Umamusume. They are born to run. They inherit the names of horses from another world, whose histories were sometimes tragic and sometimes wonderful, and run ever forward. That is their fate. No one knows how the races waiting in the futures of these Umamusume will end. But they will continue to run, aiming only toward the goal in front of them.


I dove head-first into this franchise for the first time back in 2025, about a week after global released, little over a year later I'll happily state that this is, quite surprisingly, the greatest videogame that I've had the joy of experiencing in my 21 years of playing games, starting since I was 4 years old in 2005.

At first, I tried it for the memes. It was the popular thing at the time, it was the funny ''Anime horse girls gambling game XD'' where you'd train them and kill them if they lose, according to some of the darker memes the game spawned.

I quickly found out the game to be much, much more than it's frankly silly premise. It amazes me to this day just how great the entire franchise is, when you compare it to it's premise.
It's just girls running. It shouldn't be this good, but it is.
Because afterall, in a way, Umamusume: Pretty Derby is the greatest tale of self discovery and personal growth I've ever seen.

From simply wishing to be the strongest there is, wanting to have fun with your friends, running for the sake of those you love and love you back, to even grander stories like wishing to leave your mark on the world even if it kills you, popularizing an otherwise ignored part of the sport for the future generations, or running because a champion runner inspired you when you were little, making you wish to be that champion for the kids of tomorrow.

This game, at this point, features over 45 unique stories, of which I've only experienced 26, each better than the last. Each making me love this game even more.


I'm a better person now than before playing. I've had the joy of getting this series' beautiful messages through the game, it's anime adaptations, and manga.


To not be afraid to pursue your dreams, even if they're silly or seemingly unattainable.
To support others even when they don't ask you to, and to let others support you even if you don't think you need them.
To properly express gratitude to those who do support you.
To strive to be the best version of yourself, for you and others.
To recognize those around you as equals.
To always get back up and keep trying, should you fail on anything you do.
And most important of all; to never dwell on past mistakes and failure, for they distract you from fulfilling the previous points.


Ultimately, I consider this to be the greatest franchise ever conceived. One that, right now, seems like it will go on forever.
Afterall, in 2023, 7844 Thoroughbred Racehorses were born. Of which, only 18 made it to the 2026 Tokyo Yushun, the Japanese Derby; and of course, only one won.

Thanks to this game, now I'm following closely the story of Lovcen, winner of the 2026 Tokyo Yushun and the most promising colt of his generation.

And I will follow next year's horses as well. And the year after. And the next.
And at one point, they will be added to this game, where they will continue to run, succeeding where they failed, and telling new stories to millions of players.


And this will go on until the day I die, of old age or otherwise.
It's that good. Umamusume is that good, hell I'd even say-

What, my time is up? ''Please wrap it up''? Wait, let me say one more thing!
Just one more thing, please!

I LOVE UMAMUSUMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!