: patrolling the town, doing little things for the townspeople, showing them compassion and care. And what do we see in this first scene of him helping out the townspeople? He is offered food.

So now, in the present, Makochi is a family. But even more than that, they extend love and care to all outcasts. To all the lonely people they come across. This is why Umemiya insists on eating takeout with Choji and Togame. This is why he insists on Nagato and class 1-1 to eat a meal with him after the frustration and blows to self esteem experienced by those involved in the battle with Keel. This is why one of the first things that happens to Sakura upon coming to Makochi is he is asked if he is hungry, and he is fed. Because everyone, regardless of bitter feelings, regardless of how others may see them or how they see themselves, deserves to be loved and to eat good food. If fighting is a dialogue to get to know another person, sharing a meal is a solidification of that connection made. To make sure that person knows they are loved and cared for no matter what.

Okay, I hear you folks loud and clear. Here it is.

How Suo foils Sakura as a character

For starters, their personalities, on the surface, are quite different. Sakura is rather brash, but he is very upfront about his feelings and takes initiative when needed. Suo carries himself with dignity and grace, but remains passive and would much rather observe a situation unfold at a distance.

This translates into the way they fight as I’ve mentioned before. Aside from their fighting styles being completely different (Sakura’s kickboxing is close contact while Suo’s aikido lacks contact and focuses on deflecting attacks), the way they treat their opponents differ. While Sakura makes an effort to understand Togame, Suo imposes his own (contrived) worldviews on Kanuma. Sakura converses; Suo monologues.

Speaking of Umemiya’s philosophies, Sakura is known to eat a lot ( @furinfry made a really nice writeup on this theme, and they explain it much better than I can), even being dubbed a glutton by… Suo. Which is funny, because it’s been shown that Suo himself doesn’t consume food around others, claiming to be on a diet.

If Suo’s refusal to eat is a metaphor for his self-alienation from his peers, then Sakura’s acceptance of Umemiya’s advice is proof of his assimilation to Furin.

On the topic of alienation, Sakura is vulnerable and wears his heart on his sleeve; he unintentionally lets people into his world whether he realizes or not. Suo does none of these things—and his emotions are either (unintentionally) drawn out by the people he cares about, or when he witnesses something that contradicts his principles.

Sakura hates covering his appearance, while Suo makes it a point to do so (given that he literally wore a scuba suit to a beach).

The way they treat Nirei post-KEEL also differ. Suo is concerned for Nirei and helps foster his fighting skill to the extent of abilities, but Sakura remains rather ‘wary’/protective of Nirei (obligatory dead wife flashback mention)

There’s also the case with how they handle other people’s situations. Suo first observed and evaluates, then shares his own rational conclusion while Sakura tends to be upfront of what he feels about it.

The way their internal dialogues are written also differ. Sakura’s focuses on himself and his introspections (given that he’s the MC), and they’re very descriptive. But Suo’s is limited; he simply addresses the situation around him. The only time he introspects is to put himself below Sakura.

I’m probably missing a lot of things, but these are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Additional Tidbits which add no value to this post:

Sakura’s flower is the Cherry Blossom, a tree that is so rooted in Japanese culture. Suo’s is the Chinese redbud, which is well… inherently Chinese (gotta tag @psychicwavementality for this one)

Sakura is learning how to cook, but Suo makes it a point that he prefers to bake instead

Sakura develops throughout the story, but Suo stays rather stagnant (I really want to make a writeup on this which also talks about Nirei’s development soon)

Suo’s character color is red; Sakura’s color is sometimes green (representing Furin). Both red and green are complementary colors on the color wheel.

I love that, despite how reserved and nice Suo seems on the surface compared to someone like Sakura who’s outwardly gruff and eager to fight, it’s really in your best interest to fight Sakura instead of Suo. At least Sakura will leave you with your dignity mostly intact. Suo isn’t here for a two sided fight conversation, he’s not interested in listening to his opponents, only toying with them and then dropping them once he’s gotten his fun out of them. It’s just such a fun contrast between them

What's interesting about Sakura wanting to fight others is that in the beginning of WBK, he only used to pick fights when he felt threatened or provoked. Think of it as a wounded animal's only defense mechanism (but in a more unserious way).

