The second cour of the popular anime "Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray" started in September and has been delivering intense weekly action centered on the competitive journey of Oguri Cap. The show recently reached a major turning point in Episode 18, which showed the final, dramatic moments of the international Japan Cup race, where Oguri faced off against global powerhouse Umamusume rivals. To mark this exciting climax, animate Times conducted an exclusive group interview with the voice actors who portrayed the international contenders in the Japan Cup: Yuko Kaida (Toni Bianca), Shizuka Ishigami (Obey Your Master), Akira Sekine (Moonlight Lunacy), Ayahi Takagaki (Michelle My Baby), and Miyu Tomita (Ellerslie Pride), to discuss their stellar performances.
*This article contains spoilers up to Episode 18.
"I'm Going to Be a Horse Girl!?" The Shock and Surprise of the Cast
――In the previous interview, we spoke with Tomoyo Takayanagi-san (Oguri Cap), Saki Kosaka-san (Gold City), and Shizuka Ishigami-san, who is joining us again today. When we asked them about their co-stars, Takayanagi-san specifically mentioned you, Kaida-san, saying, "The aura of a champion she possesses is incredible. I felt weight in every single word she spoke." What is your reaction to hearing that?
Kaida: I’m relieved to hear her say that. I was truly wondering how I could best express the character of the European Champion...
――The four others were nodding vigorously when Takayanagi-san said that.
Tomita: I think everyone's spines straightened the moment we heard Kaida-san's first line.
――Takayanagi-san also mentioned Ayahi Takagaki-san, describing Michelle My Baby's performance as "So American! Powerful! Dynamic! Exciting!" and "The pressure from her extroverted energy was intense." That also left quite an impression.
Takagaki: I'm happy to hear that. There's a scene during the race where Michelle speaks in English to Oguri Cap, and then responds, "I don't understand English!!" That was really fun.
Kaida: I believe that line was changed, wasn't it?
Takagaki: That’s right. The original script had a different line, but it was changed to match the original manga's line: "I don't understand English!"
――Takayanagi-san said, "When I tried it, everyone laughed so much, and that made me really happy."
Takagaki: I also thought that part in the manga was funny.
Ishigami: That moment lightened the heavy atmosphere of the race for a second, didn't it?
Takagaki: Exactly. Plus, I think it creates a contrast between Oguri and Tamamo, who are so earnestly single-minded, and Michelle My Baby, who still has some composure. I deliberately played her as super extroverted, so I'm glad that came across. It wasn't one-sided! I was so curious about Takayanagi-san that I even looked up her profile and Wikipedia (laughs). So I learned she's talented enough to have English and Kanji certifications (English Proficiency Test Grade Pre-2, Kanji Aptitude Test Grade Pre-2).
――You even researched her that much (laughs)! Now then, could everyone share how you felt when you were confirmed to be cast in "Cinderella Gray"?
Kaida: I thought "Uma Musume" was in a completely different dimension from me, so I was surprised when they offered me the role of Toni Bianca. I wondered if I was really the right choice. Toni Bianca is a horse girl with a kind of Versailles-like atmosphere. I was expecting them to ask me to play her "younger," but they said I could just be myself.
Ishigami: As I mentioned in the previous interview, I auditioned for a different character when "Cinderella Gray" was being adapted into anime. Unfortunately, I wasn't selected for that role, but afterward they asked, "Would you be interested in playing Obey Your Master?" I knew about the "Uma Musume" game, and I'd watched the TV anime and movie, so I was thrilled to join "Uma Musume." At the same time, the "Japan Cup" arc is especially popular in the manga, so I felt the pressure to give it my all.
Sekine: I also auditioned for "Cinderella Gray." After reading the manga and thinking, "What a gritty and passionate story!" I gave it everything I had, but unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be at that time. Later, when they offered me the role of Moonlight Lunacy, I was so happy that my manager and I literally jumped up and down with joy, thinking, "I get to be involved in this work! And I get to run alongside such a wonderful horse girl!"
