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AIR GEAR: GROWING WINGS (VOL. 2) [ADVANCE REVIEW] |
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Thursday, 22 March 2007 |
 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | ADV FILMS | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 4:3 FULL FRAME | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH DD 5.1 AND JAPANESE DD 2.0 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 100 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | TV MA | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 04/03/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 03/23/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Ikki gets through his Air Trecks battle against a gigantic opponent and seemingly impossible odds. Afterwards however, he is struck by a deeper intuitive feeling that Air Trecks weren’t meant for fighting. He then learns about the eight kings of the eight paths who bear the eight emblems, and they’ve been watching him. There are eight roads to the heaven Ikki seeks. Just when he think he might catch a break, Simca shows up in his bathroom while he’s bathing and his violent sisterly caretakers are outside getting angry. Simca warns him that he’ll have to fight to be king. Is Ikki willing to take the crown when his heart tells him it’s great to fly but wrong to fight when doing so?
Air Gear is a fun adrenalin rush, no holds barred. Whether it’s the creative aerial duels or the hilarious and very racy fan service, Air Gear pulls out all the stops for a great viewing experience. Simca’s interest in him is suspicious. Does she want him or want his abilities to take her where she can’t go alone? The sisters sure don’t trust her, especially Ringo. Rivals in love for Ikki’s heart perhaps? Ringo won’t admit it, but it seems likely. Not that single-minded Ikki has a clue. You couldn’t buy him one when it comes to girls, he only has his eyes on how to do better tricks with his ATs (Air Trecks). He loves to fly and the boy has air on the brain 24/7, except when he’s trying to sneak a peak at the girls he lives with.
There’s quite a bit of explicit language and nudity with sexual comedic situations in this volume. The bathroom/confrontation scene was jaw-dropping visually while still being interesting story-wise as Simca confronts Ringo about how she feels for Ikki. Later, out catching some sky, Ringo can’t help but let some of that jealousy slip out at Ikki. As much as she cares for Ikki, Ringo seems to have been keeping a secret from him, a secret about the Sleeping Forest and her real status in the world of Air Treks.
While Simca seems to be trying to push him into riding to become King of the Sky, Ikki makes a surprising decision in regards to his goals, one that really serves up just what Ikki is all about. He may be not the brightest most observant guy, but he’s all guts and heart and he won’t be led around by the nose by anyone. He’s his own man and he’ll have it out with anyone who says otherwise, no matter the odds against him in any fight. This perseverance over all reason is one of the things that is so likeable about Ikki. He doesn’t bow to anyone and goes his own way. He’s a rebel, and though he may not have a cemented cause, his heart is always in the right place and he recklessly tries to help his friends however he can.
The volume turns to lighter fare and less intense air duels when Ikki decides to make his own AT team with his buddies and then winds up trying to help them out in their love lives! The volume ends with a crazy caper by Ikki to help out his ditzy and sexed up teacher and in exchange gets some test answers on the upcoming exam. Their evil schemes make for riotous fun. You’ll find yourself cheering in the first half and laughing like mad in the second half of these latest episodes of this fantastic anime.
EXTRAS:
Bonus features include clean opening and closing animation, and ADV previews. Also this volume comes in two version: the regular edition or the regular edition DVD with an art box to collect the entire series in.
IN SUMMARY:
Air Gear is a power packed anime series that will make your adrenaline soar! It has fan service like you could only imagine, aerial combats to have you on the edge of your seat, and it even throws a bit of intrigue with Ringo’s secret and the knowledge of the eight kings. Plus it’s all done with spectacular animation that will thrill you. Fans of Ikki Tousen and Tenjho Tenge do not want to miss out on this new series. |
