I've been getting way too into Umamusume at the time of writing. Who knew a silly premise of anthromorphizing horses to girls would turn into sports dramas? Sure, there are still some inklings of the idol aspect that remain in concerts, but when most of the time is spent practicing for the big race instead, it's focusing primarily on the sports aspect.
Cingray is notably really shounen by way of how Berno Light is the girl, even though everyone a girl. While yes, the other are sports stories too, but Cingray focused on the racing and competition aspect more so than any other. The idol aspect was playfully poked fun at and didn’t even feature that much. Even BOANE has the girls performing at a big concert at the end. Cingray has none of the large performing venues at all. Heck, I don’t think we even have a Cingray version of Umapyoi Densetsu.
Cinderella Gray is given special notice of this since it's more of a serious sports drama than a slice of life sports drama than the previous one. I think Cinderella Gray's influence on the franchise cannot be understated because Road to the Top, Beginning of a New Era, and Star Blossom feature some idol-like stuff, even if there are just glimmers. On a side note, I really love the Umapyoi Legend version from the movie because of how distinct the voices are. Heck, we see Jungle Pocket after her victories going around doing athletes' promo rather than actually seeing her sing, which is reserved for the ending. That's great worldbuilding, though that active Umas has some promo that is beyond plushies that probably only gained popularity during Oguri and a little bit before it.
Now, Cinderella Gray is effectively dramatizing Oguri Cap's career. Anime-wise, we are at Oguri Cap's Arima Kinen. There's still the second Japan Cup, Super Creek, the slump, and the final retirement race.
The manga is really good with the anime, while good, it cuts out some parts and does parts that are just okay, whereas the manga is actually written better. I understand the time constraints here, but certain aspects of the explanation could have been improved.
It's just sad that the Umas are destined to live out their previous lives' hardships without the death. The point was supposed to give them a better life. It’s why mistreated horses can actually be celebrated here and given better overall.
With that being said, we know retired Umas just go on their daily life, achieving a modicum of fame that will set them up for life, maybe. We know Tamomo Cross and Oguri's mothers at least reflect their real-life housing, with the former being so poor, while Oguri is at least on the lower middle-class, where White Narubi has to afford her daughter's healthcare, appetite, and tuition.
They are set for life with food and housing. I don't know what Oguri would do after her Tracen graduation. I can see Kitasan Black becoming a fitness trainer after retiring, but all the real Oguri Cap's done after his stud career is eat and sleep. Would she go around and do press? I know that fans lined up to see Oguri after his retirement, so that's a good reimaging where her popularity allowed her to travel and sign autographs. However, it's not something that Oguri would do often or go too far and would either do those press in her hometown or an event close to Tracen.
Now, in the manga, it's already finished with Oguri fully retired from racing. She's able to eat and sleep to her heart's content. Again, I do not know what she would do.
I could see Agnes Tachyon becoming a sports medicine doctor, as that's her field of study. Kitasan Black was studying to be a fitness trainer after retirement.
On another note, with the legendary horses and named horses who had won at least a graded race, it’s been taken for granted just how difficult the races really are. Never mind that some races are one and only chances, such as the Triple Crown. Even winning a G3 puts a horse in the top 5 percent. Twin Turbo and Machi-tan might not have won a G1 like Rice Shower, but they are still a lot better than the regional Umas.
It’s extremely difficult. Haru Urara only got in due to goodwill and will not win fuck all.
Keep in mind that although the Umas themselves are as strong as horses, we take for granted the status of what it means from the cream of the crop, which we are frequently exposed to than the regionals. Even regional Umas would've soundly beaten humans anyhow since they are horses. However, the regional horses will be soundly beaten by any of the Tracen students. I think Haru Urara's acceptance into the school was not due to her race record, but rather her spirit and popularity, similarly to how Oguri was scouted and accepted to Tracen, who were too good for regionals.
While March Tosho definitely outlasted Oguri in terms of career years, March Tosho wouldn't be able to go up against the best in any of the graded races. Again, there's a reason why Oguri was chosen over March Tosho to even get a chance at nationals.
While the animanga have always been sports stories, the focus on the humanity of athletes was very emphasized, even when they were exaggerated, because Umas are superhuman.
While horses are horses with personalities of their own, Umamusume dramatized everything, including aspects of jockeys in the Umas.
I really want to get into worldbuilding.
For example, idol concerts are apparently Japanese only. It’s actually been hinted at by S1, no les,s with Special Week performing alone. Obey only performed because she was that prepared and will insist on it.
What about the other horse sports? Umas have to have their equivalent. Heck, Silver Sonic switched from racing to jumping. I wonder how they are going to translate dressage? Is it just dancing? At least what about Steeplechase?
There is just so much worldbuilding to be had. The worldbuilding so far is very subtle, as everything has been accommodating to Umas since ancient times, to the point that obsolete tech is still being made for them if they are unable to afford smartphones.
Even if you don’t want to participate in the game, there’s always the animanga and other forms of entertainment. It’s a multimedia franchise. We don’t know what future projects they are going to focus on.
Since there are horses now and then still having incredible stories to tell, who knows what is going to come?
People have been more interested in horses and racing since the release. There are horses not yet announced as more people become interested in the tales. The anime is a gateway that real life is stranger than fiction that some tales are so great to be told.
People are learning what kind of personality they have and the varying levels of horse. Even learning IRL horse facts and giving them out as trivia to non-fans is a fact of the fanbase at this point. Never mind the trivia videos, even trivia comments are also just as known to comment and explain whenever they can.
For what it's worth, you can get into any part of the franchise no problem since each iteration is basically its own universe and each with its own protagonist with different personalities that might strike your fancy.
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