The ZONE Podcast: Nerdy News and Reviews
We, the Zealots of Nerd Entertainment (or the ZONE Alliance), are a group of eople talking about old and new movies, television shows, video games, and everything else in nerd/pop culture!
The ZONE Podcast: Nerdy News and Reviews
Air Gear: Soaring Beyond Gravity with Air Treks & Teenage Rebellion
Freedom takes flight in the urban sprawl of futuristic Japan, where motorized inline skates called Air Treks have transformed not just transportation, but an entire underground culture. When high schooler Ikki Minami stumbles upon this world through his connection with the mysterious Noyamano sisters, his life changes forever as he discovers his potential to soar beyond the ordinary.
Air Gear masterfully combines pulse-pounding sports action with a vibrant street culture aesthetic that still feels electric nearly two decades after its release. The series follows Ikki's journey from novice skater to potential "Sky King" contender, accompanied by his eclectic team of friends with unique abilities. Each character brings their distinct "road" – specialized techniques that define their skating styles and personalities – creating battles and races that are as much about personal expression as they are about victory.
What truly sets Air Gear apart is how it balances its adrenaline-fueled premise with deeper themes of rebellion, identity, and the universal human desire to break free from constraints. The relationships between characters – particularly the complex dynamic between Ikki, Ringo, and the mysterious Simca – add emotional weight to the gravity-defying stunts. Meanwhile, the dual-personality character Agito/Akito (who switches personas by moving his eyepatch) provides some of the series' most compelling moments.
While the anime only scratches the surface of what the manga eventually explores, even this glimpse into the world of Storm Riders offers something special. The unique blend of sports, science fiction, comedy, and coming-of-age elements creates an experience unlike anything else in anime. For those who've never experienced Air Gear, it's time to strap on those ATs and discover why fans have been calling for a modern reboot of this underrated gem. Ready to take flight?
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DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening!
Stay nerdy and stay faithful,
- J.B.
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all righty air gear. This is a personal favorite. Like I've been waiting to review air gear for quite a while now, because when I first watched air gear I was fairly impressed. But the thing is, after reading the manga because I was just that impressed, like, if I read the manga after watching the anime, it must be kind of good, like it must be pretty good. Right, the manga is much better, but for the time being, let's just stick to the anime Now.
Speaker 1:Air Gear is a manga and anime series created by the talented mangaka oito ogre, but you better known him as oh great, who also made tenjo tenge. Air gear is known for like a unique blend of sports, science fiction action where it takes readers and viewers on this journey through a world where you have like gravity defying roller blades known as air treks and they're like this ultimate tool for freedom and competition. Uh, this as this kind of dives into the intricate world of air gear. So the intricate world of air gear, so it's slightly in the futuristic japan and, like I said, air gear is like in a society where air treks is like these motorized inline skates, which is like not only for transport but it's for a symbol of freedom and rebellion I. It allowed the users known as Storm Riders to perform incredible stunts and engage in high-speed battles. The series is this thrilling blend of sports. I already mentioned it already.
Speaker 1:We got Ikki, the main character, who's spirited and somewhat reckless. He's known as Baby Phase or Crow. He lives with the Noyamano sisters, who are secretly known as the Sleeping Force Force, who was like the first big time gang in the Air Treks where I'm going into manga territory, but let's just say that there's more to the Noyamanos sisters than mision. And, uh, you have ringo, who's like the leader of sleeping forest, who's known as the thorn queen. Uh, well, yes, she's known as thorn queen, but she also has this other, uh, swimsuit mask or something like that, with a fucking swimsuit and whatnot. You have Simca the Swallow, who's like this mysterious storm rider who has like interest in Ikki, kazu and Onigiri, who are his two best friends. But also we have Bucha, who's one of my favorite characters in this whole series.
Speaker 1:Let's just get into the additional notes that I have. Like you know, they have that interesting mix of street gangs and using air transport, racing, pro sports or just a hobby as a means of getting in shape. It has an air of mystery surrounding certain characters like Simca the Swallow, members of Sleeping Fords and other characters being foreshadowed In some areas. I wish there was a little brevity where there were scenes that I was able to understand what was happening, but the series wastes a little time connecting dots. I get it for the sake of comedy, but I'm not that slow. I do like the love rectangle excuse me between Ikki, ringo, simca and Akito, because, uh, yeah, um.
Speaker 2:I don't feel like Akito, okay, alright, I mean okay.
Speaker 1:Hold on, I'll get to you, let me finish Now. Here the design is solid, even for a show that's almost 20 years old. Like some of the characters have a unique look and some of the facial expressions are kind of funny, especially from Ikki Black. Representation is shown here, like with Buccia, and I think it was one other character that's escaping me right now. Animation wise, the series would have been very popular if the movements were faster and maybe more visual effects to increase the intensity of the battles ensued.
Speaker 1:Uh, great music selection and soundtrack, surprising level of cursing, a tasteful level of answers. Like you know, I, when I first watched air gear, I watched the censored version so I was like okay, fine, fair game. I thought it was like the usual anime gags. But then, out of nowhere, I decided you know what, let's just go ahead and review this. And I saw clips on youtube where you get to see it all and I'm like nipples crack, oh. But they keep that to a bare minimum. You barely notice maybe a couple of episodes in Renown, so it doesn't get that tired out, but it is one of the only anime that I prefer English dubbed as far as voice acting and dialogue. Did I forget to mention that this anime is actually hilarious here and there Because it is. Personally, I find this series to be an underrated gem if it wasn't for the low ratings and lack of viewership from other anime fans, considering that the big 3 and other shows were brand new and popping off at the time.
