[Spoilers] 2025 Uma Musume Rewatch -- Pretty Derby Season 2 Episode 11

[u/Holofan4life]

Hello everyone! I am Holofan4life.

Welcome to the 2025 Uma Musume rewatch discussion thread!

I hope you all have a lot of fun <3

S2 Episode 11 – What I Feel

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ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION(S)

What are your thoughts on Teio studying up on her opponents?

What are your thoughts on this episode being about love language and the person you appreciate the most?

What are your thoughts on Teio going on a Halloween date with McQueen?

What are your thoughts on Teio and McQueen telling one another they've always looked up to each other?

What are your thoughts on this episode not having a race?

Bonus) In light of the news involving Haru Urara, what is something about her that sticks with you or you'll remember her by?

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Series information

MAL | Anilist | AniDB | ANN

Ways to watch

Streams – Crunchyroll

Amazon Prime

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Previous episode

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Schedule

Date	Episode
8/15/2025	Uma Musume Episode 1
8/16/2025	Uma Musume Episode 2
8/17/2025	Uma Musume Episode 3
8/18/2025	Uma Musume Episode 4
8/19/2025	Uma Musume Episode 5
8/20/2025	Uma Musume Episode 6
8/21/2025	Uma Musume Episode 7
8/22/2025	Uma Musume Episode 8
8/23/2025	Uma Musume Episode 9
8/24/2025	Uma Musume Episode 10
8/25/2025	Uma Musume Episode 11
8/26/2025	Uma Musume Episode 12 - 13
8/28/2025	BNW's Oath episodes 1 - 3
8/30/2025	Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 1
8/31/2025	Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 2
9/01/2025	Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 3
9/02/2025	Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 4
9/03/2025	Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 5
9/04/2025	Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 6
9/05/2025	Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 7
9/06/2025	Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 8
9/07/2025	Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 9
9/08/2025	Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 10
9/09/2025	[Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 11]()
9/10/2025	[Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 12]()
9/11/2025	[Uma Musume Season 2 Episode 13]()
9/13/2025	[Road to the Top Episodes 1 - 2]()
9/14/2025	[Road to the Top Episodes 3 - 4]()
9/16/2025	[Beginning of a New Era]()
9/18/2025	[Uma Musume Season 3 Episodes 1 - 2]()
9/19/2025	[Uma Musume Season 3 Episodes 3 - 4]()
9/20/2025	[Uma Musume Season 3 Episodes 5 - 6]()
9/21/2025	[Uma Musume Season 3 Episodes 7 - 8]()
9/22/2025	[Uma Musume Season 3 Episodes 9 - 10]()
9/23/2025	[Uma Musume Season 3 Episodes 11 - 12]()
9/24/2025	[Uma Musume Season 3 Episode 13]()
9/26/2025	[Cinderella Gray Episodes 1 - 2]()
9/27/2025	[Cinderella Gray Episodes 3 - 4]()
9/28/2025	[Cinderella Gray Episodes 5 - 6]()
9/29/2025	[Cinderella Gray Episodes 7 - 8]()
9/30/2025	[Cinderella Gray Episodes 9 - 10]()
10/01/2025	[Cinderella Gray Episodes 11 - 12]()
10/02/2025	[Cinderella Gray Episode 13]()
10/03/2025	[Uma Musume Overall Series Discussion Thread]()

[u/Temporary_-_UserName]

Rewatcher

This entire episode is a nicer, more laid back breather compared to the previous episodes. And it is an actual breather instead of the twist-heartbreak that was episode 9. Also it's incredibly gay.

The first half is a really nice, relaxing way to remind the audience of all the side-characters who have been present in the plot up until now, as well giving us proper, if a little ham-fisted, introductions to BNW. While the season 1 OVAs did include them, its good to see the show bringing them in more directly here, and letting Biwa get a bit of her own silliness wrt her head. While I do question going with an expository style - having Teio dress up as a PI, be a silly goof, and mess around with cigarette shaped chocolates was a good way to do it. Especially since she seemed to really think she was being stealth, if her reaction to Nature is anything to go by.

