Air Gear (エア・ギア, Ea Gia) is a shōnen manga and anime by the mangaka Oh! great.

!~~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" (Hikatsuganzu). Upon his return home after being humiliated by a street gang of 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.

~~MAIN CHARACTERS~~

Itsuki "Ikki"

Onigiri

Issa Mihotoke "Fats Buccha"

Akito/Agito/Lind Wanijima

RECEPTION

Both the anime and manga have gained a lot of popularity, both in the east and the west. Anime News Network rated Volume 1 of the manga, 'B', saying "Make no mistake, Air Gear isn't high art (in either the literary or artistic sense). What it is, is entertainment. And sometimes that's all you need." BlogCritics said "It mixes this action and comedy quite well with a storyline that doesn’t fail to leave a reader wanting more.". The anime has often been criticized for not remaining true to the manga, and skipping parts out, but praised for its soundtrack. The English Dub has received positive reviews since its release. AnimeOnDVD said "The concept of the show is one that is pure anime though and something that visually can be done very well"