Speaker 1:I dare say that Air Gear deserves a reboot series, especially since there was some things in the manga that the anime cut out. So perfect chance to reboot the whole thing and continue where the anime left off. Well, the original anime left off, and then we just essentially just pull up a full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood like just do it right this time. I can't even imagine a video game being designed based off Using Eric Trex I believe it was Sy Thomas Mad that mentioned Jet Set, radio Future or something like that, something like that. I can see Air Gear as a video game honestly. So how I'm feeling about Air Gear. If I'm including the manga, I give it a 9.
Speaker 1:I was fairly impressed with the direction of the show. It's just, once again, sometimes with the pacing. I really hated the way the anime ended off. I mean, yeah, that's something that happened in the manga, but it just feels like With the whole thing With taking down Behemoth.
Speaker 1:It's almost like what's the point of this Last one or two episodes? Like it was just Like you just left it all, with Ikki being chosen to lead Genesis, and it was like, oh no. And you know, with Ringo, and she was like, oh no, you can't fuck with Genesis, because if you do that then we gonna have to be enemies. Because we don't fuck with Genesis like that, because you know you got this whole history and all that. You know what I'm saying. But yeah, it's more than just a tale of high speed battles, it's done. It's a narrative about the human spirit, the quest for freedom and the power of dreams. Like through this vibrant characters, dynamic plot, the series does invite audience to embark on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment. And as Ikki and the gang defy gravity and soar through the skies, they remind us all that the limitless possibilities that await those who dare to dream Now Mirror Jane how are you feeling about air gear?
Speaker 2:I freaking love air gear. Like I was absolutely obsessed with this anime, um, and I didn't stumble upon it until like my first year of college, actually. So I didn't know anything about Air Gear until like way later and I stumbled upon it, oddly enough, going to a video game store. Shout out to Thomas, to Georgia, for that really hole in the wall video game store Because they had the original. It was legit a hole in the wall video game store because they had the original. It was legit a hole in the wall. But they had like the original, like japanese dvd disc set of air gear. Like I still have it to this day.
Speaker 2:I I didn't know what this anime was and I I bought it because, well, I'm a broke college student, I can't afford Crunchyroll yet and I don't even think they were charging for it yet. Anyway, and it was like five bucks for all the episodes two-disc DVD set with that beautiful oh my God the Japanese cover is so beautiful. Like oh my God. I ended up marathoning it in two days, wow I think I slept and I also had a paper to do so.
Speaker 2:It definitely helped me get through that, but I freaking it is my favorite character. I haven't seen a protagonist like that ever. The music, the freaking soundtrack to this anime lives in my head rent-free. That is how I feel about this.
Speaker 1:I got the opening theme song as my morning alarm clock. As soon as it's 7 o'clock in the morning, I hear that theme song. I'm ready to go what oh my?
Speaker 2:god oh my, maybe I need to do that.
Speaker 1:I'm not gonna lie, because right now it's because the way it pops off is like oh yeah, it'll wake you up it does it freaking does that right now, it's a birthday cake, just that radio.
Speaker 2:But it freaking does that right now is a birthday cake just at radio. But I also I'm gonna have to talk to my promise matt, because, like, just that radio is my game. First of all, okay, that is my junk original xbox. Okay, I had the demo, but I do agree it's very similar, like there's a lot in jet set that is in air gear and I do think that there was like somewhat inspiration from the two, because I think jet set dropped around the same time. Um, I think it came out like 2000, no, no, early. The original came out like early 90s and then came out on xbox. First xbox dropped in what? 2000, oh god, 2006, maybe the first xbox when the first xbox dropped.
Speaker 1:I can't remember like sooner than that, I want to say like 2003 or so, because I know like I was still in middle school when the Xbox dropped oh snap, okay, wait, dang, you're right, you're right, okay.
Speaker 2:So I forgot that I'm younger than you yeah you said that and I was like I'm pretty sure, I was like in elementary school, yeah, and I was like I'm pretty sure I was like in elementary school, yeah, like.
Speaker 1:I was like sixth grade maybe, yeah okay, okay, I wasn't.
Speaker 2:Oh dang, yeah, I think I was in fourth grade, fourth or fifth grade anyway, sixth grade, for I think that was like 2003.
Speaker 1:Hold on, hold on, wait. Yeah, because I know for a fact that 2001 I was in fifth grade and sixth grade it was like 2002, 2003, and I know for a fact. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's around that time.
Speaker 2:You're right. You're right. You're right. You're so right. I am so wrong because that was such a long time ago. I just remember my first Xbox. Anyway, playmation is very similar, very similar. Both of them have amazing soundtracks and I know it aired like in. I know the anime aired in japan in like 2006, which is crazy that I did not see it until I was in freaking college. But yeah, I freaking love this anime. The girls, the females, badass, all of them, and they all fine, they all could get it. I ain't, I ain't really into that. I don't have baby mamas like somebody we know okay but they, they could get it because they were strong and independent, but they also knew how to just be sexy.
