air gear storyline is going nowhere

[chihoho]

maybe it just me, but i get the feeling that the storyline's really being delayed, cuz there's is to many plots going on, that i dont' follow the storyline anymore. It's really bumming me out. I know OG art is fantastic. but is he somehow struggling to come up with a proper storyline?
I hope they will end the obama filler arc really soon, so that we can see some action like the battle with sleeping for forest and genesis.

[Akaon]

i think there is too many things to cover so its only natural for plot to advance slowly just be thankful for the eyecandy and enjoy ohgreat-sama s physic bending theories

[Raenef]

too much wants.
what you want is just an action package, not a story. it's been all actions for quite a number of chapters previous to this. balancing some non-action story line and crazy action is what ur getting.

[windwaker]

ahh doesnt bother me none, i mostly read air gear for the battles and characters.

[KzTxL7]

Can't handle a story this simple? Would love to see you on something like One Piece.

[chihoho]

no, it just bothers me that some of the arcs doesn't make sense. I do like some of the twist plots going on there. Like Ikki got the wrong key to enter the tournament. But why thus they have to put obama somewhere in the story. I'm just looking forward of the upcoming arcs:

like ikki getting the storm regalia, but have to tune with kurururu( that lead to some akward scenes). Seeing the love development between agito and Yayoi. Maybe new attacks from kazu. And the big question WHERE IS EMILY-CHAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sabret00the]

You remind me of a typical American that sits down to watch an Eastern (or East of England) movie and then spends the next three months trashing the movie on IMDB because you weren't spoonfed the plot.

There's nothing hard to understand in Air Gear. Its the simple story of a kid that got into a hobby and found out there was more to this hobby than he thought. He got dragged into the inner world of said hobby, where things aren't quite bright and shinny and is struggling to make the most of the cards he's been dealt.

It's important that you realise while the battles faciliate the story, this isn't a battle manga.

Also if you're struggling to understand the story that much. I suggest either re-reading each chapter twice, reading multiple chapters at a time or downgrading to Bleach.

I apologise for the tone of the post, but these threads really irk me.

[Carnevil]

Isn't reading Air Gear for the story kind of like watching porno for the plot? Yeah it may have one but it's more fun to look at, because the plot of porn and Air Gear are both very thin. I always thought that's why OG added explanations for his physics and a giant explanation of quantum encryption, it adds substance to his thin story. But hey as long as his art stays the same or gets even better he'll always have me as a reader.

Can't wait for people to jump on my ass about this post.:)

[Wolfe]

Ehhh, again here we go...Chill out, people. Each to his own opinion. And, hey, as so long as Air Gear is around, I'll be around too =)

As for all these plot twists people above have said, well, all these small plots are essential to completing the main plot puzzle, and eventually, the entire Air Gear picture.

[sabret00the]

Isn't reading Air Gear for the story kind of like watching porno for the plot? Yeah it may have one but it's more fun to look at, because the plot of porn and Air Gear are both very thin. I always thought that's why OG added explanations for his physics and a giant explanation of quantum encryption, it adds substance to his thin story. But hey as long as his art stays the same or gets even better he'll always have me as a reader.

Can't wait for people to jump on my ass about this post.:)
You're an idiot[/end jumping on ass for post]

Hope it was worth the wait ;)

[Nee'lahn]

It is going somewhere, its just taking a slight detour, a bypass to explanation and the slightly more scenic route to knowledge and understanding before hitting the bustling traffic of the highway ^_^.
To be honest I read Air gear because the characters are entertaining and even if the plot gones slightly rollercoasterish and I have had to re-read the latest chapter- though I do that anyway with all the chapters XD becuase I am sad and addicted like that- but to be fair O!G may have some huge plot he's developing but needs time to figure out how best to do it or he could be stressing over Genesis and Sleeping Forest fight so it'll be really epic and so is slowing down the flow with Obama/Omaha (I forget what this man's name is I just think US Pressy) and his the Shy Regalia is bad rant and as previous post have said developing things because to be fair I keep my eye on Naruto and Bleach and its plot is so simple (bleach has humour going for it though) and despite how strange things are in Air Gear its part of the appeal whether the plot is thin or not, I look it as I wish my mind was as crazy as O!G and get away with it and to be really dull I like it because the art work is, I've read Vampire Knight and the art doesn't come close (story line is a bit weird too) so yeah.

Okay I'm done rambling and obviously everyone likes AG otherwise we won't really be here but I would like to say I can't wait to see where O!G takes all this becaase I'm liking the character development but I wish he'd hurry up and do some more for Buccha :arf:.

