Overall Recommendation (Spoiler Free):
This movie can be watched with no prior knowledge of the series and is independent of previous installments. I believe it deserves a spot in the top anime movies of all time, and would recommend it to anyone even slightly intrigued by the premise or who is otherwise a fan of the sports genre.
Review (Spoilers Ahead):
Thank you for your time, I hope you enjoy reading my review.
The depiction of three hard-edged characters with often grave and sometimes almost sinister expressions is a significant departure from the past installments, which feature sweeter, gentler personalities. This change from an established trend whilst holding to
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the overarching themes is a constant of the series and I believe one of the reasons it has managed to hold its momentum through so many installments with largely similar premises. This movie marks the biggest such change, so much so that in the first few minutes I found myself thinking “Is this the Umamusume we know?”, yet it has been pulled off brilliantly. In particular, Tachyon’s permanently ‘V’ shaped mouth and almost disturbing gaze made her instantly unforgettable. A few frames of abstraction were used strategically throughout the first half, such as the hungry grin of Pocket in the classroom as she watches her prey draw on the window. The frames wherein the characters literally dissolve in shock were very Bocchi-esque and really sold those expressions.
During Tachyon’s change of heart - as she goes to leave the stands at the Derby - the use of a geiger-counter-like sound as a build up to Jungle Pocket’s victory roar is genius. It ties into Tachyon’s mad scientist themes and has such a powerful impact through the use of a sound which the viewer will deeply associate with a great threat: radiation. The accompanying discordant sonar/siren-like sounds in this particular scene were also perfectly chosen and placed as a cue to the viewer that Tachyon’s thoughts and spirit are in great turmoil. The use of sound design to contradict her outward monologue as she climbs the stairs is masterful.
These powerful distinct sound elements stand in stark contrast with the general tone of very little background sound and music, particularly during many of the races, compared to past installments in the series. This blank canvas approach allows the race commentator’s passion and the thundering of hooves to take centre stage and heighten the drama.
It is also a bold move that relies on the visual and narrative elements of the movie to hold the viewer’s attention but therefore allows creative advantages not normally available to a production constantly backed by an OST. During the trip to the beach which comes as a narrative wind-down from the climactic Derby, the chirping of the cicadas paint as much of a vivid picture of sparkling summer as any tune could, and the strains and grunts of Pocket on the leg press at the gym are left unaccompanied to describe her effort, giving a more resonant sense of the work she is putting into her training.
The general absence of music allows its use to stand out more prominently, such as when the slow piano piece really sets the atmosphere during Fuji and Pocket’s chat at the festival. The transition from a set of traditionally directed and produced scenes to Pocket’s waking nightmare on the bus is a masterstroke. Realist elements such as the brief close-up on the bus wheels uncomfortably close speeding bus wheels, the single frame of the seatbelt cueing a sensation of being trapped, and Pocket’s increasingly restless legs are merged with visions of an endless chase across a vast grass flat and an unreal Tachyon grin crossing the spectre of Fuji’s face. This all serves to bring the viewer into the episode alongside Pocket herself.
These portions of moody brilliance are contrasted by moments of levity throughout the movie which are well placed and serve to accentuate the grand tone, resulting in Umamusume’s signature balance of serious high stakes and feel-good light-heartedness.
At times in the past the series has suffered a little from excessive use of the anime trope of ‘power-up shouting’. While there are moments of the classic Umamusume race climax internal monologues with building shouts, which this movie executes just as well as past installments: it also tells far more with its visual and audible effects as some of the races end with the main characters charging for the finish so intensely that not a word is spoken but for the commentator’s frantic calls.
The best example is the Yayoi Shou where Tachyon’s final push speaks entirely for itself as literal mathematical formulae begin to fall from her. As she picks up speed she begins to embody the storm which had overcast the racetrack and the viewer knows in an instant that there is a link to Cafe’s elusive “imaginary friend”.
Going back to Pocket’s win at the Derby, there is a long drawn out shot of Fuji Kiseki and Trainer Tanabe talking to one another with their eyes, a conversation that is clearly about Pocket but which the viewer is left out of, masterfully building tension for her roar and Tachyon’s realisation.
As usual with Umamusume there is very little if any fanservice or other unpleasant additions so often made in the name of increasing popularity and sales with degenerates. The movie is unapologetically straightforward in its purpose of telling a story of great rivalry, all the nuance that entails, and - crucially - nothing else.
Every scene advances the plot or develops the narrative without any filler; all the fat has been trimmed from the storyboard to the final cut in a way that is a hallmark of a great film. This is an example of how an anime movie really can reach heights of cinematography on par with a Tarantino, in its own way. I also believe the series as a whole demonstrates anime’s unique ability to take a bizarre premise - one that might even be called shallow at face value, particularly because it originated from a monetised mobile game - and develop it into novel, engaging stories that deserve as much appreciation as more conventional works.
The only two things I could say that don’t constitute total praise were that I was expecting a more conclusive ending and that I felt the idol concert was an unnecessary addition between the epic climax and the credits roll. After watching the movie I went online and learned that Tachyon never returned to racing. Given that the series likes to stay true to history, I therefore feel it is unfair of me to criticise the movie for not including the more conclusive finale I was expecting. Working within the constraints of the truth that they set for themselves, I actually believe the climax couldn’t have been better. It is remarkable that so much story was packed into a runtime of only 107 minutes. I also cannot criticise the movie for its idol concert ending, as this is an established element of the Umamusume world and it is only a matter of taste that I personally would enjoy the show even more without it. That being said, the scene did not actively detract from the movie and was very well produced.
One could go on ad nauseam with many more ways in which the movie excelled across all aspects: the whole world turning an oppressive red for several minutes throughout the reveal of Tachyon’s retirement, perfectly villainizing her; the breathtaking use of silhouettes and the neon-bright vending machine by a lonely torii gate; the illustrators’ craft taking a mechanism as simple, tried and true as heavy rainfall during Cafe’s big moment, and raising it to absolute art. But in the name of brevity, I will conclude my review here.
I suspect this movie will earn and retain an even higher spot on MAL’s Top Anime List once more people see it. I have decided to rate it a 10 despite the swift ending because with sufficient effort one can find something less than perfect in any work. This movie is undoubtedly a technical masterpiece.
Jan 19, 2025
Overall Recommendation (Spoiler Free):
This movie can be watched with no prior knowledge of the series and is independent of previous installments. I believe it deserves a spot in the top anime movies of all time, and would recommend it to anyone even slightly intrigued by the premise or who is otherwise a fan of the sports genre. Review (Spoilers Ahead): Thank you for your time, I hope you enjoy reading my review. The depiction of three hard-edged characters with often grave and sometimes almost sinister expressions is a significant departure from the past installments, which feature sweeter, gentler personalities. This change from an established trend whilst holding to ... 
Jan 15, 2025
Overall Recommendation (Spoiler Free):
If you are interested in watching this series, begin with this piece before the main show. It requires no prior knowledge and will set you up with context that should greatly increase your comfortability with a core element of the series. Review (Spoilers Ahead): The Irregular at Magic High School: Reminiscence Arc demonstrates how creative choices can result in the poor execution of a good premise. The purpose of the prequel special is to develop the audience’s understanding of how the unique dynamic between Tatsuya and Miyuki came into being, but it fails to do so in a number of ways. Firstly and most crucially ... |
