Air Gear OVA

[Ryonea]

Just watched the OAD. And well, it has ups and downs, but definitely far better than the anime series IMO

The new drawing style is kinda unstable for me, sometimes they look great, sometimes not. Love the untied hair of Ringo but too bad that Kururu doesn't look very good, and I think her voice kinda didn't match her. She is my most favorite.

The action scenes are also well-done.
I hope I can see more casts in the next episode.

[Fran~]

Originally Posted by Ryonea

I think her voice kinda didn't match her.

Yukari Fukui is perhaps the most suitable voice for Kururu in the whole Universe!. The problem is that the OAD did a horrible job shrinking the plot because everything was about Ikki vs. Ringo battle, but i went crazy with the scene when Kururu jumps to Ikki: "3 seconds is more than enough" = WIN

Hmmm, i'm a fan of OG's work and i'm still thinking that there is a GREAT debt from the studios who animate his work. The OAD wasn't bad, but if you read that arc, you will find this only regular... the art in the manga is oustanding. Scenes like the activation of the Thorn Queen or how Kururu put the fake Wind Regalia in mid air were missed.

6.5 of 10... it was below my expectations... and the next OAD is even MORE difficult to animate, that thing is CRAZY!.

PS: How to forget the scene when Simca is putting that getup to go to see Ikki to the Hospital... ch119.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Fran~

Yukari Fukui is perhaps the most suitable voice for Kururu in the whole Universe!.

It's a moe voice, she's a moe character. It does suit her.

Originally Posted by Fran~

Hmmm, i'm a fan of OG's work and i'm still thinking that there is a GREAT debt from the studios who animate his work. The OAD wasn't bad, but if you read that arc, you will find this only regular...

The writing is too shi*ty for that. I can see why not studio would want to go beyond that point (when the tv series ended) except with little OVAs like this one.

Also, this OVA did a good job telling what was important for the narrative to work as a stand alone thing. Adding anything else would have been more harmful than helpful.

[mangatron]

Hmm... Having caught up with the manga from my last cut off point (don't ask how I managed to fit this in my schedule, aside from life, anime and several skirmish's in Company of Heroes), I have to say... Wasn't too bad. Reminds me to never take others words as final and instead open the door myself

But having read what this OAD covered, I have to say their choice in scenes used were put together well. As for the animation, I guess it's like what someone said here earlier, animating OG works isn't an easy task

Got a better appreciation for Simca's dress now , and I agree that it wasn't confusing enough like adding unnecessary stuff. Stopped the manga about 5 years ago (still remembered it), watched the OAD (with a "hmm hmm" attitude), and having finally returned to the manga, I like what the OAD offered. Who knows, I like to think this is a test run to make the next OAD even better

[Fran~]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

The writing is too shi*ty for that. I can see why not studio would want to go beyond that point (when the tv series ended) except with little OVAs like this one.

I don't think the same... OG is not Oda, Kishi, Kubo or those "classical" mangakas. That's why lot of people found his work at least "confusing". Perhaps he abuses of "scientific" explanations, but that's why you can't expect predictable things. His protagonist dies (for good), are hurted (and badly), etc...

Also, this OVA did a good job telling what was important for the narrative to work as a stand along thing. Adding anything else would have been more harmful than helpful.

IDK, because if you pay attention to the plot, there is a lot of holes about Ikki and the revelations before (and who follow) these events. In this part of the manga, there is one of the big turning points of the plot. If they are saying a second OAD about the battle with the original Sleeping Forest, i don't know how they will explain A LOT of things that happen before that...

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Fran~

I don't think the same... OG is not Oda, Kishi, Kubo or those "classical" mangakas. That's why lot of people found his work at least "confusing". Perhaps he abuses of "scientific" explanations, but that's why you can't expect predictable things. His protagonist dies (for good), are hurted (and badly), etc...

The main (of many) problem with Ogure's writing is the narrative structure. The guy just doesn't know how to write. And I don't know what you mean about his protagonist dying for good. You must be talking about another manga. Ikki always win. At this point that much is a certainty, which harms the dramatic tension quite a great deal. That's bad writing, but not that uncommon in shounen manga. Ogure's main issue, like I said, it's the narrative structure. It's a freaking mess.

EDIT: Oh, and Ogure's writing is as classical as Kishi's or Oda's. His work is more confusing because it sucks more.

Originally Posted by Fran~

IDK, because if you pay attention to the plot, there is a lot of holes about Ikki and the revelations before (and who follow) these events. In this part of the manga, there is one of the big turning points of the plot. If they are saying a second OAD about the battle with the original Sleeping Forest, i don't know how they will explain A LOT of things that happen before that...

I think they're aiming to make each OVA pretty self-contained. "Want to make sense of things? go read the manga", is what I thing they aiming for. And there's nothing wrong with that: each OVA work best (dramatically-wise) as a stand-alone piece anyway.