But with Suo, he not only wanted to fight him, but Sakura declared that they will fight at some point, despite him only observing Suo in action. He didn't necessarily feel threatened, but more-so intrigued/interested despite his criticisms. This is crazy when you consider how ‘reluctant’ Sakura was at getting to know people earlier in the story, and how withdrawn of a character Suo is—coupled with Umemiya’s philosophy of fights being a conversation to get to know your opponent better.

Suo's fights aren't exactly fights in the traditional sense, they're more like one-sided beatdowns haha. Though there is a sadistic undertone with his behavior, I feel like it's more of a hidden/restrained anger that he takes out on his opponents. KEEL is the most obvious example, but I really do find it interesting how Suo remained rather respectful to Kaito before he started yapping about how wrecking havoc is fun.

Unlike Suo though, Sakura is more likely to treat you with some modicum of respect since you're either a small fry to take care of, or a challenge that he wants to understand better (ie. following Ume's advice). Their personalities are reflected in their fighting styles—Sakura is straightforward and direct, while Suo remains passive and likes to ridicule others occasionally.

Suo and Sakura have tons of contrast with each other — I like to joke that Suo is an 'Anti-Sakura' in a way, because their differences are so stark when you compare these two together. In fact, I’d argue the only similarities that are specifically unique to them are their ‘irregular’ eyes. I could make a whole write-up on how opposing they are in WBK, but I don’t want to get too carried away here lol

Do you think Sakura will get power up ? Yk his fights conclusion against top tiers are so disappointing> his opponents gave up or his friends help him .... They call him plot armor fighter on TikTok 😕

I'm going to be so real with you- no, I don't think Sakura is going to get a power up. At least, not in the way most anime series do it. Not in the way that people engaging with Wind Breaker as a fighting anime are hoping he will. The points in the story where people are training to get stronger are montages, depicted to show how everyone's putting everything into becoming strong enough to protect what's important to them, it's not about leveling up their fighting style or coming up with the one big move that's going to win them their next battle. Wind Breaker's just not that show, and it never has been. Sakura's climatic fights are never actually about him being stronger than the other person. Imma pull out that Kotoha panel from the very beginning, especially since Kotoha and Umemiya are the characters through which the fundamental points of the show are given to us.

So let's talk about Sakura's "disappointing" climatic fights. Yes, Sakura doesn't actually win these. His opponents concede. Why? BECAUSE FIGHTING SAKURA HAS MADE THEM REALIZE SOMETHING ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT CHANGES IN THAT MOMENT, and thus they no longer see a reason to keep fighting Sakura. Let's start with the first one, Togame Jo (🥰💖✨💕✨ Let it be known I LOVE TOGAME'S CHARACTER SO MUCH). Why Togame throws his fight against Sakura is definitely the one that's easier to understand. Togame has been trying to desperately keep Shishitoren together despite the fact that their leader was shattering into pieces for so long. He was feeding the words that would keep people in the group despite Choji's cut-throat new policy of "If you are weak, if you lose a fight, you're out. You're worthless and an obstacle to my dream of being free and having fun." Up until Choji's breaking point, the little guy was Shishitoren's sun. He was this shining bright light that could put a smile on any of the guys' faces and spoke so easily and freely about how they were all in this race together to become stronger and they would be the freest people in the world. Togame didn't want Shishitoren to lose that, to lose that Choji, so he tried to take the fall. He was new to being included into people's social groups, he was never as outgoing or lively as Choji. He could be the bad guy. He was okay with that.

He had to convince himself he was okay with that, and tied (up his hair) himself to that vow that he wouldn't give up on the sun. Going so far as to put tinted glasses on to convince himself that the old Choji was still there..... somewhere. But what happens during his fight with Sakura? Togame realizes what he did was wrong, and things were never going to get better continuing they way they were. He shouldn't have let Choji change who he was, he shouldn't have let Choji change the rules of their race for power and freedom, he shouldn't have just bowed his head in order to stay by Choji's side.

