Air Gear Manga Editions: How to Collect All 37 Volumes

The Fastest Way to Own All 37 Volumes of Air Gear

Let’s start with the big picture so you know exactly what you’re working with.

Air Gear was originally published chapter by chapter — a process called serialization — in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine, a popular Japanese manga magazine aimed at a teen audience. Over its run, the series produced 358 chapters that were collected into 37 paperback volumes (sometimes called “singles” or, in Japanese publishing terminology, tankōbon — individual collected volumes as opposed to the magazine format). The Japanese volumes were published between May 2003 and July 2012. The series is done — no ongoing chapters, no continuation to wait for.

In English, the publication history has one major wrinkle: the series was split between two publishers. Del Rey Manga released Volumes 1 through 17, and then Kodansha Comics picked up the series and published Volumes 18 through 37. The numbering continued seamlessly — Volume 18 picks up right where Volume 17 left off — but the publisher names on the spines are different, and this split is the single biggest factor shaping your collecting experience.

Here’s the key context: the series was published as 37 individual paperback singles across two publishers, and Kodansha Comics later released a 6-volume omnibus series covering Volumes 1–17. There are no hardcover deluxe releases or box sets. The original Del Rey singles (Vols 1–17) tend to be harder to source at reasonable prices since those volumes are older and the publisher’s manga division — called an imprint — no longer exists. The Kodansha Comics omnibus editions offer an alternative path to those early volumes. The Kodansha Comics singles (Vols 18–37) are generally easier to find, though some individual volumes may be between print runs at any given time, meaning availability fluctuates.

Knowing this upfront saves you from chasing editions that don’t exist and helps you plan a realistic approach to completing the set.

What Air Gear Manga Editions Exist — And What Does Not

Understanding exactly what’s out there prevents wasted time and money. Let’s break it down.

Del Rey Singles (Volumes 1–17)

These are the original English-language releases. Del Rey Manga was Random House’s manga publishing division (an imprint is essentially a brand name that a larger publisher uses for a specific category of books). They published the first seventeen volumes of Air Gear before exiting the manga publishing business entirely. These are standard paperback singles — roughly the same physical dimensions you’d expect from most manga volumes.

Because Del Rey stopped publishing manga, these volumes have not been reprinted under the Del Rey label. They’re the only version of Volumes 1–17 that exists in English print. Kodansha Comics did not reprint the Del Rey volumes under their own branding — so if you see Volumes 1–17, they’ll carry the Del Rey logo.

Kodansha Comics Singles (Volumes 18–37)

When Kodansha Comics launched their own English-language publishing arm, they took over many of the manga series that Del Rey had been publishing. For Air Gear, that meant continuing the series from Volume 18 onward. The translation continuity was maintained, and the volume numbering carried straight through. The translation reads naturally across the publisher switch — you won’t notice a jarring change in voice or quality going from Volume 17 to Volume 18.

These twenty volumes are standard paperback singles, similar in size to the Del Rey releases but with Kodansha Comics branding and slightly different cover design formatting. While Kodansha Comics is still an active publisher, individual Air Gear volumes may go in and out of stock as print runs sell through. Some volumes are readily available new from major retailers; others may require checking multiple sources or waiting for restocks.

The Spine Design Change

This is a cosmetic detail, but it matters if you care about how your collection looks on a shelf. Many collectors prefer their series to look uniform when lined up — matching spine designs, consistent logo placement, and cohesive formatting. If you collect the Del Rey singles for Volumes 1–17, your set will have a visible design shift at Volume 18 where the Kodansha Comics singles begin. The first seventeen spines look one way; the last twenty look another.

However, there is a way to minimize this: the Kodansha Comics omnibus editions cover Volumes 1–17 under Kodansha Comics branding. If you use the six omnibus volumes for the first half and the Kodansha Comics singles for the second half (Volumes 18–37), your entire collection carries Kodansha Comics spines. The omnibus volumes are physically larger than the singles since each one combines multiple volumes, so the shelf won’t look perfectly uniform in size, but the publisher branding will be consistent throughout.