[Carnevil]

You're an idiot[/end jumping on ass for post]

Hope it was worth the wait ;)

Yes it was worth the wait, you've amused me. Considering I'm in the middle of fixing a server, I needed something to amuse myself with. Anyways back to work, sometimes my job is too boring.:(

[melkor88]

i dont know you guys but when i have to choose the best manga i have ever read, i must say it is air gear, and i have read a lot.it has everything in it. comedy (the best jokes in any manga!), action, drama, some of the best characters, an amazing story, the art is great. what more can you ask?? regarding the plot, maybe with the somewhat slow pace of the releases (cuack:)) it is seems that the plot is going nowhere, but in reality evrything is going smoothly. in fact, air gear has in my opinion the best story ever. who would have ever thougt os sora being so evil???????????
lastly, here everyone talks to much about plot development and things like that, but i think its more important to enjoy reading air gear and nothing else.

[t260z]

I think the plot's okay some times, but at the same time, I fell as though he's making it up as he goes along! I keep thinking he's gonna accidently skip over the sf vs genesis fight and show kogarasumaru doing somehting else. It atracted me to it in the first place due to some of the best artwork out there! To be honest...it's a sucky story with good plot twist. Though I admit that I'm getting tired of the wing and sky refrenses, use a shooting star or a falling angel for once.

Personally, shouldn't you read something for the plot and not cause it's pretty? It's like marrying a pretty dum whore...sorry, was that to much?:whistle:

[Jakkin]

AG started to die after Behemoth... for those of you that didn't realize it... HOMG EYE OPENER!

[t260z]

AG started to die after Behemoth... for those of you that didn't realize it... HOMG EYE OPENER!

Somehting like that. But it went up a little when the other regalia started to show up, along with history lessons...I think.

Did you guys notice that his art is way better than when he started drawing it? Onigiri got redisigned mid-way through.:rules:

[mibu]

the story is going slow for the moment.but hey surely you enjoy the story that why you read it. Beside what do need now is just some build up chapter for the battle ahead. maybe that why OG! bring in Obama? to answer our question about sky regalia and his view on AT after all his word mean a lot as the president of USA

[t260z]

The story is okay, I like the comedy and thing on the roads. As I said, the art is just...well...it just sparkles.

[sabret00the]

I'm probably an anomaly if you judge by the comments in this thread. The artwork is most definitely not as glittering as most seem to make out. At times it's awe inspiring but never consistently. The avatars are largely a thing of the past, as is the graffiti and the double spreads are, well underwhelming of late. On top of that, Oh!G can't colour for shit (only explanation of the fact that he never does colour pages and the anniversary colouring was so basic. oh and couple that with the lame-ness on the covers). Let's not forget Buccha who Oh!G has struggled to draw from day one. At times his arms look too long and well he just sucks at drawing the black guy/coffee pig.

There is so much criticism i could put into the artwork that for me, it merely facilitates what i consider a damn fine and gripping story. I understand that we have a lot of back-seat drivers on this forum, accompanied by trolls who feel that the story isn't right. And then we have a lot of people who feel that given the pace of the story and the requirement for an innate ability to put 2+2 together and occasionally have to use their brain, the story is fail. I wholeheartedly disagree. This is a gripping story and like most of the fans, i'd love it if it was just a battle manga, but it's not and for that reason it's even more enjoyable.

Every week i look out for the spoilers with the greatest anticipation. Will what i want to happen? Will something else happen? Will the story focus on my favourite characters? Will i see where this story is going? Hell it's taken me 200 chapters just to realise that the Sky Regalia isn't a pair of AT.

It should make me laugh to see people like Carnevil trolling and yet it simply irks me. We have somewhere here that constantly talks shit about how crap the story is and yet he's there in every raw thread and discussion thread discussing the storyline that he clearly feels he could've done a better job with. It's bullshit, it's sad, it's beyond immature.

This is a great manga. Ogure's style is different from the others, yes it still falls victim to certain shounen clichés but this is a manga that without a doubt is worth at least ten times the amount of respect it gets on this board. If it was housed in WSJ rather than WSM, it'd be huger than it is. But alas, we make do.

I like the story, so i come here to read comments and discussions about the story and yet, having to wade through the bullshit opinions of the people that dominate this board and yet profess their detest for the story is tiring and a major turn off. If you're having problems following the story, why not ask about whatever you need clarified directly in the appropriate chapter threads? And if you hate the story that much, then just download the raws and say nothing of the story. Honestly the repeated trolling bullshit of Carnevil et al is beyond boring now.

[t260z]

:surprised: LOL, I never got to use that expression before! Thought it'd be a good time to do so. Yeah maybe I did go a little overboard, but it's what I feel about it...plus the raws look faded and stuff before others...what's the word..."refine" the pages.

So, basically, we keep our mouths shut if we don't have anything good to say!? WHatever...

Anywho, you guys think that machanical goddess thingy is the sky reg? If not, wonder what'l do, and why we need all of the original 8? Maybe it's like a special item in each one that comes together to create the sky regalia! I mean, the power of each main road sounds pretty vicious!

[sabret00the]

So, basically, we keep our mouths shut if we don't have anything good to say!?

