From an American perspective, horse racing and anime franchises sound like unusual bedfellows. Their demographics might hardly be extra disparate, with racing that includes a primarily older demographic, whereas anime usually appeals extra to youthful generations who often aren’t into sports activities, not to mention a distinct segment sport like horse racing.
“Umamusume: Fairly Derby” — which interprets roughly to “horse ladies” in English — seeks to defy expectations and bridge the 2 worlds. First launched as a tv sequence in 2018, then tailored as a online game in 2021, Umamusume is a phenomenon within the horse-crazy nation of Japan. It’s impressed a number of spin-off TV exhibits, a play, and a sequence of manga (Japanese comedian books).
The anime sequence takes place in a world the place — as a substitute of racehorses — horse ladies race. These ladies have horse ears, tails, and might run 40 miles per hour, identical to Thoroughbreds. The ladies attend a racing boarding college the place they practice and race. Most characters share the names and tales of actual horses from Japanese racing historical past, informed in a humanized, fantastical manner.
The online game sequence tells the Umamusume story from a coach’s perspective. Gamers assume the function of coach and assist practice the women to race. A lot of the recreation is devoted to getting ready for races, giving these not conversant in racing perception into how horses are ready for competitors.
By combining already beloved Japanese horses with interesting characters and intriguing storylines, Umamusume has constructed up an enormous following in Japan, turning into a multi-billion-dollar media franchise.
Study extra about “Umamusume: Fairly Derby” with America’s Finest Racing’s Newbie’s Information
Cygames, the developer and writer of the “Umamusume” franchise, has an in depth relationship with the Japan Racing Affiliation, and the JRA credit the sequence with serving to enhance the game’s already-high profile in Japan. The idea could appear weird to an American, however anthropomorphization is just not unusual on the planet of Japanese anime.
“Anime has a historical past of very bizarre and out-there ideas. Particularly personifying issues that aren’t human,” stated Nathan Klein, a scholar within the College of Arizona’s Racetrack Trade Program and anime fan. “In the event you thought making racehorses into girls was nuts, there are anime the place international locations in World Battle II, battleships, and weapons are all personified. This contains sports activities anime; among the hottest sequence comply with less-mainstream sports activities like determine skating and volleyball. Introducing individuals who in any other case have by no means heard of a topic by way of cute ladies and a vibrant artwork fashion is frequent in anime.”
In June 2025, the sport was launched globally. America immediately turned its largest worldwide market, accounting for 68% of all abroad spending and 34% of complete international income. Longtime anime followers equivalent to Baninabear, a Los Angeles-area cosplayer, have been already massive followers of the sequence lengthy earlier than its stateside debut.
“I grew up obsessive about horses — I studied horse encyclopedias and drew photos of horses consistently as a child — however I used to be solely vaguely conversant in horse racing till I began watching ‘Umamusume: Fairly Derby,’ ” Baninabear stated. “One of many attracts of the sequence is the way it makes use of components of horses’ actual lives as stylized story beats, whether or not that’s one thing like Gold Ship’s beginning gate incident on the 2015 Takarazuka Kinen, Meisho Doto’s friendship with a farm cat, or Haru Urara’s shedding streak with a loveable disposition. It makes followers of the anime invested within the lives of the actual horses who impressed the sequence, and clearly that may spark an curiosity in in the present day’s technology of racehorses.”
“I really like the way in which the ‘Umamusume’ anime sequence turns the two-minute length of a race right into a drama that leaves you on the sting of your seat, even when it’s stretched to a multi-episode arc.” she continued. “Similar to watching a race with actual horses, you’ll be able to’t assist however be moved by the large athletic feat and can of attending to the end line first.”
Baninabear was notably impressed by Season 2, which was launched in early 2021. The season focuses on the real-life story of Tokai Teio, the 1991 Japanese Horse of the Yr and 1992 Japan Cup winner. In direction of the top of the 1992 season, he was sidelined by a leg damage that stored him out of motion for a yr. He returned to the races with a win within the 1993 Arima Kinen, ending his profession on a triumphant observe. That kind of comeback story can be inspiring to most sports activities followers, however showcasing it by way of the Umamusume platform brings it to a demographic that may by no means have identified about it in any other case.
“Season 2 of the anime got here out in the course of the pandemic lockdown once I was having a tough time, feeling remoted.” Baninabear recollects. “The story of Tokai Teio overcoming a lot adversity and setback resonated with me deeply and made me really feel like I might additionally persevere by way of any difficulties that got here my manner. Anime Tokai Teio’s foundation on the actual Tokai Teio makes the story all of the extra inspiring — there’s an actual athlete who was in a position to obtain these unimaginable feats. Folks wish to have a cause to attach with and root for horses identical to another public or sporting determine. Understanding the arc of their historical past and profession creates funding.”
Curiosity within the sequence has began to spill over to curiosity in Japanese racing for American anime followers.
“Footage from the Japan Cup the place Admire Terra completed the race sans jockey went viral on Umamusume fan pages, and I joined a Discord watch social gathering for the 2025 Arima Kinen with hundreds of individuals watching the stream concurrently.” Baninabear stated. “Followers have been very involved in figures like jockey Yutaka Take [who was featured as a cameo character in the anime].”
Slowly however certainly, Umamusume has begun to make its manner into American racing. Phoenix-area anime followers hosted a meetup at Turf Paradise on Dec. 27. Dozens of anime followers skilled reside racing for the primary time, producing tons of of hundreds of social media impressions within the course of.
