Air Treks were developed in the 1980s, powered automatic inline rollerskates with a high price tag. They were too advanced for their time, and being so expensive, were the toys of the rich and famous. It wasn't until the early 90s that they began to filter into the mainstream, giving birth to an underground scene known as Storm Riding. Battling for parts and territory, these riders gathered into teams, participating in the battles under a creed of rules that made it seem like a sport. Almost.
The public reaction to the Storm Riders was one of widespread criticism borne from fear, and police around the world enacted laws limiting the public damage that they caused from their street races and other dubous activities. In 2003, a manga called Air Gear began serialisation, it was decried for glorifying what was little more than gangs of thugs with expensive toys beating one another to a pulp.
Despite it's fantasy elements, such as genetically engineered elite riders and 50 foot tall mechas, pressure group still tried to shut Air Gear down because of the inappropriate subject material for young kids to be reading.
Sun May 03, 2009 6:40 pm