The unique appeal of Umamusume: Pretty Derby`s anime horse girls lies in the fact that each character is based on a real, famous racehorse. With the sports simulation game`s increasing popularity, particularly in North America, fans may be developing an interest in visiting these actual horses. Recognizing this, the game`s developer, Cygames, has issued guidelines for individuals wishing to visit stables.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby has already been a major success in Japan since its initial mobile release in 2021, leading to manga, anime, and even stage adaptations. However, its global launch last month significantly amplified its reach. Strong positive word-of-mouth, including streams from popular creators like Northernlion and Vinesauce, has helped propel it into widespread attention, resulting in a recent peak of over 50,000 simultaneous players on Steam earlier this week.
This surge in popularity appears to have also prompted more inquiries from fans interested in visiting the real-life racehorses that inspire the titular Umamusume characters. For instance, a user on BlueSky noted that appointments to visit Haru Urara, a beloved racehorse famous for her long losing streak, are already completely booked for the current month. Their post also included a screenshot from a Twitter user urging fans to `please be respectful and follow the rules`.
These guidelines are now accessible on the official Umamusume: Pretty Derby website. They advise potential visitors to contact the Kyousoba Furusato Information Center for visit arrangements rather than reaching out to the stables directly. The guidelines also include a warning: `Horses are extremely sensitive to their surroundings. Even what seems like a small change to a person could be a shocking, scary, or stressful event to them. For the safety and well-being of the horses, we ask all Umamusume fans to follow all rules and practice good etiquette when visiting stables in Japan.`
While this guidance is specifically for visiting stables within Japan, fans located elsewhere are encouraged to consult local resources for relevant information and rules if they plan to visit stables outside of Japan.