Uma Musume: Pretty Derby is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Cygames, centered around anthropomorphic “horse girls” who are reincarnations of famous real-world racehorses. These characters, known as Uma Musume, have human-like appearances with horse-like features (e.g., ears and tails) and compete in races while also engaging in idol-like activities such as singing and dancing. The franchise spans a mobile game, anime, manga, and other media, blending sports, slice-of-life, and idol culture themes.
The franchise reimagines the legacies of real Japanese racehorses (e.g., Special Week, Oguri Cap, Narita Brian) as vibrant, emotional characters, blending historical accuracy with fictional drama. It combines horse racing’s intensity with anime’s colorful aesthetics and idol culture, appealing to fans of gacha games, anime, and sports. Its success in Japan is notable, dominating iOS revenue charts since its 2021 launch and spawning widespread merch and events. In 2025, Cygames sponsored a Kentucky Derby race to promote the franchise globally.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby Global Release Date

The English version of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby (according to the official Twitter account,) is set to release on June 26, 2025, for iOS and Android. Pre-registration is available on the App Store and Google Play, with the game also wishlistable on Steam starting April 28, 2025.