Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
Welcome to the world of Storm Riders where motor-powered inline skates called "Air Treks" 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 to a terrifying gang of Storm Riders the sisters welcome him to the world of Air Trek 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 Trek 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.System Requirements:Running Time: 100 min. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ADULT SWIM Rating: TV-MA UPC: 702727168024 Manufacturer No: DAG/001

Amazon.com:
Based on the manga by "Oh! great" (Ito Oogure), Air Gear (2006) elevates in-line skating to a high-tech extreme sport, much the way Eureka Seven pushes snowboarding. Minami "Ikki" Isuki is a tough-talking high school student who freeloads at the home of the four Noyamano sisters. After getting the wasabi beaten out of him by a gang of Storm Riders, Ikki discovers the world of air treks: motorized in-line skates that go at extraordinary speeds. Not surprisingly, he turns out to be a natural rider, quickly picking up skills and catching a brief vision of "the Road in the Sky." But Ikki has to face rival gangs, beginners' races, and getting a job to pay for his skates before he can aspire to the mystical aspects of the sport. Although the misfit hero, athletic challenges, and other elements in the series are standard-issue shonen (boys') anime, the computer-animated racing shots, skillful cutting and winning voice performances make Air Gear a lot of fun. (Rated TV MA SL, suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, profanity, nudity toilet and risqué humor) --Charles Solomon

Rating : - "AIR GEAR" definitely rocks!
If you enjoy the thrill of racing competition-based anime such as "Initial D" and enjoy the world and characters of the popular Sega Dreamcast and XBOX video game "Jet Grind Radio", you will definitely find "AIR GEAR" to your liking.
"AIR GEAR" takes place in a world where Storm Riders are known for their motor-powered inline skates called Air Treck's (AT).
Many thrillseekers join groups or gangs in order compete and be on top of this dangerous (and illegal) extreme sport.

The storyline revolves around Ikki Minami. A guy who lives with the Noyama sisters who are also part of their own racing group.

Needless to say that because he is more or less a freeloader (who tends to get himself into trouble) at their home, the sisters look down on him. With the exception of Ringo, who is closer to Ikki.

In the first episode, Ikki gets into trouble by taking one of the sister's AT's and starts experimenting with them.

You start to learn that although Ikki is a beginner, he has a talent riding the AT's.

So, talented that he manages to do things that he and others can't comprehend during a race.

Ikki has a talent to fly. A phenomenon to the Storm Riders that very few are gifted with this ability. But for Ikki, he doesn't know much about this talent but with each episode he learns about the world of the Storm Rider.

Because he is naive to the sport and his crush on Shimuka, a beautiful and talented Storm Rider leads him to trouble.

Fortunately, with the support of his friends (aka his own startip Storm Riders team). hopefully Ikki's dream to climb to the top as a Storm Rider may come true.

The first four episodes are fantastic and full of energy and excitement that I just wanted to see more.

You can't help but root for Ikki, the underdog (with unknown talent) as he takes on the various Storm Rider gangs.

The vocal talent for both the English dub and the Japanese version are awesome. But I will say that "AIR GEAR" ala English dub does feature it's share of adult language. So, definitely not an anime to watch with the kids.

Also, with the first episode, it is a bit ecchi, with scenes of the sisters nude as they shower. But nudity is not used on every episode, nor does it detract from the pacing of the series.

I found the animation to be very cool. Because the races take place in so many areas, definitely a lot of work was involved to create settings for this anime series.

As for special features, you get the opening and closing ending. The opening theme "CHAIN" by rock band BACK-ON is awesome.

So, in conclusion, I highly recommend the first volume of this series. I like the competition aspect with the multiple groups/gangs, the use of motorized inline skating and including technical aspects that the Storm Riders nead to complete ala "Parts War" and the characters are numerous but yet very interesting and fun to watch.

"AIR GEAR" definitely rocks!