Air Gear

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Air Gear
Air Gear vol01.jpg
Cover of Air Gear Japanese vol. 1
エア・ギア
(Ea Gia)
Genre Action, Comedy, Sports, Romance
Manga
Author Ito Ōgure
Publisher Japan Kodansha
English publisher Canada United States Del Rey
United Kingdom Tanoshimi
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine
Original run 16 May 2003 – ongoing
Volumes 26 (List of volumes)
TV anime
Director Hajime Kamegaki
Studio Toei Animation
Licensor United States Canada Funimation
Australia New Zealand Madman Entertainment
Network Japan TV Tokyo, TV Aichi
English network United States Anime Network
Australia Cartoon Network
Original run April 4, 2006 – September 27, 2006
Episodes 25 and 1 special episode (List of episodes)
Related works
Anime and Manga Portal

Air Gear (エア・ギア Ea Gia?) is a shōnen manga by the mangaka Ito "Oh Great" Ōgure. Air Gear is about the life of Itsuki Minami "Ikki", also known as "Baby face" and "Lil (and Little) Crow", and his friends. The story follows their use of Air Trecks, an in-universe invention derived from inline skates. The early parts of the story carry out the introduction of characters that eventually join Ikki. As the story progresses, it focuses on their roles as Storm Riders and their quest to be on the top of the Trophaeum Tower. It won the 2006 Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category.[1]

Contents

[edit] Story

Itsuki "Ikki" Minami, is a student and a delinquent. Also known as the "Unbeatable Babyface", Ikki is the leader of the youth gang by the name of "East Side Gunz". Upon his return home, after being humiliated by a Storm Rider team called the Skull Saders, Ikki discovers a secret hidden from him by his benefactors, the Noyamano sisters. The sisters belong to a group of Storm Riders who go by the team name of Sleeping Forest. In the anime, learning the sisters' secret angers him and he steals a pair of Air Trecks, abbreviated as "AT". (In the manga, the sisters give a pair of ATs to him and invite him to skate with them.) Ikki eventually settles his grudge with the Skull Saders, but in the process he receives more than the simple satisfaction of revenge. Determined to experience the sensation of "flight" for as long as he can, Ikki is quickly engaged in the mysterious, irresistible world of Air Treks.

[edit] Main characters

See also: List of Air Gear characters

Itsuki "Ikki" Minami Voiced by: Kenta Kamakari (Japanese), Chris Patton (English)

The main protagonist of the story, he was given Air Trecks (in the anime, he took them himself) and soon delved into the world of Storm Riders. Eventually he creates a team, Kogarasumaru. Originally trained to become the Sky King by Sora, he soon finds himself betrayed by Sora and Nike, (Sora's twin brother) who steal his Regalia. Shortly thereafter, Ikki becomes the Storm King and follows the "Hurricane Road."

Kazuma "Kazu" Mikura Voiced by: Kenn (Japanese), Clint Bickham (English)

A long-time friend of Ikki, Kazu is a friend who's always by his side. He is a speed-type rider who has recently inherited the title of Flame King following the path of the flame road along with Spitfires old AT's. Due to his speed he got the nickname Stealth.

Onigiri Voiced by: Masami Kikuchi (Japanese), Greg Ayres (English)

Also a long-time friend of Ikki, Onigiri is a "perverted pig" as called by most. He has an unorthodox riding style, wearing his Air Trecks on his head and riding it upside-down. He has his own unique Road called the Smell Road, which uses an opponents senses against them.

Issa Mihotoke "Fats Buccha" Voiced by: Hitoshi Bifu (Japanese), Mark X. Laskowski (English)

Formerly of the Team Yaō (Night Kings), Buccha was defeated by Ikki and his team was forced to disband. Eventually, he joins Ikki's team as one of the main power riders, making use of his extremely large build and strength.

