The race is on, and our favorite horse girls are right on track.
How to watch Uma Musume in order is one of the questions new fans often ask. The anime series follows a group of horse girls who train hard, race on huge stages, and chase their dreams.
With multiple seasons, specials, and spin-offs, it can be tricky to know where to start watching the series, and we’re here to help. This complete guide breaks down how to watch Uma Musume in order so you can experience the franchise in the best way possible.
What is Uma Musume?
Uma Musume is an anime series centered around horse girls who pursue racing careers while attending Tracen Academy. The story follows their training, friendships, and competitions, with themes that combine horse racing and the idol culture.
The cast draws inspiration from real Japanese racehorses. Each character reflects the names, traits, and career highlights of well known thoroughbreds.
The anime is based on a smartphone simulation game from Cygames, released in 2021. Cygames faced major redevelopment issues, so the anime aired first in 2018. The team rebuilt the game from scratch to improve quality before releasing it in 2021.
An anime adaptation by P.A. Works aired from April to June 2018. Season one follows Special Week, a horse girl that comes from the countryside. She aspires to become the best horsegirl in all of Japan, inspired by Silence Suzuka.
Studio KAI released season two from January to March 2021 with support from P.A. Works. The story highlights Tokai Teio as she deals with injuries and works to return to racing.
Studio KAI also worked on season three from October to December 2023. The focus shifts to Kitasan Black and her friendship with Satono Diamond.
The franchise includes several spin-offs. CygamesPictures released the web anime Road to the Top and the film Beginning of a New Era in May 2024. Both feature horse girls Narita Top Road and Jungle Pocket.
CygamesPictures also produced Uma Musume Cinderella Gray, which premiered in April 2025, along with the short spin-off Umayuru Pretty Gray from April to May 2025. Cinderella Gray follows the story of Oguri Cap, a horse girl with a unique running style, and her rivalries with Tamamo Cross, Inari One, and Super Creek.
How to watch Uma Musume in order: The best Uma Musume watch order you should follow
| UMA MUSUME WATCH ORDER | TITLE | TYPE | RELEASE PERIOD |
| 1 | Uma Musume Pretty Derby season 1 | TV series | April 2, 2018 to June 18, 2018 |
| 2 | Uma Musume Pretty Derby – The BNW’s Oath | Original Video Animation (OVA) | December 19, 2018 |
| 3 | Uma Musume Pretty Derby season 2 | TV series | January 5, 2021 to March 30, 2021 |
| 4 | Umayon | TV shorts | July 7, 2020 to September 22, 2020 |
| 5 | Uma Musume 1st Anniversary Special Animation | Original Net Animation (ONA) | February 22, 2022 |
| 6 | Uma Musume Pretty Derby Road to the Top | Web anime | April 16, 2023 to May 7, 2023 |
| 7 | Umayuru | Web shorts | October 16, 2022 to March 26, 2023 |
| 8 | Uma Musume Pretty Derby season 3 | TV series | October 5, 2023 to December 28, 2023 |
| 9 | Uma Musume Pretty Derby Beginning of a New Era | Movie | May 24, 2024 |
| 10 | Uma Musume Cinderella Gray season 1 | TV series | April 6, 2025 to June 29, 2025 |
| 11 | Uma Musume Cinderella Gray season 2 | TV series | October 5, 2025 |
It is important to note that while the story in Uma Musume Cinderella Gray covers races from 1987 to 1990 and Uma Musume Pretty Derby season one covers races from 1997 to 1999, you should start with the original Uma Musume Pretty Derby.
This particular Uma Musume watch order gives you an introduction to the world and characters for your first experience. It helps you follow the main storyline before exploring any other Uma Musume watch order variations.
We also recommend watching Cinderella Gray after Pretty Derby since it works as a standalone prequel with a separate timeline.
