If you told me a few years ago that I’d be emotionally invested in anime horse girls racing in idol concerts after training montages… I’d have laughed. And yet, here I am, logging in daily, rolling for a horse with a dream and sparkly eyes.
You might ask, “What did you get yourself into?” I’ve asked myself the same thing.
How It Started: TikTok and an Unexpected Hook
My Uma Musume journey began, like many modern obsessions do, doomscrolling on TikTok. I stumbled across a racing clip from the anime, and it completely floored me. The animation was slick, smooth, and kinetic, which hit especially hard coming off Blue Lock Season 2’s slideshow-like running scenes.
So I decided to check out the anime, just to “dip my toes in.” To my surprise, the bath was very warm. And relaxing. And strangely informative.
I found out the horse girls are based on real Japanese racehorses, the races are reenactments of real-world events, and I accidentally learned terms like “Triple Crown” and “JRA.” Suddenly, I knew more about Japanese horse racing than I ever planned to.
The Game: Racing, Training, and Gacha Loops
When the global launch was announced, I knew I had to try it. I’m no stranger to gacha games, having played everything from Brave Frontier (iPod era gang, rise up) to Crusader’s Quest, AFK Arena, AFK Journey, and now Uma Musume. So I came in expecting the usual grind. But Uma surprised me.
Here’s the basic loop:
1. Log in daily
2. Collect carats (your currency for summoning or scouting as they call it in-game)
3. Train your Uma
4. Win races in Career mode
5. Retire your Uma
6. Use her in PVP races or pass her traits on as a parent or grandparent for the next generation
Yes, you read that right. Grandparents. Breeding mechanics go three generations deep, which means your current build is influenced by your training choices from hours, or even days, ago. It’s unexpectedly strategic and deep. And weirdly wholesome.
The Gacha: How Generous Is It?
You roll for both horses and support cards. And as a free-to-play (F2P) player, I’ve found the game surprisingly generous. I don’t min-max or chase top-tier meta builds, so for someone who just wants to enjoy the ride (literally), the reward system feels fair. The pull rates aren’t groundbreaking, but the pacing doesn’t feel predatory, which, in gacha terms, is a win.
The Races: Pure Adrenaline (and Occasional Heartbreak)
This is where Uma Musume shines. I’ve genuinely stood up and cheered as my horse pulled off a last-second spurt in the final 200 meters. The adrenaline is real. The dopamine hits hard. And then it crashes just as fast when I see that she’s only passing down a 1★ Guts stat to her offspring. Looking at you, Rice Shower.
