Umamusume, or ‘Horse Girl’ in english, is a multimedia project from Japan created by Cygames that encompasses a slew of content such as films, anime, manga, video games and mobile games.

The series main attraction is the mobile game that started the franchise and has been downloaded over 30 million times worldwide. The game centers around the Umamusume as they train to achieve their dreams, all of which are based on real life Japanese race horses. The game even faithfully recreates many of the events surrounding them and fleshes out their unique personalities by basing them on the behaviors of their real life counterparts. You play as the trainer; thus you are charged with managing the Umas training and entering them in races to win championships, while striving to keep them happy and rested to avoid injuries.

There are various factors that have contributed to the success of Umamusume, one of which being the series lighthearted and comedic nature. Gold ship pictured below has consistently been a fan favorite for her chaotic and jovial nature that resembles the exact behavior she inherited from her real life counterpart. With how stressful life is today it’s no wonder that people have gravitated to the silly horse girl game. The fanbase has expressed their appreciation by creating memes and artwork that have been not only welcomed but highlighted by Cygames.

I would be dismayed if I didn’t mention the recently deceased Haru Urara, who is without question one of the most beloved characters in the series. Haru Urara is a spirited and cheerful girl that never gives up no matter the odds. Her joy for racing and radiant personality has been a source of hope for many fans, particularly those that struggle with depression. Despite Haru Urara’s indomitable spirit she is most famous for never winning a single race, ending her career with a record of 0-113, yet despite her atrocious record Japanese racing fans cheered and often bet on Haru Urara because of her tenacity despite all the losses. In 2004, then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi publicly expressed support for Haru Urara, saying that the horse was “a good example of not giving up in the face of defeat.” Sadly Haru Urara passed away on September 9th, 2025, but while she lived fans from all over the world would donate money, premium grass and valuable supplies that assisted the Matha Stable for retired horses, further solidifying her legacy by helping fund one of the largest stables in Japan.

Umamusume perfectly exemplifies what audiences want in their media and that’s joy. So much of our media today has become harsh, action orientated and high stakes. Thus Umamusume has become a source of stability in a world that needs to smile.