TV-Series
Description
Akira Udou, also known by the nickname Super Beast, is a significant figure in the world of Air Gear who undergoes a profound transformation from a law enforcement officer to a king of the streets and back again. He is a teenager of about sixteen or seventeen years old with brown, spiky hair and feline-shaped eyes, a trait he shares with his close friend and rival, Agito. His typical appearance as the leader of Behemoth is casual, consisting of a simple T-shirt, shorts, knee-length socks, and elbow-length gloves with chains, but when acting in his official capacity with the Wind G-Men, he dons a full SWAT uniform complete with a firearm.
Akira's personality is defined by a striking duality. On the surface, he is generally a gentle and caring individual who holds firmly to his personal ideals. However, when he is provoked or when his beliefs are challenged, he can become extremely menacing and fearsome, living up to his "Super Beast" moniker. This fierce side is not born of cruelty but from a deep-seated determination to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Akira's motivations are rooted in a pivotal shift in his worldview. He and Agito originally served as star members of the Wind G-Men, an elite police force for the A-T world, under the command of Kaito Wanijima. During a routine raid, Akira fell in love with the sister of a Shadow Broker named Ren-Fa, which opened his eyes to the complex, grey realities of the Storm Rider underworld. He became acutely aware of the helplessness of uninitiated and beginner riders who were often exploited in the black market for A-T parts. This internal conflict came to a head when Ren-Fa engineered an A-class match between Akira and Agito, with the legendary Fang Regalia as the prize. Choosing to follow his new ideals, Akira defeated his best friend in a legendary duel, claimed the title of Fang King for himself, and deserted the Wind G-Men.
His primary role in the story is as the founder and former leader of Behemoth, one of the largest and most powerful D-class Storm Rider organizations in Japan. Akira created Behemoth not for conquest, but as a safe haven for rookie riders, aiming to shield them from the dangers of the illegal parts trade. He possesses the Fang Regalia and is a master of the Bloody Road, a style focused on aggressive, fang-like attacks. His signature techniques include the Gigaer Cross, where he fires two simultaneous fang projectiles in a cross shape, and the Cage of Fangs, a technique that traps an aerial opponent in a grid of destructive energy. To maximize the power of the Bloody Armor, his custom A-T, the Gigaer, are heavily modified, sacrificing standard functions like jumping for overwhelming offensive capability. His physical prowess is also exceptional; he possesses a rare condition called Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy, which gives his muscle fibers a density seven times greater than average, granting him superhuman strength, such as the ability to easily stop punches that can pulverize concrete.
Akira's key relationships are central to his character arc. His bond with Agito is the most significant, evolving from comrades in Wind G-Men to bitter rivals after Akira's betrayal, and eventually to a complex reconciliation. Their rematch, where Agito reclaims the Fang Regalia, marks a turning point. His relationship with Kaito Wanijima is also crucial; after his defeat, Akira is taken into custody by the Wind G-Men. In exchange for amnesty for his former Behemoth members, he agrees to rejoin the force, once again becoming Kaito's trusted right-hand man. This demonstrates his core motivation of protection above all else, even at the cost of his own freedom.
Throughout his development, Akira shifts from an agent of the law to a king of a rogue team and finally back to an agent of the law, but with a vastly different perspective. His rebellion was never about chaos but about creating a system of protection he felt the authorities failed to provide. After his return to the Wind G-Men, he is seen participating in major events, such as the battle at Sano Tower where he is severely injured by the Takeuchi brothers, and later acting as part of the welcoming committee for Ikki at the Gram Scale Tournament. He is also present during a moment of deep grief, picking up a mourning Kazu after the death of Spitfire, showing a return to a role of support and order in the aftermath of tragedy.
Akira's personality is defined by a striking duality. On the surface, he is generally a gentle and caring individual who holds firmly to his personal ideals. However, when he is provoked or when his beliefs are challenged, he can become extremely menacing and fearsome, living up to his "Super Beast" moniker. This fierce side is not born of cruelty but from a deep-seated determination to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Akira's motivations are rooted in a pivotal shift in his worldview. He and Agito originally served as star members of the Wind G-Men, an elite police force for the A-T world, under the command of Kaito Wanijima. During a routine raid, Akira fell in love with the sister of a Shadow Broker named Ren-Fa, which opened his eyes to the complex, grey realities of the Storm Rider underworld. He became acutely aware of the helplessness of uninitiated and beginner riders who were often exploited in the black market for A-T parts. This internal conflict came to a head when Ren-Fa engineered an A-class match between Akira and Agito, with the legendary Fang Regalia as the prize. Choosing to follow his new ideals, Akira defeated his best friend in a legendary duel, claimed the title of Fang King for himself, and deserted the Wind G-Men.
His primary role in the story is as the founder and former leader of Behemoth, one of the largest and most powerful D-class Storm Rider organizations in Japan. Akira created Behemoth not for conquest, but as a safe haven for rookie riders, aiming to shield them from the dangers of the illegal parts trade. He possesses the Fang Regalia and is a master of the Bloody Road, a style focused on aggressive, fang-like attacks. His signature techniques include the Gigaer Cross, where he fires two simultaneous fang projectiles in a cross shape, and the Cage of Fangs, a technique that traps an aerial opponent in a grid of destructive energy. To maximize the power of the Bloody Armor, his custom A-T, the Gigaer, are heavily modified, sacrificing standard functions like jumping for overwhelming offensive capability. His physical prowess is also exceptional; he possesses a rare condition called Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy, which gives his muscle fibers a density seven times greater than average, granting him superhuman strength, such as the ability to easily stop punches that can pulverize concrete.
Akira's key relationships are central to his character arc. His bond with Agito is the most significant, evolving from comrades in Wind G-Men to bitter rivals after Akira's betrayal, and eventually to a complex reconciliation. Their rematch, where Agito reclaims the Fang Regalia, marks a turning point. His relationship with Kaito Wanijima is also crucial; after his defeat, Akira is taken into custody by the Wind G-Men. In exchange for amnesty for his former Behemoth members, he agrees to rejoin the force, once again becoming Kaito's trusted right-hand man. This demonstrates his core motivation of protection above all else, even at the cost of his own freedom.
Throughout his development, Akira shifts from an agent of the law to a king of a rogue team and finally back to an agent of the law, but with a vastly different perspective. His rebellion was never about chaos but about creating a system of protection he felt the authorities failed to provide. After his return to the Wind G-Men, he is seen participating in major events, such as the battle at Sano Tower where he is severely injured by the Takeuchi brothers, and later acting as part of the welcoming committee for Ikki at the Gram Scale Tournament. He is also present during a moment of deep grief, picking up a mourning Kazu after the death of Spitfire, showing a return to a role of support and order in the aftermath of tragedy.