Fans of the Uma Musume franchise are eagerly discussing the recently released details for Episode 18 of Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray, which aired on November 9, 2025. This episode, part of the anime adaptation’s second cour, delves into a compelling narrative centered around a mysterious “Horse Girl” known as “The Clown.”
Understanding the Uma Musume and Cinderella Gray Connection
The Uma Musume franchise, created by Cygames, reimagines real-life Japanese racehorses as “horse girls” who compete in races and perform as idols. The franchise encompasses games, manga, and several anime adaptations. While the main Uma Musume: Pretty Derby anime has seen three seasons, Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray is a distinct spin-off focusing on the legendary horse girl Oguri Cap.
The Cinderella Gray Manga and Its Adaptation
Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray originated as a manga series written by Masafumi Sugiura, illustrated by Taiyou Kuzumi, and produced by Junnosuke Itō. It began serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump on June 11, 2020, and has released over twenty-one volumes as of September 2025. The manga follows Oguri Cap’s journey from a local training center to becoming a national racing legend.
The anime adaptation of Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray, produced by CygamesPictures, premiered its first cour in April 2025. A second cour began airing in October 2025, continuing the story of Oguri Cap.
Episode 18: “The Horse Girl Who Crossed the Sea After Abandoning Herself for Victory”
Episode 18 of Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray (which is also referred to as the fifth episode of the second cour) aired on Sunday, November 9, 2025. The episode’s narrative focuses on a “Horse Girl” whose intense desire for victory led her to abandon her ordinary, earnest self, deceive others, and cross the sea to find a stage for her ambitions, ultimately becoming known as “The Clown.”
This particular episode has garnered attention for its unique exploration of a character willing to subvert the usual “never give up” spirit often seen in the Uma Musume series, choosing her own path to victory. The conclusion of the Japan Cup is a significant event in this episode, where “The Clown’s” true nature and abilities are revealed, leading to her victory. Oguri Cap, unfortunately, secures third place, failing to reach “the Zone.”
Release Schedule and Streaming
The Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray anime airs new episodes on Sundays, becoming available on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and the It’s Anime YouTube channel in various regions, including the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Ireland, and Australia. The series is planned to have a total of 23 episodes, with 13 in the first cour and 10 in the second cour.
For those looking to catch up on the main Uma Musume: Pretty Derby anime, the first three seasons are available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
