Juston Gordon-Montgomery experienced the pro wrestling Attitude Era, a period characterized by larger-than-life personalities, bold storylines, and theatrical performances. Although viewing wrestling has become more accessible in the streaming age, the sport’s cultural impact has diminished since it first captivated Gordon-Montgomery. For those who are not fans, engaging with wrestling can still seem intimidating, an aspect that inspired Gordon-Montgomery to develop “Invincible Fight Girl,” a new series premiering on Adult Swim.
“Invincible Fight Girl” features a narrative about Andy, a young accountant portrayed by Sydney Mikayla, who aspires to become a renowned wrestler. The storyline echoes classic shonen titles like “Dragon Ball Z” and “One Piece.” The setting, a world populated by masked brawlers with distinctive costumes and signature moves, serves as a homage to the pro wrestling culture of the late ’90s. While the show’s concept may seem complex at first glance, the vision becomes clear when the characters enter the ring.
During a discussion with Gordon-Montgomery about the series, he expressed a desire for his fondness for the Attitude Era of wrestling to be evident throughout “Invincible Fight Girl,” not just in Andy’s character. Wrestling felt enchanting to him as a child, with its characters and backstories appearing real. The Attitude Era seemed to answer the question, “What if the world was filled with professional wrestlers?” as it featured distinct characters with philosophies reflected in their speech and combat.
Gordon-Montgomery aimed to portray a tale focused on pursuing one’s passion while capturing the excitement of a wrestling match. The creative team drew inspiration from real-world wrestling, and, because the show focuses on a determined fighter training to excel in a world full of magical beings, anime series like “Pokémon” and “Naruto” were also influential.
Gordon-Montgomery and his team were notably inspired by Satoshi Nishimura’s 2000 adaptation of “Hajime no Ippo,” as the series demonstrates how fighting can visualize clashes of philosophy and character growth, aligning with the storytelling and theatrics of wrestling. Early in the series, Andy employs basic wrestling techniques familiar to fans, having learned from instructional videos. Her skills evolve as she meets new allies like the veteran wrestling legend Quesa Poblana (Rolonda Watts) and aspiring journalist Mikey (T.K. Weaver). Andy’s transformation into Invincible Fight Girl takes time, a concept that many networks are hesitant to adopt for newer projects.
When entering the animation industry, Gordon-Montgomery noticed a lack of serialized Western shows like those he envisioned for “Invincible Fight Girl.” Despite concerns about the length and pacing of the narrative given shorter season orders, network partners understood the vision, recognizing that the approach was vital for audience engagement with Andy’s story.
While Gordon-Montgomery is not ready to disclose a specific number of episodes for “Invincible Fight Girl,” he believes in the longevity of the show’s concept, likening it to the enduring nature of “Pokémon.” Though he does not aim for infinite continuation, he envisions a plethora of untapped philosophical ideas with Andy and the world they have crafted, expressing curiosity about potential unexplored animation opportunities if given the chance.
“Invincible Fight Girl” is set to debut on November 2nd on Adult Swim.
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