The Rolling Girls (2015)
A wildly colorful anime road trip through a fractured Japan, where four ordinary girls ride into extraordinary chaos.
The Rolling Girls - Series Information
- Original Title: ローリング☆ガールズ
- First Air Year: 2015
- Last Air Year: 2015
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: January 12, 2015 (United States - TV-14), January 12, 2015 (Australia - M)
- Networks: MBS
- Alternative Titles: Rolling☆Girls (JP), 旋转少女 (CN)
- Production Companies: WIT STUDIO, Shochiku, Pony Canyon, MBS, dentsu, movic, Silver, Daume
- Production Countries: Japan
The Rolling Girls - Plot
In a dystopian future where Japan's political organization has crumbled after the Great Tokyo War, Japan is broken up into 10 independent nations, with each nation controlled by a gang led by a "Best," a human-proclaimed prophet with destructive superpowers. Nozomi Moritomo is a "Rest"—a normal girl that has just started out as a rookie in the local gang. She wants to help the Best Masami Utoku, her childhood friend and role model, in the ongoing territorial dispute. When Masami becomes severely injured and unable to fight, Nozomi decides to go on a mission to complete the requests sent to Masami from all over Japan. Along the way, she meets Yukina Kosaka, a shy girl with no sense of direction; Ai Hibiki, an upbeat girl who loves eating; and Chiaya Misono, a quiet and mysterious girl that wears a gas mask. Together, the four girls travel all over the country on their motorcycles while getting involved in territorial wars, disagreements, and even suspicious conspiracies.
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The Rolling Girls - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Tomokazu Seki
- Rina Hidaka
- Risa Taneda
- Ayumi Fujimura
- Ari Ozawa
- Sayaka Ohara
- Fuyuka Ono
- Nozomi Furuki
- Yumiri Hanamori
Writers
- Yasuyuki Muto
The Rolling Girls - FAQs
What is The Rolling Girls about?
Set in a fractured Japan divided into ten gang-ruled nations after the Great Tokyo War, the series follows Nozomi Moritomo and three companions as they travel the country by motorcycle. They get caught up in territorial disputes, conspiracies, and colorful local conflicts while trying to fulfill requests on behalf of a powerful fighter.
Is The Rolling Girls based on a manga or source material?
The Rolling Girls is an original anime series produced by WIT STUDIO, not adapted from a pre-existing manga or light novel. Its story, characters, and world were developed specifically for the screen, making it a rare fully original work in the anime landscape of 2015.
Where can you stream The Rolling Girls?
The Rolling Girls is currently available to buy on Amazon Video. Streaming availability may vary by region, so it's worth checking your local platforms for the latest options. You can compare all available viewing options in your area through JustWatch.
Who are the four main girls in The Rolling Girls?
The four central characters are Nozomi Moritomo, the eager rookie protagonist voiced by Ari Ozawa; Yukina Kosaka, a shy girl with no sense of direction voiced by Rina Hidaka; Ai Hibiki, an upbeat food-lover voiced by Risa Taneda; and the quiet, gas-mask-wearing Chiaya Misono voiced by Yumiri Hanamori.
What makes The Rolling Girls visually distinctive?
WIT STUDIO packed the series with explosively colorful fight sequences, kaleidoscopic backgrounds, and a kinetic visual style that mirrors its chaotic, gang-ruled world. The animation draws heavily on pop-art aesthetics and psychedelic color palettes, giving each region the four girls visit its own vivid, immediately recognizable identity.
How was The Rolling Girls received by critics and audiences?
Reception was mixed but affectionate. Critics and viewers praised the show's dazzling animation, vibrant world-building, and infectious energy, while some felt the narrative spread itself too thin across its twelve episodes. Its soundtrack, featuring rock covers of classic Japanese pop songs, earned particular acclaim and became a fan favorite element.
What is the music like in The Rolling Girls?
Music is central to the show's identity. Composer Masaru Yokoyama crafted a soundtrack built around energetic rock arrangements of beloved Japanese city-pop and folk songs. The opening theme and in-episode covers give the series an irresistibly upbeat, nostalgic feel that complements its road-trip spirit and colorful action sequences perfectly.
What anime series are similar to The Rolling Girls?
Fans of The Rolling Girls often enjoy Girls' Last Tour for its post-apocalyptic road-trip atmosphere, SABIKUI BISCO for its wild action and vibrant world, and Burst Angel for its female-led action ensemble. Tengoku Daimakyo and Vampire in the Garden also share the show's blend of striking visuals and dystopian adventure.
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