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New Wrestling-Inspired Series ‘Invincible Fight Girl’ Debuts on Adult Swim

Juston Gordon-Montgomery, a creator who finds inspiration in the vibrant and theatrical world of professional wrestling from the Attitude Era, has set his sights on a new animated series. His upcoming show, Invincible Fight Girl, premieres on Adult Swim and aims to recapture the larger-than-life element of wrestling that captivated him as a child. Despite the sport’s decline in cultural prominence, Gordon-Montgomery believes there is still a fervent enthusiasm for wrestling that can be channeled into entertaining narratives.

The plot centers around Andy, a young accountant portrayed by Sydney Mikayla, who aspires to become a legendary wrestler. The narrative draws parallels to classic shonen anime such as Dragon Ball Z and One Piece, but features a unique backdrop filled with vibrant masked fighters, each possessing their own costumes and signature moves. This rich setting serves as an affectionate homage to the wrestling culture that thrived in the late 1990s, creating a distinctive combination of humor and nostalgia.

During a recent interview, Gordon-Montgomery expressed his desire for the show’s essence to reflect the charm of wrestling, emphasizing not only Andy’s journey but also the overarching narrative. He reminisced about how wrestling sparked his imagination as a child, explaining, “Wrestling felt magical to me as a kid, but the characters and their backstories also felt real.” He noted how the personalities were distinct and colorful, leading him to ponder, “What if the world was filled with pro wrestlers, each representing different ideologies through their actions and words?”

From the outset, Gordon-Montgomery aimed to weave a tale that embodies the pursuit of passion alongside the exhilarating experience of wrestling matches. The creative team drew inspiration from real wrestling while simultaneously integrating elements from influential anime series like Pokémon and Naruto, both of which successfully built expansive worlds around their unique concepts.

Gordon-Montgomery highlighted the inspiration taken from Satoshi Nishimura’s acclaimed adaptation of Hajime no Ippo, describing it as a pivotal influence. “In that show, fighting transcends mere combat—it visually represents philosophical clashes and character development,” he explained. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the wrestling matches viewer experience are more than just physical confrontations but rather rich narratives filled with storytelling and spectacle.

Initially, viewers will witness Andy experimenting with basic wrestling techniques as she embarks on her journey. As a novice, she relies heavily on instructional materials to shape her skills, gradually improving as she encounters seasoned fighters and mentors, such as the retired wrestler Quesa Poblana (voiced by Rolonda Watts). This authentic progression aligns with the traditional hero’s journey format, although it presents challenges for the show in today’s fast-paced entertainment landscape that often favors quick resolutions.

Gordon-Montgomery reflected on the evolution of animation narratives, admitting that when he commenced his career, he saw a lack of serialized storytelling in Western animation, particularly the type that appealed to him. He faced challenges pushing for a longer, more detailed narrative structure, but was fortunate to find support from network executives who recognized the value in developing Andy’s story at a measured pace.

While he refrained from suggesting a specific episode count for the series, he expressed optimism about the limitless potential for storytelling within the framework of Invincible Fight Girl. He likened its conceptual possibilities to that of Pokémon, envisioning a broad scope of narratives yet to explore, contingent on the opportunity to create more content.

Fans of animated series can look forward to Invincible Fight Girl, which debuts on November 2nd on Adult Swim, promising a blend of humor, action, and heartfelt storytelling.

Source
www.theverge.com