What Doesn’t Exist

To save you from fruitless searching:

• No hardcover deluxe editions — No oversized or premium format releases exist for Air Gear in English.
• No box sets — Neither Del Rey nor Kodansha Comics released a collected box set.
• No omnibus editions covering Volumes 18–37 — The existing omnibus series only covers Volumes 1–17. There is no collected-format option for the second half of the series; those twenty volumes are available only as individual Kodansha Comics singles.

Digital Availability

Digital editions may offer the most straightforward path to reading the complete series, since you don’t have to hunt for out-of-print physical volumes. Digital manga is available through platforms like Kindle, BookWalker, Kobo, and others — availability and catalog coverage can vary between storefronts and may change over time as publishing agreements shift, so it’s worth checking current listings directly. If your primary goal is reading the story rather than building a physical collection, digital sidesteps the entire scarcity problem.

Edition Comparison at a Glance

Feature	Del Rey Singles (Vols 1–17)	Kodansha Comics Omnibus (Vols 1–17)	Kodansha Comics Singles (Vols 18–37)
Format	Paperback singles	Omnibus (3-in-1 or 2-in-1)	Paperback singles
Volume count	17	6	20
Current print status	Out of print (Del Rey no longer publishes manga)	Published 2013–2016; check current availability	In print but individual volume availability varies
Spine design	Del Rey formatting	Kodansha Comics formatting	Kodansha Comics formatting
Numbering	Sequential (1–17)	Omnibus 1–6 (covering Vols 1–17)	Sequential (18–37)
Content	Original English translation	Same content as Del Rey Vols 1–17	Continued English translation

Three Budget Paths to a Complete Air Gear Collection

There’s no single “right” way to collect Air Gear manga editions. Your approach depends on whether you’re optimizing for cost, physical ownership, or display-quality condition. Here are three strategies.

Budget Build — Lowest Total Cost

If you just want to experience the full story without spending more than necessary:

• Start with digital volumes where available. Digital editions don’t go out of print and often cost less per volume than physical copies, especially for older series. For a 37-volume run, the savings can be substantial.
• If you want some physical volumes, target Kodansha Comics editions (18–37) first. These are generally more available and tend to be priced more reasonably than the older Del Rey volumes.
• For Volumes 1–17, check the Kodansha Comics omnibus editions before hunting for Del Rey singles. The six omnibus volumes cover the same content and are often easier to find than seventeen individual out-of-print Del Rey volumes. If the omnibus editions aren’t available at a good price either, hunt for Del Rey singles individually from used sellers — patience and price alerts are your biggest assets.
• Consider a mixed approach — digital for the hard-to-find volumes, physical for the rest. There’s no rule saying your collection has to be all one format.

Balanced Build — Full Physical Set at Fair Prices

If you want the complete physical set on your shelf but don’t need pristine copies:

• Buy Kodansha Comics volumes (18–37) new where still in stock. Check major retailers for availability — some volumes may still be obtainable at or near list price.
• Source Del Rey volumes (1–17) used in good condition. “Good condition” for manga means: pages intact, no significant water damage or staining, spine not cracked or heavily creased. Minor shelf wear and some page yellowing on volumes that are 15+ years old is normal and expected.
• Watch for partial lots (multiple volumes sold together as one listing). Sometimes collectors sell chunks of their collection at once — “Volumes 1–10” or “Volumes 1–17” as a set. Buying in grouped listings almost always reduces your per-volume cost compared to buying each volume individually.
• Be patient with gaps. If you can find Volumes 1–15 but not 16 and 17, grab what’s available and fill the gaps later. Holding out for a single listing with every volume you need often means paying a premium.