But, if he what he was doing was wrong... If what he was doing was only letting Choji continue to suffer, feeling confused and alone, then... why were doing this stupid tournament fight against Furin? Why would he fight to help Choji have claim over both Shishitoren AND Furin? That wasn't going make Choji happier. And Choji realizing getting Furin didn't change anything would only make his mental state worse too.

Togame's heart wasn't in the fight. He didn't want to do all of this anymore. He was realizing everything they were doing was wrong, and more than anything else he was just. so. tired. Of pretending to be someone he wasn't. Of trying so hard to keep the broken shards who were once his friends together through lies and cruelty. So he throws the match. He lets Sakura land the punch and then says he gives up and can't move anymore. And what was it that made Togame realize all of this?

Sakura's declaration that he would never let others bend or change who he is at the top of his lungs. Of course, Sakura's words come from his past experiences and having people repeatedly tell him he should cover up who he was. That he should be ashamed of things that Sakura couldn't change about himself. But Sakura's words and refusal to waver or falter resonated with Togame. Yes, Umemiya laughed that Sakura thought what he meant by 'have a conversation with your fists' meant Sakura would hear words coming out of his punches. What DID happen during the fight though, was they both exchanged what their beliefs were, and Sakura called Togame the fuck out for lying to himself. That his actions wasn't what he was preaching. He was calling him out for being delusional about what his actions were going to achieve. If Togame wasn't struggling with his inner turmoil and was actually fighting with his whole heart, his whole BEING in the fight, could he have won? YEAH, PROBABLY. Sakura at this point was just some poor freshman kid who has picked fights with guys randomly on the streets for a good portion of his life. But Sakura puts all of who he is in a fight, at this point in the story Sakura fights because he thinks his life depends on it. He truly believes that fighting is the only way he can find anything of worth within himself. It would have been impossible for Togame to fight with that amount of will. And THAT'S why Sakura won.

Now, let's talk about Sakura's fight with Endo. Right off the bat, yes- other characters (including TOGAME HIMSELF) comment on how much Sakura has grown in such little time when they are watching him fight Endo. But listen, you're going to have to trust me when I say I don't think what's really being said here is that Sakura's PHYSICAL STRENGTH is so much greater. Why is Sakura leagues above where he was when he fought with Togame? Because at that point Sakura was still fighting for himself. In his fight against Endo? Sakura isn't fighting for himself. He couldn't give a SHIT about himself (Which- 😭). He's fighting because with every fiber in his being, he desperately wants to protect and keep Furin standing. Everything they've done for him; the kindness and care that they've extended to him. Everything Umemiya's gone through and fought for to make sure that his hometown could be a place where everyone can feel welcomed and laugh and eat in good company; to make sure no one feels like it's them alone against the whole world. Sakura would rather DIE than see that Furin get destroyed.

Just like Togame, Endo isn't necessarily fighting for himself either. He's fighting so Takiishi, the person he loves and worships the ground he walks on, can be happy. The difference here? Takiishi doesn't really give Endo the time of day. Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say Takiishi doesn't care about Endo at all, he calls Endo by his name too at the end of the war, but the fact that he did so STUNNED Endo. Because Endo himself didn't think Takiishi gave two shits about him. But Endo had decided he was okay with that. Convinced himself that that didn't matter. He didn't love Takiishi for being kind or friendly. He thought Takiishi covered in blood and looking beautiful when fighting was hot (and I think there was also a feeling of kinship from Endo in recognizing they both felt so different and couldn't connect with other people in the world)

Endo feels ALONE in his love, even if he's with Takiishi physically. Even if he goes everywhere Takiishi goes and gives the man his whole being. Endo doesn't have a place he feels he belongs because he doesn't think he has been let into Takiishi's world, and that's the only place he wants to be. The Furin of the past too was very likely people who felt alone in the world. So they lashed out, picked fights with everyone, because they had similar frustrations and perspectives to Sakura when he first arrived to Makochi. So why does Endo throw his fight against Sakura? Because Sakura (to Endo's frustration because he was so close to convincing Sakura to leave Furin if it meant he and Takiishi would also leave. Withdrawing all the other fighters in the town wouldn't stop Takiishi from getting that fight with Umemiya at that point) decided, no, he would rather die than leave this little family he's been welcomed into. For whatever reason, everyone else decided Sakura was worthy and deserved to be a part of their family. He would hurt them more by deciding to stop fighting and just agree to leave Furin than he would by losing his fight against Endo. So what change did Sakura make in Endo? Well there was the fact that the way Sakura was fighting reminded Endo of Takiishi. But.... -