Takagaki: When they offered me Michelle My Baby, I had the same reaction as Kaida-san: "What!? THAT Uma Musume!?" Someone close to me really enjoyed the Uma Musume game, so I thought, "Ah, 'Umapyoi (Legend)'!" But it seems like there won't be any "Umapyoi" (laughs). Moreover, when I looked at the manga, Michelle My Baby's height is 195 cm (approximately 6'5"). She’s quite tall even among the horse girls, and since there’s a difference of over 40 cm between her and me (Takagaki-san is 151 cm or about 4'11"), there's a big gap, but I decided to embrace it and tackle the role with full enthusiasm.
Tomita: I was offered the role of Ellerslie Pride before the second cour recording began. Like everyone else, my honest reaction was "Uma Musume!" But when I first saw the cast list for the overseas rival horse girls, I felt strongly, "Am I really good enough to be among all these senior voice actors...?"
A Unique Approach: How the Cast Focused on Capturing Each Horse Girls's Character
――What are your impressions of the horse girl you play, and what do you feel is her appeal?
Kaida: Just from her appearance, Toni Bianca exudes the dignity of a European Champion, and her gaze is different from the other horse girls, isn't it? However, in Episode 18, in the scene where she is injured and in the hospital, we got to see her relatively unguarded, true self, and I found that gap to be quite appealing.
Ishigami: Obey Your Master is a character with two sides. Her true self is cool, hardworking, and rather reserved, but in order to compete in the Japan Cup, she hid her true personality and thoroughly researched the Japanese horse girls. The fact that she finally shows her true power at the very end is definitely her biggest charm.
Sekine: My impression of Lunacy-san is "tsun-tsun-tsun-dere" (extremely cold/aloof). She usually carries herself as a very graceful noblewoman, but when she runs, she is incredibly passionate. Also, the way she properly remembered Fujii the reporter's name, how she quickly noticed Toni Bianca's condition during the race, and how she worried about and cared for her childhood friend—those kind and cute aspects are very charming.
Takagaki: Michelle My Baby's first impression was that she's big! Though she and Obey Your Master are both American representatives, I think running dynamically with that body is her unique characteristic.
Tomita: Ellerslie Pride's impression was "beautiful and cool." But when I read the manga and script, I realized that while she is cool, she isn't necessarily silent; she properly communicates with the other horse girls. Personally, her scene with Gold City in Episode 18 was very memorable. She also showed a cute side where she gets a little embarrassed, so I felt she's also a charming character with quite a gap.
――Speaking of these international horse girls, could you tell us what you were mindful of and what you found difficult when performing, including the lines in English and Italian?
Kaida: I basically only speak Japanese (laughs). I'm not good at English either, and I thought, "Toni Bianca speaks Italian..." I practiced, but the audio source I prepared for practice was different from the one I heard on-site. Not only the pronunciation but also adding emotion was difficult. Adding emotion is always hard no matter what language you're doing, and that was the biggest struggle this time too.
Ishigami: Exactly. Even if we received the audio beforehand, when we tried to match the emotions and expressions of the actual scene, the pronunciation from the guide audio wouldn't fit. As I mentioned in the previous interview, Daisuke Takahashi-san, who plays reporter Sensuke Fujii, is very fluent in English, so I would ask things like "What kind of intonation would you use for an angry outburst?" and copy what I heard on the spot. However, compared to the manga, many of the English lines were changed to Japanese, with only the key moments remaining in English, so while challenging, I enjoyed the recording. Though I am anxious about how native speakers will hear it (laughs).
Regarding aspects other than English, I was instructed to use a "lower voice" for Obey-chan's true self to create that duality gap. Based on that, while listening to the director and sound director's opinions, I worked on figuring out what pitch would be right for her when she's wearing her mask. I'd be happy if her two-sidedness was beautifully depicted.
Sekine: Moonlight Lunacy has no English lines (laughs). The point I paid attention to was that Lunacy-san is a noble lady, and her posture was very graceful even in her introduction scene, so I made sure to keep my back perfectly straight during recording to convey the elegance of a noblewoman.