Speaker 1:Oh my god I was just kind of surprised when Ringo and the girls whooped on Simca. Look here, you're getting a little too close to Icky. I'm going to need you to cut this shit out. We're going to have to take you out, just to make sure that you know. You've seen that, Because that was like the first.
Speaker 2:Was that the first episode? No, the first was that the first episode.
Speaker 1:No, that wasn't the first episode like that was. I was gonna say that was the first time I've seen ringo do something like that wall out of nowhere, because you're thinking like, oh, she's just a sweet girl and like you know, like she just wants the best for icky, but like the fact that you go that far just to make sure that, um, just to make sure that, uh, icky doesn't fuck with on genesis, like listen, listen.
Speaker 2:Ringo said that's my baby daddy back up, that's my future baby daddy. Like, don't hit. Like ringo was so cool to me there was nothing that she could do that anything wrong. Like I thought ringo was the coolest chick in the whole show. She definitely made me want some air tracks, though she like there was something about her. Rika was cool, but it simply kind of got on my nerves. But maybe that's because I was a Ringo fan. Maybe I'm a little bit biased.
Speaker 1:No, I like Ringo and Simca. Well, I like Ringo because she's more like the type of girl where you want a girl that is super supportive, even if she's trying to warn you not to do things, but it's mainly just for your protection. Okay, I get, get it. It's because you care for me, like I get that and I appreciate that.
Speaker 1:Uh, but you know, sometimes you love like bitch, I gotta, I gotta do whatever I want you know he like I'm still a man, bro, like you gotta let me mess up, okay, but but uh, with simka though simka, like I like the mystique around her, like the type of girl where it's like you kind of want to figure out and shit, like I normally I don't go for that, like I don't know, maybe I'm weird for that, but like I don't care for you being mysterious, like hey, just be straight with me. Like what are you about? Like can I fuck with you for real? Like come on, like I mean not to be too straightforward with it, but at the same time I'm like we ain't got.
Speaker 1:I don't got um months or years to try to figure you out, man, like are we fucking with each other or not?
Speaker 2:you know what. You know what. You now make a whole lot more sense to me. Now, jb, I feel like you have given me insight.
Speaker 2:Let's see how it is okay, but no simcoe was cool simcoe definitely remind me of like yeah, she definitely remind me of. Like that emo girl in the back of the classroom, everybody trying to like what's she thinking, though. But. But like that emo girl in the back of the classroom, Everybody trying to like what's she thinking, though, but like is she going to shoot up the school? But she too fine to be shooting up the school. Like, that's kind of.
Speaker 1:She kind of comes off as the kind of girl that's like, oh, I bet she got a whole bunch of dudes in her DMs and whatnot. And then meanwhile it's like I don't really fuck with these dudes. And then meanwhile it's like I don't really fuck with these dudes. None of these dudes are really that special to me, except for that one boy right there.
Speaker 2:He got potential Right right, she was real, but she just got on my nerves. The mysteriousness that gets on my nerves, though, but I like knowing what people think, and I was like what is she going to do?
Speaker 1:Like she get on my nerves, think, and I can't I could. I was like, what is she gonna do? Like she's getting. I guess the main thing was is that I kind of knew that Simca also wanted, uh, ikki to um, like. In other words, it was like, yeah, she was mysterious, but it was almost like I could tell you're a real one behind it all. That's the main thing. That's like you're kind of a real one behind the scenes. It was like, okay, when you guys get to know, you know in fact, hold on, I'll take it even further. Like you remember watching, uh, fairly odd parents yeah, for sure okay, you remember trixie, right like how
Speaker 1:now stay with me, follow me, phone me like. And here and there, like you're thinking, like with trixie, she's supposed to be like this stuck up, rich, popular girl, right. But in the early she's supposed to be like this stuck-up rich popular girl, right. But in the early episodes she was said to be the kind of girl that, like, read comic books and maybe play video games. She was like one of the boys in a way.
Speaker 1:So it's like it's not that she didn't really like Timmy, like being like snooty and shit, it's just more like she's the popular girl she's not supposed to fuck with kids like Timmy. But in actuality, behind the scenes, it's like You're a real one behind the scenes it's just more like, hey, yo, you know, like I don't Hate you and whatnot, but, like you know, I gotta, you know, keep up the status quo. You know I gotta keep up Appearances, but hey, yo, you know what, maybe, like you know, I can't keep up the status quo. You know I gotta keep up appearances, but hey, yo, you know what, um, maybe, like you know, I can't. You know, I'm saying like they kind of set her up to where, like, she's more genuine than we give her credit for, but because, like it was the kind of show to where you're not supposed to have like character development like that.
Speaker 2:So it's, it's like they got to revert it back, so that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1:Like the kind of girl that you think is unattainable, but in actuality she's a real one, but that's the only thing is like she's supposed to have, like this sort of status where it's like she's supposed to be like this untouchable queen.
Speaker 2:But in actuality, it's reality is like I'm just looking for a genuine dude like you know what I'm saying. I mean, no, I think, okay, you might be right, but I feel like, okay, I have to sit up here and say you might be right, dang um, I just feel like simka, her pushing of him, like wanting him to be the, the next sky king, I don't know, I just, I just feel like it was a little too much I know like at first it did feel like a trap.
Speaker 1:It did feel like a trap but like yeah, you read the manga, it's like okay, like she wasn't really trying to trick or anything, like she actually saw potential in him, like she actually thought she, he, could be the one. So okay, you're a real one then in the actuality.