So what is so vastly different about Sakura fighting here than all the times Endo has watched Takiishi fight? You can see what it is reflected in Endo's eye in the page above. Why is Sakura fighting different here than when he first showed up and started fighting Endo? Because he realized in talking with Endo that HE is the threat against Furin. Not Takiishi. I think a part of Sakura was stressed about the fact that Takiishi was fighting Umemiya already on the roof. Sakura didn't know that this whole "war" idea, threatening the civilians of Makochi, pulling in so many people to beat down Furin and the town, ALL OF IT wasn't even about a conflict of ideals of what Furin should be. It was because ENDO wanted Takiishi to be able to fight Umemiya. That's it. There was NO REASON TO EVEN INVOLVE ANYONE ELSE. People were getting hurt, LIVES WERE IN DANGER, all because Endo thought it would be fun to go about it this way. Fun to tear apart Umemiya's dream project (also because Endo fucking loathes Umemiya). My point is, Sakura sole attention, sole reason for standing on his two feet is to STOP ENDO. Everything else has faded away into the background for Sakura. It is the OPPOSITE of what Endo feels from Takiishi. Endo has never been on the receiving end of such intense emotion from someone. Hilariously enough? This means technically Sakura's emotions got through to Endo. In a... twisted way, but Endo is a twisted, fucked up guy.

To Endo the only way he was going to win this fight was either killing Sakura or convincing Sakura to come with him and Takiishi. So Endo could keep Sakura with him. But Sakura wasn't going to stop when he couldn't fight anymore. He wasn't going to accept his physical limit, and he wasn't going to leave to come back another day and give Endo another euphoria-inducing fight. Endo is physically stronger than Sakura. If Wind Breaker was just about whoever is physically stronger in a fight winning, then yes, Endo would have won. But Endo didn't want to kill Sakura, because that would probably mean never again feeling someone capable of eventually being his equal in fighting and also directing that level of intense attention on him again.

Endo fell in love with Sakura. It's different than his love for Takiishi, and it's still fucked up and twisted, but ENDO DIDN'T WANT TO KILL SAKURA! And Sakura was either going to take down Endo or die trying. He would have kept fighting Endo until it killed him. But also, thematically, Sakura's resolve (a resolve that is backed by so many people, a resolve that proves he is not alone in the world) was never going to lose to Endo, who felt alone. Who was fighting for something alone.

I don't need Sakura to get a power up and win his fights with his physical strength. The entire point of Sakura in these big fights is to have a conversation with these people. To make a connection with them. Because no one is undeserving of personal connections. It's why even though Sakura (rightfully) thinks Endo is insane, he's still willing to be a friend to Endo. If Endo doesn't have someone who'll eat a meal with him, and he wants to hang out with Sakura? Then yeah, Sakura is going to accept Endo for who he is and sure, visit the guy to grab lunch or something, whatever. Because Sakura is adopting Umemiya's resolve, his perspective, and puts importance in making sure everyone can laugh and have a good meal with good company.

I mean most wbk characters fight without the conversation and connection philosophy... Why is Sakura the only one who should win with that method not by feats. Doesn't they author love his mc to be the strongest and shine like the others? Sigh!

I would say a part of why there's more emphasis on it with Sakura than the other characters, is because Sakura's definitely positioned to be the person Umemiya thinks will take on his will and protect and care for the Furin he has created with the other upperclassmen.

This isn't to say that the other side character don't or are incapable of also understanding and applying Umemiya's philosophy in their fights, but Sakura mirrors so much of Umemiya. There are definitely a number of characters in Wind Breaker who came to Furin because they admire and want to also take on the mantle that Furin stands for. Others join Furin to rebel against what's trying to hold them down or oppressively change who they are; who won't accept certain aspects of who they are because of their own agendas or beliefs. But a number of these people aren't actually seeking to be The Top Dog. Not everyone who wants to fight to protect the town wants to be the person leading Furin. And there is a lot of potential dangers/issues with those who DO seek to be at the top, and have the power that comes with leadership. That's why so many Furin people, ESPECIALLY the upperclassmen, were wary of Sakura coming in and enrolling in Furin as someone from outside of town, even more so when he starts spouting that he wants to take the top spot.

