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RollingGirls |OT| Rolling, Falling, Scrambling Girls. For others. For themselves.

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Branduil

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What is it?

Ten years after the Great Tokyo War, each prefecture in Japan has split up into independent nations. Each nation is ruled by a prophet called "Mosa" and an army called "Mob" as they start to compete to take over other countries. Four "Mob" girls from the Saitama clan, Nozomi, Yukina, Ai, and Chiaya, are ordered by their "Mosa" to travel around Japan riding their motorcycles to mediate multiple battles between nations and clans as they emerge.

(Source: ANN, edited)



Why should I care?

Rolling Girls is a rollicking, colorful adventure featuring imaginative and stunning battles, over-the-top designs, a crazy world, and covers of Japanese punk songs. Series director Kotomi Deai(she's done storyboarding and episode directing for shows such as Michiko & Hatchin, Kids on the Slope, and Kimi ni Todoke) has been given the freedom to create an idiosyncratic and wildly animated show reminiscent of recent series such as Kyousogiga and Yozakura Quartet whilst still retaining its own unique flavor. Also, it has a ramen-eating battle.

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Who is making it?

Studio WIT(Attack on Titan, Hozuki no Reitetsu) is producing the animation.

Director: Kotomi Deai (Silver Spoon 2, storyboarding and episode directing for Michiko & Hatchin, Kids on the Slope, Kimi ni Todoke)

Screenplay: Yasayuki Muto (Sengoku Basara, Afro Samurai, Bible Black)

Art Director: Seiki Tamura (Michiko & Hatchin, Digimon Adventure: Our War Game, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, K-on!)



Where can I watch it?

You can watch it simulcast every Saturday on Funimation at 12:58 PM EST.

Free streaming is a week later on Funimation and Hulu.



Characters


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Nozomi Moritomo (森友 望未)
Voiced by: Ari Ozawa

A normal girl whose family runs the Moritomo restaurant in Tokorozawa. She's a new recruit in the vigilante group Hiyoshi Town Propellers. She loves her neighbor Masami Utoku like an older sister. Her childhood nickname was Nonsuke, and her favorite food is melonpan.



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Yukina Kosaka (小坂 結季奈)
Voiced by: Rina Hidaka

A tone-deaf runaway girl who travels with Nozomi, but seems like she'd rather travel alone. When she knows she's being watched, she uses polite language. Her childhood nickname was "Yukippe," and her favorite food is sushi with sake.



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Ai Hibiki (響 逢衣)
Voiced by: Risa Taneda

An upbeat girl traveling with Nozomi. She has a one-track mind and a big heart, and is quick to become comfortable in a situation. In any case, she wants to become strong. Her favorite foods are hamburgers, curry rice, and grilled meat. Her nickname when she was a kid was Uu-tan.



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Chiaya Misono (御園 千綾)
Voiced by: Yumiri Hanamori

A fanged girl travelling with Nozomi and the others. She's collecting mysterious "power stones." Her favorite thing is Moritomo Takoyaki. For some reason she knows Nozomi, Yukina, and Ai's childhood nicknames.



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Masami Utoku (宇徳 真茶未)
Voiced by: Ayumi Fujimura

Only daughter of the teahouse, Utokuen, and a state vigilante squad captain.

Her secret alias is the 'Peacebroker-for-hire', Maccha Green, leader of the Hiyoshicho Propellers.



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Kuniko Shigyou (執行 玖仁子)
Voiced by: Fuyuka Ooura

The legendary executioner who appeared like a comet during the Great Tokyo War.




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Crocodile (クロコダイル)
Voiced by: Hiromichi Tezuka

An incredibly important character.

Character bios from ANN.