Speaker 2:Okay, okay okay, sure, I just felt selfish. Okay, it just felt. It felt very self like, self-satisfactory. I don't feel like she was just doing it for his best interest, it felt like she wanted this to happen for her sake, not just because that's how it felt to me. Like I said, Simba got on my nerves.
Speaker 1:You're not going to let that go, are you? No, but I respect it, it's all good. I'm just saying, that's just how I saw it, though yeah, I get your perspective, you're not wrong.
Speaker 2:Okay, I can be a hater, all right, I can.
Speaker 1:I can own up today ladies and gentlemen, uh, mirajane is basically saying like look here I'm a certified hater.
Speaker 2:Um, first and foremost, don't you forget and he is a certified lover boy, but he ain't no certified. I'm sorry, I'm sorry I mean dang.
Speaker 1:If only um, it was like, if only there were like situations where they're like girls popping up and if he was like flirting with all the girls, then yeah, I'll give you that Like. It gotta be like some serious Brock shit. You know Brock from All that Poppin'.
Speaker 2:Up. I don't even mean that kind of lover boy, I just mean all the girls want him. Tell me, all the girls don't want him.
Speaker 1:Hmm, okay, tell me not all, me all the girls don't want.
Speaker 2:Okay, you know.
Speaker 1:I mean, I don't know about this I don't know all about all the sisters, but like um. But you know, there's a whole thing with the manga where it's like there's read the manga.
Speaker 2:I'm not going to tell you is that what you're telling me to do?
Speaker 1:okay, all right, I'm gonna read it, because there's just some shit going on in the manga where it's like wait, hold the fuck on. Like the plot got real crazy.
Speaker 1:Oh my God, like I kid you not. Like it gets deeper to a point to where, like you're thinking're racing around on air treks, right, but it gets to a point where, like it's about betrayal and uh, fucking power and whatnot. Uh, it's good and all, but it's just without spoiling it for you. It just gets. It just goes in different directions where I'm like, okay, it's even more interesting than.
Speaker 2:I gave credit for like you understand it sounds like it's like cross days, like if you watch school days but you've never read cross days. That's what you kind of the vibes you've given me right. So what you're telling me is I need to go read it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Because uh it's like, once you read it, it's like wait, hold the fuck on. It just changes things.
Speaker 2:Okay, I'm gonna go read it. I'm actually gonna go. I actually might not be able to read it tonight. I need something to put me to sleep. But not saying that it would be boring, I'm just saying something to read. But my favorite character, though, like I love all, I love the girls, but my favorite character I bet you can guess you gonna guess it's Agito. I freaking love Agito.
Speaker 1:I like Agito too. Like because, okay, he switched from this cute, meaningful kid and then the others have Agito, he's like man, he's like man. I don't fuck with you weaklings. They're like just cussing up a store and all that. I like this little bastard here, but um then uh eye patches.
Speaker 2:Just I was like oh my god, I don't.
Speaker 1:But then you got. You got really eye patching like it's the zone. What was what he?
Speaker 1:went by again, lynn or something like that, uh, and then that's just like, okay, this is gonna be my default. Well, it's the original personality. It's just more like his whole thing was. He was like brought up, traumatized and whatnot, you know the whole brother situation keeping him in the cage and whatnot. So it's kind of like saying that, uh, he created agito um, kind of like. You know, uh, if you watch moon knight, just imagine what mark specter had to do in order to suppress his trauma. So he created the steven um persona, steven Persona, to kind of Block out the trauma, while Mark was the original Personality.
Speaker 2:Yeah, personality.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's like that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I didn't want to like.
Speaker 1:Analyze, because Even they didn't try to go that far oh well, you know, sometimes it's Akito and sometimes it's Akito. So I'm like they didn't try to go that far, like, oh well, you know, sometimes it's Akito and sometimes it's Akito. So I'm like they didn't really go that far into what it was, but that's what it is they definitely didn't.
Speaker 2:But that's what I think, that's what made the character even more appealing because, like, sometimes you didn't even it's like you didn't know which one you were gonna get or how he was gonna they did it so good. They did that like split personality so good. I was like, oh my god, it was okay. Now I just want you to understand. I'm not saying that I like bad boys, I'm just saying that the, the shift was kind of it was it. That's all I'm saying.
Speaker 1:I mean it's okay if you do hey, hey, it's not okay. What do you mean? I mean, if you like what you like, I mean I'm not going to judge you.
Speaker 2:I mean I feel judged.
Speaker 1:I'm not judging you.
Speaker 2:I feel like you are.
Speaker 1:I am not. You're doing it to yourself, MJ. Please stop.
Speaker 2:No, so now we're blaming me. Okay, this time.
Speaker 1:But that's what you're doing.
Speaker 2:Okay, I mean, there is something about Never mind, that's TMI.
Speaker 1:Can you please continue? I'm trying to listen intently but're making you're. It's almost like you're trying to argue with me on this one. I am not trying to argue with you.
Speaker 2:Please continue I know you're not, but there was just really. I think this was the first time I realized I liked something okay, and it was just like oh I kind of like that like oh uh, I didn't know that was fair, but uh, yeah, that was. That's also. One of my favorite episodes is when uh him and uh agito are like battling. Would you call it battles? I forgot. I forgot what they called them.
Speaker 1:Sometimes it's battles, sometimes it's races. Like I said, it was more like gang activity.
