Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - Shin Jidai no Tobira

After watching this movie i just have to say how insanely banger it was. i don’t know how a studio manages to keep such a high level of quality for so long, and still improve year after year. Uma Musume: Pretty Derby for me is something i simply can’t let go of anymore, and just like all the others, this one stayed banger from start to finish, just like its predecessors and probably like the ones that will come after it too. what an incredible movie. what amazing races. what an unsettling amount of depth. and what an urge it gives me to just go outsideand run. this film solidified how good i really think Uma Musume: Pretty Derby (everything about it) actually is, and that’s something i never imagined i’d end up saying. i always had some hesitation before watching it, but now i just feel like all the time i spent away from it was a huge waste. in the end, who doesn’t want to win.

The epitome of sports anime. Since Umamusume's anime debut in 2018, the series has undergone a very noticeable evolution. Initially, what was an easygoing CGDCT with horse girls inspired by IRL racehorses shifted to stories that focused on building drama through more serious narratives and greater emphasis on the sports aspect. This entry is a culmination of how ambitious the telling of these stories gets. Plot: Cypictures creates a simple yet very entertaining story. Our protagonist horse girl wants to become the strongest, and despite feeling the impact of setbacks, she keeps pushing forward to make her ambition come true. Characters: Some characters mightbe pointed out as the weakest link in this movie - some criticism is warranted given a lack of greater development throughout the movie given their position. This could probably have been remedied by a longer runtime, which also affected other aspects, but I'll put that for later. Despite this problem, they are all fine. Pokke, especially, is very fun. Writers struck an excellent balance between her energetic and competitive personality - without overstepping into exaggerations and cringe -, with a more centered behavior of a normal person that feels appropriate. The depiction of the effects of Pokke's "setbacks" on her performance during the movie feels very real and has subtlety to it. Pacing: The last act of the movie felt constrained by the runtime. This rush had some effect on the delivery of the climax, which could have been more impactful if given the proper extra time. Visuals/Sound/Direction: This last point is what makes this movie shine. The animation is outstanding, nothing short of. This movie delivers one of the best productions recorded in modern anime. The ambitious direction heightens the weight of scenes through a myriad of employed elements: dynamic angles and pan shots, overaccentuated facial expressions, unorthodox soundtracks, visual imagery, and sound effects come together to create an experience that is absolutely unique. Due to the simplicity of the story, some problems with the characters, and a little bit of trouble structuring the final stretch, I don't feel like a 10/10 is quite appropriate for this movie. 9/10

If you’re familiar with Uma Musume as a franchise, you might already know that the series doesn’t shy away from tackling more serious themes beneath its cutesy, idol-like surface. The bright and cheerful character designs don’t tell the full story—and I first noticed this back in season 2 of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby. While I’m not here to discuss the earlier entries, I think it’s important to understand that this movie didn’t suddenly emerge with a deep message out of nowhere. Rather, it feels like a natural evolution—diving even deeper into emotional and psychological territory than the franchise has before. So, what makes this movie feel sodeep and thought-provoking? Let’s take a closer look. The core story is actually quite simple—and not unfamiliar if you’ve seen previous entries in the Uma Musume series. We follow our main protagonist, Jungle Pocket, who finds inspiration to pursue competitive racing after witnessing someone else’s passion and determination. However, she quickly realizes that reaching the top isn’t just about talent or motivation—it comes with real hardship. These challenges take many forms: injuries, seemingly unbeatable rivals, or the crushing anxiety of disappointing yourself and those around you. That being said, the message becomes clear from the very beginning: you shouldn’t give up on your ambitions despite the overwhelming fear you might face along the way. Now, the plot summary and message might sound just “alright” to you—but what really sells this movie are its incredible stylistic choices. For the most part, the film shifts into something genuinely unsettling to watch. We get uncanny sound design and disturbing shots of the characters, making them look lost or hopeless. You can truly feel the anxiety the characters experience just by watching. Everything feels unreal, and the characters keep sinking further down, buried in fear, unable to truly move on. In short: the movie takes a simple yet deeper message and turns it into a cinematic masterpiece, balancing hope and despair perfectly. Beyond its stylistic achievements, the film’s emotional core is deeply rooted in the contrasting journeys of its characters—most notably, Jungle Pocket and Agnes Tachyon. These two serve as opposite sides of the same mindset. One faces the fears and challenges that come with high ambitions, while the other runs away in fear, watching others achieve what she truly desires. At the end of the day, it’s up to us to face what we fear. The film suggests that true happiness comes from the courage to keep moving forward, despite doubt and fear. There is, however, a major drawback in the film’s setting and world-building. The Uma Musume universe is introduced rather poorly, which might leave viewers unfamiliar with the previous seasons or the world of horse racing confused. Important concepts like the significance of achieving the Triple Crown or what terms like “G1 race” mean are not adequately explained, making it harder for newcomers to fully grasp the stakes and achievements. Now, moving on to the more technical aspects of the movie: sound and animation. I’ll keep it short—both are outstanding. As I mentioned earlier, the unique sound design plays a major role in creating the film’s unsettling and intense atmosphere, and I can only reaffirm that here. The animation is equally impressive. Given that this is a movie, the higher budget is evident in the quality of the visuals. The colors are vibrant and beautifully chosen, and the movements are fluid and expressive. Interestingly, during the race scenes, the animation sometimes shifts into a rougher, more stylized look, which effectively highlights the tension, speed, and raw energy of the competition. To sum it up, there’s only so much I can say—this is a film you really need to experience for yourself. While the core message may be simple—don’t give up despite fear and doubt—the way the movie explores these feelings is truly unique and powerful. Its portrayal of anxiety and inner struggle feels deeply relatable, especially since most of us have faced moments of uncertainty or fear while pursuing our dreams. The film captures not only the hope and determination needed to keep going but also the very real emotional challenges that come with it. In the end, it reminds us that growth and courage often come from pushing through the discomfort and fear that life throws at us.

Merchandise

Links may contain affiliate references

Studio

Producers

Themes