In June, the anime-themed game Umamusume: Pretty Derby finally reached a global audience. The game, developed by Cygames, blends the excitement of racehorse management with the charm of anime, where racehorses are reimagined as anthropomorphized girls with cute horse ears and tails. Initially a Japanese anime released in 2018, it was followed by a mobile game launch in 2021, exclusive to Japan.
Players engage with iconic characters like Special Week and Mejiro McQueen, building relationships, training them, and sharing in their victories and defeats.
But as the game’s popularity grew, so did interest in the real-life racehorses that inspired these beloved characters. Some fans, eager to meet the horses behind their favorite anime girls, took their enthusiasm a step too far, causing distress to the horses and their owners. To curb this, Cygames has issued a set of guidelines aimed at educating fans on how to responsibly interact with the real horses.
The 9-point guideline, created by the Racehorse’s Hometown Information Center, lays out important rules for visitors. First and foremost, fans are urged to check in advance with the center for tour availability and schedules. Visitors are expected to respect the ranch staff’s instructions, avoid smoking on the premises, and never enter areas like stables or pastures without permission. The welfare of the horses is also a priority: visitors should refrain from loud noises, flashing photography, or feeding and touching the horses.
As part of its strong connection with Japan’s horse racing world, Cygames has supported various events related to racehorses and contributed to organizations like the Retired Racehorse Association of Japan. The company also partnered with the Kentucky Derby in May, setting up a booth to promote the English-language release of the game, offering visitors a chance to play the Umamusume demo.
For fans curious about the world of Umamusume, the game is now available in English via Steam, Google Play, and the Apple App Store. Additionally, all three seasons of the anime are streaming on Crunchyroll.