Umamusume: Pretty Derby Season 3
Synopsis
Since childhood, horse girls Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond have admired and aspired to be like their fellow horse girl named Toukai Teiou. Chasing their dreams, they enroll in Tracen Academy, an institution dedicated to training horse girls and preparing them for legendary races. Soon after, Kitasan Black lands on Team Spica, the same team as Teiou. Beaming with motivation, she remains undefeated until she fails to win her first Grade 1 (G1) race—the most prestigious type of race in the league—but she is determined to unleash her true potential as a horse girl. Meanwhile, Satono Diamond comes from a long line of horse girls who, despite sporting incredible running prowess, have never won a G1 race. It is up to her to finally break this curse and bring the Satono clan the glory it deserves. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Season 3 of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby is a solid, enjoyable addition to the franchise, though it doesn't reach the emotional heights of Season 2. While the animation and race sequences are praised, some viewers find the character development of the protagonists, particularly Kitasan Black, less compelling. The season is considered a worthwhile watch for fans of the series but falls short of being a masterpiece.
Strengths
- Expressive animation and voice acting, especially for Kitasan Black.
- Exciting race sequences with improved animation and direction.
- Heartwarming moments and wholesome tone consistent with the series.
- Exploration of the challenges and struggles faced by athletes, particularly focusing on mental state.
Weaknesses
- Kitasan Black's character arc is not as compelling as previous protagonists, with some finding her emotional responses excessive.
- Satono Diamond feels like a supporting character rather than a co-lead.
- Side characters are underdeveloped and underutilized.
- Repetitive flashbacks and dialogue.
- Narrative inconsistencies and pacing issues compared to Season 2.