If you think that's what i said, no wonder you have problems enjoying Air Gear. I have no problems with constructive criticism, i do however have problems with people posting in most threads and then coming out with posts like "Following Air Gear for the storyline is like following a Playboy bunny for her brains". I mean, with all manga's i read, i think i'd do something differently than the author at parts, i don't however throw a tantrum and call the story trash/worthless because i never got my way.

[t260z]

Fine, if that's how yo see me then, I'll get over it. It just seemed like you were saying that . So...now that we're done with that, I'm wondering about Emily and her involvment with battlethe team. I hope they don't go into a serious battle without her, or she wont gain the experiance needed to get her on road. Wonder what hers would be like?

[sabret00the]

Fine, if that's how yo see me then, I'll get over it.

While i have no problem with that. I thought i should clarify, that at no point in this thread, did i single out one of your posts or you as a poster for that matter. Well other than the line "If you think that's what i said, no wonder you have problems enjoying Air Gear." and i think that was a fair enough swipe, given what i quoted.

[remanzuo]

maybe it just me, but i get the feeling that the storyline's really being delayed, cuz there's is to many plots going on, that i dont' follow the storyline anymore. It's really bumming me out. I know OG art is fantastic. but is he somehow struggling to come up with a proper storyline?
I hope they will end the obama filler arc really soon, so that we can see some action like the battle with sleeping for forest and genesis.

why ending the manga so soon ?
more chapters / volumes = more money for the author

besides continuing / modify the storyline of the existing manga is easier than starting a new one

[t260z]

While i have no problem with that. I thought i should clarify, that at no point in this thread, did i single out one of your posts or you as a poster for that matter. Well other than the line "If you think that's what i said, no wonder you have problems enjoying Air Gear." and i think that was a fair enough swipe, given what i quoted.

LOL! Okay, Okay, I guess I've learned my lesson...I was pissed that day anyway, but can I ask you something, since I've been wondering about it for a while! Nothing serious for those of you who thought it would be, but what is your favorite road? And to evryone, do you think the wing road is unbeatable?

I was just wondering since everyone (in the manga) always talks of it's purity n' stuff, yah know? I mean Klik beat him, but at the same time, I thought his only worked when he had a medium to work through...

[GravityZero]

I'm actually interested in that too... msd bagram turns a rider into a fighter jet, so how the hell did kiric pin sora down.

[mibu]

it is said by Rika that nothing in this world can fly forever. Kilik might like use wall ride and stuff to stay a live then kill Sora when he touch a ground or something. but don't seem logic to me

[KzTxL7]

There is that, and also that Kiric was the only Gravity Child that retains all of his abilities when riding in 1G.

[t260z]

oh, I forgot about the 1g thing, but they faught at a construction sight. Plus, couldn't Sora just fling him into the air with his abilities? With no ground, no skills...wonder what would happen if he put the gem right on someone's body and resonated with it...ouch...

[sabret00the]

There is that, and also that Kiric was the only Gravity Child that retains all of his abilities when riding in 1G.
Aren't you confusing Kiric with Ringo?

[KzTxL7]

http://www.onemanga.com/Air_Gear/156/07/

It does make sense seeing as Kiric was only one who they didn't plan on scrapping from the original Gravity Child project.

[sabret00the]

http://www.onemanga.com/Air_Gear/156/07/

It does make sense seeing as Kiric was only one who they didn't plan on scrapping from the original Gravity Child project.
Ooh, forgot about that. However when isn't it contradicted when Kiric talks about why Ringo is the boss?

[KzTxL7]

She's the leader because she is immune to the intense pressure they feel inside the tower the deeper they go, due to her Sonia Road usage.

[CrazyToul]

I think Air Gear is just twisted great. OG does this thing that he explains things by the absolutely wackiest means possible. C'mon who deals with depression by joining a cult who happens to be presided over by his best friend wearing a demon costume in the middle of a naked game of tag? LOVE IT! And the whole skylink thing with President Obama? He's either nuttier than squirrel poo ar freakin insanely intelligent. I love quantum encryption lessons with my manga.

I think to some, Air Gear may not go at a reasonable pace until the arc's plot is revealed and then its like whoa, okay, I get it. I'm not gonna lie, there are parts that I am still fuzzy on and others that I had to read more than a few times to "get it" all the way. Am I stupid? I don't think so. Just a great story with great art that flows in a twisted kinda logic. That or OG is completely bullshitting us. And doing a good job at it.

[Jakkin]

I think Air Gear is just twisted great. OG does this thing that he explains things by the absolutely wackiest means possible. C'mon who deals with depression by joining a cult who happens to be presided over by his best friend wearing a demon costume in the middle of a naked game of tag? LOVE IT! And the whole skylink thing with President Obama? He's either nuttier than squirrel poo ar freakin insanely intelligent. I love quantum encryption lessons with my manga.