[Fran~]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

Ikki always win.

Yeah... he was so happy after he knew the "whole" history back then at the bottom of the tower, he was seriously m*ndfucked.

At this point that much is a certainty, which harms the dramatic tension quite a great deal. That's bad writing, but not that uncommon in shounen manga. Ogure's main issue, like I said, it's the narrative structure. It's a freaking mess.

And what is good writing?, because is really common to read here that every mangaka sucks.
OG at least can provide some good art... and the attracting point of his "mess" is the capacity to understand it, that's why i think it's quite funny, it's not your predictable history, probably it shares the same cliches of shounen, that's for sure, but i think that his art is something beyond the average.

I think they're aiming to make each OVA pretty self-contained. "Want to make sense of things? go read the manga", is what I thing they aiming for. And there's nothing wrong with that: each OVA work best (dramatically-wise) as a stand-alone piece anyway.

If that's the case, they aren't doing a good job, because a little piece of manga like Thorn's Queen Activation (The whole thing about the respiration, the sequence of the Sleeping Forest's Creed) were things that would be more captivating to the audience.

Well... my 2cts. I don't like quote-wars, i respect your POV, but i see it different...

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Fran~

Yeah... he was so happy after he knew the "whole" history back then at the bottom of the tower, he was seriously m*ndfucked.

That moment is pretty cool, yeah... but it's not a battle; Ikki always win, that's a fact. Even against stronger opponents, he always finds a way. That can be pretty cool, but when it's always like this, it ends up loosing punch.

Originally Posted by Fran~

And what is good writing?, because is really common to read here that every mangaka sucks. OG at least can provide some good art... and the attracting point of his "mess" is the capacity to understand it, that's why i think it's quite funny, it's not your predictable history, probably it shares the same cliches of shounen, that's for sure, but i think that his art is something beyond the average.

Ogure's art is great. His characters are a bunch of posers, though, but who cares. Their cool. Personally, I keep reading because some characters and moments are cool. That's about it.

The story, though... well, how do I say it? You can write about whatever you want, but the way you do it, that's different. It's not that there's a bunch a rules, but there is something like that. Look, this is already super off-topic. If you really want to know all the ways Ogure's writing sucks, just PM, ok?

About the OVA (I suppose this is on topic enough). Well, I just like my AG without nonsensical pseudo-physics. I don't think you need that thorn's queen activation thingy to enjoy the cool battle. In fact, it would have been great if they removed that fishy explanation of how Ikki was running on the water. But that's just my opinion, really. Feel free to disagree.

[Ryonea]

Originally Posted by Fran~

Yukari Fukui is perhaps the most suitable voice for Kururu in the whole Universe!. The problem is that the OAD did a horrible job shrinking the plot because everything was about Ikki vs. Ringo battle, but i went crazy with the scene when Kururu jumps to Ikki: "3 seconds is more than enough" = WIN

Hmmm, i'm a fan of OG's work and i'm still thinking that there is a GREAT debt from the studios who animate his work. The OAD wasn't bad, but if you read that arc, you will find this only regular... the art in the manga is oustanding. Scenes like the activation of the Thorn Queen or how Kururu put the fake Wind Regalia in mid air were missed.

Yeah, I know that. I've been following the manga up till now that's why I'm excited about this OAD since I'm very disappointed with the series. Yep, it's difficult to animate for sure. The manga is still better, but I'm quite satisfied with the OAD

[hinakatbklyn]

Originally Posted by Ryonea

Just watched the OAD. And well, it has ups and downs, but definitely far better than the anime series IMO

The action scenes are also well-done.

While the original anime series was very interesting, I'll second the action scenes in the OAD (OVA). Despite their past, Ikki and Ringo held nothing back in their battle which made it even more impressive.

Since it's been awhile when I last showed interest in this series, it was going to take an OAD (and Ringo) for me to decide whether to continue this series past the anime end. I'm interested again.

9.5/10

[thundrakkon]

I haven't read the manga, so Ikki always winning might be considered a spoiler, or some would say, bad writing. However, if you consider the rules and premise of the story, Ikki cannot lose. He is not allowed to lose any official matches, or his team gets disbanded, and the story has to reset to the beginning.

With this premise, at least the current OVA deviated a little from the "always winning" formula with a tie, at least. So the mangaka did the best he did with what restrictions he was given.

[Arya]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

As an anime only fan of this show, I really liked the anime series until the ending... It felt like a "to be continued" ending, with the continue part not happening yet.

The OADs, from what I read, will be snippets from certain manga chapters, that are included in the limited edition of the manga volume 30 and 31, respectively. The first OAD is animated from volume 16, and the next OAD will animate from volumes 24 and 25.

