Air Gear#Musical

{{main|List of Air Gear characters{{!}}List of Air Gear characters}}

A new fad by the name of "Air Treks" (a futuristic evolution of aggressive skating) has swept the nation's youth and all over gangs are being formed that compete in various events using their A-Ts. Ikki is a middle-school boy who is the toughest street-fighting punk on the east side of town and part of the gang "The East-Side Gunz". He lives with four adopted gorgeous sisters who took him in when he was a kid. But what Ikki does not know is that the girls are part of one of the most infamous A-T gangs, "Sleeping Forest". It does not take long before Ikki finds out about the world of Air Treks and is propelled into a fate he had not foreseen, learning about his past and making a number of storm riding allies on the way.

{{see also|List of Air Gear chapters{{!}}List of Air Gear chapters}}

Written and illustrated by Oh! Great, Air Gear was serialized in Kodansha's Shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine from November 6, 2002,{{cite web|script-title=ja:今週の週刊少年マガジン☆第49号☆|url=http://www.shonenmagazine.com/magazine_49/index.html|publisher=Kodansha|access-date=July 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021107105856/http://www.shonenmagazine.com/magazine_49/index.html|archive-date=November 7, 2002|language=ja}} to May 23, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-04-06/air-gear-manga-to-end-in-5-more-chapters-in-japan|title=Air Gear Manga to End in 5 More Chapters in Japan|date=July 7, 2012|website=Anime News Network|access-date=March 24, 2013|archive-date=June 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618173937/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-04-06/air-gear-manga-to-end-in-5-more-chapters-in-japan|url-status=live}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:「エア・ギア」完結！オシャレなテープ型USBハブを贈呈|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/69828|website=Comic Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=February 24, 2020|language=ja|date=May 23, 2012|archive-date=February 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224160058/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/69828|url-status=live}} Kodansha collected its 357 individual chapters into 37 {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes, published under its Shōnen Magazine Comics imprint, from May 16, 2003,{{cite web|script-title=ja:エア・ギア（１）|url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3632423|publisher=Kodansha|access-date=June 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216183032/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3632423|archive-date=December 16, 2013|language=ja}} to July 17, 2012.{{cite web|script-title=ja:エア・ギア（３７）|url=http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3847020|publisher=Kodansha|access-date=June 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216190654/http://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/bc2_bc/search_view.jsp?b=3847020|archive-date=December 16, 2013|language=ja}} A one-shot chapter was published in the magazine on December 22, 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/12/21-1/air-gear-manga-one-shot-sequel-on-latest-issue-of-shonen-magazine|title="Air Gear" Manga One-Shot Sequel on Latest Issue of Shonen Magazine|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=February 25, 2016|archive-date=March 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312133508/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/12/21-1/air-gear-manga-one-shot-sequel-on-latest-issue-of-shonen-magazine|url-status=live}}

The manga was licensed for release in North America by Del Rey Manga and the first volume was released on July 25, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-01-20/del-rey-to-publish-air-gear|title=Del Rey to Publish Air Gear|date=January 20, 2006|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 2, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081123092931/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-01-20/del-rey-to-publish-air-gear|archive-date= November 23, 2008|url-status= live}} They published the first 17 volumes. Kodansha USA published the rest of the series under the Kodansha Comics imprint after Del Rey's shut down.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-12-12/kodansha-adds-phoenix-wright-monster-hunter-deltora-quest|title=Kodansha Adds Phoenix Wright, Monster Hunter, Deltora Quest|website=Anime News Network|date=December 12, 2010|access-date=December 12, 2010|archive-date=January 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114071615/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-12-12/kodansha-adds-phoenix-wright-monster-hunter-deltora-quest|url-status=live}}