Takagaki: For Michelle My Baby, I treasured her brightness, freedom, and easygoing nature. I thought she'd be quick to close the distance with others, so I approached the mic with a friendly feeling and tried to do everything big.
However, since she spoke almost entirely in English in the manga, I was quite apprehensive, but I was somewhat relieved that some lines that were English in the manga had been changed to Japanese. But there were still quite a few scenes where the English remained, so I checked with Takahashi-san while recording. I can never repay him enough (laughs). Plus, sound director Fumiyuki Go-san also gave strict direction on pronunciation. He'd say things like "Uma Musume is enjoyed worldwide, so to ensure native speakers can accept it without feeling awkward, this part should sound a bit more like this" or "You swallowed that a bit," giving detailed feedback. I was nervous about the English, but it was very fun.
Tomita: Since Ellerslie is beautiful, elegant, and cool-looking, but she is a horse girl with incredibly passionate conviction regarding racing and running. Therefore, I tried to portray her with a refined atmosphere while also showing her inner strength.
I think my only English line was "Are you OK, Lady?" but I went to the recording more nervous than usual auditions (laughs). When I got the offer, my manager asked, "You'll probably have to speak English—can you handle it?" At the time I answered "I'll do my best," but at the recording, Takagaki-san's ear was so good and her English was perfect. My English line came right after that, so I was so nervous. But not only Takahashi-san, there was also an English expert in the mixer booth who taught me while we recorded.
――Takahashi-san is credited as the foreign language supervisor.
Takagaki: Even though Takahashi-san had finished his own parts, he stayed behind because we had English lines. The guide audio we received had a woman carefully reading with clear pronunciation, but Takahashi-san understood the nuances required when acting was involved. In that sense, it was great to be able to ask him for advice.
When I looked over at Takahashi-san after my English lines in the actual take, he gave me an OK sign with his finger, which was very reassuring.
Learning from Legends: The Dynamic Atmosphere of Recording Together
――Could you share any anecdotes from the recording sessions (post-recording/dubbing), such as impressive performances or behavior from other cast members?
Kaida: For this project, we were able to record with quite a large group of people assembled. There were young people, people my generation, and even some older—a range of ages, including people I was meeting for the first time and people I hadn't seen in a while. That interaction was really fun. I'd listen to the young actors' lines thinking about what I could learn from them, and when senior actors like Hochu Otsuka-san were recording separately, I'd go into the booth to listen. After the pandemic, we haven't had many chances to record with large groups, so it was a great learning experience.
Ishigami: I'd been wondering how they'd create the excitement and dynamism once the races start in "Uma Musume." In that sense, I think the MVP definitely goes to Satomi Akesaka-san, who plays race announcer Misato Akasaka. The running horse girls actually have quite a lot of internal monologue and speak normally. All the excitement—whether it's a close race, who has momentum, how many meters are left, the final sprint—all of that is handled by Akesaka-san. And not in a separate recording, but at the same mic while moving around. Watching her create the atmosphere without interfering with our performances was witnessing truly amazing professional technique.
Kaida: I was really watching and thinking, "This is what a true pro does." She properly watches the race while announcing, and even points out things like "Maybe the timing here is a bit different," which I found amazing.
Sekine: I only participated in one full group recording session, and the rest were separate recordings for me. So while it was lonely, in that first session when everyone recorded together, I felt the heat of "Let's make the Japan Cup exciting!" and it was very thrilling. When I heard everyone's recorded audio, I got goosebumps from the intensity of the race.
Takagaki: This was my first time working with Takayanagi-san who plays Oguri Cap, and both she and her performance are wonderful. I think viewers felt the passion, but even during recording, she went full force to the point where I worried she might collapse or hyperventilate. Her performance made me feel breathless too, and it really moved me.
Also, I'd say Ake-chan (Satomi Akesaka-san). When I think about how I would do it myself... it really seems incredibly difficult. Even listening on-site, I was overwhelmed, and being the core of the race must come with a huge sense of responsibility, but the way she continues to fulfill that role is truly admirable.