Official Website: http://rollinggirls.com/

Official twitter: https://twitter.com/therollinggirls

Preview trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9QDzWV2P14

Full Staff List: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=16251



What are you waiting for?

http://a.pomf.se/pnpcjm.webm
 
Early impressions

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UltraGunner said:
Rolling Girls 01

The animation all throughout this episode was top notch. from the fast and energetic fight scenes (which ere fucking awesome btw) to even just something simple like the ramen eating competition. There's this level of squashiness that makes it a delight to watch in motion. The storyline is pretty off kilter with the whole japan being composed of warring factions of cosplayers and moe fans while being protected by a super sentai expy and a bunch of volunteer community service members, but that just adds to the overall tone of the story, which is appropriately zany and humorous. The characters are pretty average so far, with her utter averageness being the MC's main characteristic, but we shall see if that continues.
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jgminto said:
The Rolling Girls 1
Since much of the discussion with this show has been in comparison to other shows I guess I'll start from there. First off, as others have said it shares few similarities with Kill la Kill for the most part and the elements that are shared are either vague scenarios or minor approaches in style (gangs of warring teenagers fighting over the prefectures of Japan, the use of stars in explosions, lively crowds). The characters, themes and styles have been completely different so far otherwise. I also noticed comparisons to Kyousougiga but Kyousougiga was far more abstract with its take on a certain era of regular Japanese culture. It was actually surprising how mundane the majority of the show was past the initial battle scene. The Bests battling almost seems like entertainment for people's otherwise regular lives. It was refreshing to see a concept like this not indulge in a brutal post apocalype or dystopian future for the most part. Though if the show decides to take a dark approach when the older sister is inevitably taken out of the picture so the younger one can become a Best it could really hurt it. I'm excited to see where it goes from here because it has a lot of promise.
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sonicmj1 said:
This is a good season for Girls anime.

Rolling Girls 1

I didn't expect much going in, but this was a lot of fun. Taking an anime in a setting with powerful individuals fighting and putting the focus on the "mob" around them is a concept that seems like it should have been used ages ago. The fights look wonderful, and the world is bright and colorful. Tokorozawa must be thrilled to have sponsored this show.

The backstory they throw at the audience in episode 1 is ridiculous and overwhelming, but it's so ridiculous that I think the general message is that you don't really have to care. It's an excuse to build these weird fights with consequences, and to have these young characters act as a representative group taking care of their town.

Awesome ramen-eating action, too.
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Lafiel said:
The Rolling Girls #1

First 5-minutes were fucking awesome with the awkward exposition, the genuinely stylish animation, awesome character designs and action culminating in one of the most entertaining opening sequences in a anime this year.

Biggest problem with the series so far is the plot and setting seems undefined and as a result the series seems to be hard-to-follow from a plotting perspective. I'm hoping that it just serves as a excuse to showcase awesome stylish action sequences and for the characters to be the progenitors of that, but I'm unsure considering the staff of the series if they'll be able to maintain that level of style for the entirely of the series.

Guess I'll just tune in next week to see if that's the case then.
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Enron said:
Rolling Girls ep 1

Wow, that was really awesome. Animation was great, i dig the art. Also, dat OP insert and ED song were both terrific. I went and googled the titles, and turns out they are covers of some 80s pop-punk act called The Blue Hearts who apparently, according to wiki, are one of the more influential japanese rock acts of the last several decades. So, enjoyable first ep and also new music discovery! Really liking this!

Here's the original version of the insert song in the OP

Here's the original version of the ED song
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cosmicblizzard said:
Rolling Girls 1

I thought this was going to be about motorcycles, not literally everything.

Also, AOTS candidate right here. Does this show have an OT?
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Shard said:
Rolling☆Girls Episode 2:

I still have no idea what a rolling girl is but it appears to be some wonderful combination of Jet Set Radio and Fooly Cooly.
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Haly said:
Rolling girls is about post apocalyptic bike gangs... but moe.
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Envelope said:
Rolling Girls 2

still great! soundtrack is a lot of fun with all the Blue Hearts covers, the artstyle is really pleasant, i assume the show is basically going to be the girls riding around patching up the warring states' differences, I doubt every episode will be as well animated as the first two, but even so it looks like it's going to be a fun ride.
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Haly said:
Rolling Girls 2

It might've been the chorizo talking but I teared up a bit when Ma-chan was struggling to done the guise of Maccha Green. As motivations go, her reasons are pretty cliche, but it's done rather well here with Nozomi feeling patronized that she's being treated like a child, and demanding that she be allowed to worry for Ma-chan's sake at the very least. As people, there are things we do that, while seemingly noble or benign on the surface, can turn out to be a gentle cruelty.

