Review: Electrifying animation marks an exciting Beginning of a New Era
I've had only a perfunctory awareness of Umamusume , the multimedia franchise about horse-girls who are born to run. I think I first heard about it because of a mobile game, which I promptly downloaded, but still haven't played. But of course, a movie releasing in theaters is the exact way to get me to jump into something, and jump I have. I have now officially been baptized into the fandom with the US theatrical release of Umamusume: Pretty Derby -- Beginning of a New Era. I (obviously) still can't pretend to be well-versed in this world, but I at least have a bit more knowledge under my belt. In this world, the Umamusume ("horse daughters" in Japanese) are girls who have horse ears and tails, and who are born to run. The film introduces this drive as the core of these characters: they have an almost supernatural ability to run fast, and they do. Sonic the Hedgehog can relate. In this world, Umamusume racing is one of the most popular sports, and the standout ra...
