Forum - View topicREVIEW: Uma Musume Pretty Derby Season 2
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Ryu Shoji
Posts: 676 Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom |
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Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 2 really surprised me. I thought that the first season was entertaining enough, but the increased focus on Tokai Teio and Rice Shower in particular really grabbed me, and made me want to cheer them. In all seriousness, this is my current Anime of the Year front runner.
It's also surprising to see just how faithful the series has been to the real life horses' careers (albeit sanitised a bit because... real life horse-racing ain't always a kind world). |
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Swissman
Posts: 798 Location: Switzerland |
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Very well written review. I agree with everything Christopher wrote.
Yeah, for me too. I quite liked the first season, but the second season took me completely by surprise with its hightened drama and suspense. I don't think any other anime will top Rice shower's arc & Tokai Teiou's last race for me this year. |
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Electric Wooloo
Posts: 315 |
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Still need to get around to watching it, but it's next on my list.
Japanese artists seem to be in love with the series too, so there are many people who appreciate the show it seems. |
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Philmister978
Posts: 336 |
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Actually, P.A. did co-produce the season and handled about half of the episodes for KAI, though admittedly, some were further contracted to DR Movie, which might explain some of the animation isn't as strong as season 1. |
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#HayamiLover
 Posts: 800 Location: Eastern Europe |
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To be honest, I think this change of protagonists might be a good decision if you're adapting a story from a franchise with a bunch of characters. I rarely choose the main characters as my favorites, so most of these shows are mostly somewhat disappointing for me, as my favorite characters generally get quite a bit of attention.
So I appreciate how shows like Idolmaster or Uma Musume either change protagonists or show the story from different angles. As far as I know, an adaptation of one of the UM's spin-offs is in development and there will also be a new protagonist. |
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dragonmastr
 Posts: 209 |
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Not enough horse belly shots in the second season. Jokes aside, I do hope that they release an English version of the mobile game.
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Covnam
 Posts: 3853 |
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A few episodes into this season I looked online and found out how closely the series was following the real life races it's tied to (after wondering why they kept going with the same thing). I think that really helped since it went in directions you'd never get with a typical series.
After the first season I wasn't thrilled with the cast change, but it didn't take too long to over come that. The running gag with the barber was great, though you'd think she'd find someone else or at least go on a day other than race day 
Only new minor nitpick this season would be just how much time has passed. From the start of the show to the end I think a few years have passed and yet literally nothing has changed. That's not unusual for most shows, but most shows also don't call out the such specific (and long) time frames. Here's hoping there's a 3rd season 
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scrwbll19
Posts: 87 |
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The feels this season brought were really powerful. Teio is one of my favorite characters. So, too see her as the star this season was great, but to see her wrung through the wringer was emotional impactful. In some ways, I find this season better than the first.
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Dark Mac
Posts: 323 |
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I've watched 14 shows so far this year and would consider this the worst of them.
I think the middle parts were the highlight, particularly Rice Shower's arc. Her content was great. |
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Swissman
Posts: 798 Location: Switzerland |
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I've watched 10 shows so far this year and would consider this the best of them.
I consider the last episode the best I've seen this year. |
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Merxamers
 Posts: 720 |
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It was pretty incredible how good this season was. I wasn't sure what to think about the lead character switch, but quickly got it; having rooted for athletes like Ken Griffen Jr. and Adrian Peterson (college), I can relate all too well how terrible it can feel to watch an athletic prodigy keep struggling with injuries, time and time again.
This season straight up ripped my heart out multiple times, along with several emotional moments i'll never forget (the climax of episode 10 being the biggest for me). As long as they keep delivering this successfully, I'm down for as many horse girl seasons as they want to make. (And wouldn't it be great to have this licensed state-side? Please, i need this) |
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Malsang
 Posts: 53 |
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This anime was a huge surprise to me. I didn't even watch Season 1, but I think that made it better in some ways. Knowing that the races in the show were closely based off of the results of actual horse races (with horses of the same name) tickled my brain throughout the season, and made it more compelling to see how the narrative sought to explain those events. While still a sugary anime, I would recommend this season even to those who are hesitant about watching idol-adjacent anime, or who avoid "girls who are actually ____" anime. It just goes to show what a good dose of creative freedom does to a franchise's anime adaptation.
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Punch Drunk Marc
Posts: 1751 |
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This season had no business being as good as it was. As others mentioned, I liked the first season, but this one pretty much blew it out of the water for the most part and made me REALLY want to play the game.
Also like the review said, I was disappointed that the rest of Team Spica were pushed to the back, but I did like the McQueen and Teio's story. I also like some of the new girls that got some shine (namely Twin Turbo and Rice Shower). An interesting thing I found out was when I went back and watched the final episode of the first season. The second season fits comfortably between Episodes 12 and 13 of season one, namely because Special Week writes a letter to her mom mentioning Teio's victory at the end of the season and her injury. |
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Merxamers
Posts: 720 |
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Can you point out specific instances or scenes in the show where this happens, where the girls can't do anything without him? He's their trainer and coach, so of course he'd put together physical therapy regimens and give the occasional pep talk. I'm just confused by this comment, seeing how he plays such a minor role in the series anyway. |
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darkchibi07
 Posts: 5518 |
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So is it safe to say Uma Musume is really successful female-led sports anime property? Yeah, it has your otaku gimmicks with horse girls and having a mobage, but can we put this on the similar pedestal as the other popular male-led sports anime shows?
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