Air Gear Anime: Story, Characters, & Season 2 Update

Air Gear anime takes us into the world of Air Trecks (AT)—motorized, high-tech inline skates that allow riders to defy gravity and "fly" through the city. The story follows Itsuki "Ikki" Minami, a middle school delinquent who leads a street gang called the East Side Guns.

After a humiliating defeat by a rival AT gang, Ikki discovers a hidden pair of Air Trecks in his own home, only to find out that his foster sisters (the Noyamano family) are members of the legendary AT team, Sleeping Forest.

Ikki becomes obsessed with the sky and forms his own team, Kogarasumaru, to climb the ranks of the AT world. His goal is to reach the top of the "Trophaeum" and claim the title of Sky King. Along the way, he must master the "Wing Road," battle eccentric Kings who rule different "Roads," and uncover the dark, high-stakes political war surrounding the creation of the ATs themselves.

Air Gear is celebrated for its incredible style and its "rule-of-cool" approach to storytelling.

1. Iconic Visual Style

Based on the art of Oh! Great (Tenjo Tenge), the series features stylish character designs and some of the most creative mechanical designs in anime history.

2. Legendary Soundtrack

The music by Skankfunk is a fan-favorite, blending breakbeat, hip-hop, and electronic music that perfectly matches the fast-paced, urban energy of the races.

3. Sense of Freedom

The anime perfectly captures the feeling of rebellion and youth, where "flying" through the city on skates is the ultimate expression of breaking free from society's rules.

4. The "Road" System

Fans love the lore of the Kings and their Regalia—legendary AT parts that grant users god-like abilities based on different "Roads" (like the Flame Road, Fang Road, or Thorn Road).

Fans have been waiting for air gear season 2 for nearly two decades, as the 26-episode anime barely scratched the surface of the plot.

Air Gear Season 2 Status

As of late 2025, there is no official announcement for a second season or a remake. While the series remains a cult classic, the original studio (Toei Animation) has not returned to the project.

Air Gear Manga

The air gear manga is the only way to experience the full story. It ran for 37 volumes and finished in 2012. The story goes "off the rails" in the best way possible, involving high-tech towers, gravity-defying wars, and a final battle that determines the fate of humanity's evolution.

Original Video Animations (OVAs)

There are three OVAs (titled Air Gear: Break on the Sky) that animate much later arcs of the manga with higher production quality. These are a must-watch for fans of the series.

If you love the street-punk aesthetic, the "found family" gang dynamics, and the high-speed sports action of Air Gear, here are some excellent anime like air gear:

• Tenjo Tenge: Created by the same author, it features a similar "bad boy" protagonist, a unique fighting style, and incredibly stylish art.

• Sk8 the Infinity: A modern "spiritual successor" that focuses on underground skateboarding culture, high-stakes races, and the bond between rivals.

• Redline: An adrenaline-pumping racing film with some of the most incredible animation ever created, capturing that same "need for speed."

• Kill la Kill: While it's about clothing rather than skates, it shares the same high-energy, over-the-top action and eccentric character designs.