Umamusume: Pretty Derby's Unexpected Surge in Gaming Popularity

In 2025, the gaming world witnessed an astonishing rise to prominence of a title that few might have anticipated. A roguelike adventure set in a grand estate captivated players, while an RPG centered on precise parries stole the hearts of many. However, as the year unfolded, a unique gacha game featuring animated equine characters, known as Umamusume: Pretty Derby, emerged as the latest obsession across Twitch and Steam. This phenomenon highlights how an engaging concept, even if initially niche, can transcend expectations and capture a global audience, proving that innovation and charm can come from unexpected corners of the industry.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby, crafted by Cygames, the creators behind the renowned Granblue franchise, officially launched in Japan in 2021 before making its U.S. debut in June 2025 across Windows PC, iOS, and Android platforms. The game's core experience revolves around vibrant "uma," girls embodying horse-like traits and exceptional racing prowess. Players assume the role of trainers, guiding these unique athletes through a comprehensive "career" mode. This involves selecting an uma, meticulously planning their training regimens, and preparing them for competitive races. The game incorporates a gacha system for acquiring new trainees and essential Support Cards, which function similarly to equipment, enhancing the trainees' abilities. The objective is to nurture these horse girls, helping them achieve their dreams of winning races and captivating audiences with their post-race musical performances, immersing players in a unique blend of sports management and character development.

The strategic depth of Umamusume: Pretty Derby lies in its sports management elements. Players navigate various options, such as directing their uma to engage in speed training, participate in minor races to attract more supporters, or take moments for leisure and recuperation. This nuanced approach demands careful energy management, fostering strong bonds with other characters to unlock additional training benefits, and a deep understanding of each uma's individual characteristics. These elements collectively influence performance during races, where all accumulated training culminates in exhilarating competitions. Beyond its gaming aspects, Umamusume: Pretty Derby is part of a broader multimedia initiative known as the Umamusume Project, which extends into anime series and manga. While each component features distinct characters, they collectively enrich the franchise's lore, with many characters inspired by real-world champion racehorses, adding a layer of authenticity and depth to the fantastical setting.

The burgeoning popularity of Umamusume: Pretty Derby on platforms like Twitch and Steam has been a remarkable development. On July 8, the game drew an impressive peak of 47,264 concurrent players on Steam, and over 80,000 users actively track the game on Twitch. Prominent streamers, including Northernlion, have attracted audiences exceeding 22,000 viewers while showcasing their horse girl training sessions. Notably, a five-hour livestream of a mini-tournament organized by popular streamer Ludwig garnered over 333,000 views on July 8 alone. This unexpected success appears to stem from a genuine fascination with the game's inherent quality and charm. Initially, given its niche premise and anime-inspired visuals, many long-standing fans and industry observers did not foresee such widespread appeal beyond its dedicated community. However, a grassroots movement, particularly on social media platforms, began highlighting the game’s engaging mechanics and the endearing, often humorous, behaviors of the in-game characters, which are cleverly rooted in the real-life antics of their equine counterparts, such as the famously temperamental Gold Ship.

This surge in interest has transformed what started as a casual meme into a significant gaming phenomenon, drawing countless new players into the captivating world of Umamusume. The game masterfully engages players in each character's journey, as every horse girl possesses a distinct background, aspirations, and individual narrative. The intricate progression system provides a compelling challenge for those who enjoy meticulously optimizing character builds and training routines, delving into detailed statistics, race specifics, and the strategic use of Support Cards. The races themselves offer intense and visually dynamic spectacles. While the current buzz surrounding the "horse game" certainly contributes to its visibility, Umamusume: Pretty Derby is genuinely introducing new audiences to the heartfelt universe of Umamusume. This has even led to an outpouring of affection for the real horses that inspired these characters; a recent photograph of Haru Urara, a real horse, proudly wearing a new tiara, amassed 67,000 likes, illustrating the profound connection players are forming with the source material through the game.

For those contemplating a foray into Umamusume: Pretty Derby, the game offers a rewarding experience, whether one seeks a relaxing, end-of-day pastime or a deeply competitive challenge. Cygames has skillfully crafted a title with compelling characters, each boasting unique narratives and motivations, making it easy to form an emotional connection. The story mode allows players to immerse themselves in the rich lore without needing to obsess over stats. Conversely, for the analytically inclined, the game provides extensive depth, allowing for the meticulous optimization of training, veteran umas, and Support Cards. It is important to remember, however, that it operates on a gacha model, meaning time-limited characters and support items are available through real-money purchases, though a fulfilling free-to-play experience remains entirely feasible. While the game stands strong on its own, for those curious about expanding their experience, there are anime series within the Umamusume Project that delve deeper into the characters' world, offering additional emotional depth and context, but they are not essential for enjoying the game itself.