Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Launches Globally After Earning $2.6 Billion in Japan
Cygames’ top-grossing horse girl racing RPG finally hits iOS, Android, and Steam worldwide
Cygames has officially launched Uma Musume: Pretty Derby globally on June 26, 2025, marking a major milestone for the studio as it brings one of Japan’s most successful mobile games to the international stage. After raking in a staggering $2.6 billion in Japan since its initial release in February 2021, the horse girl phenomenon is now available in English across iOS, Android, and Steam.
The global launch follows more than a year of anticipation after Cygames teased its international expansion during Anime Expo 2024 with an English website, cinematic trailer, and social media presence. Now, fans outside Japan can finally train, race, and bond with their favorite horse girls in one of the most celebrated mobile games of the last decade.
A Billion-Dollar Franchise Gallops West
According to data from AppMagic, Uma Musume: Pretty Derby saw its biggest spike in revenue during its first full month in Japan, earning $125.4 million in March 2021. It quickly became the top-grossing mobile game in Japan for both 2021 and 2022, maintaining momentum with a consistent $10+ million in monthly revenue even four years post-launch.
Though in-game spending has declined over time – with 2024 earnings at $367.1 million, down 62% from its 2021 peak – the game still remains a massive hit domestically. The decision to go global comes at a crucial time, likely aimed at reinvigorating growth by tapping into a Western audience that has increasingly embraced Japanese gacha games.
Pre-Registration Hype and Launch Rewards
Pre-registrations for the global version opened in April 2025, offering players a chance to earn valuable rewards, including 3,750 Carats – enough for 25 gacha pulls. Cygames also ran a high-profile social media campaign promising a round-trip flight to Japan for one lucky participant who followed their new X (formerly Twitter) account and reshared the announcement.
The global rollout of Uma Musume also arrives just nine days after the worldwide launch of another Cygames title, Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond, which has already crossed $20 million in global revenue. Clearly, the developer is doubling down on international expansion.
What Is Uma Musume: Pretty Derby?
At its core, Uma Musume: Pretty Derby is a hybrid training simulator and rhythm game with gacha mechanics. Players take on the role of a trainer who must guide anthropomorphized racehorses – reimagined as anime-style “horse girls” – through training regimens, races, and live performances.
Each horse girl is inspired by real-life racehorses, and players can develop their stats through events, mini-games, and narrative content. The game features:
- Deep progression systems
- Emotional story arcs
- Competitive racing and PvP
- High-quality 3D animation
- Idol-style concerts after each race
The combination of racing, slice-of-life storylines, and flashy performances has contributed greatly to the game’s cult following and financial success.
Why Now, and Why It Matters
The launch of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby in the global market is more than just a new game release – it’s a cultural moment. Its success could signal a stronger appetite for Japanese mobile experiences that merge gacha, storytelling, and rhythm elements in novel ways.
Cygames is banking on a growing Western player base already invested in titles like Genshin Impact, Blue Archive, Nikke, and Honkai: Star Rail to gravitate toward this new experience.
With localized content, new event schedules, and a more accessible UI for English-speaking audiences, Uma Musume has a real chance to gallop ahead in the increasingly competitive global gacha scene.
Want to get a head start? Check out premium Uma Musume: Pretty Derby accounts now available at SetsunaEpic and enjoy a high-tier team from day one.
