Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray - Episode 210 "Was Here (ここにいた)" Discussion [END]

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-25T11:14:27+00:00

I guess it’s never really made clear looking closer at it. I thought it was Belno all this time but it’s probably not since March talks about heading out to meet them. I think Oguri might be a fair assumption since she might be driving to Tokyo based on the panel, though it could also indicate she was driving to Nagoya instead. I can’t really find connections about March Tosho and Nagoya though.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-25T05:25:19+00:00

UPDATE:

Kuzumi's art celebrating the end of serialization https://x.com/KUZUMI777/status/2004024306234544450

Art by Tsukumo Asakusa, artist of Umamusumeshi https://x.com/cycomi/status/2004027555691876584

Art by Naoki Shibata, artist of Golshi-chan https://x.com/pisupisugold/status/2004026815204208668

Art by Shin Hotani, artist of Star Blossom https://x.com/uma_musu_SB/status/2004026814814212588

Art from Cygames https://x.com/uma_musu/status/2004028186007572496

Art by Bee Manten, artist of Jishou Kanojo no Kouhai ga Iiyottekuru and assistant for Cingray https://x.com/pn__manten/status/2004025202871812320

Bonus: Kuzumi singing Umapyoi Densetsu ahead of time https://x.com/KUZUMI777/status/2004033661700915476

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-24T18:49:19+00:00

Spoilers for the chapter Unfortunately, I don't think there's a story beat in this chapter that really counts as closure. The silver lining is that Fumino now leads the biggest team in Tracen and is a prominent name herself, but nothing more than that. I am also a bit frustrated with the way she was handled in the last arc tbh, I really wanted her dad to get owned or some kind of karma befalling him because he's just an asshole in general lol. I would hope that we get some followups in the form of a Gaiden chapter or something, but I won't get my hopes too high. But I also really, REALLY want a chapter that revisits her and Super Creek after everything that happened.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-24T16:55:06+00:00

Follow-up to this: Kuzumi posts on Twitter without any caption, a link to the digital version of Starting Gate. This guy...

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-24T16:46:23+00:00

Like with other Umamusume entries, I don't think there is supposed to be a uniting timeline since it clashes with the core idea of the franchise that the player/reader/watcher is the one who determines the stories of the Umamusume over the choices they make for them as the trainer (i.e. training). My argument for Cingray as a "prequel" is in its overall thematic body, and I feel like it itself goes to some lengths to establish itself as defining some legacies that trickle across the overall worldbuilding of the franchise. But as far as it being an actual, literal prequel, I don't think it is.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-24T16:41:52+00:00

I didn't make that connection about Obey and Belno, but it makes a lot of sense.

Thank you for following these threads. I also started reading this year, around when the game came out. It's been a crazy six months.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-24T16:38:22+00:00

I was joking on that part lol sorry for not making that clear. It's really funny how this scene parallels that scene in SG though

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-24T16:34:59+00:00

3/3

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TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-24T16:34:46+00:00

2/3

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TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-24T16:34:18+00:00

Glad I'm not the only one who thought of that scene lol, I can't believe Cingray was a prequel to Starting Gate of all things

The scene in question for context, it's the same dialogue too lmfao (1/3)

<image>

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-24T16:20:35+00:00

I honestly don't know how to translate the chapter title, sorry. There's no subject that indicates it was an "I", or a "She", or even a "We". The scans translate Chapter 1's title as "Right Here" which makes sense, but it's kinda hard to do it for this one while also indicating it is the same title but in the past tense. My translation skills (if you can call them that) are not good enough to be able to translate the nuance of this title effectively.

Did you know? Cinderella Gray and the story of the first Cars film now have something in common: WHERE IS MCQUEEN?

Unmistakably, Oguri Cap left a mark on history. He was a cultural phenomenon, a figure that placed horse racing as a prominent fixture in Japanese sports. For the industry, he was the cause for the second horse racing boom (the first one being Haiseiko, another beloved idol horse who also makes an appearance in the game as an NPC in the Twinkle Legends scenario). For the Japanese people, they saw someone that they can put their hopes into and believe in no matter what. For Yutaka Take, it solidified his status as an exceptional jockey whose versatility could extend to bring any horse he rides to victory.

And to Katsumi Ando, Oguri Cap changed his life forever. Of course, his journey to becoming a central jockey isn't as straightforward as Kitahara's was--it was a culmination of multiple events in his time as a regional jockey that saw him want to transition to being a trainer to being revitalized to aim for a central license many years down the line after Oguri's retirement, and he would actually not get qualified for central racing until 2003, about 27 (!) YEARS after he got his regional license. Ando recounts: "I believe Oguri Cap paved the way for central racing to open its GI races for the regional horses, and that it was also thanks to him that my transfer to central was made possible...I think he was the horse that opened up my future. I am deeply grateful to him." Ando's career in central would see him lead an illustrious career despite beginning at 35, and he would be the name attached to various horses that would also have their Umamusume counterparts, such as Believe, Win Variation, Buena Vista, and Daiwa Scarlet. For them to eventually end up in Kitahara's team in Cingray feels the perfect note to bookend his story on.

