Umamusume Pretty Derby: Story, Horses, Gacha System and more
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a multimedia franchise and simulation gacha game from Cygames that reimagines famous racehorses as anime style “horse girls” who train, race, and perform like idols. Players act as a trainer, guiding each Umamusume through training, races, events, and story chapters as they chase wins in the Twinkle Series. The title launched in Japan in 2021 and received an official global English release in June 2025.
Story and characters
The core appeal is the mix of sports drama and slice of life. Each Umamusume has a story route that draws on the real life career or legend of the horse that inspired her, while adding personality and relationships that feel like a character-driven anime. Popular faces include Special Week, Tokai Teio, Silence Suzuka, and Gold Ship, among many others. The franchise spans anime seasons, music, stage events, and merchandise as well as the game.
Horses and roster size
The game gives players dozens of playable Umamusume, with Cygames steadily adding new characters and story content over time. As updates and seasonal banners arrive, the playable roster grows, and part 2 of the main story has expanded lore and races for latecomers and veterans alike. Community guides and wikis are useful for tracking which girls suit sprint or distance race builds.
Gacha system basics
Umamusume uses a dual gacha system that centers on scouting for new Umamusume and pulling support cards. Support cards are often more valuable early on because they boost training stats, grant useful skills, and help shape long term builds. The premium currency is used for character scouting, and the game distributes items such as Goddess Statues and star pieces through banners and events that players can exchange to raise rarity. Understanding when to pull and which banners to prioritise is a major part of the game strategy.
Gameplay mechanics quick guide
Gameplay mixes training sims with rhythm like performance segments and automated races where stats, skills, and race strategy determine the outcome. Key priorities are choosing the right training plans, equipping strong support cards, and picking skills that match race distance and track type. Borrowing friends’ support setups and completing missions will accelerate progress for new players.
Why it matters for gacha players
Umamusume blends rich character stories with meaningful gameplay choices, so pulls feel both cosmetic and strategic. Players who invest in support cards and learn training optimisation will get the most value from limited resources. For anyone building a gacha collection that rewards planning over pure luck, Umamusume is worth a look.