Take Sugishita for example= The narrative even shines a light on the fact that shouldn't it be Sugishita who is shooting to become Furin's top spot when he's an upperclassman? Sugishita ABSOLUTELY hangs off of every word Umemiya says and admires what the guy stands for. But, Sugishita wants a low-key, peaceful life. He wants to be left alone and sleep most of the day. Sugishita struggles with connecting with his fellow classmates, let alone his opponents or those who stand against what Umemiya believes in. The upperclassmen adore and are rooting for Sugishita, but they know he wouldn't want to take Umemiya's spot.

Nirei too. Nirei is valued and supported by his classmtes. He deserves a place amidst their ranks because he has such drive and will to put everything he is into Furin's cause. But Nirei's not a leader. Not everyone is meant to be a leader. Nirei doesn't want to be a leader- he wants to be someone who lifts someone he finds worthy for that position (Sakura) TO the top spot. It's kind of hard to have a fight last long enough to be a conversation when when you don't know how to fight. He's learning how to fight (and doing an amazing job! I'm always so happy to see Nirei get a chance to show how far he's coming along in also holding his own in a fight!) but that's not going to be enough for Furin and Makochi when threats come knocking on their door.

To not just let emotions take over and instead make an effort to understand the other person- it's hard! It's not something that comes naturally to most people. But it surprisingly comes naturally to Sakura. Sakura is hungry for connections, he wants to understand people better because he assumed everyone was the same in the past and realized that that's not the case. And it definitely comes naturally to Umemiya. However, I wouldn't go so far as to say no one else fights with this philosophy in mind. The freshman characters are green newbies. They've got the spirit, they're putting their effort behind Umemiya and Sakura and all of what Furin stands for, but they're a little too inexperienced to actually internalize Umemiya's style. Who has had the experience and has been a part of Umemiya's fight to make his dream a reality? The four kings. Specifically, Tsubaki and Hiragi immediately come to mind so I'll talk about their fights/conversations!

Tsubaki rolls up to the fight against Gravel with a number of (anger-fueled) assumptions and very much acting out of his protectiveness of Shizuka.

Even still, Tsubaki wants their fight to be a dialogue. He's still applies Umemiya's philosophy in this fight, even after calling Suzuri his 'prey' and clearly being pissed off about Gravel trying to break down Suzuki and take her away from this life she's found with her sister Tsubaki and the guys of Roppo-Ichiza.

Tsubaki makes his stance known. That fighting to protect the things you love makes you stronger. It doesn't matter what it is- if it's important to you, if it makes you happy- then it is worth fighting for. Tsubaki doesn't get angry when Suzuri calls him insane when he says that loving makeup makes him stronger. He instead says 'okay let me prove it to you. Let me show you my strength' (my god I love the energy in the "Let me show you just what you're scoffing at" panel. Tsubaki you absolute ICON! Queen Shit!)

It's a push and pull; a back and forth between them as they fight. Tsubaki eventually says to Suzuri that 'Yes, of course I can't possibly understand the suffering and pain you've had to go through'. It's a hard thing to truly and fully understand another person. But that doesn't mean that a person isn't allowed to also feel in pain and having a hard time. Tsubaki doesn't know what it's like to have to struggle with starvation, and Suzuri doesn't know what it's like to have to choose between pretending to be someone you're not, to cover up your interest or risk being attacked and assaulted because other people want to decide for you how you should be and what you should like. You could say Suzuri has it worse than Tsubaki, but it doesn't mean Suzuri has the right to rip Suzuki from the happiness and family she has found.

Leading up where Tsubaki admits they made wrong assumptions about Suzuri and are sorry for doing so, but also calling out Suzuri on the irony that he says he has nothing- can't waste time or effort on anything that's not directly tied to food/survival- when clearly he also is fighting for his friends.

