FIF#231-Invincible Fight Girl

In a world where Wrestling is everything, Andy Davis has dreamed of becoming one since she saw her first live match.  However, as the child of Accountants, Andy’s future seems set in stone.  But when she proves herself defending her town from egotistical Wrestlers, Andy finds the courage to make her dream into reality.  Armed with nothing but her determination, Andy ventures into the world to find a mentor who will train her to become the Greatest Wrestler of All Time.  Can this smaller, inexperienced young girl succeed where others have failed?

 
Anime is a quintessential part of the many successes of Cartoon Network.  One need look no further than the expansive Anime legacies of Toonami and Adult Swim to see why the Networks become a gateway entry point for new fans around the world.  So it makes sense Adult Swim would want to come up with their own original animation concept that has a lot of Anime DNA spliced within.  Does Invincible Fight Girl have the potential to show off the passion and respect AS has learned from its go to genre for almost 25 years?
 
The first episode of Invinicible Fight Girl is admittedly kind of slow but that’s kind of on purpose.  Considering this show treats Wrestles like My Hero Academia treats Heroes, it makes sense anything that doesn’t involve a literal throwdown on a mat would seem pretty dull.  What helps get things going despite the slowness is Andy, our young Shojou Protagonist.  She’s got all the energy of Naruto and Deku when it comes to her Wrestling dreams and her hairstyle and outfit match the best of Shonen leads like those aforementioned Ninjas and Heroes.  I also like that she’s a young African American Woman who has more than it takes to overcome doubts placed upon her by society and step up when no one else will, the animation world could use more inspiring girls like Andy.
 
While this is an American Animated series, the Anime influences are everywhere in Fight Girls premiere.  All of the loveable visual tropes are there from overexaggerated reactions to starry eyed stares to how flamboyant and epic posing of the Wrestlers themselves.  Like I said above, Adult Swim owes a lot to the Anime that have brought it success over the years like Cowboy Bebop, Bleach and Naruto.  AS is honoring that success in spades here with how good this show looks.  The action is pretty good too.  Since this is a Wrestling show, the blows come heavy and every movement feels Herculean, even if it looks swiftly done.  It makes you both feel bad for and feel impressed with Andy’s resilience that she can take some of those blows that would knock a normal human being out for days on end.  She’s definitely made of sterner stuff.
 
If you’re a Shonen Fan, Invincible Fight Girl can easily be added to the catalogue of “Must Watch Titles”.  Heck I’m a few episodes in as of writing this First Impression so I’m obviously sold.  Solid animation, killer action and a kick ass Female Lead who isnt giving up on her dreams make this a clear spiritual successor to various Sports Anime and My Hero Academia.  Now go on Andy, Go Beyond…PLUS ULTRA!!!