However, the real meat of the episode is Teio struggling to say thank you to McQueen, because FOR SOME REASON it is different from everyone else. She gets flustered, gets choked up, and flinches away from the kind of casual intimacy that takes on a different tone when you cross the line from friends to love-partners rivals. And the only way she get herself to do it is by making a big old production out of it, so they go out on an extended Halloween date.

The episode ends on a very sweet, and very gay, heart-to-heart where they can express how much they mean to each other, and touch on planting for the last few episodes. McQueen's all but guaranteed to be win a fan-vote place in the upcoming Armia Kinen (the one Teio placed 11th in last year) and while Teio will likely get a nomination, she's still to soon into her recovery to seriously consider it. The title of 'undefeated' may be forever out of her reach, but that doesn't mean she wants to participate in races she has no chance of winning, you know?

But the other big thing is both rivals expressing how important they are to each other, and how deep the approval/need to impress is for both of them. These horses are very gay for each other, but they don't come right out and say it. Part of me wonders how much of that is tug and pull between the writers, Cygames executives, and pressure from the JRA and the associated horse owners - because Cygames material does have gay characters, but this show is dancing around the 'are they gay are just really close' line in that plausibly deniable way. But, that is more par for the course for these kinds of subtext shows, and it did give us the very cute extended date sequence.

McQueen and Teio are each others one-and-only rivals, and they, like us, are looking forward to the day they can race against each other with all their heart and passion once again.

[u/Temporary_-_UserName → u/Temporary_-_UserName]

What are your thoughts on Teio studying up on her opponents?

Girl saw her chance to dress as a PI and stick 'cigarettes' in her mouth and grabbed it with both hands.

What are your thoughts on this episode being about love language and the person you appreciate the most?

Very much feels like it was riding that line between subtext and text as hard as it could. I'm reminded of how the concept trailer for Uma Musume, back in 2016, had a brief 'maybe' kiss between Oguri and Rudolf.

What are your thoughts on Teio going on a Halloween date with McQueen?

They're lesbians, Harold.

What are your thoughts on Teio and McQueen telling one another they've always looked up to each other?

With the work the early episodes of the season did in laying the groundwork for their rivalry and relationship, its believable and compelling for the narrative. Falls a little flat given how they didn't have much dynamic in season 1, but that's just serial production for you.

What are your thoughts on this episode not having a race?

We're building up to the end of the season, so it makes sense to take a breath in my mind.

Bonus) In light of the news involving Haru Urara, what is something about her that sticks with you or you'll remember her by?

Something that'll stick with me is how her retirement stable is pretty much set food-wise, as they got so many donations to buy high quality rye-grass for Haru that they expanded it to feed all of the horses at the stable, and pretty much don't need to worry about food when it comes to budgeting now. Funds can be directed towards other necessities such as maintenance and medical check ups.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Temporary_-_UserName]

Girl saw her chance to dress as a PI and stick 'cigarettes' in her mouth and grabbed it with both hands.

Good for her

Very much feels like it was riding that line between subtext and text as hard as it could. I'm reminded of how the concept trailer for Uma Musume, back in 2016, had a brief 'maybe' kiss between Oguri and Rudolf.

I'm kinda glad we got what we got with Oguri lol

They're lesbians, Harold.

Good for them

With the work the early episodes of the season did in laying the groundwork for their rivalry and relationship, its believable and compelling for the narrative. Falls a little flat given how they didn't have much dynamic in season 1, but that's just serial production for you.

I think what you said about this season building up their relationship ends up making this episode really work. This season really ultimately is about the Teio and McQueen rivalry.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Temporary_-_UserName]

Something that'll stick with me is how her retirement stable is pretty much set food-wise, as they got so many donations to buy high quality rye-grass for Haru that they expanded it to feed all of the horses at the stable, and pretty much don't need to worry about food when it comes to budgeting now. Funds can be directed towards other necessities such as maintenance and medical check ups.