Collector Build — Best Condition and Display

If you want the nicest possible set and you’re willing to pay for it:

• Seek first-printing Del Rey editions. For collectors, first printings — the very first batch of copies produced — carry more value. You can identify these by checking the copyright page inside the book, where publishers typically list the printing number and date.
• Buy Kodansha Comics volumes in new or unread condition. These are the easier half to find in top shape since they’re newer releases.
• Consider the spine design question. If you collect Del Rey singles for Volumes 1–17, you’ll have a visible design shift at Volume 18. Using the Kodansha Comics omnibus editions for the first half gives you consistent Kodansha Comics branding across the full set, though the omnibus volumes are physically larger than the singles.
• Protect your investment. Manga-sized protective sleeves or bags, stored upright on a shelf away from direct sunlight, will keep volumes in good shape for years.

Regardless of which path you choose, Volume 37 — the final volume — is worth having as a physical copy if you want to cap off the collection with something tangible. It wraps up the full 358-chapter story.

Where to Find Deals on Air Gear Volumes

Collecting a 37-volume series on a budget requires knowing where to look — and knowing how the Del Rey/Kodansha Comics split affects where each half of the series tends to surface.

Used bookstores and online marketplaces are your primary hunting grounds for Del Rey singles (1–17). Because those volumes are out of print, you’re buying secondhand if you go the singles route. The Kodansha Comics omnibus editions (six volumes covering Vols 1–17) are an alternative worth checking first — they may still be available new. For used Del Rey singles, brick-and-mortar used bookstores sometimes have manga sections where volumes are priced at a flat rate regardless of scarcity — that’s where you find the best deals.

Library sales and book fairs are underrated sources. Libraries that carry manga sometimes remove completed series from their shelves and sell them off. A finished 37-volume series like Air Gear is exactly the kind of thing that surfaces at library book sales, often at very low per-volume prices. The condition won’t be pristine — library binding stickers, stamps, and general wear — but for reading purposes, it’s perfectly fine.

Bulk manga lots (grouped listings of many volumes sold together) on auction and resale sites occasionally include Air Gear volumes bundled with other series. If someone is clearing out their entire manga shelf, you might pick up a dozen Air Gear volumes as part of a larger lot at a fraction of individual prices.

Digital sales happen periodically across various storefronts. When digital manga goes on sale, per-volume prices can drop significantly. If you’re open to digital, keeping an eye on manga-focused sales events is one of the most reliable ways to read the series affordably.

Set price alerts rather than impulse buying. Specific hard-to-find volumes — usually certain middle volumes in the Del Rey run that had lower print runs — tend to fluctuate in price. The volume listed at an unreasonable price today might appear from a different seller at a fair price in a few weeks. Don’t let urgency push you into overpaying.

One general principle worth keeping in mind: completed manga series tend to cycle in and out of availability. When a related animated adaptation (anime) gets a rewatch surge or a series trends on social media, prices spike temporarily. When attention moves on, prices settle. Timing your purchases during quieter periods can make a meaningful difference across 37 volumes.

Buying Mistakes That Cost Money with Air Gear

Air Gear’s split-publisher history creates a few traps that catch unwary buyers. Here’s what to watch for.

Buying Volumes 18+ listed under the Del Rey name. Del Rey never published anything past Volume 17. If you see a listing for, say, “Air Gear Vol. 22 — Del Rey,” that listing is either an error or something worse. Del Rey’s involvement ended at Volume 17. Volumes 18–37 should always be Kodansha Comics editions. If the publisher listed doesn’t match, skip that listing.

Overpaying for temporarily scarce middle volumes. It’s common with out-of-print series for certain volumes to be harder to find at any given time. Maybe Volume 9 is easy to find but Volume 11 has only one listing at triple the expected price. Before paying a premium, check whether that scarcity is permanent or just a temporary gap. For Air Gear, volumes cycle through availability — a little patience often saves real money. The hardest-to-find volume this month might have three affordable listings next month.

Ignoring physical condition on older Del Rey printings. The earliest Del Rey volumes are now over 20 years old. Paper yellows. Spines weaken. Covers fade. When buying used, look at seller photos carefully. Specifically check for:

• Page yellowing — Some yellowing is normal for volumes this age. Heavy browning or dark spots (sometimes called foxing in book collecting) suggests poor storage.
• Spine condition — Cracked or heavily rolled spines mean the book was read roughly or stored improperly.
• Water damage — Wavy pages, staining, or a musty smell indicate water exposure. This damage worsens over time.
• Completeness — Make sure no pages are torn out or missing. Flip through if buying in person.

