[AIR] Introducing "Ryūya", the protagonist's ancestor from 1000 years ago

2025.07.29

"AIR" is famous as a tear-jerking multimedia work. Its epic story, which spans 1,000 years, continues to captivate many fans, and despite being released in 2000, it remains a popular masterpiece even in 2018. Here we introduce "Ryuya," the ancestor of the protagonist, "Kunizaki Ototo."

Contents

What kind of work is "AIR"?

"AIR" is a bishoujo game that has sold over 300,000 copies.

Kamio Misuzu and Sora
Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshoukai

"AIR" is a smash hit game released in 2000 by the bishoujo game brand "Key." It is a masterpiece that sold over 300,000 copies, an unprecedented feat for a bishoujo game.

In 2005, it was adapted into an anime, sparking the anime boom.

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

In 2005, Kyoto Animation adapted it into an anime, and all discs sold over 100,000 copies.

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

"AIR" can be said to have sparked the anime boom that followed "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya," and it is also one of the works that made Kyoto Animation famous.

A Brief Introduction to the Appeal of "AIR"

An epic story with a modern-day arc, a past arc, and a return to the present

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

The greatest appeal of "AIR" is that while the story begins in modern times, with the protagonist and heroine meeting in a seaside town, the story moves back in time to the Heian period 1,000 years ago, where the protagonist and heroine's secrets begin to be revealed.

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

The second half of the film returns to the present day, and the story develops around the heroine, a young girl, as she confronts a cruel fate. It then shifts to a tear-jerking theme centered on familial love.

The music is simply amazing

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

This can be said not only about "AIR" but also about all of Key's works: the music is excellent.

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

Scenario writer Jun Maeda also composes the music, and all of his compositions are excellent and have a large fan base.

【AIR】Who is Yana, the protagonist's ancestor from 1,000 years ago?

The protagonist of the "Summer Arc" and bodyguard of the "Summer Arc's" heroine, Kanna

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshoukai

Ryuya is the protagonist of the "Summer Arc," which takes place 1,000 years before the main story, and is the ancestor of Kunisaki Yukito, the protagonist of the first story, "DREAM Arc."

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

He possesses advanced swordsmanship, powerful enough to singlehandedly defeat multiple warriors without a scratch.

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshoukai

With a cheerful and unpretentious personality, she remained unaffected even in front of the heroine, Kannabi-no-Mikoto, who was feared as a "Tsubasajin." Along with Kanna's lady-in-waiting, Uraha, the three of them became close friends despite their positions.

Yanagi loves to tease Kanna

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

Kana, a "Tsubasajin," was feared by the people from the time she was old enough to understand. She grew up moving from one shrine to another deep in the mountains, never having any contact with others.

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshoukai

Despite Kanna's quirks, Ranaya interacts with her without any hesitation, and teasing her over-the-top, hilarious reactions becomes the only enjoyment of his boring missions.

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

Kanna also took a liking to the eccentric Ryuya, and the two began to interact beyond their respective positions.

Ryuya Determines to Save Kanna

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

Kanna has lived in various shrines since she was a child, and Yanagi is confused when she is suddenly transferred to the next shrine.

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

So, Ryuya and Uraha came up with a plan to get Kanna out of the shrine, and the three of them decided to sneak out so Kanna could meet her mother, whom she had been longing to meet.

Ranai, forbidden by Kanna from killing

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

Ranai, Kanna, and Uraha were discovered to have escaped from the shrine and were pursued by pursuers, but Yana's skillful swordsmanship allowed them to fend off the pursuers.

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshoukai

However, just as Yanagi was about to kill his pursuer, Kanna stopped him. Following Kanna's idealism that he didn't want to be protected by those who kill, Yanagi swore to Kanna that he would never kill again.

Ryuya is a kind and generous person

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

Crossing the mountains for several weeks in the middle of summer was tough for Kanna, but Ryuya was considerate of her and never treated her harshly.

Source: Air ©VisualArt's/Key/Tsubasajin Denshokai

First of all, Ryuya is a kind person who prioritizes love over status, having the courage to take Kanna, who longed to meet her mother, out into the world.

Injured in the Battle at Sacred Mountain

After a long journey, Ryuya, Kanna, and Uraha arrive at Sacred Mountain, where Kanna's mother is said to be. However, they engage in combat with the warriors guarding the mountain, and Ryuya, who had sworn with Kanna never to kill, is injured.

Kanna regretted her naivety in thinking she could get by without killing anyone and apologized to Yanagi. However, Yanagi was considerate and didn't blame her.

Ryuya later marries Uraba and entrusts his future to her child.

Kanna was trapped in the sky by the monks of Mount Sacred Mountain, cursed with a "curse that will make her dream a sad dream." Until she's reincarnated, she'll continue to dream her sad dream alone.

Even Uraha, with his powerful magical abilities, was unable to lift Kanna's curse and was at a loss. However, he proposed to Ryuya that they have a child, and that their descendants be tasked with saving Kanna's soul.

Rinya accepted the offer and gave birth to Uraha's child. 1,000 years later, her descendant met the protagonist, Kunizaki Ototo, who inherited Kanna's soul, Kamio Misuzu.

Yanagi dies under the influence of the curse

Kanna was cursed with both a "curse that causes constant sad dreams" and a "curse that makes those who have feelings for her sick." Even after being imprisoned in the sky, the curse continued to consume Yanagi, and Yanagi died without ever healing from the wounds he sustained on Mount Sacred.

Ryuya's death scene was beautiful, and the anime had a beautiful ending that leads into the next and final chapter, "AIR Arc."

【AIR】Ryuya Summary

Ryuya was a kind and spirited warrior

Ryuya was a very strong, wise, and reliable person, as well as a kind and spirited warrior.

Perhaps Yanagiya led Kanna away from the shrine because he was so enamoured with her, but it's still admirable that he abandoned his high-ranking official position and title and sacrificed his life for a young girl.

Although Ryuya ultimately united with Uraha and devoted all his time to her, if deep down he harbored feelings and love for Kanna, I think it's good that he was finally able to reincarnate 1,000 years later and finally unite with Kanna's soul, and find happiness.