“As a result of we scheduled it on a particular race day, which allowed free of charge admission and extra actions for households, there was a way more full of life and energetic really feel to the general monitor expertise.” stated Cloudie, a digital artist who organizes anime occasions in Arizona. “You may really feel the thrill and curiosity that among the Umamusume followers had inside our group. I believe our presence helped add to that full of life ambiance on the monitor that day. It was a fantastic success and actually exhibits how a lot ardour our group has for this recreation franchise.”
A couple of hundred miles west, Santa Anita Park has additionally change into a hotspot for anime followers. In October, there was an organized cosplay and fan meetup occasion on the monitor as a part of the annual Japan Household Day. Two months later, on Dec. 28, extra anime followers descended on “The Nice Race Place,” tying of their journey with Cygames’ sponsorship of one of many day’s characteristic races, the American Oaks.
This was the primary yr Cygames sponsored the American Oaks. That they had a licensing take care of Santa Anita for a number of years to indicate the monitor of their recreation, however with Umamusume’s rise in reputation and the success of getting influencers and cosplayers on the 2024 Japan Household Day, the perimeters agreed to a multi-year sponsorship for the race.
Though the fan meetup was not a proper occasion, the monitor knew they have been coming and instructed their wagering ambassadors to present the teams particular entry all through the day. The followers took full benefit.
“The ambiance was so festive and energetic!” Baninabear stated. “I used to be stunned by how crowded it was, however so many individuals have been there to benefit from the lovely climate and have a superb time watching some racing. It felt wonderful to face up by the end line and cheer with all of the attendees; there’s this huge swell of vitality that strikes by way of the gang because the pack closes into the end.
“I believe loads of attendees didn’t anticipate to see cosplayers on the occasion, however I talked to a lot of people that have been curious and enthusiastic about all of the costumes. One of many neat issues about understanding a bit of horse historical past from Umamusume is that quite a lot of racing followers are conversant in horses which were tailored within the recreation. A few of my favourite conversations have been with individuals who knew about Vodka, Daiwa Scarlet, and Oguri Cap to call a number of.
“I additionally received to check out wagering.” she continued. “Since I’m new to it and don’t have loads of technique insights — I largely learn the skilled picks on the Santa Anita web site and heard strategies from pals — I solely positioned small bets. However I had a pleasant time feeling so invested within the race outcomes and profitable!”
The occasion left an enormous digital footprint. Baninabear’s posts in regards to the day acquired a number of million impressions and greater than 106,400 likes between X (previously Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
“The fandom is large, and I’ve had quite a lot of Umamusume cosplay posts get fairly quite a lot of views on different platforms like Instagram [my main page] and YouTube.” Baninabear stated. “What stunned me was who was interacting! A number of Japanese followers have been enthusiastic about seeing Umamusume get so in style in America, however I believe Individuals have been shocked to see cosplay at a racetrack since that’s a really surprising crossover.”
Santa Anita administration was pleasantly stunned by the Umamusume affect on the day.
“Opening day actually opened our eyes to how massive their traction might be,” stated Andrew Arthur, Santa Anita’s senior director of selling. “After we turned official companions with Cygames, it actually took off. We had seen giant teams on the Japan Household Days, however opening day was, frankly, fairly stunning to us, each on social media and what number of cosplayers and influencers got here out. The attain that group had was fairly beautiful.”
The crossover has led to skepticism on social media, with many naysayers disregarding the concept an anime sequence, removed from a conventional technique to market racing, can have a critical optimistic impact on the game. Nonetheless, many within the racing and anime worlds imagine the sequence could make an affect on American racing, very like it did in Japan.
“Horse racing amongst youthful folks is perceived as an previous man’s sport and as a playing den,” Klein stated. “Socially, [Umamusume] softens racing’s outward notion and makes it appear friendlier. These newer followers, whereas they do have curiosity in playing, are additionally within the animals themselves. This provides nice potential for causes like aftercare to realize extra traction.
“There may be completely room to be skeptical about how a lot it might do.” Klein continued. “I don’t know the way a lot or little it’ll have an effect on the racing trade. However what I do know is that there isn’t a lot dangerous that may come from new and youthful folks very publicly expressing curiosity within the sport. It prices us nothing to let new folks be part of horse racing and provides us an opportunity to maneuver racing into the long run and enchantment to the following technology.”
Baninabear, a primary instance of the kind of fan Umamusume can appeal to to American racing, is also optimistic.
“There may be huge potential. I believe it’s superior that Cygames has chosen to present again to the racing world by investing in racing occasions. There may be big curiosity in attending races the place Cygames is called as a sponsor. It will get the phrase out on social media, and it indicators that the racecourse generally is a place to satisfy up with fellow followers.”
“It may well have an immense affect on attracting youthful folks to racing,” Andrew Arthur, senior director of selling for Santa Anita Park
A second Umamusume occasion at Turf Paradise will happen Jan. 19. In the meantime, whereas Santa Anita could not have been conscious of Umamusume’s attain earlier than opening day, they’re able to have anime followers proceed to unfold the phrase with their multi-year sponsorship take care of Cygames in place.
“I believe it might have an immense affect on attracting youthful folks to racing,” Arthur stated. “Seeing Santa Anita throughout the recreation, and with the ability to see it reside and see the horses run, raises consciousness amongst individuals who can be unlikely to have an interest in any other case.”
As Klein stated in his presentation on the sequence at December’s International Symposium on Racing: “Is American Pharoah in a mini skirt going to unravel all of our issues? No, however it’s a fantastic begin.”