Tomita: For me, it was Naomi Ozora-san who plays Tamamo Cross. When she stepped up to the mic, I could really feel this "I'm gonna do this!" energy from her back, and she truly looked like Tamamo. I simply thought how cool that spirit was. The performances of everyone else were also genuinely passionate, and I felt stimulated, knowing I couldn't lose to their enthusiasm.
Cast Favorites: The "Uma Musume" Who Won Over Their Co-Stars During Recording
――Aside from the horse girl you play, is there another character that catches your interest? Please tell us why.
Kaida: When I rewatched from Episode 1 for this interview, it was so interesting that I ended up watching everything until about 4 AM (laughs). Since I was driven by Oguri Cap the whole time, the one I'm curious about is definitely Oguri Cap. I love and am hooked on Oguri's slightly mysterious quality.
Ishigami: Since Obey Your Master and Michelle My Baby are both American representatives, I was thinking in my heart that I should match the tension, but Takagaki-san's Michelle My Baby was SO American (laughs). I thought I might not be able to imitate that.
Takagaki: America is a big place, after all (laughs).
Ishigami: Still, that cheerfulness felt distinctly like an international horse girl that no one else has, so through the post-recording process, Michelle My Baby became a character I really love.
Takagaki: I'm so happy! In that final press conference, it was almost like a comedy duo routine, wasn't it? After the race ended, I realized that's how the two of them would interact.
Ishigami: Right, right. They hadn't interacted before, but I realized they're actually close.
Sekine: If I go with my personal preference, I'd say Dicta Striker and Fujimasa March. Reading the manga, I felt both of them were very straightforward horse girls who displayed a lot of grittiness
But once recording started, my favorites kept increasing. I was especially captivated by Toni Bianca-san. She was truly so cool, and the Italian in Episode 16 left a strong impression. When the Italian guide audio played through the speakers and Kaida-san quickly checked it and immediately recorded—I got goosebumps at how amazing that was, and from her voice I could feel the intensity of "This is a champion! A conqueror!" "I'm playing Moonlight Lunacy, Toni Bianca-san's childhood friend in this work." "They compete as rivals in races." "I must be as dignified as she is." I remember constantly telling myself that during recording.
Takagaki: Oguri Cap really moved me. Despite working hard and making desperate efforts to achieve victory, she wonders, "What am I missing? Why can't I reach it?" Oguri's lines in Episode 18 really pierced me. Voice actors also face auditions every day, and in situations where we don't know what the right answer is, all we can do is constantly polish ourselves to grasp what we want. When you see the backs of people who surpass you with even greater power than your own efforts, that pain really struck me. I empathized so much that I wanted to entrust my own dreams to her, so I'll continue to support her.
Tomita: For me, it's definitely Tamamo Cross and Ozora-san. If you were in that booth, you'd definitely fall in love with her—that's how much presence she had. Speaking of my dialogue with her, to the line I mentioned earlier, "Are you OK, Lady?," Tamamo responded with such passion that I almost wanted to respond just as passionately. However, I recorded the scene while thinking, Ellerslie must remain cool and composed...
A Clash of Intentions: The Japan Cup Where Strategy and Emotion Collided
――Let's talk about the race. We don't need to worry about spoilers, so how did you feel about the Japan Cup? Unfortunately, Toni Bianca had a disappointing result.
Kaida: Yes, that's right. She said she didn't intend to underestimate anyone, but perhaps there was a degree of carelessness somewhere, racing against Japanese horse girls.
This applies to actors too—you look at the cast list and think things will go a certain way, but then someone really charges ahead, or someone does unexpected things. It's common for such people to inspire the set and make it more exciting. At the "Uma Musume" recording site, so many people's enthusiasm converged in the studio, and the atmosphere felt very similar to an actual race—it felt like we were racing. This Japan Cup also had different strategies for each horse girls, like taking the outside, then the even farther outside. I'm not someone who can devise such strategies, so I thought everyone really thinks about various things. Obey Your Master was the most strategic, wasn't she?
Ishigami: She thought about a lot of things. Then at the very end, she showed her true self while competing with Tamamo. Obey listed Toni Bianca, Tamamo Cross, and Oguri Cap as the competitors to watch, but I'm curious how Obey would have reacted if Toni Bianca had also been running close.