Thank you, I've just started with the TV series and it looks interesting

well, in the series Simca is really cool, in the OVA, even if we see her only few seconds, they nerfed her a lot (don't know if I could use this "verb" here). I mean, cutting her hair take off a 40% of her coolness (i'd say it is true for whatever female character you do that), and changing her VA take off another 40%

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

However, if you consider the rules and premise of the story, Ikki cannot lose. He is not allowed to lose any official matches, or his team gets disbanded, and the story has to reset to the beginning.

Spoiler for since you said it could be spoiler:

He wins even the non-officials ones so I don't think that has anything to do with it. Ogure makes Ikki win every time because it's cool, but even that should have its limits.

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

With this premise, at least the current OVA deviated a little from the "always winning" formula with a tie, at least. So the mangaka did the best he did with what restrictions he was given.

It's written like that because more than a physical battle, it's a battle of values, of motivations. So Ikki couldn't win this time because his motivation was weaker than Ringo's. In fact, Ringo's main point was that's Ikki's motivation lacked feeling, which he admits after the fight. In that sense, he lost the fight... and yet, he didn't lose the actual battle.

[thundrakkon]

Originally Posted by Arya

Thank you, I've just started with the TV series and it looks interesting

well, in the series Simca is really cool, in the OVA, even if we see her only few seconds, they nerfed her a lot (don't know if I could use this "verb" here). I mean, cutting her hair take off a 40% of her coolness (i'd say it is true for whatever female character you do that), and changing her VA take off another 40%

Glad you are finding it interesting. I just rewatched it myself, to try to get a better understanding of the OAD, and also to try to remember why I liked this series.

As with Simca, yeah, I am also sad about her short hair. She can't do the swallow look without it. Also, yes, the great Tanaka Rie not reprising her role is sad, but it was such a small and short part, it didn't really have too much of an effect. The new VA, Kawasumi Ayako, is quite the heavy weight herself, however.

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

Spoiler for since you said it could be spoiler:

He wins even the non-officials ones so I don't think that has anything to do with it. Ogure makes Ikki win every time because it's cool, but even that should have its limits.

Spoiler for reply:

Okay, I have to agree with you there. If they were non-official ones, then yeah, it would not hurt for him to lose to the Kings at first and serve as a good lesson for the future. Who knows? Maybe in the future, he might lose to one of those Kings in an unofficial match.

[Fran~]

Spoiler for Manga:

Air Gear is not about the battles, i think OG is just showing a "Hippie Parade": the chapter when Kogarasumaru is against Highway Circus, was full of feelings about living a better life.

Besides you got so many sub-plots about the side-characters that you have a whole universe of different stories... how to forget the battle of Kogarasumaru against Kururu's dad team.

And that's why i like Air Gear, OG is not focusing only in the lead character, he can give us some background about the plot by telling stories about other characters. Just look right now to the manga... we are witnessing something really important... and Ikki is not part of it.

[Spectacular_Insanity]

Originally Posted by Fran~

Yukari Fukui is perhaps the most suitable voice for Kururu in the whole Universe!. The problem is that the OAD did a horrible job shrinking the plot because everything was about Ikki vs. Ringo battle, but i went crazy with the scene when Kururu jumps to Ikki: "3 seconds is more than enough" = WIN

I totally agree. She fit Nia in TTGL really well, and I think she fits Kururu really well, too. Absolutely adorable.

Say what you want, but I still like Kururu x Ikki the best.

[Fran~]

Originally Posted by Spectacular_Insanity

Say what you want, but I still like Kururu x Ikki the best.

Yup... i'm a big fan of that couple, as we saw in the manga, Kururu is amazingly devoted to Ikki, but not as a fan-girl, she knows her limitations, but that doesn't mean that she is a girl in distress. Even Ringo knows how much Kururu undestands Ikki and his dreams.

I will insist: "3 seconds is more than enough": best line in the OAD.

It's sad that in the second OAD she will not be there... but we will see Emily and Yayoi...

[FlareKnight]

Well this was pretty good. The action was definitely amazing to watch with Ringo's abilities just shown off nicely. Was a bit weird to heard the different voices after recently checking out the original series, but still good.

[orion]

Originally Posted by Fran~

Yup... i'm a big fan of that couple, as we saw in the manga, Kururu is amazingly devoted to Ikki, but not as a fan-girl, she knows her limitations, but that doesn't mean that she is a girl in distress. Even Ringo knows how much Kururu undestands Ikki and his dreams.

I will insist: "3 seconds is more than enough": best line in the OAD.

It's sad that in the second OAD she will not be there... but we will see Emily and Yayoi...

No Kururu in the next OAD makes me a sad panda.

[Fuyuhotaru]

^ o.o no Kururu? D:
well I enjoyed this OAD so its worth watching