On a Pale Horse (Umamusume/Youjo Senki)

[WrandmWaffles]

Steady Distance is like, the only way that I can go out with a bang, is to try and beat my friend who is several years junior, in conditions that unilaterally favor me, and disadvantage her.

Click to shrink...

It's more that she wants to shoot for a couple of the biggest dirt races in Japan, and wants to run against Shirogane in them, but since Shirogane is a year too young for them, she'd settle for running against her in a different setting. Most dirt races do happen to be shorter though.

 

[cappo]

Well, I think this race could be a turning point for Tanya. Her friend,perhaps her best friend,is literally telling her that she wants Tanya to be her final rival; Tanya is a person of great honor, and I'm sure this will awaken a feeling in her that she was missing something needed to truly transcend in racing.

 

[eager slacker]

Steady Distance wants an opportunity to go out being the Senpai to her Kouhai. Which honestly I can get. Going on on a victory is a good note to end things off with.

 

[Sky3Fall]

I suppose this is the start of Tanya also factoring dirt races into her schedule? Imagine if she becomes an inspiration for Agnes Digital in the future, I would pass out from the sheer concentration of peak.

 

[RandomNew]

Now was not the time to give up!

Click to shrink...

Make me remember this one comma comic in game where King crossed out the "quit" word literally

another who ran so hard her body failed her right after the finish.

She would have to train harder.

Click to shrink...

Also King and Urara both is quite the healthy horse.

Rest in peace Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi.

 

[Impstar]

Tanya is a person of great honor

Click to shrink...

Not sure about that one tbh. I'm not sure I'd call her dishonorable per say, but she was willing to be fairly underhanded as Tanya; she was more motivated by pragmatism than honor.

 

[Kojiro Kakita]

Looks like Mori Survival pulled a Twin Turbo.

Does the Shirogane support card give Front Runners Great Escape/ Runaway as the Gold Skill?

Rip Tsurumaru.

 

[TheSmallSauce]

If the umas really were concerned with aerodynamics they'd lose the extra ruffles, loose capes, and poofy skirts on those ballroom gowns and wear basic leotards instead.

Their umamusume magic creates a bubble of still air around them when they run and they need the poofy racing dresses and jewelry as totems to unlock their full power, maybe? That's anime magical fighting girl logic.

Click to shrink...

Personally I like to think it's almost purely matter of pride. Umas don't get to run in signature racewear until they've won their debut race, and its meant to be a celebration of their heritage, history and ability, and they wear it only in high stakes races. Also running in a wildly impractical outfit and still winning gives you bragging rights.

"Why are you dressed like that, aren't you taking this seriously?"

"I don't need to take this seriously to beat you. I'm gonna dress like this and still win, then I'm going to gloat about it."

"Oh yeah!? Well I'll dress even more impractically, heck I'll wear a ball gown and beat you!"

Sort of like how Sha'Carri Richardson wore claw nails and fishnet leggings, then placed first in a 200m event and second in another. It made for a good headline and the photos do look ridiculous.

Also if you consider real life thoroughbred horseracing was originally a military tradition for selecting the fastest and strongest horses, it kinda makes sense that the first racers might have run in military fatigues or ceremonial uniforms. With the whole tradition slowly evolving from there.

but the number of races she wanted to participate in meant that Hana spent a surprisingly large amount of time watching Shirogane racing, for what kind of trainer would she be if she didn't show up to her trainee's race?

Click to shrink...

LOL, could this be a jab at the "skip to result" trainers?

"My mother was naturalized." It had been a lengthy process.

Click to shrink...

A most impressive feat... Though, compared to today, it must have been easier to naturalize in Japan in the 90's right?

The entire conversation with Steady Distance is really great, and it also shows that Shiro isn't beating the grey coat stereotypes. She's such a goofball, I genuinely wish we could have seen her and Tamamo Cross have a proper conversation where Tama just has to figure out how to retort to all the absurdities Shiro ends up throwing at her.

There was a beat of silence, leaving Shirogane standing there awkwardly as she watched her schoolmates' eyes widen in shock, first King Halo, then Grass Wonder, and Seiun Sky.

"S-Shirogane-san–?"

"Waaiiiit a minute–"

"You plan on running both the Triple Crown and the Triple Tiara Circuit?!"

Click to shrink...

Oh yeah... Breathe it in, that's the smell of Shonen rivalry in the air. Though I guess in this case it would be... Umashoujo rivalry?

Seriously though, the collective realisation from her classmates is great and it results in getting an epithet early. Demon of Distance, is that one in the game? I dont recall.

I also really like that the three classmates with higher wit pick up on Shiro's intentions first, then everyone else gets clued in once Grass say something.

"But it's Urara's normal name…"

Click to shrink...

Also Urara getting worried about her real name being her racing name is really cute.

"As you well shouldn't." Shirogane smiled. Her schoolmates wavered for a moment, before their resolve hardened. "We ought to uphold the honor of this institution, after all."

Click to shrink...

This scene is great and ends on a really great note. Shiro is a little demon and her past life skill of giving rousing battle speeches has carried over, now she just drops cold ass bars at random.

"Number three Mori Survival has done it! She's held the lead for the whole–oh no! Mori Survival has collapsed right past the finish line!"

Click to shrink...

Congratulations to Mori Survival! She was doubted throughout, but she really showed how a healthy fear of death can push an uma to the next level.

Ahh, but how on earth is she going to be able to perform the winning live? Maybe Shirogane's winning live performances won't seem so robotic in comparison to her year mates if she runs them all ragged for each of their wins? How cunning, how cunning indeed.

Also nevermind the winning live, Mori isn't running for the next month and a half, minimum. If she was a playable uma, she might be the second uma to get a purple condition from winning a race.

 

[Imheretoderp]

It'd be really interesting to see what a Shirogane support card would give skill wise. Maybe a bunch of stamina skills?

 

[RogueInquisitor]

Looks like Shirogane beat the favourite King Halo, though Mori Survival barely squeaked out first place.

What happens with the Winning Live if the winner is incapable of performing? Pretty sure Mori Survival is going to a hospital, not a stage.