The manga series Umamusume: Cinderella Gray, a major spin off of the Umamusume: Pretty Derby franchise, has officially concluded with the release of its 23rd and final collected volume, accompanied by a special commemorative promotional video.
The milestone marks the end of one of the franchise’s most acclaimed storylines, which has also drawn strong attention from a growing Filipino fanbase.
Final volume and commemorative video
Publisher Shueisha confirmed the conclusion with the release of Volume 23 on March 18, 2026. To mark the occasion, Weekly Young Jump premiered a special video revisiting the journey of Oguri Cap, tracing her rise from regional competitions to national prominence.
The video features key manga panels, race sequences, and narration by Tomoyo Takayanagi, closing with a message of gratitude to fans for their continued support.
Video here:
Strong following among Filipino fans
The conclusion of “Cinderella Gray” has generated buzz within the Philippine anime and manga community, where the Umamusume franchise maintains a dedicated following. Local fan groups and online communities have praised the series for its grounded storytelling and sports driven narrative, noting its more serious tone compared to other entries in the franchise.
Its availability on digital manga platforms has also contributed to the steady growth of its Filipino readership.
A defining spin off
Written by Masafumi Sugiura and illustrated by Taiyo Kuzumi, the series began serialization in Weekly Young Jump in June 2020 and concluded in December 2025.
The story follows Oguri Cap, inspired by a real life Japanese racehorse, as she rises from humble beginnings to become a dominant force in competitive racing. Its dramatic tone and character focused storytelling helped establish it as one of the franchise’s most compelling works.
Anime adaptation and global reach
The manga’s success led to an anime adaptation produced by CygamesPictures, which aired in two parts in 2025 and was streamed widely across Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.
Industry observers credit the adaptation with expanding the story’s reach beyond manga readers and introducing it to a broader global audience.
Commercial and cultural impact
“Cinderella Gray” achieved strong commercial performance, with millions of copies in circulation based on data from Oricon. The series blends real world horse racing history with character driven storytelling, referencing major events such as the Arima Kinen, resonating with both anime fans and sports enthusiasts.
Legacy and continuing influence
With the release of its final volume and commemorative video, “Umamusume: Cinderella Gray” closes a significant chapter in the franchise’s history.
Its legacy is expected to endure as the Umamusume franchise continues to expand across manga, anime, and other media platforms, supported by a strong and growing international fanbase, including in the Philippines.