Custom Nuts (Tokyo) and the 31-Emmy-winning team at Baboon Animation (New York) announce the debut issue of the Riot Sisters manga — offering a first glimpse into the world of this innovative IP combining anime, live-action and women’s pro wrestling.
Riot Sisters follows four high school girl-gangs, battling ferociously in a spectacular and bizarre underground wrestling league. Here, insecure student Momo is mistakenly thrust into the ring as “Tiger Punk” — forced to fight incognito against her own big sister, the reigning champ. When Momo is propelled to unexpected superstardom, will it tear her family apart — literally?
Riot Sisters unites Japanese manga artists with top-tier Japanese and U.S. animation writers for fresh, transcultural storytelling featuring some of Japan’s most iconic women’s pro-wrestling talent.
“The manga and live-action wrestling events allow us to build audience while we produce the series. It’s about creating engagement and excitement before the series launch,” said Silas Hickey, Co-Founder of Custom Nuts.
Emily Kaye, Baboon Animation Head of YA Development, adds, “This project offers a fresh take on IP creation. The dynamic between real-life wrestlers and their manga and anime alter-egos adds depth to both the narrative and the fan experience. The Riot Sisters manga, in particular, provides essential backstory and character insights for pro wrestling fans, while enriching the world of the anime.”
New issues of the Riot Sisters manga will drop every six weeks, affording fans of both wrestling and anime a deeper dive into the characters’ backstories and exclusive insights into the world of Riot Sisters.
“The goal is to build a loyal following in advance of the anime’s debut,” said Hickey. “The integration of wrestling, manga, and anime ensures that fans will stay engaged across multiple platforms, creating an ever-expanding Riot Sisters universe.”
