Rio: Rainbow Gate!

Rio: Rainbow Gate! is a Japanese anime television series animated by Xebec. Based on Koei Tecmo's Rio Series series of pachinko games (from Rakushou! Pachi-Slot Sengen), the series revolves around titular character Rio Rollins, a popular casino dealer working at the Howard Resort who is known as the "Goddess of Victory", and the thirteen cards called Gates which are used to determine the world's most skilled dealer. The anime aired on Tokyo MX and related channels between January and March 2011.

Plot

In an island casino called the Howard Resort (ハワードリゾート), Rio Rollins is a popular casino dealer with the ability to bring good luck to gamblers just by walking past them, earning her the nickname "The Goddess of Victory". Mint Clark, a young child, comes to the Howard Resort with her grandfather and encounters Rio, and the two become the best of friends.

Rio's life soon changes when it is revealed that she is a "Gate Holder", a dealer who holds one of the 13 legendary cards called "Gates", and whoever collects them all will be named "Most Valuable Casino Dealer" (MVCD). To collect all 13 Gates, Rio must take part in special matches called "Gate Battles" with other Gate Holders and gain their Gates to become the most valuable casino dealer in the world.

Characters

Main characters

Howard Resort staff members

Tom Howard (トム・ハワード)

The owner of Howard Resort, donning a yellow suit with a large red bowtie and is often seen smoking a cigar. He tends to show a rather perverted nature, usually concerning the exposure of Rio's body by having her dress in embarrassing outfits. He later loses the Howard Resort following Rio's loss at a Gate Battle with Rina, but wins it back following Rio's victory and her gaining the MVCD title.

Rosa Canyon (ローザ・キャニオン)

[3]

A Hollywood actress who works as a dealer at Howard Resort. Despite her movie status, she admits her popularity pales in comparison to Rio's. She was possessed by Misery's ghost in episode 3, and was later freed from her control after the latter's loss. However, it is later revealed that Misery's spirit still resides in her body, as shown in episode 9 when she takes control of Rosa's body to warn Rio of her castle being on the verge of being demolished by Cartia and in episode 12 during a ping-pong match with the other girls in a hot spring.

Elle Adams (エル・アダムズ) and Ille Adams (イル・アダムズ)

Twin sisters who work at the resort, both donning bunny suits. Elle usually provides explanation to Rio's abilities while Ille usually stays quiet, often just repeating the last word that was said.

Tiffany Abbot (ティファニー・アッボット)

A bunny girl working at the Howard Resort.

Anya Helsing (アーニャ・ヘルシング)

[3]

A new recruit from Russia who is training to become a dealer. Although her dealer skills are quite good, she is rather clumsy and sometimes causes havoc in the casino.

Dana (ダーナ)

A magician and fortune teller at the Howard Resort, Linda uses tarot cards to predict futures for customers. She is later revealed to be a Gate Holder in possession of the #8 Gate.

Linda (リンダ) / LINDA-R-2007

[3]

A cheerful robot, Dana serves as the head dealer and central computer terminal for the Sky Resort, controlling the entire facility. She is briefly reprogrammed by Jack to challenge Rio Rollins to a Gate Battle for the #4 Gate, which is hidden in her left wrist. Dana loses the contest when her head detaches just before crossing the finish line, a recurring malfunction that frequently causes glitches throughout the resort's systems.

Antagonists

Cartia Goltschmidt (カルティア・ゴルトシュミット)

[3]

Cartia is an ambitious and manipulative dealer from Germany who seeks to claim the Howard Resort through Gate Battles. She is Rina's aunt and aids her niece's quest for revenge against Rio Rollins. Cartia's ultimate goal is to collect all the Gates, allegedly to "see a rainbow", and she collaborates with the Casino Guild to strengthen her position. After Rio's temporary defeat, she successfully takes over the resort, renaming it the Goltschmidt Kingdom (ゴルトシュミットキングダム), but loses control following Rio's final victory.

Bull Hard (ブル・ハード)

An American cowboy who is the self-proclaimed "Master of Lottery Vending Machines" (自販機クジの達人). He held Anya hostage and challenged Rio to a game, only to lose when he later challenges to a drinking contest with a hot drink. He is later revealed to be one of Cartia's henchmen when he was given back his pistol by the latter, and later returns at the Sky Resort to carry out Cartia's plan.

