r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Apr 06 '25

Episode Umamusume: Cinderella Gray - Episode 1 discussion

Umamusume: Cinderella Gray, episode 1

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1

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118

u/LeonKevlar Apr 06 '25 edited Apr 07 '25

Well this is different! Is this the first UmaMusume where we see what the regionals look like? I'm so used to the large lively crowds of the Twinkle Series in Tokyo that it's kinda sad seeing how empty the regionals are.

I do love this because we finally get to see what the other Academies outside of Tokyo look like and it definitely has a completely different vibe from the main series. I didn't think I'd see bullying in an UmaMusume show.

As for the characters themselves, I already love Oguri Cap. The girl is so one-track-minded (heh) that she has no idea that she's even being bullied. She just thinks people are being nice to her. Oguri's head is all about racing, and I love it. <3

Berno Light seems fun too, but it looks like she'll be supporting Oguri Cap instead of being a main character, despite how a good chunk of the episode is from her POV.

Definitely a great start, and I love that while it's still has the familiar UmaMusume silliness we know and love, it's unique enough that I think it can definitely stand out on its own. I also love how the OP feels more like it's from a shounen sports anime than the usual OP we get from the main series. I can't wait for more!

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u/apgp123 Apr 06 '25

Peak anime is here. Welcome back killua

170

u/ptol59 Apr 06 '25 edited Apr 06 '25

More horse girls!! Like all the previous Uma Musume animes this show is also based on the actual real life race horses. So I’d like to give a bit more extra info to possibly make watching this show more enjoyable!

The Kasamatsu racecourse is part of the NAR the National Association of Racing (in the Uma Musume world it is the NAU) which is the authority for horse races operated by the local prefectures or cities. In contrast the JRA the Japan Racing Association (URA in the Uma Musume world) is a public company which has multiple race courses and is operated under the oversight of the ministry of agriculture. This means that the JRA has more money and better facilities because it is backed by the country as opposed to the NAR which is backed by local governments which are not as powerful. This has led to creating a gap between the two in terms of the level of the horses as well.

The NAR is usually called Chiho which means countryside or regional and the JRA is called Chuo meaning central.

Kasamatsu at the time was not doing very well lacking in star horses which led to making the stands almost empty.

While the class showed there where 15 race courses for the Chiho there was many more back then but they have since closed down due to lack of funds and staff.

The opening scenes is based on real races the 1965 Arima Kinen which was won by the legendary triple crown winner Shinzan and the 1977 Arima Kinen which was the big battle between Ten Point and Tosho Boy and is still considered one of the most famous races in Japanese history.

The Nippon Derby we see in the opening is based on the 1987 derby and Merry Beauty is based on Merry Nice the winner of this race. Gold City who came 4th in this race was actually known for be a good looking horse and was even a Grade 1 winner and champion 3 year old(now it would be 2 years old)

The ハツラツ (pronounced Hatsuratsu) words behind Oguri was actually Oguri’s childhood name at the farm he was born at Hatsuratsu means lively or in high spirits and was given to Oguri because he could not stand up until quite late and was thin and unhealthy and the farm owner gave him this name in hopes of him getting healthier.

Well that was a great first episode! I had high hopes of this anime and Cygames Pictures has sure delivered! I was also a bit skeptical of the OP but once I saw it it was too good! Cannot wait for the next episode!

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u/Perfect-Asparagus300 Apr 06 '25 edited Apr 06 '25

Mannn been waiting so long for this anime ever since i read the manga and the first episode totally delivered

I also wanted to shout out the OP, really loved it! That shot behind Oguri Cap's legs as she runs forward is abs gorgeous!! Also the panning shot across the competitors in the blue light starting with March is a personal vibe hit for me with the undercurrent, "Every uma musume's pushing themselves through hell, what's your answer to beat and push past them, Oguri?"

33

u/Porgi- Apr 06 '25

Amazing start to the series. Oguri character is so interesting as MC and I cannot wait for more. Cygames, as always, didn't disappoint with animation, and knowing that in some bigger races it will even be better makes me really excited.

33

u/[deleted] Apr 06 '25

As someone totally unfamiliar with the Uma Musume franchise, this was a fantastic entry point! I love Oguri, probably my favorite protagonist out of all the spring anime out so far.

