chad001 said: Air Gear was a manga that derailed when it stopped emphasizing the main story and character, and started dealing with back stories, and characters arcs left and right. Back when we focused on Ikki, we had funny hijinks, badass ideas, and just general awesomeness. Now we have unimpactful-world views, friendship is magic, and a million subplots. The ending, I feel solved many plot hole for the (now-central) side characters (I mean, how else was I going to find out that Onigiri is now married to Sarome, who is somehow not dead form having her neck twisted 180 degrees, and Kazu finally goes out with Emily) but it really lacks what we were looking for, like Ikki getting to ride with Simca, or where everyone goes from there, or even WHERE DID IKKI COME FROM. They never really cover the plot holes with his natural talent (jumping off Tokyo Tower), his relation to Dr. Minami, or why he needed to be adopted in the first place. If it wasn't for the newfound conspiracy theory about how mangakas are ending their mangas to send a message to the greedy publishers, I would say that Oh!Great could have done a lot better. Considering his time span though... well, at least it wasn't Negima's ending :)
I was thinking that too!
I've been reading this manga for 4 years now! It has always been on my favorites list and even the anime which is what got me into the manga in the first place has always been a favorite. I absolutely loved the concept of Air Gear and using ATs to fly towards the sky. Even to this day I listen to the Air Gear OST, especially Love Sensation and Chain :DDD
When I think back to how awesome this manga once was I am glad it has come to an end. I have so many questions that may be unanswered but even more so I have so many questions that I forgot since the chaos has been going for 100s of chapters. I do believe I will re-read it one day to better appreciate the manga but great work Oh Great! for 10 years and looking forward to the next series. Hopefully the artists learns from his mistake and keeps the triple layered metaphors, norse mythology and pointless characters to a minimum. Air Gear will be a pleasant memory and hopefully a season 2 for anime can fill in some gaps!
P.S Negima is next on my long term manga to finish list |