I think to some, Air Gear may not go at a reasonable pace until the arc's plot is revealed and then its like whoa, okay, I get it. I'm not gonna lie, there are parts that I am still fuzzy on and others that I had to read more than a few times to "get it" all the way. Am I stupid? I don't think so. Just a great story with great art that flows in a twisted kinda logic. That or OG is completely bullshitting us. And doing a good job at it.
You can't have read all the chapters translated...

Otherwise you are just a naive idiot.

[GravityZero]

Not everyone comprehends at a high pace, you know. Like in my Technical School, it takes me a couple tries to get things right.

[CrazyToul]

You can't have read all the chapters translated...

Otherwise you are just a naive idiot.

Why couldn't I have read all of the translated chapters and why would that make me an idiot?

[Reflector]

You're not an idiot if you don't get the whole story of AG. No matter what we hardcore AG regulars say, it's generally thought that the plot is pretty messed up and lackluster. It's basically a clusterfuck of insane ingeniousness and utter shit mixed up with boobs. The appeals of AG are the idea, likable characters and awesome art.

I'm expecting at least sabret00the to kick my e-ass for this.

[GravityZero]

Okay, no more complaining about the plot. Air Gear doesn't NEED an effing plot. As long as there's plenty of pretty tricks, settings, and babes, I'm addicted. The plot only exists to give O!G an excuse to keep making newer and prettier tricks, settings, and babes.

[CrazyToul]

The parts of Air Gear that I am not clear on are some the technical specs and equations. I'm not mathematically inclined at all, so gimmie a break.

But I do love Air Gear, as much for its plot wackiness as for visual sleekness. I just wanted to clear that up

[windwaker]

Okay, no more complaining about the plot. Air Gear doesn't NEED an effing plot. As long as there's plenty of pretty tricks, settings, and babes, I'm addicted. The plot only exists to give O!G an excuse to keep making newer and prettier tricks, settings, and babes.


And character awesomeness

Kazu
Emily
Kiric.
aeon.

Honorable mentions:
buccha
Ikki
agito.

As long as these characters get awesomeness, i am good.

[Reflector]

And character awesomeness

Kazu
Emily
Kiric.
aeon.
Gabishi

Honorable mentions:
buccha
Ikki
agito.
Akira
Nike & his gang of misfits

As long as these characters get awesomeness, i am good.
Fixed for personal preference.

Additionally, I have high hopes for the faggots from Highway Circus.

[sabret00the]

I'm expecting at least sabret00the to kick my e-ass for this.

lol. i'll just say that i strongly disagree.

[windwaker]

Fixed for personal preference.

Additionally, I have high hopes for the faggots from Highway Circus.


Well, nikes band of misfits are pretty cool, mainly because anybody who can be classified as "a band of misfits" has to be a little cool.

But my kiric like interferes with anything positive i could say about nike.

Faggots?

But highway circus seems pretty cool, same with jiggy. Im looking forward to more teams who do AT just because its fun.

[Reincarnation]

well i wouldnt say the plot is going no where its just the fact that thier are alot of characters, sub plots, and random moments

and although O!G is know for throwing curve balls(John Omaha)every now and then everything still usually always falls right back to to the original plot

[Nee'lahn]

well i wouldnt say the plot is going no where its just the fact that thier are alot of characters, sub plots, and random moments

and although O!G is know for throwing curve balls(John Omaha)every now and then everything still usually always falls right back to to the original plot

And this is what makes Air gear so interesting, you don't know whats going to be thrown at the reader next.

[Shi Hakuho]

O!G is a great plot creator. Some of you guys are confusing me saying you don't ge the plot. Every little thing breaks off from the main plot and adds to it. So at the end it's gonna be like we are retards for not seeing that lol.

[windwaker]

O!G is a great plot creator. Some of you guys are confusing me saying you don't ge the plot. Every little thing breaks off from the main plot and adds to it. So at the end it's gonna be like we are retards for not seeing that lol.


No he is not. Air gear is a fun read, not a deep one.

Air gear's plot is par for the course as far as typical shounen's go. There are plenty of other shounens which have better plots.

What makes air gear cool is its style and sheer craziness(that actually works within the story), not any kind of intricate plot. In those categories i cant think of anything that tops it. At least as far as style goes.

[Shi Hakuho]

Being able to branch off a plot to reach a certin end result is the skill of a great story teller.

[windwaker]

Being able to branch off a plot to reach a certin end result is the skill of a great story teller.

So you're saying that...being able to have a story, and have a story within that story, and have THAT story have an ending, is your opinion of a great story teller?

Im sorry i cant take that seriously, OG is many things, many of them are positive things, but a good writer he is not.

[Waking_Dreamer]

Air Gear is simply fun to read, enjoy it.

Even though it has its fair share of WTF moments and randomness I love the fact that its not all serious, serious.

