Cygames' "Uma Musume Pretty Derby" has been a massive hit since its mobile game launch, sparking huge buzz and drawing increasing attention to Japan's horse racing culture. This February, the mobile game celebrated its 5th anniversary!
Recently, the official team dropped a brand-new TV commercial, "Rich Flavor" (豊かな味わい篇), centered around ramen. It features famous jockeys Yutaka Take and Christophe Lemaire, and its hilarious, quirky style has fans absolutely loving the "Uma Musume Pretty Derby" team's creativity, making it an instant hot topic.
Japanese legend Yutaka Take and French jockey Christophe Lemaire, who've become the iconic duo for "Uma Musume" commercials, are back together on screen.
In the ad, Take is seen slurping down ramen with pure satisfaction, savoring every single bite. As he enjoys his noodles, the commercial cleverly cuts to various past "Uma Musume" ads featuring Take in different outfits, all showcasing the "rich flavor" concept in diverse ways.
The background music is another major highlight. This time, it's a fresh new rendition of "Ramen Daisuki Koike-san no Uta" (The Song of Koike-san Who Loves Ramen), a classic track originally released in 1992 by Japanese rock band Sharam Q.
The real kicker? Christophe Lemaire himself sings the song, repeatedly crooning "Take-san~♪" (Yutaka-san~♪). Coupled with the dynamic band performance, it makes the whole ad even more hilarious and catchy. And get this: Lemaire plays all four band members – lead vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer! Each outfit is super distinctive, and he absolutely nails every single look.
▼ "Uma Musume Pretty Derby" New Commercial: "Rich Flavor" (豊かな味わい篇)
Seriously, only "Uma Musume" could get normally serious jockeys Yutaka Take and Christophe Lemaire to let loose and show off sides we never see in their commercials! This playful, creative approach has earned massive praise from fans.
The official team also simultaneously dropped another commercial: "Welcome! Tracen-ken! ~Repaying the Favor, Starting Now~" (らっしゃい！トレセン軒！ ～恩返し、始めました～ ).
This video features a brand-new original song, "Tracen Ramen Retsuden" (Tracen Ramen Chronicles), as its background music. It tells the heartwarming story of the Uma Musume girls pouring their hearts into making the best ramen bowls to show their gratitude. The finished ramen, presented with dazzling visual effects, is another must-see highlight of this ad.
▼ "Uma Musume Pretty Derby" New Commercial: "Welcome! Tracen-ken! ~Repaying the Favor, Starting Now~"