One of Japan’s best-selling mobile games, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, to get English release

Cygames has announced that hit game Umamusume Pretty Derby will finally be getting an English language release on iOS and Android. With its combination of horse racing and cute anime girls, the game has been highly popular in Japan and Asia, making over $2.4 billion dollars, and accounting for 72% of Cygames’ mobile game revenue share since its initial release in February 2021 (source: Famitsu). 

Umamusume: Pretty Derby centers around the concept of top racehorses being reborn as cute anime-style horse girls, retaining their equine ears and tails, as well as their speed and endurance. In the game, you are a fledgling trainer at the horseracing powerhouse Tracen Academy. Your goal is to guide your trainee horse girl (umamusume) to victory by directing her training schedule and entering her into races. The game features gripping stories that show off the girls’ distinct personalities, as well as heart-pounding races and even concerts. 

What’s more, Cygames will be holding a special event at Anime Expo 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 4–7. At their booth you will be able to try your hand at Umamusume: Pretty Derby, collect rewards and stock up on merch. Those who try the demo at the event will receive a special Umamusume: Pretty Derby sticker. 

Umamusume: Pretty Derby’s popularity kicked off with an anime that first aired in 2018. Since then, the horse-racing inspired franchise continues to expand, having spawned three anime seasons, a mobile game, a manga, a web anime and an anime movie. The game has a big playerbase of real-life horse racing enthusiasts in Japan, and the developers even support retired racehorses. It has recently surpassed over 21 million downloads (source: 4Gamer). 

Umamusume Pretty Derby is scheduled to be released on iOS and Android, release date TBA. It is free-to-play (with in-app purchases).