As great as the battles are...the laid back arcs often have me reading it over and over again as well. Like say Ikki in the hospital arc, or the highshcool shipping or when they all have a party at his place when he's released...good times...good times.

Air Gear already has more elements going for it over the more popular shounen action mangas.

For example, Naruto is just basically different kinds of Rasengans, Sharingans, chidoris and shadow clones...mix and stir. Thats pretty much it.

[Waking_Dreamer]

Just wanted to know...do any of you think Air Gear's randomness is detrimental to the manga as a whole?

Is Air Gear's plot (or lack there of) a negative to the manga? I mean would you rather have predictability or craziness?

Dont you think at least in its "wtf moments" it doesnt take itself too seriously and can be accepted in good fun. Better than the, ohhh...enemy is too strong everyone be awed at another transformation/power up so i can pwns him! ....Right?

[ThePizzaboy456]

The story is simple, I have to give it that, but that is also a reason why I like the series as much as I do. I can only take overly complicated stories to an extent before I want to read something that doesn't have me bashing my head against the wall. I try to balance the types of mangas I read; like the complexity of Tsubasa RC and XxxHolic balnced by the simplicity of Bleach and Fairy Tail, or shounen Soul Eater balanced by shoujo Special A, etc.

The series, to me, seems to drags now because I'm slightly disappointed in it right now. I feel that the battle against Highway Circus should have been "fleshed" out more, instead of just blowing right through it in a period of two chapters. I'm just waiting for things to become interesting again. These Trident chapters to me aren't interesting and the author should have blown though these chapters instead of the battle. But I digress. (not to mention that you have to waint once a week to get another 20 pg chapter.)

TO Waking Dreamer:

I think that the randomness isn't detrimental to the series, but adds that extra something that makes me want to download the next chapter the day it is translated. On the note of DBZ style "meet strong enemy---> new power up---> beat him" thing, I'm certain, and glad of it, that Air Gear isn't one of those series (or at least in my oppinion it isn't). I thought the play againts the Former Sleeping Forest was BRILLIENT! I couldn't stop laughing and yelling "PWNED!"

By the way, why was this topic ressurected?

[burnedalive]

Just wanted to know...do any of you think Air Gear's randomness is detrimental to the manga as a whole?

Is Air Gear's plot (or lack there of) a negative to the manga? I mean would you rather have predictability or craziness?

Dont you think at least in its "wtf moments" it doesnt take itself too seriously and can be accepted in good fun. Better than the, ohhh...enemy is too strong everyone be awed at another transformation/power up so i can pwns him! ....Right?


*cough* because ^ is a necromancer

[Waking_Dreamer]

^ I wanted to ask a question thats related to the topic.

Would it have been better if I started a completely redundant thread? Air Gear is entering a new arc and there are new recent forum posters - you never know, maybe they feel like adding something.





Do you have any problems with that...?? *cough*

[GravityZero]

Eh... ag's had dbz moments. agito transforming into lind and pwning orca = super-saiya-jin. agito getting tuned and raping osf = super-saiya-jin 2. ikki getting bagram in the middle of his fight...

[Nikku]

I think the funnier, laid back moments of Air Gear are very important. One of the reasons i'm becoming less interested in Bleach and Naruto (for example) is because the amount of battles is causing character development to be lost.

For example, one of my favourite parts in Bleach used to be how Rukia lived in Ichigo's house, and how the two would have to explain why she lived there. All of the school antics, including their poor excuses for why they never show up to class are just as enjoyable as seeing Ichigo pwn Grimmjow.

In Air Gear, all those quirky and funny moments give the characters depth. It definitely helps the reader to grow an attachment to them. I too thoroughly enjoyed Ikki's stay in hospital, the training with Spitfire at school and the couples blossoming. Without that, the fighting would be meaningless.

Air Gear's storyline is just right. It doesn't need to be a complete mind f**k. As long as it's well paced, i'll continue to love reading it.

[Waking_Dreamer]

Eh... ag's had dbz moments. agito transforming into lind and pwning orca = super-saiya-jin. agito getting tuned and raping osf = super-saiya-jin 2. ikki getting bagram in the middle of his fight...

True, but that type of formula is used in a limited way. Its not like the manga revolves around that or holds powerups as the main highlight or entertaining factor.

I wouldnt even say that Ikki getting his regalia is really part of that formula either, that battle had a lot of layers and contains a lot first moments for the manga, with Ikki getting a Regalia just an icing on the cake!

You have to admit when he first had those things on, you couldnt help but think, oh man - shits gonna go down now! not know really what was going to happen - rather than...havent Ive seen this before...?

[Blue Marble]

First off, I'm gonna be honest and say the writing/plot of Air Gear is pretty mediocre.

That being said, I LOVE Oh! Great's visuals and over all environment. It's a fun, creative world that you can't help but get sucked into. Plus it's got a cast of mostly likable characters that are important for more than a single sub-arc.