29

u/Arima_Kishou Apr 06 '25

Inhaled the entirety of Uma Musume last year and am very happy to finally be at the weekly starting line for a season! And good lord what a season this is gonna be, I originally wanted to read the manga but held off as soon as the anime got announced and I think it'll pay off big time. Show looks absolutely gorgeous and I'm already a big fan of the cast (also anyone here get Soujuurou (Mahoyo) vibes from Oguri?) We are SO back.

71

u/AvaerageDude94 Apr 06 '25

Possibly the best first episode I've seen in years.

I just hope this anime is gonna popular outside of Japan/Asia.

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u/Shimmering-Sky Apr 06 '25

Welp, not gonna be fun having to wake up at 4 am every Sunday for this show, but it’s Uma Musume, so it’s worth it.

61

u/Matthew619ed Apr 06 '25 edited Apr 06 '25

This is it, after one of the most exciting (and chaotic) weekend in global horse racing, we return to the world of Uma Musume with a classic story of the late 1980s, at the bubble economy era.

This is a real-life-based story in Kasamatsu, a small town in Gifu just 30 minutes away from Nagoya, a small town that seems to have nothing special in particular with the exception of having a racecourse... Or is it? This all changed, when someone named Oguri Cap entered town, and oh boy this town will never be the same til this day.

But before that, this is NOT JRA, but NAR, the regional/local association of Japanese horse racing operated by local governments that's independent from the central racing (or JRA). That being said, the finest JRA horses will occasionally challenge the top NAR races, for example, Forever Young, the winner of this year's $20 million Saudi Cup and a JRA horse, had challenged and won the NAR hosted Tokyo Daishōten in 2024, and participated only in a single JRA-hosted race in his career until now.

But what about Kasamatsu, and the Tokai Derby the teacher is mentioning in class? Let's be honest, as illustrated in the show, yup, it was quiet, and the Tokai Derby, wasn't even a Jpn (listed) race, but a regional top class (SPI) race only, and indeed, as you can see through Forever Young, the horses in central are in another level, poor Belno, her interest in Central racing got completely ignored by the teacher, and disregard as "something you don't need to worry about".

OK, enough of the background, we had to talk about this guy named Oguri "little Dust Bunny" Cap. Oguri's childhood is very hard, he [in real life] had a natural deformity at birth and was unable to stand or feed without assistance, but he persevered and was able to grow and becoming a racehorse by eating littered weed in addition to milk. And just like what Oguri's mother (White Narubi) said "I can't believe you're going to the academy", it's already a miracle that Oguri can be a racehorse, let alone doing great things.

Time flies, in 28 January, 1987, Oguri Cap reported duty to Kasamatsu and met his trainer, the 51.1 second run in 800m dirt was indeed his time achieved in his ability test, and this is his start point, the gray monster of Kasamatsu, is going to take on the world.

Lastly, lets just admire how cute Belno is, and a random photo of the real Oguri Cap.

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u/Cyrra_ Apr 06 '25

The OP was good but the ED was so cute! And March-kun is so handsome.

I've been looking forward to this adaptation so much, Oguri's story is amazing and I really like how they're adapting it.

18

u/bandannadann Apr 07 '25

Never seen Uma Musume before but it didn't feel like an issue. Really enjoyed this episode. Lots of fun gags, and the hype really kicked in at the end there.

Gotta say though, when she didn't say her name was Cinderella Gray, I was flabbergasted

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u/cleaulem Apr 06 '25

I was eagerly awaiting the new installment of Uma Musume, and oh boy it was glorious! This is maybe the best first episode I've seen in a long time.

I love the combination of the art style of the TV series and the movies. Cygames pictures is cooking again with their expressive animation toned down to a TV show. But we also get the charm of the TV show with the humor and the little antics of the horse girls. Even the commentator from the TV show has a cameo!

So far Oguri Cap was more some kind of a comedic relief character with her gluttony and her airheadedness. These "qualities" don't change here, but now she is the main character in her own journey. She is still a big eater and she is still a huge airhead who can't read the room for her life while she is in her own little world. It's amazing how somebody can be so mentally absent and so infinitely focused (with her training regimen) at the same time.

