This week episode is a calm one. A deserving break after weeks of peak, just like what Roppei said we have to pace our race in order not to tire ourselves. While Oguri is having a break, they decide to use this for Tamamo Cross intro. Will she be a promising rival for our girl Oguri? In the meantime, Oguri still have two more rivals she has to beat in the next episode.

I’m happy we got to see March and Norn again. Sad that she didn’t win Tokai Derby. Oguri doing her best consoling March here. Also, what a goofy phone just to reach their high ears.

We also got to see Oguri in her casual wear, looking cute as ever, while devouring the whole Harajuku food stand.

Sorry, I have to put March in the spotlight whenever I can

As someone who also only get into Uma Musume franchise thanks to Cinderella Gray, I’m happy seeing another comrade also enjoying Uma Musume through the same route. Now, I have high expectation for S2, because BoaNE was phenomenal.

That was a clever misdirection. They make it looked like as if Oguri was racing in Nippon Derby. I genuinely thought the immovable Japanese would actually do an exception for Oguri, that’s just how goated she is, but alas, reality is often disappointing. I guess there’s only one thing that can stop Oguri Cap, and that is Japanese bureaucracy. Though the journalist effort wasn’t in vain, they were able to make the organizers to change the rule to enter Nippon Derby, even though Oguri still wasn’t allowed to enter in the name of fairness. Stand proud Oguri Cap, your presents actually change Japan.

Even with the misdirection, I was pretty invested with the race. They actually highlight Oguri’s rival and classmates pretty well. Sucks for Dicta Striker not performing well because of her injury, she was my favorite (what can I say, I love tomboy).

There’s actually several hints before the reveal. Like how Oguri rather than wearing a costume like the other horse she wears her gym clothes. When Rudolf reminiscing her racing age, we can see a newspaper just outside the focus with Sakura Chiyono O on the cover (probably covering her winning Nippon Derby). When they do a sweeping shot, Oguri Cap couldn’t be seen in the pack. Also when they do a transition from Dicta Striker to Oguri Cap the transition time actually far longer than the others because it was on a different track.

Can’t wait for the next episode titled peak! They can’t stop peaking

That was rough! Not only had Yachiyo been stranded for millennia, but she also no longer had her original body. Didn’t know a robot could go through a rebellious phase. I guess a by-the-book robot like Yachiyo would go through a lot after seeing such changes to her routine.

Meanwhile, Ponko has grown into such a beauty. She even got a boyfriend.

You really can’t never predict what will happen next with this anime. We haven’t seen the rest of Ponko’s family after the timeskip, I wonder what they look like now.

Bro, where’s the continuation

If you’re okay with Movies:

• Liz and the Blue Bird: (technically part of Hibike Euphonium but works as a stand-alone) A masterpiece film by Yamada Naoko, about a timid girl’s struggle with her relationship
• The Colors Within: Another Yamada Naoko film about finding your own color, super low stake drama, more on feels good anime
• Silent Voice: Yet another Yamada Naoko film about forgiving yourself and finding strength through each other (CW: suicide attempt)
• Look Back: The love and struggle for doing art
• Uma Musume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a new Era: (Just finished this one) An anthropomorphized race horse’s struggle to rise to the top, beautiful animation and drama

As for series:

• Hibike Euphonium: band drama
• Hyouka: a highschool detective solving mundane every day life through clever deduction, more character driven story
• Keep Your Hands off Eizouken: about making animation (not a real life representative, lean on the whimsical and creative aspect of animation)

I don’t think so. Each installment of uma musume seems to focus on different horses’ so they work as a stand alone

which of the other Umamusume anime is similar to Cinderella Gray? Would enough context be given to watch a season as a standalone series instead of starting from season 1?

You could try the movie Uma Musume: Road to the Top and Uma Musume: Begining of a New Era. Haven’t watch either, but I’ve hear a lot of praise for them

I kinda doubt they would do that. Cinderella gray’s story is based on real life story Oguri Cap. I’m not familiar with Japan’s horse racing scene so this is just a guess, but I don’t think they would do a one of race like that. Japan is land of bureaucracy, so exception like this needs a lot of paperwork and valid reason.

