Wind Breaker episode 7: Togame's backstory with Shishitoren revealed as Sakura puts up an impressive fight

Wind Breaker episode 7 was officially released on Thursday, May 16, 2024, bringing the exciting continuation of the Shishitoren versus Bofurin tournament-style matchup. Likewise, fans anticipated the fight to be over relatively quickly, assuming that Togame would be used to “prop up” Sakura in these early episodes.

However, Wind Breaker episode 7 subverted these expectations via the reveal of Togame’s backstory, portraying him as a fairly relatable character with understandable goals and desires. It also introduced the burden Togame bears, explaining the actions seen by him earlier in this episode and the series overall.

Wind Breaker episode 7 deepens Togame’s character while setting up an exciting finish to fight with Sakura

Brief episode recap

Togame calls out Sakura for their fight in the opening scenes of Wind Breaker episode 7 (Image via CloverWorks)

Wind Breaker episode 7 began with Jo Togame thinking to himself about a prior event, eventually pulled out of this introspective by Choji Tomiyama calling his name. The introspective showed him and several other Shishitoren members surrounding someone unconscious on the ground, with Togame approaching them as he snapped back to reality.

Togame then stood up and prepared for his fight with Haruka Sakura, with the crowd coming alive in anticipation of the fight. Akihiko Nirei, Hayato Suo, Toma Hiragi, and Kyotaro Sugishita wished Sakura luck in their own way. Hajime Umemiya then told Sakura to go have a “nice long talk” with Togame, calling back to his earlier words that a fight is a conversation between people.

Wind Breaker episode 7 saw Sakura explain how he’s excited, but it’s different than normal, realizing that it’s the feeling of having a responsibility to win. Sakura tells Togame they should get started, but he says it’s not always good to rush and that he wants to take his time to enjoy this fight. The two then started quickly after, with Togame tackling Sakura to the ground.

Sakura’s fighting spirit is evident from the start of Wind Breaker episode 7 (Image via CloverWorks)

However, Sakura quickly escaped while Toma commented on how he could tell Sakura was strong. However, Togame has a level of strength that represents his status as the Shishitoren’s figurative dam. Togame then tells Sakura he’ll stay at this speed while they fight and have Sakura work up to his level. The two begin fighting again, with Sakura purely being on the defensive.

Wind Breaker episode 7 saw Umemiya comment that Togame and Tomiyama have always stood out amongst the Shishitoren, while Sakura was getting overwhelmed. While he landed a good kick, Togame was largely unaffected and immediately countered, which Sakura dodged. Togame revealed how irritating it was that Sakura called him boring, furthering that even the way Sakura speaks is annoying.

Sakura rushed him but was immediately sent crashing into the ground, seemingly knocking him out cold. Togame commented on how only people with power can act as Sakura does, that he’s smug simply because he’s in a strong pack and has no voice when he’s alone. Sakura tried to punch Togame here but used it as a feint to escape his grip, saying that Togame was right about power creating freedom.

Umemiya appears almost aware of Togame’s burden as he watches the fight in Wind Breaker episode 7 (Image via CloverWorks)

Wind Breaker episode 7 saw him land two huge kicks as he said this, furthering that in Togame’s eyes, he looks like one of the people Sakura hates most. He adds that he won’t lose to Togame even if it kills him likewise, sprinting at him once more and beginning another sequence between the two.

The Shishitoren were awestruck to silence by Sakura’s newfound strength, with Togame also clamming up as he was forced to go on the defensive. This sequence ended with a huge kick from Sakura to Togame’s chin, forcing him to take a second before rushing at Sakura and landing a kick to his chest.

Wind Breaker episode 7 saw Togame ask Sakura what he knows about the Shishitoren since he’s talking about them so much, explaining their ideals and what “devotion to power” means. He calls Sakura and the Bofurin wannabe superheroes, saying that the weight of their power is greater as he kicks Sakura’s head into the ground. However, Sakura immediately rose, saying that Togame was wrong and they should change their name to The Bully Club.

