Air Gear
Air Gear — Quick Overview
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Air Gear (エア・ギア) is an urban sci-fi sports battle manga written and illustrated by Oh! Great, published by Kodansha. Read Air Gear online in English to follow delinquent middle schooler Itsuki "Ikki" Minami as he discovers Air Trecks—high-speed motorized inline skates capable of near-flight—propelling him straight into cutthroat turf wars against rival Storm Rider gangs and the ruthless mastermind Sora Takeuchi.
| Author / Story : Oh! Great | Format & Status : Manga · Completed |
| Artist / Art : Oh! Great | Original Publisher : Del Rey, Kodansha |
Series Specifications (Year, Genres, Origin...)View all details ↓
| Release Year : 2002 | Demographic : Shounen |
| Country of Origin : Manga | Reading Style : Right to Left (RTL) |
| Primary Genres : Action, Comedy, Drama, Ecchi, Fantasy, Harem, Mature, Romance, School Life, Sci-fi, Sports | |
| Core System / Theme : Air Treck (AT) motorized skates, 8 Kings & Regalia, Parts War class battles | |
Other Names & Verified AliasesView all
Full Synopsis & Narrative BreakdownRead story
Itsuki "Ikki" Minami rules his junior high school territory as a fearless street brawler, but an ambush by the Skull Saders—a crew utilizing motorized two-wheeled inline skates called Air Trecks—crushes his pride. Refusing defeat, Ikki sneaks into the forbidden room of his adoptive Noyamano foster sisters. There, he uncovers high-grade custom Air Treck gear and discovers the sisters' secret identity as the legendary underground team Sleeping Forest. Strapping on the skates, Ikki experiences the intoxicating sensation of defying gravity and claims the open skies as his personal frontier.
Ikki founds his own storm rider team, Kogarasumaru, alongside childhood allies Kazuma Mikura and Onigiri, later recruiting the feral combat prodigy Agito Wanijima. To climb the competitive ladder, Kogarasumaru wagers team emblems, parts, and territory across stratified Parts War challenge classes ranging from Class F obstacle trials to deadly Class A arena showdowns. As Ikki masters the Wing Road and earns the moniker Baby Face, the stakes escalate past youth turf skirmishes into a global military conspiracy.
The central conflict centers on the Trophaeum tower hidden beneath the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Eight specialized mechanical engines known as Regalia grant their wielders godlike atmospheric manipulation. Former hero Sora Takeuchi unveils his ruthless faction Genesis, aiming to seize all Regalia and reshape human evolution. To halt Genesis, Kogarasumaru must navigate brutal betrayals, unrequited devotion, and high-velocity aerial clashes where one miscalculated turn results in fatal velocity impact.
What to Expect
Air Gear pairs relentless mechanical escalation with hyper-stylized physical momentum. Combat operates on dynamic kinetic physics, where speedsters channel atmospheric friction, sonic barriers, and thermal updrafts into lethal martial arts techniques. The narrative structure shifts deliberately from grounded delinquent turf wars into an expansive military sci-fi drama featuring tactical team duels, mechanical engineering warfare, and psychological territory control.
Who Will Enjoy This
This series suits readers who appreciate high-octane battle shounen, intricate technological world-building, and extreme sports subcultures. Fans who enjoy the high-pressure athletic combat and ego-driven team rivalries in Blue Lock will connect with Kogarasumaru's fierce drive to dominate their division. Furthermore, readers who revere the distinct visual flair, escalating weapon mechanics, and dramatic faction warfare found in Bleach will find Oh! Great's distinct character designs and explosive battle choreography equally compelling.
Key Early Characters (Ikki, Ringo, Kazu, Agito)View cast
| Itsuki Minami Baby Face / Crow |
Role & Skill: Kogarasumaru leader riding the Wing Road. Utilizes innate 3D spatial awareness and wind manipulation tricks to simulate flight. Drive: Conquer the open sky and defend his team against corrupt veteran riders. |
| Ringo Noyamano Crazy Apple / Sonia Road |
Role & Skill: Leader of the current Sleeping Forest and heir to the Sonia Road. Excels in extreme joint-flexibility maneuvers and crushing air pressure kicks. Drive: Guard the sacred Trophaeum while silently shielding Ikki from deadly high-level conspiracies. |
| Kazuma Mikura Stealth / Flame Road |
Role & Skill: Kogarasumaru's primary tactician and high-speed runner. Generates deceptive afterimages through relentless straight-line acceleration. Drive: Overcome personal feelings of inadequacy to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ikki. |
| Agito / Akito Wanijima Fang King / Bloody Road |
Role & Skill: Dual-personality vanguard wielded by Kogarasumaru. Channels vacuum-blade slashes using custom razor-hooked AT blades. Drive: Retaliate against his abusive brother's syndicate and achieve true autonomy alongside Ikki. |
Frequently Asked Questions3 Answers
What are Air Trecks and Regalia in the Air Gear universe?
Air Trecks are high-tech motorized inline skates powered by compact two-wheel micro-motors, granting extreme mobility. Regalia represent eight specialized core components wielded by elite Kings. These mechanical systems harness specific elemental dynamics—such as atmospheric air currents, seismic friction, and ultrasonic pressure—to grant absolute tactical authority over their respective riding Roads.
Where does the Air Gear anime end in the manga, and should you read from Chapter 1?
The 2006 Toei Animation TV series covers Chapters 1 through 104 before concluding with an original climax. To experience the unedited narrative continuity, extensive mechanical breakdowns, and subsequent major arcs—including the Trophaeum infiltration and Genesis showdown—readers should pick up the manga directly from Chapter 1 or Chapter 104.
Is the Air Gear manga finished, and why are there 359 chapters listed?
The main serialization concluded with Chapter 358 across 37 compiled tankobon volumes. GalaxyManga catalogs 359 chapter entries to incorporate standalone bonus material, side chapters, and promotional epilogues published by Oh! Great alongside the core Kodansha release schedule, offering a complete digital archive.