Air Master

Air Master
Japanese DVD cover of Air Master volume 1
エアマスター (Ea Masutā)
Genre	Action, Comedy, Martial Arts
Manga
Written by	Yokusaru Shibata
Published by	Hakusensha
Demographic	Seinen
Magazine	Young Animal
Original run	1997 – 2006
Volumes	28
Anime television series
Directed by	Daisuke Nishio
Produced by	Atsushi Kido
Written by	Michiko Yokote
Music by	Yoshihisa Hirano
Studio	Toei Animation
Licensed by	NA Geneon USA (former)
Original network	Nippon Television
English network	NA Razer (unaired)
Original run	April 1, 2003 – September 30, 2003
Episodes	27 (List of episodes)

Air Master (エアマスター, Ea Masutā^?) is a seinen manga written and illustrated by Yokusaru Shibata. The story focuses on Maki Aikawa, an ex-gymnast turned street fighter. The manga was serialized in the Hakusensha magazine Young Animal from 1997 to 2006 and has been collected into 28 tankōbon (bound volumes).

A 27-episode anime adaptation was produced by Toei Animation and originally aired on Japan's Nippon Television from April 1 to September 23, 2003. The anime was licensed in North America through a partnership between Toei and Geneon USA. However, only a few episodes of the series were released in the region before the cancellation of the deal, which was due to the poor quality and large number of DVD returns to Geneon.

Behind the scenes of the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Tokyo, there exist many people who strive to become stronger by competing against each other in street fights. The main protagonist is Maki Aikawa, a 16-year-old high school student. A former gymnast, Maki adapts her skills to a different way of life — street fighting. The only thing that truly makes her feel alive is the rush and pressure experienced while fighting. With amazing power and grace, she fights opponent after opponent, repeatedly demonstrating the gymnastic talent that earns her her street name, "Airmaster". Eventually, Maki is exposed to a fighting league of sorts, known as the Fukamichi Rankings.

The Fukamichi Rankings consist of the world's greatest street fighters and martial artists. The Fukamichi Ranking fights are held for various reasons. Firstly, many fighters wish to test themselves, achieving the highest rank possible and stretching themselves to their physical limits. However, there is also a corporate side to the Fukamichi rankings, with many viewers around the world eager to watch the brutal yet awe-inspiring showdowns. Each Fukamichi ranker is paid a respective amount for winning within their fight. Maki, seeking to quench her thirst for that pressure or buzz she experiences only through fighting and to find her place within this world, scales the Fukamichi Rankings, clashing with the world's greatest fighting prodigies.