Get ready, WIND BREAKER fans! The live-action movie adaptation is set to hit theaters in December 2025. Excitingly, the main cast members playing the righteous delinquent group known as Boufuurin, who protect the town, have just been revealed! Along with this announcement, a special report video and character posters have also been unveiled.
WIND BREAKER is based on the popular manga by Nii Satoru, which began serialization on “Magazine Pocket” in 2021. It tells the story of Sakura Haruka, a lonely high schooler whose only strength is fighting. He arrives in town aiming to conquer Fuurin High, a school notorious as a den of delinquents. However, he discovers that the students there are called Boufuurin, or “Wind Breakers,” and they have transformed into protectors of the town. Though initially bewildered, Sakura eventually joins the Boufuurin members and throws himself into battles to protect the town alongside his companions.
The series quickly resonated with younger generations, earning a spot on the “Recommended Comics Selected by Bookstore Employees 2022” list the year after its serialization began. Its eagerly anticipated TV anime adaptation premiered in 2024, dominating streaming service rankings, and the second season quickly followed in April 2025. In just four years since its launch, the series has exploded in popularity, boasting over 8 million copies in circulation.
Adding to its accelerating popularity with stage plays and games, the live-action film is directed by Hagiwara Kentarou, known for creating fresh youth films like Blue Period and Sayonara Made no 30fun. The screenplay is penned by Masaike Yousuke, who won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Screenplay for Haken Anime!.
Now, the cast forming the righteous delinquent group Boufuurin, featuring Mizukami Koushi in the lead role alongside some of today’s most dynamic young actors, has been announced. Mizukami Koushi will portray Sakura Haruka, a first-year student at Fuurin High who came from outside of town, believing only in his strength due to his appearance making it hard to fit in with others.
Joining him is Kido Taisei as Nirei Akihiko, who is immediately drawn to Sakura. Nirei is weak in fights but excellent at gathering information. Tsuna Keito takes on the role of Suou Hayato, an intelligent fighter skilled in techniques reminiscent of Kung Fu and Aikido, recognizable by his trademark eye patch over his right eye. BE:FIRST’s JUNON will play Sugishita Kyoutarou, a rough character who deeply reveres Umemiya Hajime, the leader at the top of Fuurin High.
Furthermore, Nakazawa Genki joins as Hiiragi Touma, a third-year student considered one of the Four Heavenly Kings and the strongest fighter in Boufuurin. Finally, Uesugi Shuuhei plays Umemiya Hajime, the student body president, or Soudai, who stands at the apex of Fuurin High. This diverse cast of actors, currently at the peak of their careers, is set to bring this immensely popular story to life on the big screen. Comments have been received from original author Nii Satoru and each cast member.
Following the cast announcement, a special report video was released, finally introducing the members of Boufuurin. This delinquent group appeared in a town previously known for its poor public safety. They became known as the “Wind Breakers,” the shield protecting everything in this town. The video kicks off with Mizukami Koushi as Sakura Haruka declaring, “Are delinquents playing hero? I’m going to take the top at Fuurin,” followed by the appearance of each character and a barrage of intense action. The final shot features a figure who threatens the town, building anticipation for future developments. It’s a video that truly heightens excitement.
One of the greatest highlights promises to be the spectacular action scenes, such as the exchange of spinning kicks between Sakura and a mysterious man, and JUNON’s Sugishita Kyoutarou slamming an opponent down along with a desk. The theme for the action in this film was “Wind.” “Wind,” which is part of the title and was impressive in the original manga, was utilized to its maximum potential as a cinematic essence.
On set, multiple special devices were reportedly used to create blasts of wind exceeding 25km/s, making it difficult to even stand, allowing dynamic action scenes filled with speed to unfold amidst the raging wind. This “Wind Action,” which can be called a new action direction, promises exhilarating visuals and is a must-see.
Additionally, character posters were released for the six members of Boufuurin, each capturing their individual characteristics. Each poster features graffiti art of the character’s name prominently displayed and is adorned with each character’s color, creating a cool yet pop impression.
The live-action movie WIND BREAKER is scheduled for national release in December 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. We eagerly await further updates!
Comments
Original Author: Nii Satoru
I was very grateful when I received the offer for a live-action film adaptation. I participated during the script phase. I also had the opportunity to visit the set and was overwhelmed by the passion of the cast and staff. The powerful action scenes were impressive, but I also felt that each cast member was sincerely engaging with their interpretation of characters like Sakura and Umemiya, putting great effort into their roles. It was also a visit that made me look forward to the finished film, feeling that there would be many ways of showing things that only a movie can achieve. I am very happy to be able to feel the excitement together with everyone, wondering what kind of performance the Sakura and others will show us in theaters. Thank you for your support!
