Product Info

Studio

Cygames

Director

Ken Yamamoto

Genre

Animation, Drama, Sport

Rated

NA

Theatrical Release Date (NA)

Feb 27, 2026

Film Length

1hr 48min

Purchase From

Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era is a standalone animated film from the popular anime series and games, Umamusume: Pretty Derby. The film showcases spectacular animation and an intriguing storyline centered around a rivalry. However, some viewers feel that the supporting cast is frequently neglected, which could improve the film’s overall story.

What Is Umamusume: Pretty Derby?

©2024 Umamusume: Pretty Derby Movie Animation Project

Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a popular franchise from Japan that focuses on horse racing. The characters in the series are depicted as anime-style “horse girls,” (also known as Umamusume) possessing features like ears and tails of horses. This concept is similar to other designs like “cat girls” and “bunny girls,” where characters share animal characteristics such as ears and tails.

The character illustrations in Umamusume: Pretty Derby are well-crafted, with unique features like colored strands of hair and distinctive attire. It seems that some characters become more elaborate and decorative as the races become more significant. These features, like a white strand of hair or a colored mark, actually resemble their real-life horse counterparts.

On Your Mark

©2024 Umamusume: Pretty Derby Movie Animation Project

Beginning of a New Era serves as an introduction for newcomers to experience the popularity of Umamusume: Pretty Derby. It’s not necessary but for those looking to become more familiar with the characters, the animated series Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Road to the Top provides some insight into the famous racers that make their appearance in Beginning of a New Era. 

The movie follows Jungle Pocket, also known as “Pokke,” a free-spirited Umamusume who, after watching the performance of Fuji Kiseki, is inspired to join the Triple Crown series, a set of three races, and dominate it. Along the way, she encounters formidable rivals who will stand in her way. Agnes Tachyon, an intense scientist who delves into data collection to achieve perfect performance, Manhattan Cafe, who races despite health issues and chases a shadowy silhouette of a “friend” only she can see, and Dantsu Flame, who always seeks to rival Pokke and demonstrates determination and hard work to catch up to her.

These racers are based on real racehorses that competed in Japan. Events such as Jungle Pocket and Dantsu Flame coming down to the wire to win one of the Classic Triple Crown series have actually occurred in real life. Many of Jungle Pocket’s races are based on the actual 2001 racing season. The team behind the film uses these events as main plot points, adding story drama to build up the racing events into a full-length animation. If you were not familiar with these real horse racing events before watching the film, you would likely become more interested in them afterwards.

While the rivalry between Pokke and Agnes is the most intense and emotional confrontation, it overshadows Dantsu and Manhattan. The film provides some background information on Dantsu and Manhattan but not enough. These characters have their moments in the spotlight, but the connection does not feel as strong and emotional as it does with Pokke and Agnes. Spending more time developing these supporting characters could have added more impact to the film’s overall story. Exploring more about the “friend” Manhattan is chasing and how it affects not only her but also her friend Agnes, who inquires about it, would have added depth to the narrative. Whether by reallocating some focus from Pokke to other characters or extending the film’s runtime, more character development could only enhance the overall experience.

Running in Style

©2024 Umamusume: Pretty Derby Movie Animation Project

Many of these racers compete in racing and run on their two legs, which looks similar to an Olympic track and field event, but the setting resembles more of horse racing. Horse racing is a very popular spectator sport in Japan, so having an anime based on it should not be surprising. These race courses feel clean, well-designed, and when the animation occurs on these tracks, it feels like a whole new world.

The depth perspective they showcase adds more emotion to these racers, not just their facial expressions. At times, the audience will witness colorful and stylish animation effects during critical scenes, such as Agnes Tachyon about to turn up the notch on her running. Many of these stylish effects and unique animations occur during these big races.

In-between, the animation softens up with anime-styled exaggerated expressions for some laughs and is less stylish in animation when compared to the racing scenes, which doesn’t take away from the overall vibe of the film.

The music during the races is great, adding more impact and emotion to these scenes. The music in scenes in-between the build-up is there, but at times it didn’t really feel much impact compared to the races. The musical concert of these racers at the center of attention at the end of the film felt unexpected and weird. The way the film was coming up to the end felt like a foreshadow of a race, but it jumps to this felt out of place. It’s catered towards fans of the series rather than new audiences looking for more plot.

The Final Race

Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era shines with breathtaking race animation and a compelling rivalry. It delivers an emotional and stylish standalone story that captures the thrill of competition. However, the film could have been better executed in terms of developing its supporting characters.

An early screening was provided for this film. Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era arrives in theaters in North America on February 27, 2026. Fans can visit the film’s official website for additional details and showings.