Speaker 2:They really was gang activity on some skates. Like they really was. But I can't even say skates. They were air treks. These are high power. Could you imagine yourself using air treks? These are high powered. Could you imagine yourself Using air treks?
Speaker 1:You do know. I want to say you got to have that kind of Military like training Not exactly military, but you know how NASA trained their Astronauts to withstand High velocity launch and whatnot.
Speaker 2:You know that sort of shit.
Speaker 1:Like in that fucking machine where they're going around, around, around. Yeah, it can be kind of that shit, because you gotta get used to going that fast. That's the main thing. Otherwise you're just asked to just crash and do something as soon as you put those shits on.
Speaker 2:Facts, facts. Oh my god. It's like me rollerblading for the first time. Oh my god. Um, but like that. That's one of my favorite episodes. That's one of my favorite uh battles, if you will, because there was just something about how intense that one felt in comparison to a lot of the other ones, except towards the end, when he ends up going against the former Sky King.
Speaker 1:Man fuck Sora.
Speaker 2:Wait.
Speaker 1:Read the manga. Wait, oh my God, my god, no, there's more. I feel like he was already manipulative enough no read the manga like they didn't. Worse, the main fuckery happens in the manga. They didn't get that far in the anime, but like fuck him.
Speaker 2:That's all I'll say oh, my god cause I already hated him look, look, look.
Speaker 1:I'll put it to you this much okay he's the main ops.
Speaker 2:He's the main ops no way read the manga alright, alright, I guess I'm gonna you know I'm gonna end up staying up all night again. Right, see, this gonna be your fault. I'm gonna, when I'm late for work in the morning, I'm gonna tell them to call you. That's what I'm gonna do, like. Hey, listen, I have a, I have To be, fair though.
Speaker 1:But to be fair though, mj, like you just said yourself, like you kinda saw it coming With the way he was Really acting, like the way he was really thinking about Icky While he was like kinda fucking with him. Like you know, he didn't really fuck with Icky To begin with, but Like the real fuckery doesn't happen Until, like you get somewhere in the manga oh my goodness, okay, alright oh, the poor elder sister too what you mean, what he doing.
Speaker 2:What else could he have done, um I'll give you a hint.
Speaker 1:What else could he have done? Um?
Speaker 2:I'll give you a hint brainwatching oh my, okay, okay, okay, yes, I'm brainwatching. Okay, alright, I'm gonna read tonight. It's alright, you have solidified. Yeah, some brainwashing. Okay, alright, I'm going to read tonight. It's alright, you have solidified. I was supposed to watch the new episode of Lazarus.
Speaker 1:Ah man.
Speaker 2:That's what I was supposed to do. Hold on. Last of Us comes on tonight too.
Speaker 1:The last episode? Okay, I need to look into that because I was meaning to review that, but I wasn't sure when the last episode? Okay, I need to look into that because I was meaning to review that, but I wasn't sure when the last episode dropped no, it hasn't.
Speaker 2:It's still airing we it's uh, oh, it's brand new.
Speaker 1:Okay, never mind, oh, it was already done damn uh, if it is that, I ain't gonna lie.
Speaker 2:I canceled my uh crunchyroll subscription because this PC cost me a lot of money. No, I'm back to out here pirating again, but it was worth it. It's beautiful, it's colorful. That's all I can say. Was worth it. It's beautiful, it's colorful. I like it saying but yeah, no, uh, what? Okay, who was your?
Speaker 1:favorite. Did you have a separate favorite team besides our main team? Um, I like the doberman guys because, like, despite um you know being them being a gang, they were like the most honorable. We were like hey, man, rules are rules, it is what it is. Let's keep it pushing.
Speaker 2:I like those guys.
Speaker 1:They were pretty chill the Skull guys were the main ones, I would like. Yeah, these are the guys that you would think would be part of the gang, also Ucha's old gang, yago.
Speaker 2:Oh Yago.
Speaker 1:Or something like that. It was something like that. They were kind of interesting because it kind of gave it that little Ominous feel To where you try to figure out who the hell. I mean we kind of knew, based on like some telltale sign, who was the leader of that gang.
Speaker 1:But I just like the build up of it To where I'll just try to figure out who is it that Rules the school at night. That was the funny part too, how, uh, I'm gonna kind of go on a little tangent about booster, because I like this character, because first of all, I like how uh, everybody was like, oh well, yeah, you guys rule the school during the day, but y'all ain't shit at night. I'm like what you mean? I was like, oh yeah, you didn't know there was a gang that ruled the school at night. Like y'all ain't shit compared to them. And you know, fucha had his race with Ikki and whatnot and he ends up joining the gang and whatnot.
Speaker 1:But here's the funny thing With Onigiri. I like how there was this girl who was feeling him and she, uh, at first like they were trying to be happy for one, but at the same time it was almost like, uh, something's not right here, like she might be trying to break that boy's heart and like I mean, come to find out that you know, she really was a chubby chaser in a way, because like, as soon as Booth just showed up.
Speaker 1:Then she was like oh, you're much bigger. Than him Like let me go fuck with you.
Speaker 2:And.
Speaker 1:I'm like no, you son of a bitch. And then Booth is like hey, bro, it is what it is, I can't help it, dog. Like if she feeling me's feeling me man, sometimes I better do up love and loss than never love, and all you know what.