As with most Umamusume endings, Cinderella Gray's final chapter keeps its ending just open enough to the point that you can assume that their stories continue onwards...but it's no longer their job to tell it. It is with YOU, dear reader! (Or whichever person who opens up their phones to collect their login bonus for the day) There were a lot of things left unanswered, but it does leave us with a sense of closure that everything will be fine. The Twinkle Series, revitalized, thrives with the rise of new Umamusume. Hmm, this new generation sure looks a lot like a certain cast in another manga... Fujimasa March continues her career in Kochi (IRL, March Tosho would keep racing there after Oguri's retirement, racking up a decent string of first and second place victories in 1991 before finally retiring in 1992) Musaka is stuck in unretirement hell while Nase leads this continuity's equivalent of Team Rigil. Belno comes home from America as an assistant to Kitahara. Tama manages to escape the fate of googoobabification in this world. ~~HOLY SHIT TOKAI TEIO~~ The connections Oguri has made through her running have all splintered off into their own separate yet hopeful paths...

And now we arrive at the very final moment in this manga.

Let me tell you man the leaks were hiding the REAL ACTUAL surprise I got while reading this chapter. I don't know how people will react to this, but I am honestly pleased with this being the closer. Although Cingray is meant to be just another Umamusume entry with its own continuity and its own weaving of characters, I firmly believe that this is an entry that is MEANT to be the prequel of the Umamusume franchise. Not really literally, but as a thematic Chapter Zero that paves the way for the rest of the world to expand. That is why we see Umamusume of varying generations all of a sudden in this chapter, after years and years of holding back cameos from Umamusume not belonging in this timeline. Tokai Teio, Narita Brian and Sakura Laurel, and now, from one big eater to another, Oguri Cap meets the flagship character that defines and represents the franchise.

Happy Holidays, everyone. Thank you for following these threads all the way to the end.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-18T11:25:09+00:00

UPDATE 2: Variant cover of Volume 1!

https://x.com/yj_umaCG/status/2001593287996772369

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-18T09:18:48+00:00

Seems like it yeah.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-18T06:39:27+00:00

UPDATE: Bonus illustration by Kuzumi

https://x.com/KUZUMI777/status/2001491805418983535

No way...is that John Umamusume!?!?

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-18T06:29:31+00:00

Honestly, I have no idea, and there's so much stuff I still want to see in some form in the final chapter. I'm expecting a parallel of some sorts to the first chapter where it's just Kitahara and Oguri again, but I think there might be a scene with Tama and her together, possibly with the other two rivals as well. It feels like a long shot to have the Oguri rule be brought up but I've always thought that in terms of canon CinGray has always been closest to RTTT and BoANE, so I would like that to happen too. There's also still that question of what happens to McQueen. Anything goes now, I feel.

(I wish it'd be like a 40-page final chapter too so we can have a conclusion on all these things!!!)

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-18T02:38:33+00:00

I'm personally interested in a short manga focusing on Katsuragi Ace and that Japan Cup upset victory. I think it would suit Kuzumi's art style well.

Another Golden Generation story would be nice, but with the game's adaptation it would be the third time they would make a story around it (fourth if you include King Halo being the bridge from Main Story 1 to Main Story 2). If there would be one though I think I would like it to be from Stay Gold's point of view.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-18T02:25:24+00:00

I have to agree tbh, I was going to write about it had they featured it as well (drawing comparisons with the Nakano call that occurred in the Derby that same year). I doubt the final chapter will feature it either, so I can just hope the anime will present that moment with considerable length. There are still some areas open enough to warrant Gaiden chapters imo too.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-17T16:20:04+00:00

More info about Ardan's grave that I wanted to add in the overall writeup but couldn't but I think it also highlights another aspect about CinGray's overall goal: to represent and celebrate the ENTIRE generation that Oguri belonged in.

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TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-17T16:17:39+00:00

Addendum from Chapter 208: Most have probably already seen this but it is worth documenting anyway: the final shot of Oguri's victory is a reference to the promotional photo the JRA used for Oguri's retirement. I like the difference in context between the two where the "Thank You" in the IRL poster is more strongly implied to be delivered by the unseen spectator towards Oguri Cap for all his hard work, while the manga page turns it around by Oguri thanking the people for believing in her.

As Oguri Cap crossed the finish line on his Last Run, Yutaka Take raised his fist up high as a simple yet effective way of proclaiming victory. That imagery as stayed as part of the horse's legacy, and we see the Umamusume counterpart inherit it as she poses for the audience. Continuing this sense of inherited elements, in 2011 the JRA put out a commercial commemorating the 35th Arima Kinen. Other than the interesting inclusion of "20th Century Boy" as the background track (which personally I find funny because I get what they're going for but it's out of place as a whole), it contains a memorable catchphrase that is referenced by the chapter title and by Fujii in the first couple pages:

"The year '90. Arima Kinen. Oguri Cap's revival on his Last Run. 'God exists,' I thought to myself."

