In a result few saw coming at the beginning of the season, Umamusume: Cinderella Gray has officially been crowned the Anime of the Season for Spring 2025. What makes this win even more remarkable is how quietly the show began its journey. The anime did not appear in the top 10 rankings for the first eight weeks of the season and was sitting at a modest Rank 31. But as the weeks progressed, so did its momentum. By Week 9, it finally entered the weekly rankings and remained on the charts until the season’s end. Then, in a surprising final surge, it claimed the top spot and beat out highly rated competitors like The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 and TO BE HERO X.
The fan voting was substantial, with over 56000 participants helping to determine the results. Umamusume: Cinderella Gray secured a final score of 5.71 percent, enough to take the crown despite its slow burn to success. This underdog story is very much in line with the journey of its lead character, Oguri Cap, whose narrative arc in the anime mirrors the real world comeback the series has just achieved.
Studio CygamesPictures has produced the anime with notable dedication to both character depth and racing intensity. The series is helmed by director Yuki Ito, with series composition handled by Aki Kindaichi. The detailed animation and emotionally resonant storytelling are also supported by character designers Takuya Miyahara and Keigo Sasaki, whose visuals brought these horse girl hybrids to life with unique charm.
The core voice cast has played a crucial role in making the series resonate with audiences. Tomoyo Takayanagi delivers a heartfelt performance as Oguri Cap, while Momoko Seto, Katsuyuki Konishi, Naomi Ozora, and Azusa Tadokoro provide depth and flair to the rest of the central characters. Their voice acting has contributed significantly to the emotional connection fans have built with the characters over the weeks.
As for what lies ahead, the story is far from over. The second cour of Umamusume: Cinderella Gray is scheduled to continue in October 2025. With the buzz surrounding this win, expectations are now higher than ever. Fans are already eager to see how the narrative evolves, especially with such strong groundwork laid during the first half of the season.
The broader Umamusume franchise has built a strong legacy since its launch. Originally beginning as a mobile game in 2021 for iOS and Android, it quickly gained a cult following in Japan before expanding to PC and now internationally. With multiple anime adaptations under its belt, including the main three seasons, web projects like Road to the Top, and the feature film Beginning of a New Era, the franchise has shown incredible adaptability and staying power. Its latest global release has also sparked renewed interest in both new and returning fans.
The spin off series Cinderella Gray, from which this anime takes its story, has been serialized in Weekly Young Jump since June 2020. Written by Masafumi Sugiura and illustrated by Taiyo Kuzumi, the manga has released 20 volumes so far and shows no signs of slowing down. The anime adaptation currently streams on Netflix, bringing the series to a wider global audience than ever before.
With such a strong comeback story, Umamusume: Cinderella Gray has proven that it is more than just a racing themed anime. It is a tale of resilience, growth, and the unexpected power of underdogs rising to the top.
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