For years, whispers about a mysteriousSpice Girlsanime floated through niche anime forums and ‘90s pop culture corners, dismissed as either parody or fanfiction. But now, a new revelation has shaken both anime and music history. According toThe Anime Businessby AnimEigo, the rumors were real, and the art is finally here.
In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it reference tucked into the pages of an obscure anime release, according toAnimeEigoon YouTube and@IMissBionixon X,the bizarre project is confirmed: a Spice Girls anime created by none other than Production I.G., one of Japan’s most prestigious animation studios. Yes, the same studio behindGhost in the Shellalmost created an anime tribute to Britain’s favorite girl group.
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The uncovered art shows stylized, anime-fied versions of all five Spice Girls, seemingly fighting evil and decked out in over-the-top pop star fashion. With their exaggerated poses and big sparkling eyes, the designs are unmistakably rooted in late-‘90s anime aesthetics, a time when cross-cultural collaborations were rare but ambitious.
The anime was reportedly developed under Pioneer and Kitty Films, companies known for distributing anime likeTenchi Muyo!to the West. But despite the star power of both the Spice Girls and Production I.G., the show never materialized. Whether it was licensing drama, creative differences, or sheer absurdity, it quietly vanished, until now.
In a tongue-in-cheek passage fromLazer 17 Saber Marionette, the anime is described as “sinister” and “out-of-tune,” poking fun at the group’s vocal reputation. That mocking tone suggests even those involved did not see the project with much sincerity. Perhaps the world dodged a bullet, but it is still a fascinating “what if” in pop culture history.
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The fact that this anime got as far as concept art, especially from a studio like Production I.G., is a testament tohow unstoppable the Spice Girls brand once was. From dolls to Pepsi deals, they were an international force, and anime was just another frontier. Had this project launched, it might’ve marked one of the earliest major Western celebrity anime collaborations.
While the anime never aired or even got a trailer, the recovered materials breathe new life into a project buried under decades of silence. Anime fans and pop historians alike are now scouring archives for more. Was it a full pilot? Just a pitch? Could more unreleased footage still be hiding in studio vaults?
As ridiculous as it may sound, the idea of a Spice Girls anime fits neatly into the anything-goes energy of late-‘90s media.
As ridiculous as it may sound, the idea of aSpice Girlsanime fits neatly into the anything-goes energy of late-‘90s media. It is surreal, campy, and weirdly perfect. And now that it’s been unearthed, one has to wonder if it could be revived, even as a novelty OVA or reimagined tribute? Stranger things have certainly happened.