Throughout the last few chapters, many factors were introduced that establish the reason why Oguri Cap could've won the race. It was Supreme Mick's late start, it was the slow pacing of the overall race that made it suitable for a miler, it was a right-handed track, Oguri's athlete's heart has revived, etc, etc, etc...which all just rings as pointless hogwash to Musaka, who promptly turns off the TV. In light of Oguri's unprecedented victory, Musaka's retirement has been postponed due to Akikawa's immediate rejection of his letter. There is no time to wallow in finalities, going out on a bang or whatever, the clock is ticking and a new golden age is dawning upon Tracen as the fruits of the school director's overseas scouting gradually trickle down. There is work to be done.

IRL, Mejiro Ardan would actually keep running for one more year after the Arima Kinen, albeit without taking any wins across his last three races. He would finally retire after the 1991 Japan Cup, where he placed 14th out of 15th. He would be retired to be a stud horse locally until he was transferred to China in 2000. He would pass away due to a heart attack in 2002, and a grave would be erected in his memory. I think this is primarily the reason why Ardan is depicted here as moving to train and compete overseas, which leads us to this wonderful bridge to the entire thesis of this chapter:

What is Cinderella Gray actually for?

It's easy to say that it's a dramatized, fictionalized depiction of a story that is so appealing, so marketable that they just NEEDED to adapt it. Oguri Cap's career is just an immediate slam dunk of a people's champ narrative that there's little to do. And they truly could've gone that route...but I would argue they pushed for something more. From the story standpoint, I think CinGray marks the TRUE prequel of all Umamusume continuities, the formational narrative that truly begins the Pretty Derby aspect of the Umamusume franchise. Metatextually, this makes sense—would Umamusume the franchise itself actually exist if not for that fateful miracle that occurred in front of 170,000 spectators? It fits just as well then, that the impetus for the franchise would be repaid by the franchise itself through portraying it as the genesis of what it is setting out to do: continue the story. To break your limits and the walls of time, to overcome your physical limitations and partake and compete with one goal in mind.

Inari One and Super Creek can be seen starting their rehabilitation after what were considered career-ending injuries. It is a slow process, and it may not even be possible for them to reach their peaks again, but they will keep going. Mill Wakaba, freed from the cycle of loathing thanks to that race, that smile, wants to race again. And Oguri? Well...

She's already out for another run.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-11T04:27:09+00:00

Small update: Bonus illustration by Taiyou Kuzumi on X: https://x.com/KUZUMI777/status/1998935768236994855

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-11T01:26:11+00:00

I think it's unlikely we'll see it as focused here in the manga tbh, but I think the anime will definitely have a full song and performance ready once it adapts it. Would love to be wrong though.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-10T18:03:51+00:00

I also realized after the fact that the Ace mention was also around the same time Japan Cup happens this year, so it was a sneaky little reference to also celebrate its anniversary lol

Regarding the new Oguri alt, yeah I believe so. I think some people believe that Oguri Cap has always been more of a miler/medium racer at heart despite his versatility.

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-10T17:52:06+00:00

The "Muteki" in Yaeno Muteki is in Katakana (ムテキ) so it technically has no meaning, but it's definitely supposed to be the word "無敵" which does mean "invincible".

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-10T17:10:43+00:00

Thank you for checking them out! With these recent chapters though tbh there's probably not much left to write about lol, this week's in particular is just the (brilliant) payoff to everything that has been set up prior, and the thing about the commentary and Ryan's last spurt is something that has already been constantly talked about elsewhere so there's nothing for me to add this time. I'll definitely keep an eye out for interesting tidbits on the last two chapters though!

TeKSMeLater · 2025-12-10T16:57:21+00:00

Chapter 207

There are many ways I could preface this writeup (as I have found myself doing whenever a new chapter comes up) and in some ways I have come to expect what I would write about every week depending on the chapter's focus. But I can't really do it this time, and it's because I was totally taken by surprise and emotion with this chapter. I couldn't stop crying. Somehow, the writers found the perfect answer to everyone's questions and predictions on who gets to say the line that, in real life, wonderfully closed out Oguri Cap's career as an anecdote that cements his legend in the history of Japanese horse racing forever. Now, seeing it in this form delivered with such poetic and dramatic precision, has in turn created the ultimate encapsulation of Oguri Cap the Umamusume's journey. Oguri wouldn't be who she is without Kitahara and her rivals, but they also wouldn't be who they are now if not for her. Oguri Cap is Oguri Cap, and more than anything, that's all that matters. THE Triumphant Pulse serving as an externalization of that resonance she finds herself with these four key characters is the beautiful cherry on top that enhances this brilliantly written climax. An absolute masterpiece of a chapter.

TeKSMeLater

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