Each season PA Works delivers an enjoyable series, this time Uma Musume: Pretty Derby. The anime deepen values such us the need to improve no matter the adversity and the friendship. It is great seeing they did not resort to the fanservice or the boring and the repetitive plot ideas of the average sports series. The simple story carries a diverse set of characters and exploits their various personalities. Furthermore, the idea of moving forward keep us the viewer entertain until the end of the series.
The main story is about horse-girls and their struggle to be the best. They suffer, cry, smile, joke, they are rivals, and are good friends. The story follows Special Week and her dream. In the beginning, we can feel her character a bit generic. As the story progresses, her role increases the complexity showing her emotions and fitting the story development. Special Week is the center of the story. However, the other horse girls aren’t left behind, and all the characters advance with the story and develop their personalities. For example, Silence Suzuka, her reasons for competing, and her values. The story pacing is excellent. For a sports anime, they do not prolong the tracks in an annoying loop. The direction focuses on both aspects, the sport and the slice of life of this horse girls. It is pleasing how these girls keep fighting to improve and to be the best but in a very healthy way and not the annoying, pedant rivalry from other series.
On the other hand, the horse-girls names came from real horses. Perhaps, some of the details in the story are from real events, but those do not spoil the plot. Furthermore, the story has comical events executed are a perfect time and are used to boost the interest in the characters. The anime tried to mix the horse-girl idea with the idols. I am not entirely sure if they succeeded, but the idea is not intrusive with the whole story and adds some dynamism at the end of each race.
Another remarkable aspect from this series are the characters. For me, they are the most enjoyable part of the story. They do not need the fanservice or the idolizing theme to gather the viewer's attention. The plot helped the characters to evolve and to show their values, rivalry with some comical events each episode.
Finally, I consider Uma Pretty Derby an acceptable series that could bring some entertainment that some viewers will find enjoyable and funny. You should give this series a try and maybe support the video game in the nearby future when released.