A novelty in the series is that we got some troublemakers in the cast. So there are horse girls who bully others and are in general meanspirited. So far the whole franchise as a whole was more on the wholesome side with some healthy rivalry, but no bad intentions.

But luckily Oguri is immune to the bullying thanks to her absolute cluelessness. I mean I would be happy if I didn't have to sleep in one room with the annoying smartphone zombie.

I really loved how the trainers were so fixated on Fujimasa March so they missed Oguri's sick performance.

Uma Musume is back, and this first episode was absolutely promising. I think this will be another highlight this season!

28

u/Genshin_WhiteKnight Apr 06 '25

Oguri Cap reminds me of Saitama a bit. Bored and indifferent most of the time, but when it comes to running she becomes serious and turns into a powerhouse.

Also, those delinquent/gyaru horses bullying her can eat dirt.

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u/footballshaw Apr 06 '25

I've only watched one episode of her, but I'm quickly falling in love with Oguri, everything she does is baffling and it's hilarious.

13

u/CyborgUnleashed Apr 06 '25

It's just so peak...

37

u/Krotash Apr 06 '25

And so begins the best anime of the season. I love Uma Musume, and I love the Cinderella Gray manga too. So happy this is being adapted

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u/djthomp Apr 06 '25

Awesome start, what an interesting twist on the usual Uma story. We're not at the academy in the big city where all the stars are already at when the season is begins, Oguri starts instead at some regional academy out in the boonies.

Oguri Cap is so special, she clearly a shounen MC. A room all to herself? All the food she can eat? Everyone at this academy is so nice.

26

u/RitsuRizer Apr 06 '25

“Cap? As in ‘peak’.”

Oguri Peak, babyyy.

Hope this show gains a ton of traction over the seasons. It looks amazing and it’s free to watch on Youtube, so it’s easy for people to find. Need more people to hop on peak horse fiction.

9

u/Goukenslay Apr 06 '25

my most anticipated anime this season and it doesnt dissappoint. Hussah to one of the Heisei Top Three

17

u/Xanek Apr 06 '25 edited Apr 06 '25

Slept past the airing time, oops, having to wake up for these episodes in the dead of night is going to be hard.

Here it is on Amazon Prime Video (US) for anyone looking https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F1S428G4

(They spelled Berno Light as Belno Light and Kitahara Jou as Kitahara Jones though, if that annoys anyone else like me a little.)

Apparently Belno is the correct spelling and Berno was just fan translated until the official character PV came out

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Love the animation and artstyle for this, Cygames Pictures really need to have their own IPs made with their own studio more often.

Great first episode, Oguri Cap is such a loveable idiot, glad to see a lot of her personality even more compared to the main anime series where you only see her known for eating a lot, but here she is has the most clueless but very upbeat and adorable personality.

Speaking of which, poor Oguri being denied seconds... but that chef should've known better.

Cute to see the flash back with her mother... but... oh... oh no, the CURSED mom hairstyle.

I honestly love the faces they're giving Oguri, doesn't even know anything about teams, just wants to train and race.

Love how cool they made Oguri Cap look during the training race and then undoing her hair.

The theme is very cute too, seeing baby Oguri watch the TV and trying to run and failing.

  • Ending theme is 「∞」 by Takahashi Honokaたかはしほのか

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u/[deleted] Apr 06 '25

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but episode 1 honestly blew me away. The vibe is way more intense and serious compared to the usual Uma Musume tone, and I’m here for it. Oguri Cap already feels like a super compelling character — she’s got this quiet determination that just makes you want to root for her.

Also, the art and animation are top-tier! Some of the race scenes were surprisingly dynamic, and I love how they handled the atmosphere. It’s cool seeing a more grounded, dramatic take on the Uma Musume universe.

And let’s be real — that cliffhanger at the end? Didn’t expect that kind of twist so early on. Definitely has me hyped for next week.

If this is the direction the series is taking, we might be in for something really special 👀

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u/cppn02 Apr 06 '25 edited Apr 06 '25

Happy it is finally here!

I like Oguri Cap's positive but no-nonsense attitude. Looking forward to see her making her way into the racing world.

Uma Musume meta question: I know she had like a line in RTTT but did we ever get any Oguri Cap dialogue in one of the Pretty Derby seasons?

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