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basic information
- title:Uma Musume Cinderella Gray
- Original work: Cygames
- Manga: Taiyo Kusumi
- Screenplay: Sugiura Masashi
- Planning and composition: Shunnosuke Ito
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Published in: Weekly Young Jump
- Number of published volumes: 21 as of November 2025 (still ongoing)
- Anime adaptation: Broadcast begins in October 2025 (split into two seasons)
This work is a spin-off of a series that depicts Uma Musume, personified "girls with horse blood" who hone themselves and grow on the stage of racing. By adding elements such as a "Cinderella-like rise to power," "from the countryside to the capital," and "a drama of setbacks, glory, and revival," the story has a structure that is compelling even for those who are not horse racing fans.
Synopsis
The story begins in a rural area called "Kasamatsu Training Center Academy," which was once a thriving place but is now losing momentum. There, a horse girl appears as an "ash-covered girl." Her name is Oguri CapDespite the handicap of growing up in the countryside, he seeks to prove his existence through running.
One day, Oguri Cap, the student council president of the Japan Uma Musume Training Center Academy (commonly known as the "Central Training Center Academy"), was watching the races in a local race. Symboli Rudolf He is scouted by the local team and moves up the ranks from the local team to the central team, facing off against strong opponents and experiencing setbacks at times, all while pursuing his dreams.
The story climaxes with the showdown between Oguri Cap and Inari One at the Grand Prix race, the Takarazuka Kinen. The story is also being divided into chapters, such as "Chapter 3: The Eternal Three Strongest" and "Chapter 4: The Gray Monster," which will add even more depth to the story.
In this way, it is not just a story about sports and racing, but a story that carefully weaves together elements such as character growth, setbacks, rivalries, glory and recovery.
The charm of the characters
Oguri Cap (protagonist)
Despite facing the adversity of being from a rural area, his determination to make a leap from a place no one else paid any attention to is what makes him so appealing. In the beginning, he shows some rough edges and imperfections, but this also gives the impression of room for growth. As a reader, you'll want to root for this protagonist.
Furthermore, the process in which glimpses of the uniqueness and strength of his running style that earned him the nickname "monster" are revealed at turning points in the story is extremely dramatic, and the real pleasure is in following the changes from the beginning to the middle of the story.
Minoru Kitahara
He works as a trainer at Kasamatsu Academy and is in the position to discover and discover Oguri Cap. His words, actions, and beliefs, driven by his anger and frustration at the current state of the region and his ideals, add to the story.
Symboli Rudolf
He is a symbol of the strong and top tier of Central Training Center Academy, and is also the student council president. He holds the key to the story, such as scouting Oguri Cap. His relationship with and confrontation with him are full of tension and are worth watching.
Rivals (Inariwan, etc.)
Inariwan is portrayed as a rival who repeatedly goes head-to-head with Oguri Cap, and his presence deepens the drama of Oguri Cap. As the story progresses, a variety of other rivals appear, each with their own thoughts and backgrounds.
The interactions between the characters, and emotions of trust, betrayal, and regret are carefully portrayed, and the coexistence of their "pride as Uma Musume" and "weakness as human beings" is what makes it so appealing.
It's not just a story of hard work; it's a fable of inequality and hope
At the core of "Uma Musume Cinderella Gray" is
“Rather than the simple hope that "effort will be rewarded,"
The will to continue running despite knowing that it will not be rewarded is.
The disparity between the central and local areas is also present in modern society.
A world where there are clear differences in starting line - educational background, environment, origin.
However, this film does not end on a pessimistic note about this ``difference.''
Rather,No matter where you're born, you can make your own pathThat
It sends a quiet message.
The title "Cinderella Gray" also has a deep meaning.
“"Ash" is proof of defeat, dirt, and effort.
The shining "gray"
An entity that never loses its light even when covered in mudIt symbolizes.
In other words, this work is a "racing manga" as well as a
“It is also a story about proving oneself despite differences in one's position.
This structure is what resonates universally with readers.
Imagery and atmosphere
The illustrations are relatively realistic, with emphasis placed on each individual line of the characters, as well as the dynamism of their muscles, movements, and running scenes. The depiction of faces and emotional expressions is also meticulous, and the visuals are impressively solid and not simply deformed.
The racing scenes also make excellent use of frame layout, speed, and perspective, effectively conveying the intensity and tension of the race to the reader. Depictions of mud, sweat, and wind pressure are also scattered throughout, giving the story the feel of a youthful racing story of "blood, sweat, and mud."
The atmosphere of the work is one of excitement, with elements such as the disparity between the countryside and the city, rising to power, setbacks, hard work, and revival, but it also has a calming quality, with depictions of everyday life in a quiet rural area and delicate psychological portrayals.
In addition, no effort has been spared in depicting the background, including the ash, dust, trucks, and stands, and the realism of the setting also supports the overall atmosphere of the work.
