Skateboarding is a global sport, with millions of fans well represented throughout film and television. From anime to block-buster superheroes to Saturday morning cartoons, almost every franchise has a character dedicated to riding a skateboard or skateboard adjacent technology.
Whether they pick up the board to shred the streets on the way to school or take out enemies in dynamic combat, these characters have found the perfect way to get around and love to skate, no matter the situation.
Death The Kid (Soul Eater)
The son of Lord Death himself, Death the Kid is a powerful Meister with an obsession for symmetry and skateboarding. In Episode 30 of Soul Eater, “The Red Hot Runaway Express,” Kid chases down a train while riding his flying skateboard.
During the episode, Kid compromises his mission and the safety of his teammates to land a 360 kick-flip. After being reprimanded by his team, he states, “Don’t you know anything? That was an incredible hill we ran over back there. Given the situation, it would have been wrong not to do a trick or two on it.”
Ekko (Arcane: League Of Legends)
Season 1 of Netflix’s Arcane League of Legends introduces audiences to various League heroes and powerful characters who come with unique technology and uncanny abilities. Ekko, leader of the Firelights, is no different. His key mode of transportation is a wicked fast hoverboard that emits a trail of green light as it zips around the sky.
In episode 4, “Happy Progress Day!” Ekko and the Firelights infiltrate enemy airships using their hoverboards to whip and twist through the air with ease.
Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
Michelangelo is the official goofball member of the Ninja Turtles. He keeps the jokes coming even as he’s fighting off the Foot Clan, taking down monsters, or kicking back with a slice of cheese pizza.
In 2007’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, on his way back underground, Mikey shows off some gnarly talent as he shreds his way through sewer tunnels landing trick after trick and grinding down a spiral staircase. Once he makes it home, he doesn’t stay off the board long, as he’s built a half-pipe in the hideout.
Spider-Man (The Amazing Spider-Man)
While making The Amazing Spider-Man, director Marc Webb and actor Andrew Garfield searched for ways to distinguish their version of the iconic character to do things differently than other Spidey films. So, they embraced a more introverted version of Peter, who liked to skateboard alone in his free time.
Throughout the film, Peter skateboards through the halls of his school, only stopping when asked by a teacher. Most notably, Peter has an entire montage where he skates around an old junkyard before testing out his new powers.
Killua (Hunter X Hunter)
Killua Zoldyck is the third child in the legendary Zoldyck assassin family. To escape his family’s destiny, he runs off to be a Hunter and enjoy his time as a kid. In classic teenage rebellion, Killua takes up skateboarding as a new way of getting around and looking cool.
In season 1, episode 4, “Hope X And X Ambition,” during the running portion of the exam, Killua rides a skateboard. Killua only gets off the skateboard after meeting Gon and challenging him to a race.
Jim Hawkins (Treasure Planet)
Obsessed with legendary pirates and secret treasure since he was a boy, Jim Hawkins is another teenage troublemaker who spends his free time skating. Not technically a skateboard, Jim rides an Alphonian solar cruiser for Skysurfing.
In the opening scenes of Treasure Planet, (a film that generally deserves more attention), Jim carves the airwaves of a rocky canyon. Fitting his adrenaline junkie personality, he free-falls from the top of the canyon and flies through an active mining rig, only to be quickly pulled over by the police.
Jake Long (American Dragon)
Disney Channel’s animated TV show, American Dragon, is the story of teenager Jake Long, a Chinese American, with the power to turn into a magic dragon. With the help of his grandfather, he defends Manhattan from the evil forces who seek to destroy it.
When he isn’t fighting crime, Jake is your average braggadocious teen who loves to skateboard with his friends. He even has a customized board with a dragon painted on the deck and neon green wheels to match his hair. Matching his hot-headed attitude, more often than not, Jake crashes while riding his skateboard. Thank goodness he wears a helmet.
Marty Mcfly (Back To The Future)
The charming and quick-witted hero of the, Back to the Future franchise, Marty Mcfly, is an ’80s teen with a talent for skateboarding and getting into tricky situations.
In one of Marty’s more memorable moments, after going back in time and confronting his father’s bullies, he forces an all-out chase where he subtly invents the skateboard as he tries to get away. Whether he is making his way to school or being chased by bad guys, Marty rides in style shredding through the streets and hanging off the back of cars.
Spyke (X-Men Revolution)
The nephew to long-time X-Man, Storm, Evan Daniels, or Spyke is a teenage mutant with bone manipulation powers and a knack for skateboarding. He often keeps his board on him, tucked in his backpack, if he has to make a speedy getaway.
In season 3, episode 6, “X-Treme Measures,” Spyke enters a skate competition where he shows off his skills and leaves his opponents in awe. However, once the judges find out he’s a mutant, they disqualify him. Unfair, as always, but there’s no doubt Spyke can shred a half-pipe and save the city from enemies on the rise.
Max Goof (Goofy Movie Franchise)
The son of Goofy himself, Max is yet another insecure teen looking to separate from his home life and find his identity in the world.
In the sequel to A Goofy Movie, An Extremely Goofy Movie, Max is off to college and competes in a new skateboard competition. The film opens with an impressive skate session around campus as Max and his friends shred the pavement and attract the attention of last year’s skate competition winners.
