Invincible Fight Girl Aims to Revive Serialized Animation’s Dream

Juston Gordon-Montgomery was influenced by the Attitude Era of professional wrestling, a period characterized by larger-than-life personalities and dramatic storylines. Although wrestling has become more accessible in the streaming era, its cultural prominence has diminished since capturing the imagination of Gordon-Montgomery. To address the intimidating nature of wrestling for non-fans, Gordon-Montgomery created “Invincible Fight Girl,” a series set to debut on Adult Swim.

The series follows Andy, a young accountant played by Sydney Mikayla, who dreams of becoming a legendary wrestler. The narrative draws inspiration from shonen classics such as “Dragon Ball Z” and “One Piece.” The series is set in a world where individuals are masked fighters with distinct costumes and signature combat styles, reflecting the pro-wrestling culture of the late ’90s. Despite sounding complex on paper, the vision of the show becomes clear once its characters enter the ring.

In discussions about “Invincible Fight Girl,” Gordon-Montgomery expressed a desire to showcase his love for the Attitude Era in both the character of Andy and the overall series. He reminisced about the magical and realistic aspects of wrestling during his childhood, emphasizing the distinct personalities of wrestlers and their ideologies reflected in their speech and fighting styles.

Gordon-Montgomery aimed to craft a story centered on an individual pursuing their passion while capturing the excitement of wrestling matches. The creative team for “Invincible Fight Girl” took inspiration from real-world wrestling, as well as anime like “Pokémon” and “Naruto,” for its focus on a determined fighter striving to excel in a world filled with magical personas. They also drew inspiration from Satoshi Nishimura’s 2000 adaptation of “Hajime no Ippo” to visualize clashes of philosophies and character development in fights.

At the beginning of the series, Andy’s wrestling techniques are basic, influenced by instructional videos, as she learns and evolves with guidance from characters like the experienced wrestler Quesa Poblana, portrayed by Rolonda Watts, and aspiring journalist Mikey, played by T.K. Weaver. Her journey to becoming the Invincible Fight Girl progresses gradually, an approach that is increasingly rare with newer projects.

Gordon-Montgomery observed that Western studios were not producing serialized shows like he intended for “Invincible Fight Girl.” He recognized the challenge of advocating for lengthy narratives, a feature common in anime. However, the network partners understood the vision, allowing the story to unfold as intended.

While Gordon-Montgomery refrains from specifying the number of episodes for “Invincible Fight Girl,” he believes the series has the potential for longevity similar to “Pokémon.” He stated that although the goal is not indefinite continuation, there is a wealth of unexplored ideas within the show’s philosophical framework and world-building.

“Invincible Fight Girl” is scheduled to premiere on Adult Swim on November 2nd.

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