The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray is set to premiere on April 6, 2025, bringing the thrilling world of horse girl racing to screens. A new trailer has been released, showcasing protagonist Oguri Cap’s determination and racing prowess, along with exciting updates on the cast, staff, and opening theme song.
Premiere Date and Broadcast Details
Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray will begin airing on April 6, 2025, on TBS and its 27 affiliated stations across Japan. The series will occupy a Sunday afternoon slot at 4:30 PM JST. The anime will be broadcast in two cours (quarters of the year), with a break in between.
New Trailer and Key Visual
A main trailer for the anime has been released, offering a glimpse into Oguri Cap’s journey at Kasamatsu Tracen Academy. The trailer highlights her racing skills, character, and the series’ soundtrack. A new key visual has also been revealed, featuring Oguri Cap with determined fists, embodying her competitive spirit.
Story
Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray follows Oguri Cap, a horse girl from the countryside who takes the racing world by storm. The story begins at Kasamatsu Training Center Academy, a somewhat desolate location where Oguri Cap’s exceptional running style quickly gains attention. Her unconventional approach and immense talent lead her to be known as a “monster,” as she sets out to create a new legend in the world of horse racing.
Opening Theme Song
The opening theme song for the first cour of the anime, titled “Koeru” (Overcome), will be performed by the popular Japanese rock band Alexandros. This marks the first time in the Uma Musume anime franchise that an external artist has been chosen to perform a theme song, as previous songs were performed by in-universe idol groups formed by the characters themselves.
Additional Cast Members
Several new cast members have been announced, adding depth to the series’ ensemble:
- Hochu Otsuka as Ginjiro Mutsuhira
- Ayano Shibuya as Norn Ace
- Yo Taichi as Rudy Lemono
- Shiori Izawa as Mini the Lady
- Azusa Tadokoro as Symboli Rudolf
- Lynn as Maruzensky
- Yurina Amami as Mr. CB
These additions join the previously announced main cast:
- Tomoyo Takayanagi as Oguri Cap
- Momoko Seto as Belno Light
- Mariya Ise as Fujimasa March
- Katsuyuki Konishi as Kitahara Jo
- Naomi Ozora as Tamamo Cross
Staff
The anime is being produced by CygamesPictures, with a talented team of staff members:
- Director: Yuki Ito
- Co-Director: Takehiro Miura
- Series Composition: Aki Kindaichi
- Character Design: Takuya Miyahara, Keigo Sasaki
- Script: Masafumi Sugiura
- Manga Planner: Junnosuke Ito
- Music: Kenji Kawai
Anime Background
The Uma Musume: Pretty Derby franchise began with a TV anime series produced by P.A.Works in 2018. A second season, produced by Studio KAI with assistance from P.A.Works, premiered in 2021, followed by a third season by Studio KAI in 2023. Other anime projects in the franchise include the Uma Musume: Pretty Derby — Road to the Top web anime and the Uma Musume: Pretty Derby — Beginning of a New Era anime movie, both produced by CygamesPictures. The Uma Musume Pretty Derby game launched for iOS and Android on February 24, 2021, and for PC on March 10, 2021.
Manga Information
The Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray manga, written by Masafumi Sugiura and illustrated by Taiyo Kuzumi, has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump since 2020. As of December 2024, it has been compiled into 17 tankobon volumes.
About Uma Musume Pretty Derby
Uma Musume Pretty Derby is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Cygames. The concept revolves around “horse girls” (Uma Musume), who are girls with the ears and tails of horses and possess the spirits of famous racehorses from the past. These horse girls train and compete in races, aiming to become top idols and win the prestigious Twinkle Series.
Key Elements of the Franchise
- Horse Girls (Uma Musume): The central characters are horse girls who embody the characteristics and histories of real-life racehorses.
- Training and Racing: The horse girls undergo rigorous training to improve their speed, stamina, and racing skills. They participate in various races to achieve their goals.
- Idol Performances: In addition to racing, the horse girls also perform as idols, showcasing their singing and dancing talents.
- Historical References: The franchise incorporates numerous references to actual racehorses, races, and events from horse racing history, adding a layer of authenticity and appeal for racing fans.
Popularity and Impact
Uma Musume Pretty Derby has gained immense popularity in Japan and worldwide, thanks to its unique blend of sports, idol culture, and historical elements. The franchise has expanded into various media, including:
- Anime Series: Multiple anime adaptations have been produced, each focusing on different characters and storylines within the Uma Musume universe.
- Mobile Game: The Uma Musume Pretty Derby mobile game has been a massive success, known for its deep gameplay, engaging story, and high-quality visuals.
- Manga: Various manga adaptations and spin-offs have been created, exploring different aspects of the Uma Musume world.
- Music: Numerous music releases featuring the characters’ songs have been produced, contributing to the franchise’s idol aspect.
- Merchandise: A wide range of merchandise, including figures, apparel, and accessories, has been released, catering to the franchise’s dedicated fanbase.
Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray promises to be an exciting addition to the franchise, offering a fresh perspective on the world of horse girl racing with its focus on Oguri Cap’s journey from the countryside to the spotlight.