Takagaki: Michelle might also have had a slight tendency to look down on the Japanese competitors somewhere. That's why she wasn't really seeing them. She had the world's strongest competitors in mind and maintained her composure, then was shocked when the Japanese competitors unexpectedly came up strong.
But Michelle is surprisingly not completely reckless—she quite calmly thought about various things, like if first place was impossible, she'd aim for at least third. While running, everyone's different intentions clashed, were overturned... that was the interesting development. Just when you think it's possible, Oguri breaks through. While looking at the script, I'd switch my mindset, react to what was happening, and think "I have to keep up!" But seriously, Oguri was a total zombie monster (laughs).
Tomita: I love that zombie voice (laughs).
Takagaki: I tried it a bit in the test, thinking they might say I was overdoing it, but nothing was said, so I did the zombie in the actual take too (laughs).
Tomita: What the Japan Cup made me keenly aware of is that racing isn't just physical. You really have to use your head and have knowledge, so just being fast on your feet isn't enough.
Sekine: Lunacy-san had missed winning the previous Japan Cup and was seeking revenge, so her spirit was fully there. But still, her consciousness of defeating the overseas champions was probably stronger than that of the Japanese competitors. When she says "The one to be most wary of" and looks at Toni, I felt their bond and that she's an acknowledged rival.
But as I mentioned earlier, since I was recording separately and alone, I was a bit nervous about whether I could properly ride the wave of everyone's passionate performances. Listening to Toni Bianca's voice, the intense race, and Akasaka-san's commentary made my heart grow hotter and hotter. That's why in the scene where Toni loses speed in the race, my heart clenched. Lunacy-san's sorrowful expression there is very memorable.
――Because they're those two, that final hospital visit scene was lovely.
Sekine: It really was.
Kaida: Despite this result and not being able to meet the Japanese fans' expectations, the fact that she can still say, I might as well take a break here for a while... shows she is still a champion with composure.
Sekine: Her face popping out of the flowers was funny-cute (laughs). In the first test of this scene, I was told I was worrying too much about Toni. Go-san directed me, saying the visuals are really funny and comical, so just normally interject with "What are you doing?" When I was recording, seeing Toni's gap and the two of them with peaceful faces, I imagined a lot during the recording about how they must have interacted like this many times before.
Kaida: Her expression was much softer, wasn't it?
Tomita: This applies to all the overseas competitors, but everyone's expressions softened after the Japan Cup ended. Though they lost the race, I felt that they all grew from the experience, and this scene showed their genuine sides that we couldn't see in the race, which warmed my heart.
From Japan Cup to "Uma Pyoi Legend": Cast Wishes for More International "Uma Musume" Content
――By the way, Kaida-san said earlier "I'm not someone who can devise strategies." Are the rest of you the type who thoroughly researches and plans strategies?
Tomita: I'm the exact opposite.
Takagaki: Me too, perhaps. The only thing I’ve ever done that resembles a race is an athletic meet.
Ishigami: But you researched Takayanagi-san quite thoroughly, didn't you? (laughs)
Takagaki: True. As information, there's the aspect of researching what kind of person they are (laughs). Speaking of the recording site, it's about how much you can get heated while not losing your composure. But depending on the situation, there are times when it's good to lose your composure. Since there's no right answer in terms of what ultimately gets conveyed, thinking about it from that perspective, I thought it was amazing that they could switch their thinking so much during that race. I can't do that.
Sekine: I'm the type who researches and researches thoroughly, then when it comes to the actual performance, I go pow! and forget it all (laughs). I do research, but in the actual take, I sometimes charge ahead thinking "I'm gonna do this!" and "Going with the flow is important too!!" So I think Obey-san is amazing for properly executing the strategies she's made.
Ishigami: As I said in the previous interview, I'm scared of performing without knowing anything, so while not as much as Obey-chan, I do research. I'll look up who the sound director is and ask quite a bit, like "How much do you prefer ad-libs?" I'm the type who researches first, then tries to read the room while performing.