For reading copies, minor wear is fine. For collecting, condition matters more and justifies paying a bit extra for well-kept copies.

Skipping the digital option when you just want to read the story. If your goal is experiencing Air Gear’s story and you’re not attached to physical ownership, digital is dramatically simpler. No hunting for out-of-print volumes, no worrying about condition, no shelf space needed for 37 books. Buying digital for reading and reserving physical purchases for favorite volumes or display is a perfectly valid approach.

Overlooking the omnibus editions for Volumes 1–17. If you’re hunting for individual Del Rey singles for the first half of the series, know that Kodansha Comics published a 6-volume omnibus series covering Volumes 1–17. These may be easier to find and more affordable than tracking down seventeen individual out-of-print Del Rey volumes. The omnibus doesn’t cover Volumes 18–37, but for the first half of the series it’s a practical alternative that also gives you consistent Kodansha Comics branding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Gear Editions

How many volumes of Air Gear are there?

37 volumes containing 358 chapters. The series is complete — Oh! Great finished the story, and there are no additional volumes or continuation chapters to wait for. What you see is the full run.

Are the Del Rey and Kodansha Comics volumes compatible?

Yes. The numbering is sequential — Del Rey’s Volume 17 leads directly into Kodansha Comics’ Volume 18 with no content gaps, repeated chapters, or numbering confusion. The translation continues naturally across the publisher switch. You can read straight through from Volume 1 to Volume 37 without any issues.

Why did the publisher change mid-series?

Del Rey Manga, which was Random House’s manga publishing division, exited the manga business. When that happened, Kodansha Comics — which had launched its own English-language publishing operation — took over the manga titles that Del Rey had been licensing from Kodansha Japan. Since Air Gear was originally a Kodansha property (published in Weekly Shonen Magazine), Kodansha Comics continued the English release from where Del Rey left off.

This kind of publisher transition happened to several manga series around the same time period, not just Air Gear. It’s a normal part of the English manga market’s history.

Is there a digital edition of Air Gear in English?

Digital manga platforms such as Kindle, BookWalker, and Kobo are the main places to check. Availability can shift over time as publishing agreements change, so checking current listings directly gives you the most accurate picture. If digital editions are available, they represent the easiest way to read the complete series since you avoid the out-of-print hunting entirely.

Will there be an omnibus or deluxe edition?

There are no known announcements for any omnibus (collected multi-volume edition), deluxe, hardcover, or box set edition of Air Gear in English. While it’s always possible that Kodansha Comics could release a special edition in the future — they’ve done so for other popular titles — there’s nothing concrete to point to right now. Planning your collection around editions that currently exist is the practical move.

What order should I buy the volumes in?

There’s no “trick” to the reading order — Air Gear is a straightforward sequential series. Volume 1 through Volume 37, in order. The only strategic consideration is buying order for your wallet: if you’re building a physical set, check whether the Kodansha Comics omnibus editions (covering Vols 1–17) are available at a fair price — that can simplify the first half considerably. If you’re going the Del Rey singles route, it often makes sense to secure those harder-to-find volumes first, since they’re the ones most likely to become scarce or expensive. The Kodansha Comics singles (18–37) tend to be more readily available, so they can wait.

Is the series worth collecting physically?

Oh! Great is known for incredibly detailed, dynamic artwork — the action sequences in Air Gear are visually stunning, and the character designs are distinctive. That kind of art often looks its best on paper rather than on a screen. If you appreciate manga as a visual medium and enjoy displaying series on a shelf, Air Gear is a satisfying set to own. The 37-volume run is substantial enough to look impressive without being so long that it’s impractical to shelf (looking at you, series with 90+ volumes).

For readers who are more focused on story than display, digital or a mix of digital and physical works great too. There’s no wrong way to enjoy it.