Anime enthusiasts show a strong interest in sports, as demonstrated by the increasing popularity of titles like Haikyuu!! and Kuroko’s Basketball. However, certain sports are not as widely known or depicted in anime, such as horse racing. If you’re a horse racing and anime fan, then you’re in luck! There is a plethora of horse racing anime out there that are sure to satisfy your craving for excitement and adrenaline. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 must-watch horse racing anime you can’t afford to miss. From the thrill of the race to the drama and excitement that comes with it, these anime will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby
| Japanese Name | ウマ娘 プリティーダービー |
| Number of Episodes | 13 |
| Genre | Sports, Comedy |
| Studio(s) | P.A. Works |
| Aired | 2018 |
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby takes the number Five spot for the Best Horse Racing Anime. In this peculiar isekai twist, racehorses are reborn as horse girls in an alternate dimension. Special Week, a former racehorse, now exists as a horse girl and enrolls at the renowned Tracen Academy with the aspiration of becoming a racer.
After witnessing the racing prowess of Silence Suzuka, another horse girl, Special Week is motivated to pursue racing as well. Consequently, she joins Team Spica, a racing team, and embarks on a journey to become a remarkable racer alongside her teammates.
Umayaru
| Japanese Name | うまゆる |
| Number of Episodes | 17+ |
| Genre | Comedy, Sports |
| Studio(s) | Scooter Films |
| Aired | 2022 |
Girls Jockey
| Japanese Name | ガールズジョッキー |
| Number of Episodes | 1 |
| Genre | Sports |
| Studio(s) | NA |
| Aired | 2019 |
Coming in at number three on our list of Best Horse Racing Anime is Umayuru, a web-released series comprising of short episodes lasting only three minutes each. The show revolves around an all-female cast of chibi, anthropomorphic characters engaged in horse racing.
Coming in at number four for the best horse racing anime, we have Girls Jockey. This is a brief and straightforward DVD special and is one of the limited horse racing anime available. The story takes place during an undisclosed time when a woman won the Japan Derby trophy, sparking interest among females across the country in male-dominated and frequently overlooked sports.
As a result, girls nationwide are now training in horse racing to compete and succeed in significant events such as the Japan Derby, Tenno Shou, Arima Kinen, and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, among many others.
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 2
| Japanese Name | ウマ娘 プリティーダービー Season 2 |
| Number of Episodes | 13 |
| Genre | Sports, Comedy |
| Studio(s) | P.A.Works |
| Aired | 2021 |
Ranked as the second-best horse racing anime, Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 2 follows the success of its previous season and has received even greater acclaim. The storyline revolves around the horse girls of Team Spica, who are currently on a winning streak led by the main character, Tokai Teiou. In this season, Tokai Teiou aims to win the prestigious Triple Crown, but faces tough competition from several skilled opponents.
Fanfare Of Adolescence
| Japanese Name | 群青のファンファーレ |
| Number of Episodes | 13 |
| Genre | Sports, Drama |
| Studio(s) | Lay-Duce |
| Aired | 2022 |
Taking the top spot on our list of Best Horse Racing Anime is Fanfare Of Adolescence, the most recent addition to the genre. The story follows Yuu Arimura, a teenage pop idol who abandons his fame to pursue a career as a horse jockey. Yuu’s passion for horse racing is ignited after witnessing a derby and being captivated by it.
Yuu enrolls in a prestigious horse racing school where he meets his fellow classmates, including Shun Kazanami and Amane Grace. He forms strong bonds with them, and is inspired by Shun’s talent and Amane’s confidence as he works tirelessly to achieve his dream of becoming a successful jockey.
We have reached the end of our list of the top five best horse racing anime of all time. Despite being a somewhat neglected sport in the media, we hope that these anime will generate interest and inspire more captivating horse racing content in the future. In the meantime, we invite you to check out our other compelling articles at Otaku Flixs.