――Kaida-san, to ask you again, how about you?
Kaida: I'm terrible at sports, but I do a lot of research for acting. I do a ton of research, but I'm the type who gets sidetracked, so for example, if it's a movie about the Russian Revolution (dubbing), before watching the video check or reading the script, I start reading books about the Russian Revolution. Then later I run out of time (laughs). Sekine-san said she researches a lot then goes pow! in the actual take, but what you researched is surprisingly at the root of the acting.
Sekine: That's true.
Kaida: When you stand in front of the mic for the actual take, it comes out triggered by something unexpected... or so I believe while getting sidetracked (laughs). I study various trivia while slowly approaching the actual take. But I don't have the mental sharpness to devise strategies, so I want a trainer.
Takagaki: True, the existence of a trainer is certainly important.
Tomita: We'd want them to organize a proper menu for us, right?
――All the trainers in Cinderella Gray are excellent, after all. Finally, since the success of the international contingent is too good to be a one-off, please tell us what you would like to do next in connection with "Uma musume."
Kaida: I'd like to go to a racetrack. I've been missing opportunities continuously.
Ishigami: I'd like to collaborate and call out racehorse names at races. Obviously announcing would be impossible, but something like "Entering gate number so-and-so."
――Previously, at a Kasamatsu Racecourse collaboration event, Takayanagi-san did the call-outs.
Ishigami: I'd like to do something like that.
Tomita: I went to Oi Racecourse for work before, and the real horses were muscular and incredibly impressive.
Sekine: I'd like to ride a racehorse. I want to experience the height, the view from horseback, and the atmosphere of the racetrack.
Takagaki: I'd really like the overseas group to sing the English version of "Umapyoi Legend." And if possible, the Italian version too! (laughs)
Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Umapyoi Legend (English ver.)
Also, since everyone's horse ears are so cute, I want to see Kaida-san with horse ears! In that outfit! She'd definitely suit them! If the overseas horse girls are really well-received internationally after the Japan Cup airs, what do you say? We're fine with it.
Kaida: Don't leave me alone~ (laughs)
Takagaki: Got it! I'll follow senpai to the very end! (laughs)
――We look forward to that becoming a reality someday. Thank you very much!
[Interview/Text by Kenichi Chiba]
About "Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray"
Synopsis
Currently serialized in Weekly Young Jump, with over 8 million copies in circulation!
The manga adaptation featuring Oguri Cap as the protagonist from the cross-media franchise "Uma Musume Pretty Derby" is finally getting an anime adaptation!
At the run-down Kasamatsu Training Center Academy in the countryside, a lone horse girl appears.
Her name is Oguri Cap.
Her overwhelming speed defies all conventional wisdom.
Soon, the ash-covered girl known as "the monster" will carve out a new legend.
A youth "racing" Cinderella story is finally ready to run!
Cast
Oguri Cap: Tomoyo Takayanagi
Berno Light: Momoko Seto
Jo Kitahara: Katsuyuki Konishi
Ginjiro Musaka: Hochu Otsuka
Fujimasa March: Mariya Ise
Norn Ace: Ayano Shibuya
Rudy Lemono: Yo Taichi
Mini the Lady: Shiori Izawa
Tamamo Cross: Naomi Ozora
Yaeno Muteki: Ayumi Hihara
Sakura Chiyono O: Ruriko Noguchi
Mejiro Ardan: Saya Aizawa
Super Creek: Kana Yuki
Dicta Striker: Yumiri Hanamori
Gold City: Saki Kosaka
Symboli Rudolf: Azusa Tadokoro
Maruzensky: Lynn
Mr. C.B.: Yurina Amami
Tony Bianca: Yuko Kaida
Obey Your Master: Shizuka Ishigami
Moonlight Lunacy: Akira Sekine
Michelle My Baby: Ayahi Takagaki
Ellerslie Pride: Miyu Tomita
© Taiyo Kuzumi, Masafumi Sugiura & Pita, Junnosuke Ito / Shueisha, Umamusume Cinderella Gray Production Committee © Cygames, Inc.
© Animate Times
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