Queen (クイーン)

A Gate Holder known as the Merciless Queen (無慈悲のQ（クィーン）) and an expert sniper, holding the Queen Gate. She challenged Rio to a Gate Battle involving shooting targets inside a wind tunnel following the latter's previous battle with Jack. She initially had the upper hand due to her sniper abilities, and attempted to cheat by knocking Rio out, but lost following an incident involving Linda's head being knocked off by Anya which caused the wind tunnel to shut down momentarily, allowing Rio to claim victory once it was turned back on.

King (キング)

A Gate Holder known as the Strong-Armed King (豪腕のK（キング）), holding the King Gate. He is a professional con artist who often wins guessing games by crushing objects in his hand so they will not be picked. Despite his strength, he is not very bright.

Yang-Yang (ヤンヤン) An-An (アンアン)

Of Chinese descent and wearing jiangshi outfits, Yang-Yang and An-An are twin sisters. Yang-Yang is the Gate Holder for the #10 Gate, while the silent An-An communicates only through the talisman on her hat. They challenge Rio and Mint to a game inside the volatile Concentration Bomber. After their defeat, it is revealed that An-An is not human but is actually Choco, a doll brought to life by Yang-Yang's magic, which only works on items made in China.

Charlie (チャーリー)

The leader of the Casino Guild's radical faction.

Other characters

Clark (クラーク)

Mint's grandfather and a wealthy millionaire.

Orlin Dunhill (オーリン・ダンヒル)

A gambler known as the Queen Killer (クィーンキラー), Orlin initially challenges Rio Rollins to a closed poker match to win Mint's prized teddy bear. He loses after failing to draw four queens against Rio's winning pair of twos. He collects stuffed animals to cope with a past heartbreak, having been left at the altar. Orlin later reappears with Elvis for a rematch against Rio, but is defeated once more.

Elvis (エルビス)

A narcissistic Gate Holder of the #3 Gate, Elvis is a skilled mathematician who believes numbers are always on his side. Surrounded by admirers, he challenges Rio Rollins to a giant roulette Gate Battle. His initial advantage is lost when a bandage on his finger interferes with his throw, leading to his defeat. Elvis later reappears with Orlin for a rematch against Rio at the Goltschmidt Kingdom but is defeated again.

Misery (ミザリィ)

A ghost who once lost her castle and casino in a game of craps, Misery is resurrected when lightning strikes her former home. Her presence brings misfortune to gamblers, a power opposite to Rio Rollins's lucky aura. She possesses Rosa's body and challenges Rio for control of the Howard Resort. Using powerful illusions, Misery initially gains the upper hand until a distraction from Rina allows Rio to win. Misery continues to reside within Rosa, using her form to warn Rio of threats and aid her in subsequent conflicts.

Risa Rollins (リサ・ロリンズ) / Joker (ジョーカー)

Risa Rollins is a legendary dealer formerly known as the Double Rs (ダブル・アール) and the previous MVCD. After disappearing from public view, she disguises herself as Joker, the masked holder of the #2 Gate, to evade the Casino Guild and protect her daughter, Rio. She is a powerful Roll Ruler, capable of creating vast illusions like a replica of the entire Howard Resort. Rina, her adopted daughter, blames Risa for an alleged affair that caused her biological mother, Ilina, to fall into a coma.

Jack Mighty (ジャック・マイティ)

Jack is a young boy and Gate Holder with the telekinetic "Mighty Power" (マイティパワー). Orphaned after his parents, who were part of a bomb disposal squad, died, he is taken in and manipulated by Cartia. He initially uses his powers on her behalf, such as reprogramming the dealer Linda, but is defeated by Rio Rollins in a Space Pinball Gate Battle. Jack later allies with Rio to save Mint from danger, and a mutual affection is hinted at between the two youngsters.

Carlos Tanaka (カルロス田中)

An Afro samurai who has the worst streak of bad luck at the resort.

Ilina Tachibana (イリーナ・タチバナ)

Rina's mother and Cartia's sister. She is a weak and frail person who fell into a life-threatening coma after learning that her husband is having an affair with Risa.

Ray (レイ)

Rio and Rina's father, who is an executive officer of the Casino Guild.

Nina (ニーナ)

type	tv series
director	Takao Kato
producer	Shinji Horikiri
writer	Mayori Sekijima
music	Atsushi Umebori
studio	Xebec
network	Tokyo MX, TVA, MBS, BS11, AT-X
first	January 4, 2011
last	March 29, 2011
episodes	13 + 1

Plot

Characters

Main characters

Howard Resort staff members

Antagonists

Other characters

Release

Episodes

See also

External links

References