Watch This: Wheels and Roses
We have featured many crowdfunding campaigns over the years. It's always gratifying when we finally get to see the projects come to life. Back in 2024, we featured Wheels & Roses, an animation project from Pearl Low. This month, the pilot/ proof-of-concept short has finally been released online.
Wheels & Roses is a proposed series described as a YA magical girl meets roller derby series aimed at a diverse audience. The pilot demonstrates just what the finished series would look like, with lovely 2D animation and epic magical girl action- crashed into roller derby.
The story follows Sahara, a young teen who is a non-magical user in a magical world, who unwittingly finds herself thrust into the world of magical roller derby. Teaming up with a band of quirky magic-using roller derby girls, she sets off to prove that magic or no, she's got what it takes to make it to the top.
The pilot was created by Low with Orange Blossom Studios and Nuboom Studios, with support from Legends Animated.
Low seeks to advance the indie animation movement and to tell diverse stories. She wants to centre people of colour, and Wheels & Roses is described as "unapologetically queer". Low has 10 years experience in the animation industry and has worked on shows including Hair Love, Craig Of The Creek and #1 Happy Family USA.
"Making animation takes a village and Wheels & Roses was no exception!!! What a roller coaster ride (in the best way) this journey has been so far", said Low."It's been amazingly challenging (I personally have learned so much), and so incredibly rewarding. Caring about a personal project this much almost feels scary, but having others along the journey who care just as much makes all the difference. From the production team to the voice actors, every. Single. Person. MATTERED."
"Animation is made up of thousands (literal) decisions, and I feel so privileged to be able to have made something from the heart with amazing people at Orange Blossom and NuBoom Studios."
The short is a lot of fun, and clearly made with a lot of passion. Fans of magical girls and sports anime will get a kick out of this loving homage. And the roller derby angle is pretty original too. Wheels & Roses is well worth your time, and we sincerely hope this isn't the last we see of the series.
Orange Blossom's ultimate goal is to create a full animated series with 22 minute episodes. In the meantime, Legends Animated is fundraising to try and produce a full-length episode. You can make a donation here.
Check out the proof-of-concept short, below.
