What is the Uma Musume franchise and why is it popular in Japan?

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Summary

  • Uma Musume turns racehorses into anime girls, combining competition and idol shows.

  • The franchise includes anime, games, manga, concerts, and merchandise based on the legendary racehorse traits.

  • Uma Musume's popularity in Japan stems from the integration of idol culture and the gacha game format.

We've seen anime with real-world references anthropomorphized into human (or human) form before. Hetalia may be most infamous for it, but we've seen it too Boys from the 20th century and Cells at work does so with varying degrees of success. There's even an anime called it Arikan! about named sodas that come to life as cute anime girls fighting each other, if you're into that. But what if we could apply this concept to a unique interest like horse racing as a gateway to becoming fans of that world? Now, just imagine if there was a world where legendary racehorses were reborn as energetic anime girls, each chasing dreams of victory on the track and stardom on the stage.

Uma Musume takes this unique premise and turned it into a cultural phenomenon in Japan, combining high-stakes competition, idol performances, and heartfelt storytelling. It might sound like an unusual mix, becoming a juggernaut that spans anime, gaming, live concerts, and more. But how did this franchise become one of Japan's most beloved multimedia sensations? Let's explore what it does Uma Musume franchise stand out and why it continues to dominate Japan's entertainment landscape.

IDOLiSH7 Love live anime

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What is Uma Masume in the first place?

A sprawling franchise with plenty of content to draw from

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in her heart Uma Musume is a multimedia franchise that anthropomorphizes real-life racehorses as anime-style “horse girls”. These characters, known as “Uma Musume”, are human girls with horse features such as tails, ears and increased speed, who compete in races and perform as idols. Each character is based on an actual legendary racehorse from Japanese horse racing history, with their personality, backstory, and even racing style reflecting the traits of their equine counterparts.

The franchise debuted with its first anime series in 2018, introducing viewers to a vibrant world where horsegirls like Special Week and Silence Suzuka, both named and inspired by real professional racehorses, train to become top competitors from Japan. It quickly expanded to include a mobile game released in 2021 where players train and manage their favorite horse girls, several manga series that delve deeper into side stories and character lore, live concerts with voice actresses performing in character and an insane wealth of merchandise. , from figurines to music CDs, catering to the ever-growing fan base.

How the franchise began

A simple anime launched a multimedia phenomenon in Japan

uma masume miniatures special week

The Uma Musume Pretty Derby the anime is where many fans first encountered the franchise and remains a cornerstone of its popularity. The story follows the weekly special, based on a real-life racehorse of the same name from the late 1990s, which is portrayed as a novice horse girl with dreams of becoming the best in the world, despite her rural and somewhat sheltered origins. She joins the prestigious Tracen Academy, where horsegirls train to compete in high-profile races while navigating friendships, rivalries, and personal challenges.

Characters like Silence Suzuka, whose story mirrors the tragic history of her real-life counterpart, bring a level of depth rarely found in sports anime. The real-life racehorse of the same name fractured his left front leg. He evacuated to the outside as if to protect his jockey, then was taken and diagnosed with a poor prognosis. He was eventually euthanized to limit his suffering. This story is represented in the anime by the character named after Silence Suzuka fracturing her leg.

However, the anime took a lighter approach to the actual story and allowed him to heal enough to compete again much later as the anime progressed. The anime uses such moments with the girls to share a lighter take on the real history of Japanese racehorses and remains a cornerstone of how plot lines and story arcs are built in anime.

“Running is a challenge. If you want to escape from the hand of the demon, don't think about the future and just run“

The races themselves are depicted with dynamic, high-energy sequences that capture the thrill of the competition, while the idols' performances are vibrantly animated, mimicking the spectacle of live concerts. The show emphasizes perseverance, teamwork, and personal growth—universal themes that resonate with viewers of all ages. The anime has two main seasons, each focusing on different aspects of the horsegirls' journeys, and continues to expand with additional OVAs, spin-offs, and even a feature film in 2024.

And why doesn't it have the same appeal in America?

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A defining characteristic of Uma Musume is its perfect integration of idol culture, a cornerstone of Japanese entertainment that has yet to take off in the West. In his world Uma Musumehorse girls aren't just racing; there are also idols who hold live concerts after their victories. This element adds an extra layer of spectacle to racing, making every win feel like a celebration. Live concerts similar to the recent Hololive and the ever-popular Hatsune Miku, with the cast playing a character, bring the world Uma Musume to life and deepens fans emotional investment. However, live concerts with virtual performers is yet another reason that keeps the franchise apart from its western fanbase, as this seems to only be popular among English-speaking V-tubers at the moment.

In addition to its ties to idol culture and horse racing, Uma Musume thrives as a fairly popular gacha game, a popular format in Japanese mobile gaming. In the game, players train horse girls to compete in races, using a gacha system to unlock new characters and support cards. This combination of strategy and chance keeps the game interesting and rewarding. Regular updates, limited-time events, and new character releases ensure players always have something fresh to look forward to. This model not only keeps the player base engaged, but also generates significant revenue for the franchise. This, however, did not have the same foothold in the West either.

Uma Musume's impact goes beyond entertainment. The franchise has sparked a renewed interest in horse racing among younger audiences, with some fans visiting racetracks or learning about the sport for the first time. Its success as a mobile game has also set new benchmarks, earning billions of yen and consistently ranking among the top-grossing apps in Japan. For many fans, Uma Musume is more than just a game or anime; it's a celebration of perseverance, friendship and the pursuit of dreams. Here's to hoping that one day the Western market feels the same way, so we can get subtitled and dubbed versions of the franchise sooner rather than later.

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