{{see also|List of Air Gear episodes{{!}}List of Air Gear episodes}}

An anime adaptation covering 12 volumes of the manga was produced by Toei Animation, Marvelous and Avex Entertainment and directed by Hajime Kamegaki, with Chiaki J. Konaka handling series composition and writing episode scripts, Masayuki Satō designing the characters and skankfunk, Wall5 Project and Masaki Sakamoto composing the music. ADV Films announced over the October 20, 2006 weekend at Oni-Con that they had licensed the anime for release in the United States;{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-21/adv-announces-air-gear|title=ADV Announces Air Gear|date=October 21, 2006|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 2, 2009|archive-date=June 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604145146/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-21/adv-announces-air-gear|url-status=live}} the anime in its entirety reportedly cost $780,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-01-30/adv-court-documents-reveal-amounts-paid-for-29-anime-titles|title=ADV Court Documents Reveal Amounts Paid for 29 Anime Titles|website=Anime News Network|date=2012-01-30|access-date=2012-09-26|archive-date=April 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423194657/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-01-30/adv-court-documents-reveal-amounts-paid-for-29-anime-titles|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/air-gear-vol-1_article_79058.html|title=Air Gear Vol. #1|last=Beveridge|first=Christopher|date=February 6, 2007|work=Mania.com|access-date=January 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211181728/http://www.mania.com/air-gear-vol-1_article_79058.html|archive-date=2009-02-11|url-status=dead}} ADV released 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.{{cite web|url=http://uk.media.tv.ign.com/media/873/873849/vids_1.html|title=Exclusive First Episode (01/03/2007)|access-date=January 2, 2009|date=January 3, 2007|work=IGN.com|publisher=IGN Entertainment|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070402073402/http://uk.media.tv.ign.com/media/873/873849/vids_1.html|archive-date=April 2, 2007}} In 2008, Air Gear became one of over 30 ADV titles transferred to Funimation.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-04/funimation-picks-up-over-30-former-ad-vision-titles|title=Funimation Picks Up Over 30 Former AD Vision Titles|date=July 4, 2008|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 2, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090117171655/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-04/funimation-picks-up-over-30-former-ad-vision-titles|archive-date= January 17, 2009|url-status= live}} In Australia and New Zealand, the series is licensed by Madman Entertainment.{{cite web|url=http://www.madman.com.au/actions/series.do?method=home&videogramId=6524|title=Ride Hard, Fly High!|publisher=Madman Entertainment|access-date=January 2, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090107085813/http://www.madman.com.au/actions/series.do?method=home&videogramId=6524|archive-date= January 7, 2009|url-status= live}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://avexnet.jp/id/backo/discography/product/CTCR-40233.html|title=Chain|publisher=Avex|language=ja|access-date=July 28, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826200933/http://avexnet.jp/id/backo/discography/product/CTCR-40233.html|archive-date=August 26, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp/free_contents/search/ranking_list.asp?itemcd=652625&samecd=1&chart_kbn=111&linkcd=40387932|title=オリコンランキング情報サービス｢you大樹｣|trans-title="Chain" peak rank|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=July 28, 2009|archive-date=September 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916041859/http://ranking.oricon.co.jp/free_contents/search/ranking_list.asp?itemcd=652625&samecd=1&chart_kbn=111&linkcd=40387932|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://avexnet.jp/id/airge/discography/product/AVCA-22835.html|title=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 !!|trans-title=Air Gear original soundtrack: What a Groovy Tricks!!|publisher=Avex|language=ja|access-date=July 28, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915203943/http://avexnet.jp/id/airge/discography/product/AVCA-22835.html|archive-date=September 15, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://avexnet.jp/id/airge/discography/product/AVCA-26130.html|title=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 !!??|trans-title=Air Gear original soundtrack 2: Who wants more Groovy Trick!!??|publisher=Avex|language=ja|access-date=July 28, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905070942/http://avexnet.jp/id/airge/discography/product/AVCA-26130.html|archive-date=September 5, 2009 }}

In July 2010, it was announced that a new Air Gear original video animation (OVA) would be released alongside the limited edition of the manga's 30th volume.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-07-11/air-gear-manga-to-bundle-original-anime-dvd|title=Air Gear Manga To Bundle Original Anime DVD|website= Anime News Network|date=July 11, 2010|access-date=July 12, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100712220832/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-07-11/air-gear-manga-to-bundle-original-anime-dvd|archive-date= July 12, 2010|url-status= live}} Animation studio Satelight animated the OVA instead of Toei with Shinji Ishihira as director, Atsushi Maekawa as script writer, Osamu Horiuchi as character designer and Stanislas Brunet as mechanical design. Nobuhiko Okamoto plays Ikki, Haruka Tomatsu plays Ringo, and Yukari Fukui plays Kururu.

