The Rolling Girls

After a catastrophic conflict that fractured Japan into ten fragmented regions, the country is governed by gangs led by "Bests," people with prophetic status and dangerous powers. Nozomi Moritomo is a rookie "Rest," an ordinary girl who idolizes Masami Utoku, the Best from her hometown. When Masami is badly hurt and can no longer fulfill the requests pouring in from across the splintered nation, Nozomi takes it on herself to deliver his promises. She soon picks up fellow travelers: shy Yukina, food-loving Ai, and the enigmatic gas-mask wearer Chiaya. Riding motorcycles from one territory to another, the quartet get pulled into territorial disputes, small-scale skirmishes, and hints of larger conspiracies, while their friendship and ideals are tested without revealing any major twists.

Released in 2015, the television anime showcases the main voice cast including Ari Ozawa, Rina Hidaka, Risa Taneda, Ayumi Fujimura, and Tomokazu Seki. The series ran as a serialized TV show and reached audiences who enjoy genre mixes of action, comedy, and fantasy.

The series did not land major industry awards, and it wasn’t a headline winner at major ceremonies. It did, however, register in fan discussions and niche anime polls, earning a level of recognition among viewers who follow seasonal releases.

The Rolling Girls cultivated a small but steady fanbase thanks to its bright, pop-influenced visuals and its offbeat take on a post-war landscape. The road-trip structure, motorcycle imagery, and female-led ensemble made it a frequent recommendation among viewers looking for lighter, character-driven action anime with quirky worldbuilding rather than grim realism.

Critical reception has been mixed, reflected in a modest vote average of 6.5 out of 10 from a limited sample. Praise tends to focus on the chemistry among the four leads, the series' humor, and its colorful design, while common criticisms point to uneven pacing and a tendency to underdevelop some plot strands. Key themes include loyalty, regional identity, the contrast between ordinary life and extraordinary power, and the way friendship can reshape purpose in a fractured society.