10 anime characters like Umemiya from Wind Breaker

One of the most popular series of the Spring 2024 season has been the Wind Breaker anime, with many fans now obsessed with searching out anime characters like Umemiya. Known fully as Hajime Umemiya, Furin’s number one fighter is a major focal point throughout the series and specifically in the events that season 1 adapts.

A major reason why fans became so endeared to Umemiya is because of how multi-faceted his character is, alternating between a fierce fighter with aura for days and Bofurin’s gentle leader and caretaker. Likewise, there are many anime characters like Umemiya in one way or another, emphasizing just how much there is to his character.

Leaders and dreamers serve as the best examples of anime characters like Umemiya from Wind Breaker

1) Manjiro “Mikey” Sano (Tokyo Revengers)

Mikey as seen in the anime (Image via LIDEN FILMS)

The first of many anime characters like Umemiya is also one of the most obvious and apparent connections that can be made to Umemiya’s character is Tokyo Revengers’ Manjiro “Mikey” Sano. Like Umemiya, Mikey also has a tragic past, which inspired him to make a group and find a family of his own, resulting in the birth of the Tokyo Manji Gang.

The two are also shown to care deeply for their subordinates and be responsible and reliable leaders despite how carefree and goofy they may seem on the surface. Combined with the fact that each also leads gangs of delinquents specifically, the two are very similar despite their respective series being drastically different.

2) Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Gojo as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA Studios)

Like Mikey, Jujutsu Kaisen’s Satoru Gojo is also very goofy and silly on the surface but can flip a switch to become deadly serious at just a single moment’s notice. There are also many other reasons why Gojo is one of the best anime characters like Umemiya, with their statuses as “the strongest” in their respective environments being one commonality.

The two are also similar in design, featuring white hair and being significantly taller than most of their other castmates. Lastly, both also have the same Japanese voice actor, Yuichi Nakamura, again emphasizing just how similar the two truly are.

3) Ban (The Seven Deadly Sins)

Ban as seen in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures, DEEN)

The Seven Deadly Sins’ Ban is one of many anime characters like Umemiya in a manner very similar to the above pair, with their personalities being the main commonality. Like Umemiya, Ban appears to be very goofy and unserious upon first impression but is quickly shown to be able to get incredibly serious at the drop of a hat.

The two also feature similar appearances, again both sporting white hair and being much taller than most of the other characters in their respective series. Both can also be considered “delinquents” of a sort, with Ban technically being a former prisoner and Umemiya being a typical high school delinquent.

4) Gon Freecss (Hunter x Hunter)

Gon as seen in the anime (Image via Madhouse)

Much like those above, Gon Freecss is also a very silly character on the surface who can become very serious when the occasion calls for it. However, Gon’s status as one of many anime characters like Umemiya also plays into how deceptively strong both are.

While Umemiya’s personality, hobbies, and initial introduction lead readers and other characters to find him weak, Gon’s status as a child similarly leads to others underestimating him. In reality, both are some of the strongest characters in their respective series, proving that their demeanors don’t necessarily speak to their strengths or combat intelligence.

5) Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

Naruto as seen in the anime (Image via Pierrot)

One of the biggest reasons Naruto can be considered one of many anime characters like Umemiya is that the latter also engages in “Talk no Jutsu”-like tactics. This is best evidenced by his fight with Choji Tomiyama, in which Umemiya is more concerned with helping Choji’s mental state than actually winning the fight.

Likewise, Naruto has proven time and time again that offering salvation is more important to him than securing victory ever could be, with Nagato and Obito Uchiha being two great examples. Both are also incredibly strong fighters and very highly respected as a result in their respective series.

6) Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

Luffy as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

In the final episodes of Wind Breaker’s first season, fans see Umemiya say he has to be Furin’s number one because he’s responsible for the dreams of all those who helped him get there. In other words, Umemiya very clearly values paying back those who helped him above all else, and doing whatever he can to help them or make their dreams a reality in return.

Luffy is one of many anime characters like Umemiya in this regard, as he’s often shown fighting for the dreams, safety, or wants of others to the point of putting them above his motivations. The two are also similar in being leaders of their found families, considered “delinquents” or something adjacent in the context of their own series, and can be goofy or deadly serious as needed.

7) Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama (Mob Psycho 100)

Mob as seen in the anime (Image via BONES)

Admittedly, there isn’t much that likens Mob Psycho 100’s titular protagonist to Umemiya, but there is one key area that qualifies him as one of many anime characters like Umemiya.

Mob, despite being the most powerful esper in the series, lives his life believing that his powers or strengths don’t make him more special or better than anyone else. This also translates to a general avoidance of conflict, since that forces him to use his powers in a way he doesn’t like.

Likewise, Umemiya clearly believes that there is more to life than fighting and that fighting for the sake of fighting is meaningless. His words to Choji and protagonist Haruka Sakura, and his fight with the former throughout the first season emphasize this. While the two aren’t very similar otherwise, the way they are alike is foundational to each of their characterizations.

8) Ichiro Inuyashiki (Inuyashiki)

Ichiro as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA Studios)

The titular hero of the Inuyashiki anime series is also largely different from Umemiya aside from one key way. Despite both boasting incredible strength and power, they each prefer to help people and better the lives of others rather than give in to their own destructive urges and fight for the sake of fighting.

After Ichiro discovers that his new abilities can let him undo death and other medical conditions, he sneaks into hospitals and heals those with life-threatening diseases, asking for nothing in return. Just as Umemiya did for Choji without expecting anything in return, it shows that both of these characters believe in utilizing their strengths for truly "good" purposes.

Although there aren’t many other similarities between the two, this foundational commonality justifies Ichiro’s inclusion in anime characters like Umemiya.

9) Makarov (Fairy Tail)

Makarov as seen in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures, Dentsu Inc., Satelight, Bridge, and CloverWorks)

Better known as Master Makarov to his guild members, the relationship he has with his subordinates is one of the biggest reasons for his inclusion in this list. Throughout the series, Makarov is shown to be very knowledgeable of and close with all of the many members of the series’ titular guild, truly considering them his family.

Likewise, Makarov can be considered one of many anime characters like Umemiya since Wind Breaker season 1 seemingly began building him up to a similar status. His recognition of and care for Choji, as well as his desire to guide Sakura personally on his journey emphasize that he’s at least being set up as a leader very similar to Makarov in the above regards.

10) Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer)

Tanjiro as seen in the anime (Image via Ufotable)

Tanjiro’s inclusion here is very unique relative to other anime characters like Umemiya mentioned above. While both are shown to be very happy and joyous in their daily lives, Umemiya comes off as more goofy whereas Tanjiro feels more genuine. However, both maintain these facades despite boasting tragic backstories.

Like Tanjiro, Umemiya also lost a significant portion of his family in an unfortunate accident when he was young and initially blamed himself for not being able to do more. However, both eventually find reasons to live and fight, resulting in the optimistic and cheerful characters fans are primarily familiar with.

In summation

While there are many anime characters like Umemiya from Wind Breaker, essentially each can be likened to the character in a relatively unique and fresh way. Likewise, the different ways in which these anime characters like Umemiya can be linked to him emphasize how multifaceted a character he is, which will hopefully be explored further in an anime sequel.