Uma Musume Pretty Derby is one of those anime series that created an incredible phenomenon in the Japanese animation industry. With a seemingly unbelievable concept of transforming famous historical racehorses into adorable girls, it turned out to be a work that is fun, funny, and heartwarming enough to make you fall in love.
Our editorial team invites you to explore the world of these horse girls, from the racing stories and unique characters to the catchy music, and discover why this series is more than just a typical horse racing anime.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Uma Musume Pretty Derby is set in a world where 'Horse Girls'—girls with horse ears and tails—are born with a talent for running. They attend a special training school to compete in the 'Twinkle Series,' a stage of dreams for all runners.
The protagonist is Special Week, a country girl who dreams of becoming the strongest horse. She travels to the big city to enroll in the horse training school and meets many rivals, including Silence Suzuka, her quiet but lightning-fast roommate; Toukai Teiou, a mischievous prodigy; and Mejiro McQueen, a proud aristocratic girl. The series follows their training, races, and friendships as they overcome physical and mental challenges.
Voice Acting and Characters
The standout feature of Uma Musume Pretty Derby is its lively voice acting. Voice actors like Machico (Toukai Teiou) perfectly capture the character's cheekiness and confidence, while Azumi Waki (Special Week) excellently conveys the protagonist's determination and innocence.
Each character is inspired by real racehorses, so fans familiar with those horses will smile at how their mannerisms and personalities are portrayed. For example, Silence Suzuka is shy and quiet but fierce when running, and Mejiro McQueen often talks about family pride, just like the real horse. Every character has depth and clear development, making us feel attached and root for them throughout.
Direction, Animation, and Music
Studio P.A. Works in collaboration with Studio Kai put great effort into creating beautiful and fluid animation, especially the exciting race scenes. The characters' movements while running look natural and powerful, and they also include special moves unique to each horse girl, adding color and fun to the races.
Music is another highlight. Tracks like "Make debut!" and the character songs are all catchy and fit the series' atmosphere perfectly. The upbeat music before races and the touching slow songs during moments of defeat effectively convey the viewers' emotions.
Editorial Analysis
Uma Musume Pretty Derby is not just a typical horse racing anime; it's a work that truly reflects the spirit of sports and chasing dreams. Each character has a different background and motivation, making it easy for viewers to connect with them, whether it's Special Week wanting to prove herself or Silence Suzuka overcoming her inner fears.
What makes the series stand out is its blend of reality and fantasy. Although the characters are girls, the racing stories are based on real horse racing history, allowing both sports fans and anime enthusiasts to enjoy it together. Additionally, the series imparts lessons about friendship, teamwork, and accepting defeat, values that go beyond mere entertainment.
Verdict
Uma Musume Pretty Derby is an anime suitable for all ages. Whether you're a moe anime fan, a sports enthusiast, or just someone looking for fun and relaxing entertainment, this series has it all: humor, emotion, and inspiration to chase your dreams. You'll be hooked from the first episode.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Cute, unique characters inspired by real horses
- +Exciting and thrilling race scenes with beautiful animation
- +Beautiful soundtrack and excellent voice acting
👎 Cons
- −The early part of the story is relatively slow and focuses on daily life
- −Those who dislike moe or cute girl genres may not enjoy it
Top Cast
FAQ
It's an anime that transforms famous Japanese racehorses from history into girls with horse ears and tails. They compete in the Twinkle Series to become the best horse.
Currently, there are 3 seasons with a total of 39 episodes (Season 1: 13 episodes, Season 2: 13 episodes, Season 3: 13 episodes).
Not at all. The series is designed to be easy to understand. Even without prior knowledge of racehorses, you can enjoy it and even learn some trivia about them.
Yes, there is a mobile game called Uma Musume Pretty Derby available in Japan and some countries, but there is no official Thai version yet.