This soundtrack is what makes it so exciting during the races.

They definitely know how to hype the races. Not only the soundtrack, but also the pacing. Like how every race is introduced with a title screen, and how they gave empty space during the race. There are moments during the race with no soundtrack, and let the scene filled only with galloping sound. They also went into complete silence to give the twist more impact.

That was a race-full episode. We got three races in a row, though Oguri was only in two. So hype!

I know Oguri would win the first race from the last episode cliffhanger. Black Ale speaking politely was cute. Despite her loud mouth, at least she could keep her promise.

The reporter seemed really determined to get Oguri to enter the Nippon Derby. He not only made a lot of articles to rile up the discussion but also put in the work to fill out a 10,000-signed petition for Oguri.

Will Oguri get an exception to get into the derby? Or will Rudolf uphold the rule? The audience has voiced their opinion, and they (including me) want Oguri in the Derby! Can’t wait for the next episode, it’s titled Nippon Derby after all.

@rikka@ani.social

Finally, they animated the super-high-speed Kanshi suffering. I’ve been waiting to see it animated since they teased it in the opening. God speed, Kanshi, this is only the start of your many more suffering 🙏.

How lucky these girls were to have the beach all for themselves. The pizza also looks so tasty.

What?! They can’t just leave us like that. They shouldn’t put a cliffhanger on my comfort anime T^T. Stay safe Yachiyo, I hope Ponko and the rest will be able to rescue her

Agh, I’m so happy March and the rest of Kasamatsu cast still got a screen time during the post-credit scene and on the new OP! (though I don’t know what to feel about the short hair)

Despite having a bad mouth and attitude, I still like Black Ale because of her design (I’m a sucker for fierce woman). She looks to be a tough competition next episode. I don’t know about the history, but I don’t think Oguri will lose the race.

@rikka@ani.social

Sad that this one didn’t get an auto post because it didn’t get enough traction 😥. Anyway, we got another lovely episode this week.

The club activity finally took a toll on Makocchi’s weight, so she decided to go on a diet. With the help of Nana and Tsutsuji, they also start going to a gym. Though the three of them were all on the weak side and the gym proved to be quite a challenge.

Makocchi seems to take her diet too seriously, they had quite a dilemma when Shinon wanted to take the club to a hamburger restaurant. Tsutsuji was kind enough to teach Makocchi about “cheat day” 😈.

That was a big hamburger. I never had a classic tall burger. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tall burger in my home country (or maybe I’m just too poor to find one)

Tsutsuji was right, Makocchi, you shouldn’t take the diet too hard. It’s all about balance. Tsutsuji was even kind enough to accompany her to the gym from then on, despite not being an athletic person. She also found a good place to eat after going to the gym.

@rikka@ani.social

Thank god I just had curry for lunch before watching the episode, if not, I’d be in the same spot as Haruno. I can relate, Haruno. There is just something about curry that makes you crave it. There’s nothing that can beat the feeling of a warm and spiceful curry in your mouth 🤤

@rikka@ani.social

This will be the last time we will see you March

I didn’t plan to watch Uma Musume at the start of the season. I only heard it’s airing from r/anime discussion. Considering that it was made by Cygames and the several praises for the movie, I gave it a try. This is the biggest surprise for me this season. It was beautifully animated with a lot of hype moments, especially her rivalry with March. March was voiced by Ise Mariya, so I kept hearing Killua when she talks.

I cried a little watching this week’s episode. Kitahara decided to sacrifice his dream for Oguri after putting her in a pinch last episode. I was rooting for March to win (I love her, she is so cool) because I didn’t want Oguri to move out to nationals. I want her to still be with Kitahara and compete with March in Toukai. At last, Kitahara showed some resolution after seeing how conflicted Oguri was during the race. He finally decided to push Oguri to the nationals with his speech.

I will miss March, I don’t think we will see her again after Oguri transferred to the nationals.

To think that I would be this invested in racing horse girls playing a historical reenactment of real life horse race 😭