 | Air Gear (2006) Genres: Comedy, Slice-of-Life, Tournament, Ecchi Episodes: 25 Description: Microtechnology has created self-powered roller blades that allow a rider to rip along at blistering speeds, roar up walls and fly to incredible heights. And now Air Trecks (AT) has become the new rage with all of the gangs. Ikki got the dickens kicked out of him by a roller-blade gang and the four sisters that he is staying with are not going to allow him to forget it. Of the four sisters, it falls upon fourteen-year-old Ringo to be responsible for looking after their trouble-some adopted little brother whom they have nicknamed baby-face. When Ikki finds out that the girls are part of an elite AT gang called the Sleeping Forest, he borrows one of their skates and rides off into the night vowing to learn to ride. A chance encounter introduces him to a cute roller-blade girl. Ikki follows her to a Stormrider (AT gang) gathering and learns that she is called Simca. Simca really seems to take a fancy for him (or perhaps she really enjoys teasing him), but when his sisters (most specifically Ringo) find out, they are not happy with Ikki's new friend. Thoughts: I really enjoyed watching the whole thing. It looked like a ton of fun, and I wish I could get some of those AT's, and the creators kept it looking fun, even after the focus began to change from the riding to the parts wars. As well, they kept the parts wars from being repetitive, always having a different challenge for the main characters to overcome. My only real complaint is that the story isn't ended. It'll be necessary to read the manga for closure. Story: 4/5 Fun and exciting, with interesting developments, no real resolution. Animation: 5/5 Absolutely incredible. The animation was really well done. Action: 4/5 Lots of fast-paced AT action, and well done. Comedy: 4/5 Good amount of comedy, and a nice light-hearted feel for the most part. |
