Air Gear: Volume 1

WANNA FLY?

Itsuki Minami needs no introduction-everybodys heard of the “Babyface” of the Eastside. Hes the toughest kid at Higashi Junior High School, easy on the eyes but dangerously tough when he needs to be. Plus, Itsuki lives with the mysterious and sexy Noyamano sisters. Life is never dull, but it becomes dangerous when Itsuki leads his school to victory over some vindictive Westside punks with gangster connections. Now he stands to lose his school, his friends, and everything he cares about. But in his darkest hour, the Noyamano girls come to Itsukis aid. They can teach him a powerful skill that will save their school from the gangsters siege-and introduce Itsuki to a thrilling and terrifying new world.

"This zippy little manga, which attempt to take skating tricks to superhero levels, shows more promise than it delivers. Itsuki is an orphan and a young roller-blade daredevil who lives in a house with four orphan girls. When their turf is challenged by the Skull Saders, an evil gang of skaters, Itsuki puts together a gang to fight them, and the result is an oversimplified West Side Story on roller-blades. Statements like 'We have wings on our feet' and images of skaters flying with birds are mostly rhetoric — their tricks never really affect the plot. Creator Oh! Great is best known for the sexy, violent Tenjho Tenge, but he's toned down his work without losing the beautiful drawing and strong action. The girl characters Ringo and Mikan are real people with talents and secrets, although there are a few panty shots here and there. The hard-to-follow plot focuses too much on Itsuki — we see his emotion, but we don't know why. Intriguing characters arrive at the end — a skating gnome, a witchy old woman with a mobile skate shop — and give the series promise. This mix of gang warfare, strong girls and trick-skating has all the ingredients for popularity. (July)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)