There was an instance of this in Hyouka between Oreki and Satoshi, with Oreki not realizing that his "humility" was actually destroying Satoshi's self esteem. It's not something you see often in anime so I like its presence and execution here.
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http://a.pomf.se/uxmfdt.webm
 
I've only recently been starting to get back into anime after a few year hiatus but this is definitely on my list as one of the few shows starting this season that I'm interested in.
 
Dang, why did Funi picked up this one? :(

I really dislike when they pick up a series, since they never give up the rights for streaming for the rest of the Americas, and thus, those of us who are outside the US and Canada are pretty much fucked.

Seems interesting, that's for sure.
 
I was not expecting to love this show so much. Great setting, great style, and great characters so far.

Please please please stay at least half of how good this show is right now by the last episode.
 
I really need to check this out. Anime being on anything other than Crunchyroll is somehow always a big invisible barrier of entry for me. I guess it's irrational, like my "why is this game only on Origin" rants.

Do I really hate going on their site that much? Is it their video player? Whatever it is, I end up accidentally dropping a bunch of shows I start watching on FUNi.
 
Superflat said:
I really need to check this out. Anime being on anything other than Crunchyroll is somehow always a big invisible barrier of entry for me. I guess it's irrational, like my "why is this game only on Origin" rants.

Do I really hate going on their site that much? Is it their video player? Whatever it is, I end up accidentally dropping a bunch of shows I start watching on FUNi.
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Origin is a good comparison for Funi's strategy, LOL.
 
pass,

KLK obviously already innovated the roll of girls in anime, amirite try harder post-Satsuki's-hair Japan:

tumblr_mud8liQyk01rexv15o1_250.gif













I'm kidding, this sounds interesting and looks fun and I've been looking for a new show to get addicted on, this really looks like it might be it :o Definitely going to check this out once I get the time.
 
I love the visual settings, the music and road-movie theme. I'm less interested in the main four, their personalities seems a little bland so far and the reason behind their reunion feels artificial.

Good show so far.

I wish this theme from ep1 was used for the opening, though :(
 
I understand different companies and all that, but I really would have liked to have this on Crunchyroll.

That said, the first episode was great. Especially the ramen battle. "Kill la Kill without the fanservice" seems like a decent description after watching.
 
FelixOrion said:
They're really not very apt comparisons, honestly.
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I saw lots of girls and crazy fighting. So I made a comparison with another Anime I know that also had lots of girls and crazy fighting.

Apparently that makes me a piece of shit. My resume will be at ANN tomorrow.
 
I Can't Believe Apocalyptic Outlaw Biker Gang Girls Are This Cute.

I will watch the first episode based on the cool background art in the OP.
 
Very promising first two episodes, the comedy bits were actually genuinely funny to me and some of the action is glorious (loved it when the dude jumped after Crocodile in ep2). Kinda curious about the shows structure going forward but I'm definitely hopeful.

Maybe I should also check out that other comedy show from WIT, considering that I really enjoyed AoT, too, despite it flaws. Gonna look forward to AoT S2 that much more if this show continues to deliver and the production schedule may not end up being as tide.
 
I honestly don't get what KLK has to do with this show. Why do people keep comparing them?

Show is pretty cool though. Love the visuals and ANIMATION
something a certain show people keep mentioning lacked
. Hope it keeps up that quality, but it probably won't. Now the main cast is together I wonder what shenanigans they're gonna get into.
 
I'm watching too many shows already. But if impressions say it stays good throughout I'll marathon it at the end of the season.
 
Andrew J. said:
I'm watching too many shows already. But if impressions say it stays good throughout I'll marathon it at the end of the season.
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funny i picked this up because this season has been pretty light on stuff to watch. Luckily i was pleasantly surprised at how this is shaping out.



You know, something about this show feels so much like yozakura quartet hana no uta in terms of 'feel' and animation.
 
I enjoyed episode 1 even if I was slightly confused, the animation is amazing.

I will continue to watch even if I'm not crazy about the story so far, and episode 1 didn't give us much info about the supposed MCs.
 
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