Akito/Agito/Lind Wanijima Voiced by: Kokoro Kikuchi (Japanese), Blake Shepard (English)

He is the Fang King with a split-personality. Akito is the "light" side while Agito is the "dark" side. They used to work for the police team of "WIND" until inspired by Ikki to leave and join Kogarasumaru after being rescued. Their split-personality changes depending on the side their eye patch is worn. Akito wears his patch on his right eye, Agito on his left. Later, a new personality named Lind emerged. Lind is somewhat like a "big brother" personality. He claims he is the original personality of the body.

[edit] Media

[edit] Manga

See also: List of Air Gear chapters

Air Gear has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine since 2003. Currently, 25 tankōbon have been released in Japan by Shōnena Magazine Comics.

The Air Gear manga was licensed for release in the United States by Del Rey Manga and the first volume was released on July 25, 2006[2]. Subsequent volumes will be released every three months.

[edit] Anime

ADV Films announced over the October 20, 2006 weekend at Oni-Con, that they had licensed the Air Gear anime for release in the USA[3]. Though few of the actual artists and inside creators of Air Gear were actually there. The few that were there included Loa Mitsoyagi (Ikki), Ian Miller (Agito), Jason Remmings (Kazuma), and The ADV representing team. The first volume was released on February 6, 2007[4]. ADV is releasing the uncensored Japanese home video version, rather than the broadcast version. On January 3, 2007, IGN released a special sneak peek of Episode 1 of the English Dub[5]. In 2008, Air Gear became one of over 30 ADV titles transferred to Funimation[6]. In Australia and New Zealand, the series is licensed by Madman Entertainment[7].

Avex released one single and two albums covering all the songs and themes used for the anime adaptation. The opening theme single "Chain" performed by Back-on was released on June 7, 2006 and peak ranked 139th on Oricon singles chart.[8][9] The two albums Air Gear original soundtrack: What a Groovy Tricks!! and Air Gear original soundtrack 2: Who wants more Groovy Trick!!?? were released on August 23, 2006 and February 28, 2007, respectively.[10][11]

[edit] Musical

Air Gear was adaptated into a musical called Musical Air Gear,[12] which made its debut on January 7, 2007 and ran until January 21, 2007. The musical is loosely adapted from the manga and all female roles are eliminated from the plot. The cast featured Kenta Kamakari, KENN, and Kenjiro Tsuda reprising their roles from the anime respectively as Ikki, Kazu, and Spitfire with Masaki Kaji (who had also starred with Kenta and KENN in the Prince of Tennis musicals), Run&Gun, etc. as their co-stars[13].

Due to the success and popularity of the musical's first run, the musical has had a rerun in May 2007 titled, Musical Air Gear vs. Bacchus Super Range Remix (ミュージカル「エア·ギア」vs.バッカス Super Range Remix Myūjikaru "Ea Gia" tai Bakkasu Sūpā Renji Rimikkusu?) with the entire cast, except for Kenta Kamakari due to illness, reprising their roles.

Also, a greyed out 'movie' button on the TV Tokyo Japanese Air Gear website indicates that an Air Gear movie may be in the works[14].

It is also recently revealed that a new Air Gear Musical is coming out in 2010 April.

[edit] Reception

Both the anime and manga have gained a lot of popularity, both in the east and the west, now have quite a large fan base[15]. BlogCritics said "It mixes this action and comedy quite well with a storyline that doesn't fail to leave a reader wanting more."[16]. The anime has often been criticized for not remaining true to the manga, and skipping parts out, but is praised for its soundtrack. The English dub has received positive reviews since its release.[17] AnimeOnDVD said "The concept of the show is one that is pure anime though and something that visually can be done very well"[4].

