Umamusume: Pretty Derby[b] is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Cygames. The franchise centers on anthropomorphized racehorses known as Umamusume (ウマ娘; lit. 'horse girls'), who compete in races inspired by real-life race tracks managed by the Japan Racing Association. Most of the characters are named and modeled after actual racehorses, reflecting their namesakes' personalities, racing records, and relationships with other racehorses.[c] Initially announced in 2016 as a mobile game, the franchise soon expanded to include multiple anime series, manga, and live concerts.
The game was scheduled to debut in late 2018 for iOS and Android devices, but it was delayed to a February 2021 release, with a Windows client releasing a month later on DMM Games. The game was later released on Google Play Games in April 2023. The game was released in Korean by Kakao Games and Traditional Chinese by Komoe Game in June 2022, with the former language getting a PC version in a stand-alone client a year later, then later in Simplified Chinese by Bilibili in August 2024. An English-language edition was released worldwide in June 2025 for the aforementioned platforms, alongside a Steam release for both the Japanese and English versions.
An anime television series adaptation produced by P.A. Works aired from April to June 2018. A second season produced by Studio Kai, with the former studio assisting in its production, aired from January to March 2021. A third season produced solely by Studio Kai aired from October to December 2023.
Alongside the main anime series, multiple anime spin-offs have been made. An anime television series adaptation of the manga Umayon aired from July to September 2020. Its sequel, titled Umayuru, was released from October 2022 to March 2023. A web anime produced by Cygames' in-house animation studio CygamesPictures titled Umamusume Pretty Derby: Road to the Top was released from April to May 2023. An anime film also produced by CygamesPictures titled Umamusume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a New Era premiered in Japan in May 2024. An anime television series adaptation of Umamusume: Cinderella Gray produced by CygamesPictures aired from April to December 2025, with a short spin-off anime titled Umayuru: Pretty Gray being released from April to May 2025.
The franchise has had a significant cultural impact, initially in Japan and later worldwide following the game's global release in 2025.