Speaker 2:I'm saying oh my God, you not wrong, I love you, but I forgot about that.
Speaker 1:The funnier part, even funnier than that, when Icky and them were wondering, hey Buta, what happened to that one girl? I was like man, she left me for a sumo wrestler. And then the sumo wrestler was like yeah, beat it skinny.
Speaker 2:Bro, bro, all right, eric, that was funny. That jump was funny. Oh my God, I like. The one thing I liked about Air game was you're not wrong, they had some of the funniest moments, but it felt like they were. It felt like they were actual teenagers, like even with the gang violence that's going on. It felt like because they're going through stupid teenage stuff like, oh, she left me for a bigger dude you know, mj, I don't.
Speaker 1:This is weird because, like, even though there's another anime that's like related to, like I when I say related to, I'm talking about same universe related, and I'm pretty sure I already hinted and mentioned this to you in the rest of the inner circle. But I really, really want to review bacchanal and durarara at some point, because durara for sure, because you know that's also like teenage gang violence going on yeah like there was like more to it going on behind the scenes, but also at bacchanal.
Speaker 1:It's like a prequel, because it's in the same universe and like I'll explain when we actually do the review and we do watch both, you'll see what I'm talking about. Where I'm like wait, hold on. You're gonna be like um, like that one theory with uh promise, neverland and attack on titan. Where it's like the way these two acts will connect and I the way these two actually connect, and I'm like these two actually connect. Like two characters from Bacchanal shows up in Durarara. That's how connected it is, but that's for another time.
Speaker 2:Wait, wait, wait. Okay, hold on, wait, wait, wait. I have, Is it Okay? Vamp have you seen? Vamp, vamp, vamp, v-a-m-p. Vamp, Is that?
Speaker 1:No, oh yeah.
Speaker 2:Nope, yep, yep. I think you might want to add that to the list. You said da-ra-ra-ra, da-ra-ra-ra-ra, um.
Speaker 1:Da-ra-ra-ra.
Speaker 2:I haven't seen all. I haven't seen Bopino, but there is a connection between Vamp as well, really, yes, alright, that means I'm gonna have to go back and rewatch it, because I haven't seen it in a very long time and I don't think I should have been watching that at the age that I was watching that at. But that's not the point. Point is it was, it had a, it has like, uh, vampires, obviously, but and I used to have really bad nightmares not the point point is you need to go watch it because I think I think you're gonna be pleasantly surprised. Dang, that's a three series, that's three. This might get good. We need to do something special for that, because that's a deep. These are going to be some deep theories. Oh my, okay, I'm going to have to go and watch all of them, all of them, all of these, because I'm wondering if Okay so there's the circus group in Air Gear, the highway circus.
Speaker 2:Okay, there's a circus group in Air Gear, the Highway Circus. I don't know. I think it was a gang called Highway Circus. I think I'd be wrong, because, um, that's a cool name, though Not gonna lie, because, um, cool name, though not gonna lie like.
Speaker 1:That's why I kind of like about the air gear, the name of these gangs. I'm like where'd y'all come?
Speaker 2:from true. True like, uh, what, what was the other one? Uh, behemoth was one that was sleeping. Forest was fire. I ain't gonna lie, I don't know why, but that name just felt fire. Um, and why? Okay? Why did Ikki? Why why Crow like?
Speaker 1:dang like. I know there was like a story behind that, but like, aside from a literal crow, like hanging around him and shit, like you know, um a crow getting um living in his hair, it's like a little crow's neck. So I was like, okay, that's your new nickname crow, little crow, babe. Next I was like, okay, that's your new nickname, crow Little Crow.
Speaker 2:He did have the prologue in there, I'm sorry.
Speaker 1:And then he also tried to climb Tokyo Tower and Ringo was like no, get down from there. And then he fucking fell from that height and then, like bro, you are so lucky that giant crow Saved your life.
Speaker 2:Bro, it seems, it almost seems like it was destiny For him.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that was like Kind of the point of it when, like that symbolism that he was meant to be free or like meant to like soar the skies and whatnot, you know like how, uh, he was like going through that um storm road and the wings were showing on his um air tracks and like, oh yeah, uh he, like he might be the one, he might be the next sky king yeah, yeah, I, you know, I think that's.
Speaker 2:What's beautiful about this anime too is the idea of freedom and like uh, and individualism, like those themes that they explore. It was so empowering, as like a freshman in college watching this, because it just felt so good. Like I don't. This anime feels really good. I don't know any other way to describe it other than that it feels really good and it showcases like friendship really well. I just, I don't know, just feel it's such a feel-good anime it doesn't feel okay. Question how I feel good about the anime right now am I? Am I gonna feel bad after I read the main?
Speaker 1:wait, no, no, I'm still gonna feel good, yeah, it sounds good ending, like you. Just I'm just saying like it just gets crazier okay, okay, as long as okay.
Speaker 2:Good, because I don't. I don't want to mess up this feeling I have, because every time I think about air gear, my heart just be like oh, freedom no, no.
Speaker 1:well, let me put it to you like this Nah, you know what? Just read the manga.
Speaker 2:Okay, okay, I will read it. One unique thing that I also really like about Air Gear was like how everybody had like a special technique, if you will.
Speaker 1:Bro, I was fucking rolling on the floor Well, not literally, but metaphorically with Onigiri, with his snow road and how like he has to like skate, with one skate on his head.
