Umamusume: Pretty Derby — a viral Japanese game that has taken the world by storm

The game Umamusume: Pretty Derby has become a real phenomenon since 2021, gaining more than 30 million downloads. Find out about its history, successes and influence on world culture.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby is not just a game, explains xrust. Since its release in 2021, it has skyrocketed in popularity and achieved incredible success in Japan and beyond. It's not just a video game, but an entire culture that spans movies, animation, concerts, and even brands like KFC. The history of the game and its successes are an example of how video games can influence society and the industry as a whole.

Since its release, the Japanese version of the game has amassed over 30 million downloads in Asia and continues to attract international attention. The expected English version, released in 2023, has attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers on Twitch, making the game accessible to fans around the world. Moreover, Umamusume was recognized as the best mobile game of the year at the Game Awards 2025, which was an important step towards its international recognition.

History of creation and success of Cygames

The company Cygames, which created the game Umamusume, is primarily known for its successful projects in the field of mobile games. Founded in 2011, Cygames is a subsidiary of CyberAgent Inc., one of the largest Japanese media companies. But it was Umamusume that became their shining achievement, thanks to its unique concept and high-quality implementation.

Notably, Umamusume brought significant growth to the company's finances. According to analysts, in the fourth quarter of 2025, Cygames sales increased by 19% compared to the same period in the previous year. This confirms the importance of the English version of the game as a key element of success.

Key concept and uniqueness of the game

Umamusume(Japanese for «horse girl») is a unique horse racing simulation where players train anthropomorphic horses inspired by real-life racehorses such as Silence Suzuka, Special Week and Tokai Teio. Each horse in the game has its own individual characteristics, which depend on historical analogues.

The game includes gacha mechanics, where players can collect new characters and improve the skills of their horse girls using real money. This creates an interesting balance between strategic planning and an element of chance that makes the experience fun and unpredictable.

Real horses and their role in the game

What makes Umamusume particularly unique is the game's close connection to real racehorses. The stories of many famous racehorses, such as Gold Thorn and Haru Urara, were reflected in the game, and real-life events, such as the 12 Billion Yen Incident, became the basis for the scenarios.

Gold Thorn became one of the most popular characters in the game, and was also included in the anime series, which tells the tragic story of the racehorse. This is an example of how game companies can integrate real-life events into the context of their games, creating even deeper connections with audiences.

Social and Economic Impact

Umamusumesignificantly influenced the popularization of horse racing in Japan and beyond. Historically, horse racing has attracted the attention of mainly older generations, but thanks to the game, it has become more interesting to younger audiences. According to the Japan Horse Racing Association, the number of people betting has increased significantly in recent years.

In addition, the success of the game also had a significant impact on the real-life horse breeding industry. Every year, fans of the game raise money to support the real horses involved in the creation of the game. For example, a fundraising campaign to build a new stable at the Yogibo Versailles Resort Farm in Hokkaido raised more than 62 million yen (about 400 thousand US dollars).

Future and development of Umamusume

Cygames is active is developing the project and has already announced new animated series, such as Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray, which continue to deepen the world of the game and introduce players to the history of the characters.

Soichiro Fukuda, senior analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory Co., noted that the constant expansion of the Umamusume universe through series and various events will be a key factor that will maintain interest in the game in the future.

Conclusion

Umamusume: Pretty Derbynot only changed the approach to mobile gaming, but also became a cultural phenomenon. From viral success in Japan to international acclaim, the game and its creators have demonstrated how video games can become an important part of global culture, as well as influence real-life industries such as horse racing and horse breeding.

Future updates and continuation of the story promise even more interesting events and encounters with legendary racehorses, as well as expanding the game's influence on a global audience.

Xrust Umamusume: Pretty Derby — the viral Japanese game that conquered the world