Now, as it was even said in the manga- Tsubaki and the Roppo-Ichiza can't fix all their problems. They can't make sure everyone has what they need. But, they can do everything that they can to help. It wasn't Tsubaki's physical strength that was important in this fight, but instead it was his kindness. That he wanted to know why Suzuri was doing all of this. He didn't attack Suzuri in a rage or tell Suzuri he had something he needed to learn from Tsubaki. Tsubaki ended this fight by saying "I see you're suffering and I want to know what I can do to help." THAT and fighting in order to stay true to himself and protect those he cares about, is what makes Tsubaki strong. That's why Tsubaki is one of Umemiya's four kings.

Next let's talk about Hiragi's fight with Banjo. Now, Hiragi was far more in a rage than Tsubaki. That much is clear. He is just as protective of Kaji and Tsubaki is of Suzuki, but lets his fury win more than Tsubaki does. This may also be because of the sadomasochistic person Banjo is versus Suzuri, who has a more compassionate core. Endo and Takiishi pissed the fuck out of Umemiya in this arc too. Anger takes over sometimes. That is also a part of being human. But, I would stand by that Hiragi STILL tries to see Banjo's perspective. The chapter where he starts fighting Banjo is still called a 'dance', just like when Tsubaki fought Suzuri. He doesn't treat Banjo in this fight the same way Suo does against Kanuma. He doesn't patronize, toy or make fun of Banjo. He gives Banjo an admission, what small understanding he has of Banjo's...insane perspective, that fighting can be thrilling. That you can be addicted to the adrenaline. He acknowledges that Banjo is right that when people are fighting, someone is going to get hurt. The FASCINATING thing is that Banjo also sees fighting as a way to connect with others. But Hiragi recognizes that Banjo doesn't.... realize that not everyone gets the same pleasure out of fighting and Banjo doesn't know when to STOP.

Hear me out- I think this is similar to Sakura telling Endo he'll visit him. I don't think Sakura likes Endo and I DEFINITELY know Hiragi doesn't like Banjo. But, Banjo feels connected to other through fighting. Hiragi is going a certain length to make sure Banjo doesn't feel isolated, while at the same time telling him to leave the other people at Furin THE FUCK ALONE (Especially not to go anywhere near Kaji again I'm sure). He tells Banjo directly to his face that Banjo disgusts him, but he doesn't tell Banjo not to seek making that connection with others. Not to seek that high. But because doesn't have self control, because Banjo can't even tell when he's going too far- Until Banjo can understand how other people feel he should find Hiragi to fight. Hiragi is saying he will do something that he dislikes for Banjo. Yes, it's for the sake of whoever else Banjo would pick a fight with instead, but it is still a promise of connection, it is still an exchange nonetheless.

I would say the author loves Sakura for the same reason why he has everyone else love Sakura. Because Sakura is an incredibly kind and compassionate person who wants to put his whole being into helping others. He wants to protect the people who extended kindness and acceptance to him. Sakura is a scared kid who comes from a past full of pain and rejection and isolation, and is taking those steps towards healing. He's getting close to becoming someone that Sakura himself can feel proud of. Someone who is not just strong physically, someone who doesn't even have to win every fight- he's fought so hard his whole life already. So long as he doesn't give up- neither on himself nor in protecting Furin- there is nothing more he needs to do. He can just be himself for the first time in his life and that will be enough. His strength comes from his heart, a heart that is already full of compassion and kindness. A heart that he already has. Physical strength is something he'll get with time and experience, but it is sticking to his heart that'll make him even stronger. A little sappy and cliché? Sure, but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad message or story to impart on the audience. I think Nii Satoru means for this to be a story about human connections, and personally values that more than the fights themselves.

But also. I think Sakura shines. You're welcome to your own opinion, but I personally think he looks pretty damn cool in his fights~

Do you think Zoro has ever looked at Rayleigh and felt his insides freeze from fear? Do you think he sees a version of his own future where despite everything he’s tried, despite all the blood he’s shed and would go on to shed, his captain would still slip away from his hold — and he’d be left adrift for the rest of his days, drinking to oblivion, alone, bereft of any and all purpose?