I got royally pissed off when it was revealed that Sora wanted to take over the world. It was a BS mechanic that's been done to death and the laziest (in terms of writing) reason for a hero to take initiative. Don't get me wrong, I thought Sora's betrayal was an awesome twist and made me feel the same emotions Ikki showed, but to turn him into a cookie cutter maniacal villain was a total cop out.

I'm still keeping up with it though,

[burnedalive]

First off, I'm gonna be honest and say the writing/plot of Air Gear is pretty mediocre.

That being said, I LOVE Oh! Great's visuals and over all environment. It's a fun, creative world that you can't help but get sucked into. Plus it's got a cast of mostly likable characters that are important for more than a single sub-arc.

I got royally pissed off when it was revealed that Sora wanted to take over the world. It was a BS mechanic that's been done to death and the laziest (in terms of writing) reason for a hero to take initiative. Don't get me wrong, I thought Sora's betrayal was an awesome twist and made me feel the same emotions Ikki showed, but to turn him into a cookie cutter maniacal villain was a total cop out.

I'm still keeping up with it though,

:pirate: Yarr...You hit it right on the head.

[Reflector]

First off, I'm gonna be honest and say the writing/plot of Air Gear is pretty mediocre.

That being said, I LOVE Oh! Great's visuals and over all environment. It's a fun, creative world that you can't help but get sucked into. Plus it's got a cast of mostly likable characters that are important for more than a single sub-arc.

I got royally pissed off when it was revealed that Sora wanted to take over the world. It was a BS mechanic that's been done to death and the laziest (in terms of writing) reason for a hero to take initiative. Don't get me wrong, I thought Sora's betrayal was an awesome twist and made me feel the same emotions Ikki showed, but to turn him into a cookie cutter maniacal villain was a total cop out.

I'm still keeping up with it though,

Quoted for ultimate truth. The setting, idea, art and characters are the captivating point of the manga. With those points so good, it doesn't matter if the plot is confusing and not so interesting.

Also, it doesn't help that Sora has become a really generic final boss, with his 'Gravity Children only'-club. That Darwinism crap has been done to death. That's why I prefer Nike to Sora. While Sora has better design, Nike is way more exciting and fun with his unpredictable crazyness. Sora is in my opinion a textbook case of a villain.

Really, the Big bads in manga nowadays just don't hit the spot quite like the older ones. Kotomine Kirei and Char Aznable are probably crying in their graves.

I can see the final battle:

Sora: Foolish Ikki! GC are better! We are the future!
Ikki: You're wrong!
Sora: How am I wrong? Naturals themselves made us to be better! It was the selfish dreams of ordinary people that created us monsters! Blah blah blah evolution blah blah retribution....
Ikki: You're wrong!
Sora: This is my revenge! The skies and wings of chaos blah blah
Ikki: You're wrong! Everything you say is 100% wrong and stupid! You're stupid! Your ideal is wrong and stupid! I hate you because you're stupid! I AM THE BONE OF MY WINGS! UNLIMITED STORM WORKS!
Sora: Don't think too highly of yourself, you lowlife! What? Noooo, you killed meee, the king of winds! *Blergh*

[Carnevil]

When Sora started out as the bad guy it is was fine. But now OG has taken it to the point where Sora has turned into a cheesy bond villain. I mean seriously he has his henchmen holding a city hostage with a giant robot. Just to get a piece of technology, it sounds just like a plot for a Bond film. I'm waiting for him to strap somebody to a table with a laser pointed at them. "You expect me to talk Sora" "No I expect you to die" Or better yet he'll role up to the SF match petting a cat. When Kiric shows up Sora will spin around "So we meet again Mister Kiric".

[burnedalive]

When Sora started out as the bad guy it is was fine. But now OG has taken it to the point where Sora has turned into a cheesy bond villain. I mean seriously he has his henchmen holding a city hostage with a giant robot. Just to get a piece of technology, it sounds just like a plot for a Bond film. I'm waiting for him to strap somebody to a table with a laser pointed at them. "You expect me to talk Sora" "No I expect you to die" Or better yet he'll role up to the SF match petting a cat. When Kiric shows up Sora will spin around "So we meet again Mister Kiric".

OMFG...That would actually be kind of awesome....>_>

[ThePizzaboy456]

I would have to agree that the revelation that Sora turns out to be this sterotypical bad guy was kind of dissapointing. I liked him when he was just a silly pervert in a wheelchair.

[windwaker]

I didnt mind sora being the villian. I dont know about you but i didnt see that coming at all. I loved how OG crafted this other reality in the AT world that the readers had no idea existed, much like how the main characters had no idea.

It was a great way (combined with spits death) to shatter the idea of AT as just a fun sport.

But now sora is just a lame textbook villian...

