Umayuru

The project was announced at AnimeJapan 2016 and further detailed at Cygames NEXT 2016.

It was originally planned as a 2018 game release but faced delays until its official launch in February 2021.

Cygames spearheaded the development, with Akihiro Ishihara (former producer of The Idolmaster) initially overseeing the project.

Notably, all horse names used for characters are with official permission from the owners.

The franchise has since expanded globally, including Traditional Chinese, Korean, and future English releases.

Set in a world where the souls and names of legendary racehorses are inherited by girls known as Umamusume, only female Umamusume exist.

They possess extraordinary physical abilities—running at speeds of 50 to 70 km/h—and have distinctive features such as horse ears and tails, echoing their real-world origins.

Winning a race is as much about glory as it is about captivating fans, resulting in idol-style “winning live” performances.

The story centers on the Japan Umamusume Training Center Academy in Tokyo, where students strive for academic and athletic excellence.

Races take place on courses modeled after real-life Japanese (and some international) racetracks, but always feature Umamusume in the starring role.

You become a trainer, scouting and nurturing a chosen Umamusume to compete within the central Twinkle Series circuit.

Depending on the storyline or training scenario, you guide them through various races, aiming for championship wins.

Each main character’s journey reflects the key historical moments and legacies of their real-world counterparts, blending drama, rivalries, friendships, and dazzling performances to capture both the spirit of sport and youth.

Character interactions, both comedic and touching, drive much of the emotional appeal.

• Umamusume: Female girls inheriting the names and spirits of real racehorses.

Individual styles, colors, and personalities often reference their original equine sources.

• Trainer: Represents the player, responsible for managing, strategizing, and motivating the girls.
• Twinkle Series: Central race circuit, analogous to Japanese horse racing, but with no gambling element.
• Winning Live: Idol-like performance held after each major race by top-placing Umamusume.
• Training Center Academy: Major educational institute in Tokyo fostering both academic and racing talents.
• Climax/Finals/URA Finals: The ultimate races in the game variously called “URA Finals” or “Twinkle Star Climax,” representing the pinnacle of competition.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby’s world unfolds across multiple formats.

• Mobile/PC Game (main content): Simulation and training gameplay, original stories.
• Manga: Includes STARTING GATE!, Umayon, Cinderella Gray (featuring Oguri Cap as protagonist), Star Blossom, and more—each offering unique comedic or dramatic takes on the cast and setting.
• Anime: Three major TV series seasons, plus short-form anime (Umayon, Umayuru), and the web anime ROAD TO THE TOP.
• Stage Play: A live-action retelling titled “Sprinters’ Story,” casting original voice actresses.
• Web Variety: YouTube channel “PakaTube!” for skits, trailers, and live information updates.
• Music CDs/Events: Numerous idol-style unit releases (STARTING GATE, WINNING LIVE), as well as live concerts featuring voice actresses in character.

Development and creative oversight began under Akihiro Ishihara, formerly of Bandai Namco’s Idolmaster franchise.

Care was taken to respect real racehorse owners—the game only models those with express permission.

After Ishihara’s departure in 2019, the project continued expanding multimedia ventures and global market reach, with regular updates, collaborations, and content refreshes—including tie-ins with other games and sporting events.

A signature tune, "Umapeoi Densetsu" (Legend of Umapeoi), has become a pop-culture phenomenon, featured in nearly every concert, anime, and related event.

Idol-style group songs accompany each unit and season, with diverse genres capturing each character’s flavor and legacy.

The anime and in-game songs are performed by the actual voice actor cast, heightening immersion.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby has received numerous accolades:

• Japan Game Awards 2021: Excellence Award.
• Google Play “Best Game of 2021” (Japan), Multiple category wins.
• Yahoo! Search Award 2021: Game Category Grand Prize.
• #Twitter Trend Award & Net Buzzword Grand Prize 2021.

Recognition also extends to music, voice actors, and its influential, genre-blending storytelling.

The franchise sparked a craze for both casual players and dedicated racing fans.

Within months after launch, the game saw downloads exceeding 20 million worldwide.

Songs like "Umapeoi Densetsu" became internet memes, performed in real-world sporting events and even by professional athletes.

The project generated significant revenue, impacting even its parent company’s industry standing.

The vivid, respectful reimagining of real-world legends with lively personalities and relatable struggles gained praise for uniting new generations with traditional horse racing culture—and for revitalizing an entire genre of idol/sports media.

The franchise maintains careful policies regarding derivative works, especially to avoid disrespect toward the real-life racehorses or owners.

Collaborations span real horse racing events, professional sports, and even unexpected partners like NASA.

Each aspect, from race terminology to character quirks, is meticulously researched, ensuring both entertainment and authenticity.