2024’s explosive Umamusume: Pretty Derby — Beginning of a New Era anime movie is getting a North American theatrical release next month, starting on the 27th.
The movie was previously shown in the region at the Anime Expo 2025 and Anime NYC 2025 events. It premiered on Japanese screens on May 24, 2024.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby — Beginning of a New Era is part of Cygames‘ successful Umamusume: Pretty Derby horse girl-themed multimedia franchise, which includes other anime titles and a raising simulation game. The film’s synopsis reads:
Jungle Pocket, known to her close friends as “Pokke,” is a free-spirited Umamusume who has proven her dominance in the freestyle racing scene. Overwhelmed by Fuji Kiseki’s majestic performance at a graded Twinkle Series race, she resolves to take on the Twinkle Series herself.
Shortly after joining the Umamusume training school Tracen Academy, Pokke comes under the wing of Tanabe, a veteran trainer who fostered Fuji Kiseki’s talent. Together, they aspire to dominate the Triple Crown series, a set of three races that can only be attempted once in a lifetime. Awaiting them are formidable rivals of Pokke’s generation, whose talents surpass even her own.
There’s Dantsu Flame, whose diligence and determination to win are second to none; Manhattan Cafe, who chases the shadowy silhouette of a “friend” that only she can see; and Agnes Tachyon, a veritable mad scientist seeking to push the very boundaries of what is possible for Umamusume.
These four runners take to the track with their very pride, spirit, and souls on the line. Past the finish of their epic clash is a door waiting to be opened—one that leads to the beginning of a new era.
“It doesn’t matter who stands in my way! I’m gonna be the greatest!”
©2024 Umamusume: Pretty Derby Movie Animation Project
The first Umamusume: Pretty Derby anime was a P.A.Works-produced TV anime that premiered in 2018. It was followed by a Studio KAI-produced second season in 2021 (with P.A.Works providing assistance). 2023 saw the release of the CygamesPictures-produced web anime Umamusume: Pretty Derby — Road to the Top and the Studio KAI-produced third season.
A TV anime adaptation of the recently concluded Umamusume: Cinderella Gray manga, produced by CygamesPictures, started in April 2025 and returned for its second cour in October 2025.
The Umamusume: Pretty Derby game was the winner of The Game Awards 2025‘s Best Mobile Game award.
Staff
• Director: Ken Yamamoto (Pokémon: Hisuian Snow director, Princess Connect Re: Dive Season 2 opening storyboard artist and director)
• Scenario director and story composer: Tatsuya Kobari (Umamusume: Pretty Derby Season 3 co-series composer)
• Character designer and chief animation director: Jun Yamazaki (Umamusume: Pretty Derby — Road to the Top)
• Background art director: Yusuke Watanabe (Cygames Corporate Animation Movie Follow Your Fantasy)
• Color designer: Yo Iwaida (Spy Classroom)
• Compositing director: Yuki Kawashita (Akebi’s Sailor Uniform)
• Compositing director: Akane Fushihara (Spy x Family Code: White)
• Music composer: Masaru Yokohama (Mashle, Tsurune)
• Animation producer: Tadashi Mizoguchi (Umamusume: Pretty Derby — Road to the Top)
• Animation production: CygamesPictures
Cast
• Yuri Fujimoto as Jungle Pocket
• Sumire Uesaka as Agnes Tachyon
• Yui Ogura as Manhattan Cafe
• Haruna Fukushima as Dantsu Flame
• Sora Tokui as T.M. Opera
Source: Press release
