A press release reported that the spin-off manga written and illustrated by Taiyou Kuzumi, “Uma Musume Cinderella Gray,” will have an anime adaptation set to premiere in 2025 in Japan, confirming a recent leak. The same release announced that Cygames Pictures will handle the production, although, unfortunately, no further details were revealed.
This is undoubtedly the most popular manga of the entire “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby” franchise, especially because it stars Oguri Cap. For those in the know, Oguri Cap was one of the most successful racehorses of the Heisei Era (1989-2019), bringing about the second boom of horse racing in Japan. Along with Inari One and Super Creek, they were known as “The Heisei Top 3.”
It’s worth remembering that Taiyou Kuzumi began publishing the manga through Shueisha‘s Young Jump magazine in June 2020, where it is still being serialized. Previously, the author had only written the one-shot “Heroine Jijou” in 2018. In the main adaptation, it’s Tomoyo Takayanagi who takes on the role of Oguri Cap.
Production Team
- Yuuki Itou (Kimetsu no Yaiba, Darling in the Franxx, Takt Op. Destiny) is in charge of directing the anime at Cygames Pictures.
- Pierre Sugiura (Barakamon, Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru) is handling the writing and script supervision.
- Takuya Miyahara (SPY×FAMILY, Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san, Spy Kyoushitsu) and Keigo Sasaki (Boku dake ga Inai Machi, Ao no Exorcist, Nanatsu no Taizai: Imashime no Fukkatsu) are responsible for character design and animation direction.
Synopsis
“Uma Musume Cinderella Gray” is a derivative title from Cygames‘ “Uma Musume” project, centered on the story of Oguri Cap, a “horse girl” from the countryside who aspires to become a legend in the world of racing. Set at the Kasamatsu Training Center Academy, the plot follows her development and growth as she faces challenges and rivalries on her path to the top. The story focuses on Oguri Cap‘s effort and dedication, highlighting the emotional ups and downs typical of high-performance athletes.
The narrative of “Cinderella Gray” delves deeper into the competitive realm, distancing itself from the lighter tone of the main series “Uma Musume Pretty Derby.” It introduces new characters and retains some recurring ones like Symboli Rudolf, enriching the dynamics and interaction among them. The character development of Oguri Cap is notable, showing her transformation from a novice to a formidable competitor. The critical moments of the races are filled with tension and passion, making readers or viewers feel part of the excitement of the competitions.
Besides the races, the manga also explores relationships and dynamics among the characters, like the mentor-apprentice relationship between Joe and Oguri, adding a layer of depth to the story. This series stands out for its focus on determination and effort, differentiating from other “Uma Musume” works by focusing less on comedy and more on the serious challenges its characters face on their path to success.
We won’t extend more here, we just want to tell you that you really should have this title on your radar for 2025. We certainly will! Now, how about you swing by the comments and let us know your thoughts on this news? You know, we’ll be reading! 😉
Images Source: UMAMUSUME Official YouTube Channel, Comic Natalie
