On February 22, 2025, Cygames celebrated the fourth anniversary of its popular mobile game, Uma Musume Pretty Derby, during its official live broadcast event "Paka Live TV Vol.50 Winter Party!" The event unveiled several exciting announcements, particularly the introduction of three new characters: Gran Alegría, Almond Eye, and Lucky Lilac, voiced by Hinata Natsume, Kaori Ishihara, and Yuki Nakajima, respectively.
The event featured the release of campaign information, including new visuals, gameplay mechanics, and additional character details. Each of the new horses, based on real-life racehorses, brings unique backgrounds and achievements to the game.
Gran Alegría, whose voice is provided by Hinata Natsume, was modeled after the successful racehorse of the same name, known for winning major races including the 2019 Oka Shō and the 2021 Victoria Mile. She captured the hearts of fans, earning the title of "Queen of Miles" after becoming the first horse to achieve total mile race domination.
Almond Eye, portrayed by Kaori Ishihara, is another central character whose race achievements include winning the Japanese Triple Crown for fillies and multiple domestic and international titles, making her one of Japan's most decorated racehorses.
Lucky Lilac, voiced by Yuki Nakajima, also made headlines during her racing career, securing victories at prestigious events like the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. The character profile highlights her admiration for Orfevre, also featured as another horse girl character.
Along with these three, the broadcast revealed additional characters: Loves Only You, Chrono Genesis, Karen Bouquet d'Or, and Phenomenon, all joining the Uma Musume roster.
The event also announced the upcoming new scenario titled "The Twinkle Legends," where players can train with legendary horses such as Seint Light, Speed Symboli, and High Seiko. These characters are expected to enrich the gameplay experience, providing new storylines and training elements to explore.
Adding to the excitement, several new support cards were introduced. The Gran Alegría support card, SSR [New Tales Await], focuses on increasing power. Similarly, the support card for Lucky Lilac, SR [Blooming Joy’s Moment], also emphasizes wisdom and strategy.
Players can look forward to special SSR support cards like [The Eyes That Change the World] with Almond Eye and new enhancements for in-game strategies. A refreshing musical number titled "STARTING FORCE" premiered during the show, capturing the spirit of the game.
The whole event was aimed at celebrating the success of the game over the past four years, alongside introducing exciting new content. A new update allowing for enhanced training options, including allowing players to select specific character traits before completing their training rounds, was discussed.
The community can enjoy several anniversary events, including daily free gacha pulls, merchandise, and potentially special campaigns to retain player interest and engagement. This celebration not only pays homage to the existing fan base but also invites new players to experience the vibrant world of Uma Musume Pretty Derby.
With the influx of new characters and features, Uma Musume Pretty Derby continues to evolve and grow, promising its players countless hours of enjoyment and connection to the racing world through enjoyable gameplay mechanics and heartfelt storytelling.