The long-awaited “Chūō Hennyū-hen” arc begins on May 18 and adds renowned voice actresses to the cast.
The anime Umamusume: Cinderella Gray, based on the manga by Taiyo Kuzumi and part of the Uma Musume Pretty Derby universe, is preparing to take a turn in its narrative with the beginning of the “Chūō Hennyū-hen” arc. This new segment will begin next Saturday, May 18 in episode 7 of the series.
The announcement was made through the official account on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by a promotional illustration and a special video that introduces the new characters who will join this second phase of the anime.
These are the new voices that join the race
The new cast includes renowned seiyuus who will give life to new “Horse Girls”:
- Ayumi Hinohara as Yaeno Muteki
- Ruriko Noguchi as Sakura Chiyono O
- Saya Aizawa as Mejiro Ardan
- Kana Yūki reprises her role as Super Creek
- Yumiri Hanamori as Dicta Striker
These new additions will complement the main cast, which includes Tomoyo Takayanagi as Oguri Cap, the protagonist of this installment. Other notable cast members include Azusa Tadokoro, Lynn, Yurina Amami, Naomi Ōzora, and Mariya Ise, among many more.
A production with important names
The direction is in charge of Takehiro Miura, known for his work on Fate/Apocrypha and Sword Art Online. The script is signed by Aki Kindaichi, while Takuya Miyahara and Keigo Sasaki (The Seven Deadly Sins) are in charge of character design. Kenji Kawai composes the music, and the opening theme “Koeru” is performed by ALEXANDROS. The ending, “∞”, is performed by Tomoyo Takayanagi herself.
International distribution and continuity
The anime premiered on April 6 on TBS and 27 other affiliates in Japan. The series will have a two-quarter broadcast with a pause between the two blocks.
International distribution includes Amazon Prime Video and the It’s Anime YouTube channel in regions such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Europe, and the Middle East. In Latin America, it can be seen through Anime Onegai, and in European countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland or Belgium, it will be available on ADN.
Oguri Cap, the protagonist of an intense story
The Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray manga began serialization in Weekly Young Jump in June 2020. This alternate story from the Uma Musume universe centers on Oguri Cap, an up-and-coming “Horse Girl” who struggles to make her way in a competitive and demanding environment.
The Uma Musume franchise has amassed an impressive legacy, with three seasons of anime, the Umayon spin-off, the Road to the Top special, and the recent release of the Uma Musume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a New Era movie in May 2024.
The mobile video game debuted in February 2021 for iOS and Android, with a PC version released a month later. In it, the players act as coaches for these speedy girls, helping them achieve fame in the national sports show “Twinkle Series”.