Speaker 2:On his head.
Speaker 1:Yeah, upside down. And then like he gets sensed we like release these pheromones that fuck with people's senses. And like he was up against that one girl from Behemoth and I was like, oh, that poor girl. Like she's stuck in a room with a very creepy pervert. No, the look on his face too, especially when he's like near, especially when he's like near girls. And he's like I was like, oh, that poor girl. Oh my god, y'all left her alone in that room with him.
Speaker 2:Oh my god he reminds me of. Oh my god, the, the great character. Say it great From my Hero, the purple.
Speaker 1:Mineta.
Speaker 2:Yes, now that you oh, my god, you're not wrong. Oh, that is such. I feel like they're siblings in another world, descendants of each other. Cause, like you're siblings in another, world Descendants of each other.
Speaker 1:Because, like you're not wrong, onigiri is those type of dudes where he's like in a very ominous way, he's just looking at you like I'm going to feel on you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's like he can feel and it's like uh-uh, like his creepiness, even, like I feel like it just makes everyone's flesh crawl.
Speaker 1:But the fact that you know Iki like that's my friend.
Speaker 2:It's like it just kind of makes you want to squirm a little bit. Like don't touch me, Because why are you releasing pheromonesones? I'm pretty sure that's just your sweat. Okay, like why. I'm like ew he musky yeah, what are you eating that smells that bad, like it's creating illusions?
Speaker 1:it's, I'm sorry imagine stinking so bad that you're making them hulu yo yo facts like who?
Speaker 2:no, absolutely not like who who let this man cook? Literally Like in the sun. Who let him outside? Like no, why he cooking in the sun, he cooking in the house? He don't need to cook, no, he just need to stay off of anywhere. But yeah, his was probably the most unique.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean he did Create it himself. Like the eight roads there's, like the flame Road, the storm road and what not Like essentially like roads can be Created, and he created this own road, but like let's just say it's gonna be like a one and only type thing, because Everybody else is like uh, okay, you can have that fam, true um.
Speaker 2:So what did you think of flame king? Bitfire, he was pretty cool yeah, yeah, I liked his bro no, it's crazy, hold on, you know what's crazy.
Speaker 1:In a way he reminds me of uh old boy who was, like um, the leader of that red gang from that one anime k you. You heard of that anime.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, I used to call it, I think it's called project k, but yeah project k.
Speaker 1:That's yeah. That's the long version of yeah, but uh, he reminds me of a buddy from the red team oh you right yeah oh, that's not, that's an anime.
Speaker 2:I'm gonna actually have to go back and like rewatch because like I got so confused about the kings and all that stuff.
Speaker 1:I was so lost in that anime but you're not wrong you know, yeah, we should review that too, because that was actually pretty good, like it definitely got interesting, or like trying to figure out the whole thing with the colorless king and whatnot yeah, like I was, so I was really intrigued by it.
Speaker 2:I definitely ended up falling off of because life but and then also movies. I think a movie ended up coming out and I was. I was lost on even how to like follow it at that point. But yeah, no, that one was really. That's a really good one. We should review that one.
Speaker 1:I actually enjoyed that one but um, was there anything else about ear gear that you wanted to talk about?
Speaker 2:No, I think, I think. I think we covered all the major Points we talked about. I think we got everything. Oh wait, what's her name? The, the, the other girl who liked Iggy.
Speaker 1:Was there another girl?
Speaker 2:I think she didn't.
Speaker 1:She fix On the air tracks oh, um, hmm, not Ringo, but uh, let me look that up real quick because, uh, I forgot about her.
Speaker 2:She was like real she came. I kind of forgot about her. She was like real. She came across, kind of shy Kururu. Is that how you pronounce it?
Speaker 1:Yeah, kururu Sumeragi, I think it was. Yeah, yeah, yeah, uh, kururu Sumeragi, I think it was yeah, yeah, she was really cute.
Speaker 2:I thought she was really adorable. She reminded me. Like her, her attire kind of reminded me of a character from uh, what do you? Oh god, dang it. Why am I blanking on anime today? What is happening? Um, not soul society? She reminded me of Maka. Like the outfit, the attire oh from Soul. Eater. That's it. Yeah, she kind of reminded me of a character that would belong there, but I could not figure out an actual working theory on how she would fit, and that kind of upset me Not even going to lie to you.
Speaker 2:Every time I looked at her I was like you fit somewhere else. I just don't know how to make you fit, yeah. But yeah, I just wanted to bring her up because she's definitely like an honorable mention and I love how they showcase women in anime doing other things as like mechanical engineer like. I just always thought that was really cool, because sometimes we don't really see that in american shows as often, or especially back then.
Speaker 1:Let me say that it's better now yeah, it's almost like nowadays, when they do do that, it's like they gotta make it obvious about it, like it can't just be like, oh well, you know, just like, okay, say, for instance um, I know we haven't done it yet and we might do it this year, maybe, maybe. But I'm thinking, but the mean girls um movies. The second one, where, okay, main characters like into cars, like she, like um, working on on the cars her dad was fairly supportive and whatnot, and it's like, yeah, you know, you can just be a girl that likes working on cars, like um, they didn't make it like a whole point to where like, yeah, um, girls can't uh do things other than you know, uh, be a homemaker and whatnot, like they've never went that route. And I appreciate that because, like you know, we be a homemaker and whatnot. Like they've never went that route. And I appreciate that because, like you know, we never said y'all couldn't.