[Waking_Dreamer]

I didnt mind sora being the villian. I dont know about you but i didnt see that coming at all. I loved how OG crafted this other reality in the AT world that the readers had no idea existed, much like how the main characters had no idea.

It was a great way (combined with spits death) to shatter the idea of AT as just a fun sport.

But now sora is just a lame textbook villian...

The Betrayal of Sora would be one of the defining moments of Air Gear, and as much as I like the easy going, retired AT legend Sora I like the twist with his true nature. First time I read that chapter I found myself pacing around the room going wtf?!?! Every reader was as much blind sided to the revelation as Ikki was.

While his take over the world plan has actually fallen in the realm of mediocrity you never know, O!G could change the perspective of the Air Gear world once again.

The first glimpse of Sora and Nikes power was pretty epic and I doubt that when the time comes for them to raise their ATs once again, it will be any less epic or more predictable.

[Carnevil]

The whole Sora thing is such a cliche, I mean seriously the hero's mentor turning out to be the big bad. When it happened my only thought was umm why wouldn't anybody actually tell Ikki about him? I mean Kiric eventually took the time to inform him. Why the fuck didn't anybody do it before Sora betrayed him? That lack of common sense alone made it all too ridiculous. I was pretty much like oh look Sora is a bad guy, wait a lot of people had to know but nobody told Ikki. Then I got an aneurysm which reminded me that I read AG for the art not the story.

[windwaker]

The whole Sora thing is such a cliche, I mean seriously the hero's mentor turning out to be the big bad. When it happened my only thought was umm why wouldn't anybody actually tell Ikki about him? I mean Kiric eventually took the time to inform him. Why the fuck didn't anybody do it before Sora betrayed him? That lack of common sense alone made it all too ridiculous. I was pretty much like oh look Sora is a bad guy, wait a lot of people had to know but nobody told Ikki. Then I got an aneurysm which reminded me that I read AG for the art not the story.

He was never really a "bad" guy before. Or at least, he was never shown to be capable of what he has done now.

Also, after his injury, for several years he was completely chill. He wasnt bitter, and he didnt show any drive to get back into AT or make a play for the sky regalia.

Finally, it all seemed in the past to me, so i can see why no one told ikki.

[Carnevil]

He was never really a "bad" guy before. Or at least, he was never shown to be capable of what he has done now.

Also, after his injury, for several years he was completely chill. He wasnt bitter, and he didnt show any drive to get back into AT or make a play for the sky regalia.

Finally, it all seemed in the past to me, so i can see why no one told ikki.

Sora was manipulating everything since they got out of the tower, the only thing that stopped him was Kiric.
Kiric still took the time to explain it, still thinking that Sora was out of commission. So obviously it was important enough for Kiric to explain it. What do you mean he wasn't bitter, the only thing Sora was doing was bidding his time. Everything Sora has done up until now is a perfect example of misdirection.

[Waking_Dreamer]

Sora was manipulating everything since they got out of the tower, the only thing that stopped him was Kiric.
Kiric still took the time to explain it, still thinking that Sora was out of commission. So obviously it was important enough for Kiric to explain it. What do you mean he wasn't bitter, the only thing Sora was doing was buying his time. Everything Sora has done up until now is a perfect example of misdirection.

I havent read that arc in detail in along while but to my knowledge Kiric thought that Sora was "out of order" in terms riding AT ability, and only till recently suspect that he indeed was very keen to try and claim the Sky Regalia again.

Besides Sleeping Forest and perhaps Simca I dont think anyone else thought Sora was going for the Sky Regalia. Afterall he is/was crippled. While it was known that Genesis was created to eventually challenge Sleeping Forest they never really made a move in a sort of cold war, uneasy truce style.

The most significant move they did was swear allegiance to Ikki and up untill then Ikki was the most major threat to SF. It seemed like Genesis was going to use Ikki to challenge SF hence Kiric's decision to confront Ikki and see what he was capable of. Ringo never knew about Sora being the 'bad guy' till after her battle with Ikki and so Kiric's suspicion of Sora wasnt strong enough before then.

The only people to tell Ikki of Sora's true motives was SF, and as far as they know Ikki would be the spear point of Sora's plans. So to them Ikki was the major threat. Ikki was their enemy and whats the point of telling him if its going to tip off that Kiric suspecteds Sora's true intentions.

Even when Sora officially betrayed everyone no one expected him to be so advanced in his plans, i.e. bringing Nike over to steal the Wind Regalia, having military support and not to mention Sora's ability to walk/ride once again.

So no one told Ikki becuase there was only suspicion of Sora being the "bad guy" even it was a strong one, Ikki himself was a threat and why would Kiric give a crap at how Ikki feels anyway?

