Juston Gordon-Montgomery, who was raised during the Attitude Era of professional wrestling, recalls a period characterized by larger-than-life personalities and extravagant storylines that bordered on theatrical camp. Although watching wrestling has become more accessible in the streaming era, the sport’s cultural prominence has diminished compared to the time when it first captivated Gordon-Montgomery. For those unfamiliar with the sport, the idea of delving into wrestling can still seem intimidating. This sentiment partly motivated Gordon-Montgomery to create “Invincible Fight Girl,” a new series set to premiere on Adult Swim.
“Invincible Fight Girl” follows the story of a young accountant named Andy (voiced by Sydney Mikayla), who aspires to become a legendary wrestler. The narrative draws from classic shonen themes found in series like “Dragon Ball Z” and “One Piece.” However, the show’s setting—an environment populated by masked brawlers with distinctive costumes and signature combat moves—pays homage to the professional wrestling culture that dominated the late 1990s. Although the show’s premise combines various influences, its coherence becomes evident once the characters enter the wrestling ring.
In a recent discussion with Gordon-Montgomery regarding “Invincible Fight Girl,” he expressed his desire to showcase his affection for the Attitude Era of wrestling through the character of Andy and the show as a whole. He shared, “Wrestling felt magical to me as a kid, but the characters and their backstories also felt real,” emphasizing how figures like the Undertaker inspired him with their vivid storytelling.
From the outset, Gordon-Montgomery envisioned crafting a story that centered on an individual pursuing their passion while capturing the excitement of a wrestling match. The creative team behind “Invincible Fight Girl” drew inspiration from real-world wrestling, as well as anime series like “Pokémon” and “Naruto,” given the show’s focus on a determined fighter training to excel in a fantastical world.
Director Satoshi Nishimura’s 2000 adaptation of “Hajime no Ippo” served as a pivotal influence for Gordon-Montgomery and his team. This adaptation approaches fighting as more than mere physical combat, using it to depict philosophical clashes and character development. Gordon-Montgomery noted that wrestling matches are about storytelling and pageantry, underscoring the importance of fights being more than just displays of moves.
As the series begins, Andy’s initial wrestling moves are basic techniques learned from instructional videos, as expected from a novice. Her skills evolve over time as she encounters allies like veteran wrestler Quesa Poblana (voiced by Rolonda Watts) and aspiring journalist Mikey (T.K. Weaver). The transformation into Invincible Fight Girl is gradual, a storytelling approach that many networks are hesitant to commit to for new projects.
When Gordon-Montgomery began working in animation, Western studios rarely produced serialized shows similar to what he envisioned for “Invincible Fight Girl.” While extended narratives are common in anime, he anticipated challenges in achieving this format. However, he acknowledged the support of network partners who understood their vision, allowing the storytelling to unfold as needed for the audience to truly engage with Andy’s journey.
Though Gordon-Montgomery is not yet ready to specify the number of episodes planned for “Invincible Fight Girl,” he is optimistic about the show’s potential longevity, comparing its enduring concept to that of “Pokémon.” He remarked, “Pokémon is kind of at a point where it’s just going to keep going forever, which isn’t quite what we want to do. But I think there’s a very, very long runway of different ideas that we’re exploring philosophically with Andy and this world we’ve created.”
“Invincible Fight Girl” is scheduled to debut on Adult Swim on November 2nd.
