 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 4:3 FULL SCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH DD 5.1 AND JAPANESE DD 2.0 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 650 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | TV MA | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 12/02/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 12/01/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to the world of Storm Riders, where motor-powered inline skates called "Air Trecks" take extreme sports to a whole new level. Those who dare to ride with these high tech devices risk life and limb in a struggle for fame, power and wings to take to the sky.
Enter Ikki Minami, the toughest fighter on the east side of town. He rules his school, takes on violent gangs single-handedly and lives with the Noyamanos: four sexy sisters with a surprising secret. And after a humiliating defeat by a terrifying gang of Storm Riders, the sisters welcome him to the world of Air Trecks, where his strength, speed and ambitions soar to brand new heights.
Now, with powerful new wings, he must protect his friends, his school and his pride in fierce Air Treck battles known as "Parts Wars." One mistake could cost him everything, but each victory brings him one step closer to becoming the king of the sky.
The complete 26 episode series on 4 discs.
REVIEW:
Oh! Great’s series full of fan service, comedy, and jaw dropping action makes waves in the anime adaptation of the hit manga. The author of Tenjho Tenge offers another martial art series with a bevy of beautiful girls and one crazy die hard hero. Ikki is a guy that’s hard not to like. He’s all rough around the edges with a foul mouth and bad manners but he’s also all heart. He’s loyal to his friends and family (the group of sisters that took him in when he lost his biological family) and would die for any of them. At the rate he tackles things, that may not be a far off conclusion! Ikki discovers the world of Air Treks, roller blades that can help you almost fly. With jaw-dropping aerial techniques vividly displayed in the anime, Ikki learns he has wings. His talent attracts all sorts: the good, the bad, and the flat out crazy. Some want to join him, most want to beat him to a pulp. Ikki just wants to fly. He quickly learns about the secret world of the AT riders (storm Riders) and soon forms his own AT team and enters into Part Wars to gain levels and sometimes as a matter of principle. In doing so he meets and goes up against a wide range of unforgettable characters including a fellow student so large he could almost be a tank, a sassy young woman who has designs on his talent, and a dangerous slight young man with a split personality where one wants to bleed Ikki and the other might just want to kiss him! The show is fast paced and a thrill a minute. The anime follows Ikki’s adventures right as he rises in the ranks, goes up against the scary Behemoth team, and becomes a king on his way to the top of the Tower where he must face the various Road Kings. He even gains his own AT army. The anime does leave a lot left unfinished such as the possible love rivalry between Ringo and that conniving Simca for Ikki’s attentions, as well as the outcome should he reach the Tower, but the show finds a good point to leave off on, leaving the viewer alternately cheering and laughing. There’s quite a bit of explicit language and nudity with sexual comedic situations in the series. A confrontation in a bathroom scene involving Simca, Ringo and Ikki will have you laughing yourself out of your seat. The animation is stunning. The way it managed to capture Oh! Great’s amazing aerial imagery is incredible. The show is chock full of adrenaline infused action. The visuals are unparalleled.
EXTRAS:
Manga extras include clean opening and closing animation as well as anime previews.
IN SUMMARY:
Air Gear is full of fan service complete with beautiful girls and amazing aerial action! |
