Rideback (stylized as RɪᴅᴇBᴀᴄᴋ) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tetsurō Kasahara. It was serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine Monthly Ikki from April 2003 to October 2008, with its chapters collected in ten volumes. Set in Japan in the 2020s, it follows the story of college student Rin Ogata, as she comes across a two-wheeled automobile robot known as a Rideback. It was adapted into a 12-episode anime television series by Madhouse broadcast from January to March 2009. In North America, Funimation licensed the anime series for English release.

Plot

In the year of 2020 (2025 in the anime), an organization called the Global Government Force (世界統治軍) (GGF) has taken control of the world. Rin Ogata was a promising up-and-coming ballet dancer but suffered a serious injury while dancing and decided to quit. Years later in college, she comes across a club building and soon finds herself intrigued by a transforming motorcycle-like robotic vehicle called a "Rideback". She soon finds that her unique ballet skills with balance and finesse make her a born natural on a Rideback. However, those same skills also get her into serious trouble with the government.

Characters

Musashino University Rideback Club

GGP (GGF in manga)

BMA

Note: BMA is an acronym for Borderless Military Alliance (国境なき軍事同盟).

Other characters

Media

Manga

Rideback, written and illustrated by Tetsurō Kasahara, was serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine Monthly Ikki from April 25, 2003, to October 25, 2008. Shogakukan collected its chapters in ten volumes, published from May 28, 2004, to February 25, 2009.

Volumes

Anime

An anime adaptation was announced in April 2007. The 12-episode series was animated by Madhouse and directed by Atsushi Takahashi. It was broadcast on Chiba TV, TV Saitama, tvk, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, Tokyo MX and AT-X from January 12 to March 30, 2009. The opening theme is "Rideback", performed by Mell, and the ending theme is "Kioku" (記憶) by Younha featuring Goku. In North America, Funimation announced the license to the series at Anime Central in May 2010. Funimation released the series on Blu-ray and DVD on June 28, 2011. The series made its American television debut on July 26, 2011, on Funimation Channel.

Episodes

Novel

A novel, titled Rideback: Cannonball Run (RIDEBACK―キャノンボール・ラン―) was released by Shogakukan, under its Gagaga Bunko, on January 21, 2009.