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Developers of the viral horse racing game Umamusume threaten 'legal action' against fan art

The game producer, Cygames, Inc recently released its English version
posted by Sourodeep Dey
Tuesday 7/8/2025 at 8:15AM EDT
  • Umamusume: Pretty Derby (Image via YouTube/Umamusume:Pretty Derby)
    Umamusume: Pretty Derby (Image via YouTube/Umamusume:Pretty Derby)

    The creators of Umamusume: Pretty Derby have released new guidelines stipulating the limits within which fans can create art based on the popular game as well as the anime franchise inspired by it. The guidelines come in the wake of the game’s global release in the English language on June 26, 2025.

    The franchise related to Umamusume: Pretty Derby is based on popular racehorses from the real life. As such, the game’s producer, Cygames, Inc issued directives for appropriate use of the franchise’s material and characters by fans. The producer also reserved the right to undertake legal action against fan art which is not made in accordance with the directives.

    Noting that the franchise’s characters were created with the necessary permissions from owners of racehorses from horse racing history, Cygames wrote that fans must not intend to damage the reputation of Umamusume or third parties. The producer also specified that violent or s*xual content would not be tolerated. In addition, Cygames noted that fan art must not promote or disparage religious sentiments and political views using characters from the Umamusume franchise.

    Cygames also cautioned against illegal activities in connection with Umamusume fan art, and noted that content must not infringe upon rights of third parties. The producer also dissuaded users from using its characters or materials for commercial activities or to generate profits. Cygames noted that such directives were issued to caution against inappropriate usage of the franchise, and was not meant to deter fans from creative use of the franchise’s materials.

    The success of Umamusume, explored

    Umamusume: Pretty Derby was initially released in Japan in 2021 as a game available on iOS, Android and PC. As per its website, it exceeded 30 million downloads in Asia.

    As per Pocket Gamer, the game quickly rose to success and became one of the top games of Japan in the years 2021 and 2022.

    The game spawned a manga, titled, Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray and was nominated in the Next Manga Awards in 2021, as per Anime News Network. An anime series of the same name is also extremely popular among fans of the franchise.

    As per Game Rant, the intense popularity that Umamusume enjoys in Japan is related to its portrayal of the idol culture in the country. The anime, which focuses on race girls who also perform live concerts gives the franchise an edge. According to Game Rant, Umamusume also reinvigorated the curiosity in horse racing among its younger fans.

    Pocket Gamer noted that Umamusume was introduced to western audiences at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California, following which, the game is now available for fans globally.

    Recently, prominent YouTuber Ludwig announced plans to host a tournament of Umamusume: Pretty Derby alongside fellow YouTuber Northernlion, as per Game Rant. Ludwig announced his plans on X, and shared a screenshot of his conversation with Northernlion, and jokingly wrote,

    “this game really is changing him”

     

    According to Ludwig’s screenshot, he plans on hosting the tournament on July 8, Tuesday, from 10 AM onwards to 2 PM PST.

    TOPICS: Umamusume, Fanart