Mizukami Koushi (Sakura Haruka)
I am Mizukami Koushi, who played the role of Sakura Haruka. Basically, in this situation, I am supposed to provide comments that will pique the interest of those reading this, or perhaps explain my intentions for appearing in this film. However, as I type this, I am thinking of what some esteemed veteran film directors from the past used to say: “What I want to say, I’ve left in the movie.” While I’ll keep my musings brief, this film is a delinquent movie for the Reiwa era. The portrayal and interpretation have changed compared to the delinquent films of my youth, and I feel the shift in times. While feeling a sense of nostalgia, I won’t forget the days I pushed forward tirelessly (during filming), just like Sakura Haruka, alongside many staff members, heading towards a new era. Look forward to further news, and also look forward to my future ramblings.
Kido Taisei (Nirei Akihiko)
When I saw the original work, I felt like I was seeing a new kind of yankee that hadn’t existed before. Their appearance as they fight with the purpose of “protecting” the town and its people, and each and every word they utter, deeply moved me as well. Knowing that such a WIND BREAKER would be adapted into a live-action film and that I could participate as Nirei Akihiko made me truly happy. In addition to the exhilarating action scenes, the heartfelt conversations exchanged between each character are a major highlight of this work. Please experience the charm of WIND BREAKER on the big screen!
Tsuna Keito (Suou Hayato)
I am Tsuna Keito, who played the role of Suou Hayato. I myself love the original work, and I love Suou, so I remember being absolutely overjoyed when my role was decided. What I wanted to cherish in this live-action adaptation was that because I love it so much, I didn’t want to just imitate it. I made sure to think about the meaning of this role being me and act accordingly. When I struggled, Director Hagiwara-san was someone who sincerely faced each actor, and I was saved by him in many situations. I was truly happy to be able to create this work together. It was so enjoyable watching the characters come to life on set. We created WinBre together with passionate co-stars and staff members. Winter is coming, and I hope this movie can warm your hearts even a little. I believe it’s a work that, after watching, will make you want to embrace your friend next to you, rather than wanting to fight. Please look forward to the movie WIND BREAKER!
JUNON (BE:FIRST) (Sugishita Kyoutarou)
I am JUNON from BE:FIRST, who played the role of Sugishita Kyoutarou. WIND BREAKER is a work I had watched, so I was very surprised but honestly happy when I received the offer. Sugishita Kyoutarou, whom I played, is a taciturn character who appears violent at first glance and is obedient to the Soudai, but in a sense, he also has comedic elements, so I felt it was difficult to express him in live-action. As this was my first film production, I was full of anxiety and nervousness before filming began, but I learned a lot through filming by observing the acting of my co-stars and how they approached their respective roles. It was a truly warm set, and I was saved many times. I would be happy if everyone could love this work.
Nakazawa Genki (Hiiragi Touma)
Hiiragi Touma is a character who, contrary to his appearance, has a gentler heart than anyone else and acts for others. I played him conscious of his position as a ‘motherly’ figure who guides the first-year students, as befits a senior. I would be happy if you could cheer for Hiiragi, who carries stomach medicine while being tossed around by the individualistic members of Boufuurin. The film is packed with detailed psychological portrayals, beautiful visuals, and powerful action scenes unique to live-action adaptations. I hope you can fully immerse yourself in the world of Wind Breaker! Also, as this work was entirely shot in Okinawa, I challenged it while communicating extensively with the cast and staff, so I would be happy if you could look forward to its release!
Uesugi Shuuhei (Umemiya Hajime)
Before filming began, Director Hagiwara and I talked about creating a work that doesn’t glorify fighting or make your heart violently boil, but one that makes you think of someone nearby and feel the desire to protect them when you leave the theater. We poured our full effort into facing the task of protecting people and places. Umemiya’s strength in accepting and trying to understand others might seem selfish to some, but the reason I was able to push forward believing only in what is important was largely due to receiving incredible energy from all the cast members. I believe we created a work with meaning, enacted by humans, with the best cast, staff, environment—everything in place. Please do watch it! (Filming scenes in strong winds were all tough.)
Work Information
| Title | WIND BREAKER |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Scheduled for national release in December 2025 |
| Original Work | Nii Satoru『WIND BREAKER』（Kodansha “Magazine Pocket” serialization） |
| Starring | Mizukami Koushi, Kido Taisei, Tsuna Keito, JUNON (BE:FIRST), Nakazawa Genki, Uesugi Shuuhei |
| Director | Hagiwara Kentarou |
| Screenplay | Masaike Yousuke |
(C) Nii Satoru／Kodansha (C) 2025 “WIND BREAKER” Production Committee
Nakase Koutarou
