4 Horse Anime That Aren’t “Umamusume”

2026 marks the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, and with Umamusume: Pretty Derby becoming a worldwide phenomenon, it feels like the planets have aligned to bring anime lovers something truly special. Since the series first debuted in 2018, and especially after its mobile game counterpart released outside of Japan in 2025, fans have been utterly enraptured by the trials and tribulations of these adorable horse girls as they overcome incredible hurdles in the hopes of becoming racing legends.

But maybe you don’t want to see anime horse girls directly based on real-life Japanese racehorses. Maybe you just want to see regular horses in anime, doing horse things and living horse lives alongside regular human beings. Or maybe you just want a show featuring anthropomorphic horses that don’t include Special Week, Goldship, Oguri Cap, and the rest. If so, you’re in luck! I’ve managed to put together a small list, in no particular order, of horse-centric anime that have no relation to the worldwide sensation that is Umamusume.

1. Gunjou no Fanfare (Fanfare of Adolescence)

Lay-duce

The decision to change careers is a difficult one, but also incredibly rewarding if all goes well. When Yuu Arimura decides that being a pop idol isn’t his speed, he decides to enroll in a prestigious horse racing school in the hopes of becoming a professional jockey. However, Yuu quickly learns that the competition is as fierce as the races themselves, and he will need to navigate more than just obstacle courses in order to become a jockey nobody will ever forget. Gunjou no Fanfare saddles you up for a coming-of-age tale that is both dramatic and inspiring.

2. Daisougen no Hakuba (The Prince and the White Horse)

Toei Animation

On to a treat for the retro anime enjoyers: Daisougen no Hakuba is a beautiful work of historical fiction that follows Bataar, a young Mongolian boy who is passionate about horse racing but unable to get much training in due to his father’s injury on the battlefield. One day, a mysterious white stallion appears before Bataar, and he embarks on a journey to rewrite history in order to prevent the war that his father suffered in. The story itself may not be much to write home about, but it’s so fascinating to see a series that takes place in a country and era that you don’t usually see in anime.

3. Osomatsu-san: Ouma de Kobanashi (Osomatsu-san: An Anecdote with Horses)

Studio Pierrot

In collaboration with the Japan Racing Association (JRA), the creators of Osomatsu-san came out with this special episode that features the infamous sextuplets participating in a day at the races. If you know anything about Osomatsu-san, you’ll know that it’s going to be as unhinged as it gets, but nothing can prepare you for just how utterly bonkers it gets watching the Matsuno brothers attempt any form of horse racing. Let’s hope the JRA doesn’t regret associating itself with these raunchy brothers…

4. Midori no Makibao (Green Makibao)

Studio Pierrot

Makibao is the very picture of an underdog, a cartoonish small fry compared to the realistic, roaring stallions he faces on the track. In the beginning, he races to win his mother’s freedom from a farm, but he soon discovers his inner fire for racing and the rush that victory brings. If you’re a fan of retro art styles à la Doraemon and enjoy watching the little guy overcome seemingly impossible odds, Midori no Makibao is just the anime for you!

Are there any horse-related anime that I missed? If so, where would you place them on the list?

Thank you to MyAnimeList.com for helping me with the research for this list.