The first OVA was released on November 17, 2010 and adapted the confrontation between Ikki and Ringo from volume 16 of the manga. The second OVA was released on March 17 and the final third OVA was released on June 17, 2011. The latter two OVAs adapt the legendary battle between Kogarasumaru and Sleeping Forest from volumes 24 and 25 of the manga.

Air Gear was adapted into a musical called Musical Air Gear,{{cite web|url=http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/airgear_musical/|title=Musical Air Gear Official Site|language=ja|access-date=January 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218011933/http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/airgear_musical/|archive-date=December 18, 2008|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/airgear_musical/cast/index.html|title=Air Gear Musical Cast|language=ja|access-date=January 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212190208/http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/airgear_musical/cast/index.html|archive-date=December 12, 2008|url-status=dead}} In the musical, team Kogarasumaru opposes team Bacchus, whose names all come from works of Shakespeare. (Romeo, Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth and Puck).

Due to the success and popularity of the musical's first run, the musical had a rerun in May, 2007 titled, {{nihongo|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. Ryuji Kamiyama (originally Romeo) replaced Kamakari, subsequently Kosuke Yonehara (originally Hamlet) took over the role of Romeo and a new actor was brought in to play Hamlet.

In April, 2010 there was a third run of the musical, It was titled 'Musical Air Gear vs. Bacchus Top Gear Remix.' Many cast members reprise their roles, Kenta Kamakari returning as Ikki. Remarkably, Agito's actor was replaced by a younger actor and the original actor now played the part of Juliet. The role of Spitfire was replaced by Aeon Clock.

By August 2020, Air Gear had over 18 million copies in circulation.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2169890/full/|script-title=ja:『エア・ギア 超合本版』9・17配信決定 作者の「マガジン」デビュー作が連載|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|date=August 21, 2020|access-date=January 17, 2021|archive-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522040418/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2169890/full/|url-status=live}} It won the 2006 Kodansha Manga Award in the {{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} category.{{cite web|url=http://www.kodansha.co.jp/award/archive/manga.html|script-title=ja: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|publisher=Kodansha|language=ja|access-date=August 21, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823134135/http://www.kodansha.co.jp/award/archive/manga.html|archive-date=2007-08-23|url-status=dead }}

Anime News Network gave the first manga volume an overall positive review praising the artwork but criticizing the story.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/air-gear-gn-1|title=Air Gear Review|access-date=January 2, 2009|website=Anime News Network|author=Carl Kimlinger|date=October 1, 2006|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090123090516/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/air-gear-gn-1|archive-date= January 23, 2009|url-status= live}} BlogCritics said "It mixes this action and comedy quite well with a storyline that doesn't fail to leave a reader wanting more."{{cite web|url=http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/19/053606.php|title=Book Review: Manga – Air Gear Vol. 1|access-date=January 2, 2009|work=Blogcritics|author=Aaron Auzins|date=October 19, 2006|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090210093024/http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/09/19/053606.php|archive-date= February 10, 2009|url-status= live}} The anime has often been criticized for not remaining true to the manga, story and skipping parts, but is praised for its soundtrack. The English dub has received positive reviews since its release.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/air-gear/dvd-1|title=Air Gear DVD 1 – East Side Showdown Review|access-date=January 2, 2009|author=Theron Martin|date=February 1, 2007|website=Anime News Network|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090209011039/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/air-gear/dvd-1|archive-date= February 9, 2009|url-status= live}} AnimeOnDVD said "The concept of the show is one that is pure anime though and something that visually can be done very well". The anime's ending was cited as underwhelming despite its mostly positive reviews.

{{reflist|2}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/airgear/|Official anime website at Toei Animation}} {{in lang|ja}}
• {{Anime News Network|manga|4164}}

{{Weekly Shōnen Magazine - 2000–2009}}

{{Kodansha Manga Award - Shōnen}}

{{Toei Animation}}

{{Satelight}}

Category:2010 anime OVAs

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