Memorable scenes
- Defeat in the first local race
In the scene where Oguri Cap loses his first race, the reader is made to understand the reality that dreams alone are not enough to win, and the frustration he feels. By experiencing setbacks here, the subsequent growth of the horse becomes more meaningful. - The moment of the Central Training Center Academy scout
The scene where Symboli Rudolf sees her running and asks her to come along is not only a turning point in the story, but also highlights the protagonist's resolve and conflict. - Direct showdown at the Takarazuka Kinen
The race between Oguri Cap and Inari One is one of the most memorable climaxes of the story. The tense exchange of skill, determination, and the desire to win is heart-wrenching. - The moment of resurrection and reversal
In Chapters 3 and 4, the moments when Oguri Cap repeatedly finds himself in difficult situations but climbs out of the depths resonate deeply with readers, evoking strong emotions and empathy. In particular, in the chapter on the "Gray Monster," the moment when her uniqueness and strength blossoms leaves a powerful tingle in the reader. - Emotional recollections and everyday scenes
It's not just about the races, but also the depiction of quieter scenes such as daily life in the deserted Kasamatsu, conversations with the past, and interactions with friends, which are also memorable. Scenes that touch on the protagonist's inner self add depth to the story.
These scenes are not just about a battle, but are carefully crafted to allow the reader to empathize and feel the characters' growth and change.
Recommended for:
- People who like sports and racing
This is a work that will appeal to those who like elements such as speed, competition, failure and recovery. - People who like rags-to-riches and Cinderella stories
For those who are attracted to story structures that move from the local area to the central area and the leap from adversity. - People who want to enjoy character-focused and psychological portrayals
The emotional turmoil, human relationships, and conflicts that occur outside of the races are carefully depicted, giving the story more than just a "running girls' manga." - People who like the Uma Musume series
If you're familiar with the original world of Uma Musume, you'll also enjoy the background setting, such as the legends, backgrounds, and names of the horses featured. - People who like works that have a passionate yet quiet atmosphere
The film balances intense racing scenes with quieter scenes in the countryside and everyday life, making it suitable for people who aren't satisfied with just high-tension works.
On the other hand, this may not be the right choice for people who are looking for "daily life 4-panel comics," "emphasis on comedy," or "fantasy/magic."
Similar works
- Ace of Diamond/Haikyu!!(Sports, competition, growth)
→ The structure is similar: club activities, competition, setbacks, and relationships with peers. - Beautiful scenery,Air Gear,KINGDOM etc.
→ A work that intertwines elements of real life, strategy, effort, and competition. - Yowamushi Pedal
→ A story of friendship, competition and growth through the sport of road racing. - GIANT KILLING
→ Strategy, competition, and team drama through the sport of soccer. - Eager!
→ A passionate, sports-spirited story based on bicycle racing. - Uma Musume Pretty Derby(Original work, game, derivative work)
→ The worldview is the same. When you read the original game and other comic spinoffs together, you can feel the breadth of the worldview.
Reading these together will give you a clue to enjoy the "fun of competitive dramas" and the structure of the story as a "drama of character growth."
Q&A
Q1: What is the order to watch/read Uma Musume Cinderella Gray?
→ It's easier to understand the story if you start by reading the original manga. However, since the anime series has been running since October 2025, anime fans can also enjoy it by starting with that.
Q2: Is the horse used as the motif a real horse?
→ Yes. Many of the characters, such as Oguri Cap, are based on real racehorses, and the story is structured with links to historical facts and what-if elements.
Q3: How many volumes have been released so far?
→ As of November 2025, 21 volumes have been published.
Q4: When will the anime be broadcast?
→ Broadcasting will begin in October 2025 and will be split into two seasons.
Q5: What is the relationship to the original game, "Uma Musume Pretty Derby"?
→ This work is a spin-off/derivative of the Uma Musume world, and shares the same worldview. It does not directly follow the story of the game, but if you are familiar with the Uma Musume characters and the world setting in the game, it will be easier to read and there will be more room for you to understand.
Q6: What's the trick to enjoying the show without spoilers?
→ You'll feel more immersed if you read while predicting how the races and battles will play out. Also, if you keep in mind the characters' backgrounds and the relationships between rivals, you'll be able to notice the plot twists more easily.
summary
"Uma Musume Cinderella Gray" goes beyond the framework of simply being a "running girl" story; it's a rich work packed with drama, including setbacks and hopes, conflicts with friends, and clashes with rivals. From local to central, from obscurity to legend - the story's structure is quite conventional, but the character portrayals, the depth of the racing scenes, and the story's pace are solid, making it a compelling read even for those who aren't horse racing fans.
It has also been adapted into an anime, so you can enjoy both the manga and the anime. You can start with the anime, or follow the original manga. This is a work that I highly recommend to anyone who likes racing, rags-to-riches, and exciting stories.
Overall impressions
The position of the Uma Musume characters is very interesting. It can be read as an exciting sports manga, and there are many cute characters, so you can support them. By using real horses as characters, you will be interested in historical battles and what kind of horses were there. It also combines well with games, making it a manga that is good at media mix.
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