Wind Breaker episode 7 paints Choji Tomiyama as the one behind Shishitoren’s cruel and unforgiving policies (Image via CloverWorks)

Sakura continued by pointing out how they act like bullies, with the way they beat on guys who are already down and chase middle schoolers. Togame went to kick Sakura’s head again, but he instead hit the ground next to him. Togame said he had no idea what he was talking about before saying he understood why “you guys” were there, walking over to Arima and Kanuma as he asked Sakura to give him a second.

Wind Breaker episode 7 saw Togame realize that Furin wasn’t on their turf for no reason, asking Arima and Kanuma to explain what they were doing that day. Togame immediately began beating them to a pulp, clearly angry at how they behaved while representing the Shishitoren. Save for Tomiyama, the audience was silent as they watched Togame remove the pair’s Shishitoren jackets, with Tomiyama telling him to get back to the fight and do that later.

Togame obliged, returning to a dumbfounded Sakura. This prompted the start of a flashback, which saw Togame fighting against Shishitoren members before he joined their group. Despite being outnumbered, he easily dealt with them, prompting Tomiyama to introduce himself and invite Togame into the Shishitoren. At this time, Tomiyama had only just joined the Shishitoren but assured Togame he’d enjoy it and eventually persuaded him to join.

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Wind Breaker episode 7 quickly ran through a sequence showing Togame’s early days in Shishitoren with Tomiyama, seemingly happy and at peace. This gave way to a scene that saw Tomiyama asking Togame if he knew what “devotion to power” means. He says he knows already, but Tomiyama explains anyway, adding that power is something one uses to become free.

Tomiyama and Togame’s exploits as a pair were then discussed by other Shishitoren members, with the pair eventually meeting up with them and revealing their race to become the strongest first. Togame explained that Tomiyama was like the sun at that time for them, explaining how his devotion embodied what it meant for them to be in Shishitoren. Likewise, Tomiyama also helped Togame learn to socialize, saying it was fun and he felt free during this time.

However, Wind Breaker episode 7 saw Togame say something changed when Tomiyama became the leader. Tomiyama said that even though the leader is supposed to be the strongest and freest, he’s not having fun. This resonated with Togame, while Tomiyama continued that he planned to make the entire team as strong as he was. Togame thought he meant he’d train everyone, but he was interrupted by the arrival of an injured Shishitoren member.

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Tomiyama immediately rushed at the injured member and kicked him in the chest, ridiculing him for coming back immediately after getting defeated. Togame was horrified as he watched this, while Tomiyama definitively said weak people aren’t wanted in Shishitoren. He asked Togame for confirmation as it became clear this was the scene from earlier in the episode.

Wind Breaker episode 7 saw Togame said no one will be stronger this way, but Tomiyama said he’s the leader now, and if Togame doesn’t like how things will be, he should leave. Togame agreed but said he’d tell everyone about Tomiyama’s views and do the “culling” in his place, asking him to keep smiling with everyone in the meantime.

Togame furthered that the sun must be loved by everyone, which is why he took on the responsibility of keeping the Shishitoren going until the sun showed itself again one day. This prompted a return to the present, where the episode ended with Sakura asserting Togame’s heart wasn’t in this fight as Togame asked himself what he was trying to do.

In review

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While it was an emotionally deep episode with a lot to address, Wind Breaker episode 7 does a great job of keeping viewers enthralled the entire way through. The Togame flashback and origin story do a good job in this area, mixing up what was already an engaging fight with an explanation as to why it means so much to Togame.

The installment also does a great job of somewhat “redeeming” Togame in the eyes of viewers. While there are likely few who would go as far as to call him anything positive, it’s clear that his motivations are his love for Tomiyama and the Shishitoren.

In summation

While Wind Breaker episode 7 doesn’t conclude the fight between Sakura and Togame, it sets up an exciting ending for the next release, which fans will be heavily invested in. Although it isn’t clear who’ll win as of this article’s writing, what is clear now is that this fight means as much to Togame as it does to Sakura.