[Regalianestor]

Er... the way I think about it, after Kilik dethrone Sora, Nike was the one who found Genesis and did all the bad deeds. Sora, at the time, truly lived as a handicap on his wheelchair. The thought of again reign supreme hit him after the meeting of the moustache American Captain and obtaining the bio-AT legs. To deceived Kilik, Sora continued to stay on his wheelchair. Being a good-natured guy, Kilik decided to once again trust the good side of his old BFF. Because Kilik's silence, it come with no surprise at all that no one else know a thing. Thus, lead to things happened the way we know. It would make more sense if you put it that way, I suppose.

Whether it make more sense or not, it's not like you can not find holes somewhere else in the story. O!G is not perfect, he did not think of things years in advance trying to make it all fit in together. In fact, many of the idea he put in AG were crazy, and, most definitely, were came up in a whim. That gave birth to the unpredictable (or rather wtf?) factor that I enjoy most from AG. It also present characters with more opportunity to show themselves. Thus result in more winning art. Thus result in me saying that those crazy randomness is essential for AG (or rather, for O!G to continue the creation of his winning art.).
His efforts to made those randomness look sane and logical is acceptable to me. If you think it's fail and the story is still crap, your personal choice. Still better than Bleach or Naruto, at least. :3

.... Then I got an aneurysm which reminded me that I read AG for the art not the story.
The story still count for something, right? Even a little bit. I mean, you can't just expect your favourite character to stand around making random cool pose. That would be artbook, not manga anymore. =/

P.S:
I havent read that arc in detail in along while but to my knowledge Kiric thought that Sora was "out of order" in terms riding AT ability, and only till recently suspect that he indeed was very keen to try and claim the Sky Regalia again.

Besides Sleeping Forest and perhaps Simca I dont think anyone else thought Sora was going for the Sky Regalia. Afterall he is/was crippled. While it was known that Genesis was created to eventually challenge Sleeping Forest they never really made a move in a sort of cold war, uneasy truce style.

The most significant move they did was swear allegiance to Ikki and up untill then Ikki was the most major threat to SF. It seemed like Genesis was going to use Ikki to challenge SF hence Kiric's decision to confront Ikki and see what he was capable of. Ringo never knew about Sora being the 'bad guy' till after her battle with Ikki and so Kiric's suspicion of Sora wasnt strong enough before then.

The only people to tell Ikki of Sora's true motives was SF, and as far as they know Ikki would be the spear point of Sora's plans. So to them Ikki was the major threat. Ikki was their enemy and whats the point of telling him if its going to tip off that Kiric suspecteds Sora's true intentions.

Even when Sora officially betrayed everyone no one expected him to be so advanced in his plans, i.e. bringing Nike over to steal the Wind Regalia, having military support and not to mention Sora's ability to walk/ride once again.

So no one told Ikki becuase there was only suspicion of Sora being the "bad guy" even it was a strong one, Ikki himself was a threat and why would Kiric give a crap at how Ikki feels anyway?

I took my time writing my post so this part slipped out unnoticed. Walking_Dreamer's point is much more better than my fairy tale. :|

Contributing thought:
-The idle of Genesis could be understand as forces gathering aka AT-mecha or ,simply, Sora's power as Wind King is strongly needed to defeat SF.
-Ikki is a threat to SF but if by telling off the story, Ikki might change side, I don't see why Kilik did not give it a try. It's more like even if Kilik want to told Ikki, he just couldn't have because Genesis force guarded Ikki 24/7.
-Spitfire and Simca know true motive of "wind king upbringing plan" was to give Sora back the Wind Regalia. They could have knock the truth into Ikki's head but instead let him learn it the hard way.

[Mjrn]

The story still count for something, right? Even a little bit. I mean, you can't just expect your favourite character to stand around making random cool pose. That would be artbook, not manga anymore. =/

Story is (in my opinion) verry important. "Air gear stroy is going nowhere" i don't agree with that, tis just (realy?) slowly progressing, and there are a lot of plots to reveal. Anyway, i think the story has good parts, thare are a lot of charcters evolving so to say.


I took my time writing my post so this part slipped out unnoticed. Walking_Dreamer's point is much more better than my fairy tale. :|

Contributing thought:
-The idle of Genesis could be understand as forces gathering aka AT-mecha or ,simply, Sora's power as Wind King is strongly needed to defeat SF.
-Ikki is a threat to SF but if by telling off the story, Ikki might change side, I don't see why Kilik did not give it a try. It's more like even if Kilik want to told Ikki, he just couldn't have because Genesis force guarded Ikki 24/7.
-Spitfire and Simca know true motive of "wind king upbringing plan" was to give Sora back the Wind Regalia. They could have knock the truth into Ikki's head but instead let him learn it the hard way.

-Sora was with SF all that time, so maby he was just spying on them, i mean, he must have seen how some of the SF members grew.
-Kilik stepping up to Ikki like; "Hey this is my side of the story" would lead to a war, for shure. And i'm not even shure Ikki would listen.
-What doesn't kill the guy makes him stronger, right?

Allright, enough for my third post.