Why Everyone’s Obsessed with Umamusume: Pretty Derby – The Anime Horse Girl Game Taking Over Twitch and Steam

If you’ve been anywhere near Twitch or Steam lately, you might have noticed a surprising new hit: Umamusume: Pretty Derby. This unique gacha game featuring anime horse girls has been gaining massive attention and quickly becoming a favorite among gamers and streamers alike. But what exactly is this game, and why is everyone so hooked?

• Introduction to Umamusume: Pretty Derby and its rise in popularity
• Gameplay overview and how the gacha system works
• Why the game is resonating with players on Twitch and Steam
• The connection to real racehorses and the broader Umamusume Project
• Whether you need to watch the anime to enjoy the game

What Is Umamusume: Pretty Derby?

Developed by Cygames, the studio behind the well-known Granblue series, Umamusume: Pretty Derby first launched in Japan back in 2021. However, it only became officially available in the US this year on June 26 for Windows PC, iOS, and Android. The game centers around “umas” — anime-style girls with horse ears and incredible racing abilities.

The core of the game is its career mode, where you pick one uma to train and guide through various races. It’s a bit like a sports management sim, but with a twist: you’re managing anime horse girls aiming to win races and perform victory songs on stage. The characters you want to use are obtained through a gacha system, meaning you spend a special in-game currency to unlock new umas. Besides the racers themselves, you’ll also collect Support Cards, which act like equipment to boost your team’s performance.

Gameplay: Simple Yet Deep

At first glance, the gameplay might seem straightforward. You choose training activities like speed drills, quick races to gain fans, or rest and recreation to keep your uma in top shape. But there’s more strategy involved than meets the eye. Managing your trainee’s energy, building relationships with other characters, and understanding their unique traits all affect race outcomes.

When race day arrives, you get to watch your carefully trained uma compete in fast-paced, exciting races. It’s this mix of management and thrilling race moments that keeps players coming back.

Why Is It Blowing Up on Twitch and Steam?

Umamusume: Pretty Derby recently hit a peak of 47,264 players on Steam and boasts over 80,000 Twitch followers. Popular streamers like Northernlion have drawn thousands of viewers as they train their horse girls live. On July 8, streamer Ludwig hosted a mini-tournament featuring the game, and the five-hour video on Twitch has racked up over 333,000 views.

The game’s appeal lies in its unexpected depth and charm. While the horse girl concept might sound niche or quirky, the gameplay and character stories are genuinely engaging. Fans love how the characters’ personalities are inspired by real racehorses — for example, Gold Ship’s famously temperamental nature is reflected in her in-game behavior.

Thanks to word of mouth and social media buzz, more players are curious to try this “horse game.” The mix of heartfelt storytelling, competitive challenge, and entertaining races creates a compelling experience for a wide audience.

The Umamusume Project: More Than Just a Game

Umamusume: Pretty Derby is just one part of a larger multimedia universe called the Umamusume Project. This includes anime series, manga, and other games, all expanding the world and stories of these horse girls. Each character is based on a real-life racing horse, which adds an extra layer of depth and fan interest.

The game’s popularity has even boosted awareness of the actual horses behind the characters. For instance, Haru Urara, a real horse, recently gained 67,000 likes on a photo featuring her wearing a new tiara — a testament to the game’s influence beyond gaming circles.

なぜかウララさんの今年の誕生日の時のティアラのが昨日からまた更に1万くらいイイネが増えてて通知止まらんし海外アカで昨日から400人くらいフォロワー増えてるじゃん
海外ニキネキ達に伝わるかわからないけど、ハルウララさんはとても元気で過ごしてるし、むしろ私より健康で元気なくらいだよ😆👍 pic.twitter.com/E9MKbUaPRj

— もつご (@animal_love_kaz) July 3, 2025

Is Umamusume: Pretty Derby Worth Playing?

If you’re on the fence, it’s worth giving Umamusume a shot. The game offers a relaxing, comfy experience after a long day, but also a deep, strategic challenge if you want to dive into stats, training plans, and character builds. The stories are well-written and emotionally engaging, making it easy to connect with your favorite umas.

Remember though, it’s a gacha game — while you can enjoy it for free, there are limited-time characters and Support Cards available for purchase. Whether you prefer to play casually or competitively, there’s something here for everyone.

Do You Need to Watch the Anime First?

The Umamusume anime series is part of the same universe, but you don’t need to watch it to enjoy the game. The game’s story mode introduces the characters and their motivations in its own way. That said, if you’re curious, there are three seasons of the Pretty Derby anime, plus a newer show called Umamusume: Cinderella Gray that’s set in the same world but separate from the main series.

There’s also the Road to The Top miniseries available on YouTube, which is a great way to get a taste of the Umamusume world without committing to full seasons.