Speaker 1:It's more like sometimes it just gets a little grating when it's like it's like look see, you see, uh, you know, like how someone will go to college. I know you're saying like you went to college. So not you like how someone will go to college. I know you're saying like you went to college, so not you, but how someone will like get this degree. And then it's almost like they're just waving that degree right dead into your face Like see, I went to college, you know, I just don't do that, yeah.
Speaker 2:I'm happy for you but calm down that's true.
Speaker 2:Like just be chill with it like you ain't gotta be, and I think I think that's why I've always been like attracted to anime more. It just felt like there was way more representation for me personally on like all of the things that I could do, want to do, like it made being a nerd cool for as a girl I'm gonna say that for me. So I wanted to bring her up because she's kind of an honorable mention for me. I thought it was so cool at that time that she was like the person who, like, helped, like she's super smart, but she's also super shy, like, and she's working on being like a mechanic or an engineer for AirTrek, like bro. That's freaking awesome. It was so cool to me.
Speaker 1:So I had to bring her up.
Speaker 1:But, I think that was the last person I was gonna say. Um, you reminded me of a anime that I just reviewed, uh, bogus skill, fruit master. It's like 12 episodes. There's this one girl, um, I think it's double a m. I want, for some reason I want to say marsha, but that's not right. Um, essentially she's like this um blacksmith who has this skill called super forge, where she can like make weapons and stuff super fast and whatnot, and she got really cool designs. She kind of reminds me of um gorilla gun in a way, with um hot rod flames and whatnot going on. She also looked like may hasme in a way, like, but uh, like red, uh hair and whatnot. Like, hold on, let me um book up her name, just to make sure that I'm not. Yeah, sorry, I'm not trying to hold y'all up too much, but I'm just trying to make sure that I think I. Why did I delete the shit?
Speaker 2:um, wait was it I don't think I did um uh, you said she had red hair yeah, hold on.
Speaker 1:Um, I got my old notes from uh anime lightning because I know I talked about her a little bit on anime lightning, so let me check. Uh, monica, that's her name oh, okay, oh okay. Monica the blacksmith. I was close when I said Monica. That's not right, not Monica, it was Monica Right, right, right, right.
Speaker 2:Okay, okay. Yeah, that's what I mean. Like I bet she doesn't feel over like doing too much, like it's just something that she's able to do and she's good Like that's cool.
Speaker 1:Her. Thing.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry, I was gonna say we gonna review Apothecary Diary.
Speaker 1:Oh ooh, you know what I was gonna do, that with Sebby Phantom, and we're gonna wait until season two concludes and we'll do it then.
Speaker 2:Okay, can I join? Yeah, yeah, she is my bae.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, all right, we got some more people for Apothecary Diaries. Okay, cool, cool, cool.
Speaker 2:She has kidnapped my soul and stolen it, and I don't even want it back. It's fine, oh, my god, and I don't like lovey-dovey stuff. And it's not lovey-dovey, it's so perfect.
Speaker 1:Okay, but yes, I'm gonna go check out Bogus.
Speaker 2:Skill Fruit Master.
Speaker 1:If that's the case, I want to say you might like Bogus Skill Fruit Master, at least at first, because it doesn't immediately go that route. Like because it's more like he has his friend lena, but not like there's some romantic thing going on. It's more like oh well, you know, she's my childhood friend and we're just trying to climb the ranks together, that's all it is like. Um, nothing really going on between us, so it doesn't count as a rom-com, it's more like a action comedy oh okay, I'm okay actually, yeah okay, let me put that on this.
Speaker 1:Oh my god okay it's honestly one of those um new anime that I'm kind of hoping gets a new season, because the way they went about it is like you know what. Yeah, I can see a second season.
Speaker 2:I feel like do you know if this started off as a web novel?
Speaker 1:I think it did.
Speaker 2:Okay, I just remember like I looked up, I started looking it up and I was like, oh, I remember seeing this name, but dang, that was a long time ago. Oh God. I'm not going to say how long ago that was, dang, you know, age Ain't nothing but a number, but I think Did we get it?
Speaker 1:I'll be very careful about that statement. You know what Ain't nothing but a number.
Speaker 2:But uh, I think did we get anything? I'll be very careful about that statement. You know what I? I didn't think about it like that. I meant it in such a completely different way as in like, I don't want to talk about my age.
Speaker 1:That's I mean. I understand it's all good.
Speaker 2:You know what, see? That's why y'all are here To make sure, cause I really don't get Meanest stuff sometimes the way I say it. I just don't think All the way through sometimes, but Nah, I'll be like that too. Did we cover everything?
Speaker 1:Yep, everything that I want to cover, at the very least.
Speaker 1:If you're good, then I'm good too yeah, I think we got everything oh cool, yep, uh, I'm still standing by what I said earlier nine out of ten great anime, despite the flaws, kind of wish there was a reboot. Uh, fans, can we please give Air Gear a chance like? Read them all first, then you'll understand why the anime could benefit from a reboot. So, with that being said, let's just go ahead and close this out. Miru Jane, I do thank you for being on the show with me and I do thank the listener for sticking with us to the end. Go ahead and have yourself a good morning, good afternoon, good morning, good afternoon, good evening, good night, whatever time it is in your area, but ultimately, do take it easy.
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