Or do you think Zoro would be filled with contempt instead, and disgust at how the peerless Dark King failed to save his own captain’s life, even though it was no fault of his? Do you think Zoro, possessing the stubbornness and bravado of a much younger man, would insist that if it were him, nothing — absolutely no man or force in the universe — would be strong enough to rend him from Luffy’s side, and if Luffy had to die like Roger had to die, that Zoro would simply follow him to the afterlife?

Or do you think perhaps he’s unable to picture it at all — a life without Luffy’s warmth — so he ignores the many parallels between them and avoids contemplating the matter entirely? Perhaps he rather pities Rayleigh, because the former right hand man of the Pirate King should be free, but Rayleigh will never again know the meaning of the word, haunted as he is by a ghost he can’t bear to exorcise.

the conclave book constantly emphasizes how being a pope is basically a lonely death sentence. cardinals close to being elected pope are isolated out of respect and awe, popes can't go out to eat at their favorite restaurants or go on strolls, they're constantly targeted as the head of the church etc..

the book frames benitez as, literally and symbolically, a 60ish year old boy who has no idea what hes getting into. he stumbles to think of a name when he gets elected pope, begs lomelli to stay with him to guide him, and even the smallest papal clothes literally do not fit him because he's so tiny. he's framed with a childlike awe and openness needed to lead the church through dark and cynical times

i think another genius moment for the movie is that it frames benitez in almost the opposite direction. movie benitez is quiet and contemplative. he likes lomelli, but in the same way an angel would favor a prophet. he's the only one to care about His Holiness' turtles and see their virtue despite their apparent stupidity, which is obviously a reflection of how His Holiness saw the cardinals and the rest of the Kingdom of God. From the very beginning, he is isolated from the other cardinals, never really shown to discuss things with anyone other than lawrence. In the end when he scolds tedesco, you dont get the impression of a wise childlike figure speaking up against a bully, you get the impression of moses telling ramses to let his people go.

and in the end when movie benitez is elected pope, he pauses. he refuses to get dressed until lawrence sees him about the one issue he knows will be a problem. he comes into the papacy knowing he will make a great sacrifice, and he treats it that way.

tldr book benitez is a 60ish year old boy wearing papal clothes too big for him to fully handle, movie benitez is a man walking up cavalry hill, both are my babies, thank you for coming to my ted talk

My interpretation of original Nice so far (as of episode 3). I feel like the Nice that was around before he became a hero was a perfectionist, sure, what idol personality doesn't strive to show a picture of perfection. He probably enjoyed dancing and music, but he was still a person. So I suspect he had some selfish tendencies, not because I think he was 'evil' or anything, but when you live under the constant pressure of trying to make yourself the best person you can be it tends to seep out in little ways. I also think we can expect hints of a pretty insecure person hiding in there.

And with all of the heroes we've seen so far the powers they have are based on things they did/they're personalities before they became heroes. It almost feels like their powers may have originally manifested by their faith in 'themselves' as opposed to needing outside validation.

And (I'm projecting a little bit onto Nice here) when you start expecting perfection of yourself and get rewarded for people pleasing, you tend to lean into it. It becomes all you are, you cast off pieces of yourself and keep quiet about all of the things that annoy, anger, scare, or hurt you. You lose touch with who you really are until all that is left is the compulsion to be what 'others' need. This type of labor is exhausting and isolating. It can lead to burn out. You retreat from those you were closest to because suddenly it's too much to be around them. You find yourself feeling bitter and angry at them for having problems and issues. You probably tried bossing them around saying 'well if you do this 'x' can be resolved' All while knowing that any misstep can lead to others receiving you negatively. Which then feeds self hatred. I bet Nice told those closest to him (if there is only one other Nice before Lin Ling) that he wasn't 'nice' as in not kind. Because if he was kind he wouldn't be so angry and miserable just helping those around him. He wouldn't feel trapped by his role of being a hero. He wouldn't be obsessed with his image. He should feel fulfilled in his career and life, but he isn't.

And lastly, when you expect to be perfect, it truly is the worst thing when you are shown you have failed someone, that you couldn't uphold yourself to your own impossible standards. And suddenly you have no purpose, no goal, no worth. You don't ask for help because you can't. And you start to want to end it. Because you don't think 'perfection is an unachievable standard' you start to believe it is the only standard.