[edit] References

  1. ^ "過去の受賞者一覧 : 講談社漫画賞 : 講談社「おもしろくて、ためになる」出版を" (in Japanese). Kodansha. http://www.kodansha.co.jp/award/archive/manga.html. Retrieved 2007-08-21. 
  2. ^ "Del Rey to Publish Air Gear". Anime News Network. 2006-01-20. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-01-20/del-rey-to-publish-air-gear. Retrieved 2009-01-02. 
  3. ^ "ADV Announces Air Gear". Anime News Network. 2006-10-21. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-21/adv-announces-air-gear. Retrieved 2009-01-02. 
  4. ^ a b Beveridge, Christopher (2007-02-06). "Air Gear Vol. #1". Mania.com. http://www.mania.com/air-gear-vol-1_article_79058.html. Retrieved 2009-01-02. 
  5. ^ "Exclusive First Episode (01/03/2007)". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment. 2007-01-03. Archived from the original on 2007-02. http://web.archive.org/web/20070402073402/http://uk.media.tv.ign.com/media/873/873849/vids_1.html. Retrieved 2 January 2009. 
  6. ^ "Funimation Picks Up Over 30 Former AD Vision Titles". Anime News Network. 2008-07-04. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-04/funimation-picks-up-over-30-former-ad-vision-titles. Retrieved 2009-01-02. 
  7. ^ "Ride Hard, Fly High!". MADMAN. Madman Entertainment Pty. Ltd.. http://www.madman.com.au/actions/series.do?method=home&videogramId=6524. Retrieved 2009-01-02. 
  8. ^ ""Chain"" (in Japanese). Avex. http://avexnet.jp/id/backo/discography/product/CTCR-40233.html. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  9. ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 ["Chain" peak rank]" (in Japanese). Oricon. http://ranking.oricon.co.jp/free_contents/search/ranking_list.asp?itemcd=652625&samecd=1&chart_kbn=111&linkcd=40387932. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  10. ^ "TVアニメ「エア・ギア」オリジナルサウンドトラック AIR GEAR　WHAT A GROOVY TRICKS !! [Air Gear original soundtrack: What a Groovy Tricks!!]" (in Japanese). Avex. http://avexnet.jp/id/airge/discography/product/AVCA-22835.html. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  11. ^ "TVアニメ「エア・ギア」オリジナルサウンドトラック2 AIR GEAR WHO WANTS MORE GROOVY TRICK !!?? [Air Gear original soundtrack 2: Who wants more Groovy Trick!!??]" (in Japanese). Avex. http://avexnet.jp/id/airge/discography/product/AVCA-26130.html. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  12. ^ "Musical Air Gear Official Site" (in Japanese). http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/airgear_musical/. Retrieved 2009-01-02. 
  13. ^ "Air Gear Musical Cast" (in Japanese). http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/airgear_musical/cast/index.html. Retrieved 2009-01-02. 
  14. ^ "TV Tokyo Air Gear site" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/airgear/. Retrieved 2009-01-02. 
  15. ^ Carl Kimlinger (2006-10-01). "Air Gear Review". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/air-gear-gn-1. Retrieved 2 January 2009. 
  16. ^ Aaron Auzins (2006-10-19). "Book Review: Manga - Air Gear Vol. 1". Blogcritics. http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/19/053606.php. Retrieved 2 January 2009. 
  17. ^ Theron Martin (2007-02-01). "Air Gear DVD 1 - East Side Showdown Review". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/air-gear/dvd-1. Retrieved 2 January 2009. 

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Air Gear by Oh! great
v • d • e
Series currently running in Weekly Shōnen Magazine
Fighting Spirit • Kindaichi Case Files • Godhand Teru • Air Gear • Negima! Magister Negi Magi • Ahiru no Sora • Mō, Shimasen Kara • Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei • Area no Kishi • Ace of Diamond • Smash!! • Fairy Tail • Shinyaku "Kyojin no Hoshi" Hanagata • Flunk Punk Rumble • Hammer Session! • Shibatora • Bloody Monday • Tobaku Haō-den Zero • Baby Step • A Town Where You Live • Code: Breaker • Seito Kaiyakuindono • Zerosen • Junjō Karen na Ore-tachi da! • Shigyaku Keiyakusha Faust • Cage of Eden
Website: http://www.shonenmagazine.com
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Gear"