Since its mobile game launch, Cygames' Umamusume Pretty Derby project has exploded in popularity, with its anime and merchandise collaborations also reaching sky-high levels of hype. Last year, the franchise even dropped its first theatrical anime film, "Umamusume Pretty Derby: New Gateway," which saw impressive box office success in both Japan and Taiwan.
Yesterday (Jan 17), the official team unveiled a brand-new New Year's promo video, and it's an absolute head-scratcher! They went full-on tokusatsu style for the "Nutrient Warrior Carrotman" ad. What's even wilder? Not a single Umamusume or even a horse appears in it! The bizarre ad instantly sparked a huge buzz online, leaving everyone wondering what on earth Cygames is cooking up this time.
"Nutrient Warrior Carrotman" (栄養戦士キャロットマン) is actually a tokusatsu hero idolized by the Umamusume character "Biko Pegasus" within the game's lore.
In his story, he battles the evil organization "Fukenkō Empire" to protect people's health. His iconic look features an orange battle suit and a distinctive tuft of carrot leaves atop his head.
▼ In the game, Biko Pegasus sometimes pulls out a Carrotman mask, and the Support Card "Hissatsu! Double Carrot Punch" even features him in its artwork.
This time, the hero who only existed in the game's backstory has been brought to life in a live-action tokusatsu version! What's hilarious is that no Umamusume characters appear until the very end of the ad, prompting a special disclaimer: "※This is an ad for the game Umamusume Pretty Derby." Fans were cracking up, proving once again how delightfully absurd and entertaining Umamusume ads can be.
(They also previously dropped a promo video for the "Isseifūbi Umamusume" arc, which was a playful homage to the dance style of the 1980s Japanese group "Isseifūbi Sepia.")
▼ "Nutrient Warrior Carrotman" Ad
Many netizens who saw the ad praised Cygames for truly knowing how to have fun. They called it a tokusatsu-level production within the Umamusume universe, with some even joking, "Next up, maybe an ad for the villains?" Fans noted that they've become so accustomed to Umamusume's antics that nothing feels out of place anymore, and the level of detail is seriously impressive!
If the New Year's ad is this elaborate, imagine what they'll pull for April Fool's Day!
Given the era when horse racing was popular, a tokusatsu theme actually makes a strange kind of sense (?). And cleverly drawing inspiration from Umamusume's own lore to create instant buzz? The official team clearly knows how to nail their promotions!