Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Beginning of a New Era

Fans of Japanese animated movies can look forward to the acclaimed Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Beginning of a New Era, which officially released in theaters on Friday, May 24, 2024. This cinematic feature belongs to the animation, drama, comedy, and fantasy genres and is produced by the studios Cygames and CyPic in Japan, featuring Japanese dialogue. With a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes, or 108 minutes, the film has achieved notable financial success, pulling in a box office revenue of $8,551,637.

The central premise of the sports anime follows Jungle Pocket, an Umamusume who has been racing tirelessly in pursuit of becoming the greatest. She is ready to take on the once-in-a-lifetime Classic Triple Crown series, but standing directly in her way are powerful rivals from the same generation whose incredible talent may even surpass her own. This engaging storyline connects deeply with themes of anthropomorphism, horse racing, and video game adaptations.

The creative vision behind this Japanese film was brought to life by director Ken Yamamoto and writer Kiyoko Yoshimura. The production also features a musical score composed by Masaru Yokoyama, alongside cinematography handled by Yuki Kawashita and Akane Fushihara. Together, this talented crew crafted a distinct theatrical experience that expands upon the broader Umamusume franchise.

The voice cast brings the memorable characters of this horse racing anime to vivid life through compelling performances. The ensemble includes Yuri Fujimoto as the voice of Jungle Pocket, Sumire Uesaka as Agnes Tachyon, Yui Ogura as Manhattan Cafe, and Haruna Fukushima as Dantsu Flame. Additional voice talents featured in the film are Sora Tokui, Eriko Matsui, Kanna Nakamura, Misaki Watada, Kenichi Ogata, Yurie Igoma, Miyuki Sakurai, and Saya Hitomi.

Audiences and critics have responded very favorably to the popular movie, as reflected by its strong user rating of 8.5 out of 10 from 35 votes on TMDB alongside a popularity score of 4.458. For international viewers seeking where to watch, the film screened in cinemas upon its initial debut and has upcoming regional release dates scheduled, including a United States premiere on August 23, 2025, and a United States limited release on February 27, 2026.

Viewers watching this philosophical and comforting production can expect an emotional and visually striking narrative filled with intense athletic rivalries. The story explores themes of ambition, generational talent, and relentless pursuit of greatness within a vibrant world. Whether discovered through its gaming roots or discovered as a standalone cinematic journey, the feature delivers a memorable experience for enthusiasts of the genre.