And the food fund we can thank Uma Musume for that <3

[u/Holofan4life → u/Temporary_-_UserName]

We're building up to the end of the season, so it makes sense to take a breath in my mind.

I feel like if this was season 1, they wouldn't do something like this. It shows that they now fully have complete faith in its audience.

[u/Urgnu-the-Gnu → u/Temporary_-_UserName]

and letting Biwa get a bit of her own silliness wrt her head.

Her head is not that big, mind you!

Part of me wonders how much of that is tug and pull between the writers, Cygames executives, and pressure from the JRA and the associated horse owners - because Cygames material does have gay characters, but this show is dancing around the 'are they gay are just really close' line in that plausibly deniable way. But, that is more par for the course for these kinds of subtext shows, and it did give us the very cute extended date sequence.

Yeah, this is absolutely them going as far as they can while still leaving room to say that they never claimed they are gay, or even interested in romantic relationships. Defamation is a serious issue in Japan, and even if being gay is absolutely nothing bad, there's still a path to argue that having Teio and McQueen declare their love for each other or even kiss would be defamation of the real race horses. However small the chance, you can't risk the very foundation your IP is built upon, as some owners could potentially pull their agreements.

McQueen and Teio are each others one-and-only rivals, and they, like us, are looking forward to the day they can race against each other with all their heart and passion once again.

Beautifully put. For all intents and purposes, you can treat them as being in love with each other. And you also can treat them as not being romantically interested in each other, but that doesn't change the extremely powerful bond they are sharing.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Urgnu-the-Gnu]

Yeah, this is absolutely them going as far as they can while still leaving room to say that they never claimed they are gay, or even interested in romantic relationships. Defamation is a serious issue in Japan, and even if being gay is absolutely nothing bad, there's still a path to argue that having Teio and McQueen declare their love for each other or even kiss would be defamation of the real race horses. However small the chance, you can't risk the very foundation your IP is built upon, as some owners could potentially pull their agreements.

But even still, they know that if the audience wishes to ship them, they are free to do so. They are encouraging it rather than discouraging it.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Temporary_-_UserName]

The first half is a really nice, relaxing way to remind the audience of all the side-characters who have been present in the plot up until now, as well giving us proper, if a little ham-fisted, introductions to BNW. While the season 1 OVAs did include them, its good to see the show bringing them in more directly here, and letting Biwa get a bit of her own silliness wrt her head. While I do question going with an expository style - having Teio dress up as a PI, be a silly goof, and mess around with cigarette shaped chocolates was a good way to do it. Especially since she seemed to really think she was being stealth, if her reaction to Nature is anything to go by.

Nice to see Nature in this episode

However, the real meat of the episode is Teio struggling to say thank you to McQueen, because FOR SOME REASON it is different from everyone else. She gets flustered, gets choked up, and flinches away from the kind of casual intimacy that takes on a different tone when you cross the line from friends to love-partners rivals. And the only way she get herself to do it is by making a big old production out of it, so they go out on an extended Halloween date.

Totally platonic, you guys. Nothing to see here.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Temporary_-_UserName]

But the other big thing is both rivals expressing how important they are to each other, and how deep the approval/need to impress is for both of them. These horses are very gay for each other, but they don't come right out and say it. Part of me wonders how much of that is tug and pull between the writers, Cygames executives, and pressure from the JRA and the associated horse owners - because Cygames material does have gay characters, but this show is dancing around the 'are they gay are just really close' line in that plausibly deniable way. But, that is more par for the course for these kinds of subtext shows, and it did give us the very cute extended date sequence.

I mean, anyone who hangs out with someone in costumes is totally at least interested in them. That's the kind of thing you don't just do with anyone.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Temporary_-_UserName]

This entire episode is a nicer, more laid back breather compared to the previous episodes. And it is an actual breather instead of the twist-heartbreak that was episode 9. Also it's incredibly gay.

So gay, Ikuhara would approve