Update: On May 28, Encore Films Malaysia announced that general screenings for Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era will now begin on June 11. A number of locations will offer early sneak peeks.
Original: Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era will begin screening in Philippine and Malaysian theaters on May 27 and May 28, respectively, reveals distributor Encore Films.
The anime sports drama film opened in Japan on May 24, 2024 and made its theatrical debut in the United States on February 27 of this year. Indonesia started screening Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era on May 1.
Encore Films has plans to release the movie in Singapore in addition to the Philippines and Malaysia.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby — Beginning of a New Era, the first anime film from Cygames‘ horse girl-themed Umamusume: Pretty Derby multimedia franchise, follows the racing journey of Umamusume Jungle Pocket. Ken Yamamoto (Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring and Pokémon: Hisuian Snow) directed the movie at CygamesPictures (now CyPic) with Tatsuya Kobari (Umamusume: Pretty Derby Season 3 co-series composer) as scenario director and story composer and Jun Yamazaki (Umamusume: Pretty Derby — Road to the Top) as character designer and chief animation director. Yuri Fujimoto starred as Jungle Pocket.
The film’s synopsis reads:
Jungle Pocket, known to her close friends as “Pokke,” is a free-spirited Umamusume who has proven her dominance in the freestyle racing scene. Overwhelmed by Fuji Kiseki’s majestic performance at a graded Twinkle Series race, she resolves to take on the Twinkle Series herself.
Shortly after joining the Umamusume training school Tracen Academy, Pokke comes under the wing of Tanabe, a veteran trainer who fostered Fuji Kiseki’s talent. Together, they aspire to dominate the Triple Crown series, a set of three races that can only be attempted once in a lifetime. Awaiting them are formidable rivals of Pokke’s generation, whose talents surpass even her own.
There’s Dantsu Flame, whose diligence and determination to win are second to none; Manhattan Cafe, who chases the shadowy silhouette of a “friend” that only she can see; and Agnes Tachyon, a veritable mad scientist seeking to push the very boundaries of what is possible for Umamusume.
These four runners take to the track with their very pride, spirit, and souls on the line. Past the finish of their epic clash is a door waiting to be opened—one that leads to the beginning of a new era.
“It doesn’t matter who stands in my way! I’m gonna be the greatest!”
Other Umamusume: Pretty Derby anime include three TV anime seasons, the web anime Umamusume: Pretty Derby — Road to the Top, and last year’s manga-based Umamusume: Cinderella Gray. The first TV anime began airing in 2018.
A core part of the franchise is the raising simulator of the same name, which won The Game Awards 2025‘s Best Mobile Game award. The game first launched in Japan for iOS and Android in February 2021 and came to PC in March 2021. It became available in English in June 2025 and is on iOS, Android, Steam, and Google Play Games.
Sources: Encore Films Philippines Facebook page, Encore Films Malaysia Facebook page
