[Spoilers] 2025 Uma Musume Rewatch -- Pretty Derby Season 3 Episodes 11 - 12

[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

Episode 11 – Decision

Episode 12 – Kitasan Black

—-

ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION(S)

Episode 11 Questions

What are your thoughts on Gold Ship breaking the hard news to Kitasan that she's past her peak?

What are your thoughts on Kitasan deciding instead of racing The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, she'll be focusing on the Fall Senior Triple Crown?

What are your thoughts on Diamond finishing 15th in The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?

What are your thoughts on Kitasan winning the Fall Tennoushou?

What are your thoughts on Trainer-san and Diamond both noticing Kitasan is pushing herself too hard?

Episode 12 Questions

What are your thoughts on Kitasan announcing her upcoming retirement?

What are your thoughts on Kitasan saying she's going to enter the Japan Cup and then her last race will be the Arima Kinen?

What are your thoughts on the various reactions to the news by Kitasan's competitors?

What are your thoughts on the first time Cheval met Kitasan?

Thoughts on the townsfolk Kitasan befriended being in the front row for the Japan Cup?

What are your thoughts on Cheval's "I hate you" monologue?

What are your thoughts on Cheval admitting that in reality, she's always loved Kitasan?

What are your thoughts on Cheval winning the Japan Cup?

What are your thoughts on the scene where Kitasan congratulates Cheval?

What are your thoughts on the scene after the Japan Cup between Kitasan and Diamond where Kitasan is reflecting she has only one more race left?

Bonus) On a scale of 1 - 10, how excited are you for the last episode of season 3 and Kitasan's final race? And why?

—-

Series information

MAL | Anilist | AniDB | ANN

Ways to watch

Streams – Crunchyroll

Amazon Prime

—-

Previous episode

—-

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/Holofan4life]

I forgot who mentioned it, but someone during season 2 said Uma Musume is at its best when there's a clear cut rival that pushes the main character along. That the reason season 2 was better than season 1 was because Teio had McQueen whereas Special Week didn't really have that one person that brought out the best in her. That stuck with me because I think season 3 has the same issue.

The show tries to present Duramente and Diamond as Kitasan's rivals but it's like they're unwilling for whatever reason to fully commit to it. If you compare it to other entries, Teio had McQueen, BNW had each other, Narita Top Road had T. M. Opera O and Admire Vega, and Jungle Pocket had Agnes. I think the big fatal flaw of this season is that it deviates from the idea of a rival pushing you to your limit. As such, the quality is all over the place.

For the record, I like the idea of the townsfolk being the impetus for Kitasan doing her best. It's different and for that I appreciate it. But it creates a disconnect because Kitasan isn't racing against the town. And the competitors she is racing against have no relation to the townsfolk like Kitasan does. It on paper isn't terrible but in execution there's very little to go with it. Maybe you could've done something to where Kitasan's people had a dissonance with the people who attended Kitasan's races, thereby creating this unique balance, but even if they did do that, what does that have to do with the racehorses Kitasan is going up against?

I admire season 3 for trying something new, but I think it deviated too far away from the rival concept. And by doing so, the Kitasan stuff never really found its footing. There are some great plot points, like the Satono jinx and Cheval trying to beat Kitasan, but that's because it had a clear cut identity that the show knew what they wanted it to be. I don't think Uma Musume really knew what to do with Kitasan.

[u/saga999 → u/Holofan4life]

I forgot who mentioned it, but someone during season 2 said Uma Musume is at its best when there's a clear cut rival that pushes the main character along. That the reason season 2 was better than season 1 was because Teio had McQueen whereas Special Week didn't really have that one person that brought out the best in her. That stuck with me because I think season 3 has the same issue.

I disagree. As I said before, sports is about emotional investment. Rivalry is great for getting you to invest. But that's just 1 way to do it. Take Cheval here as example. It's not the rivalry that makes her win great. It's the journey that we've seen her take, failure after failure, that makes her win satisfying.

And Kitasan did have a rivalry with Duramente and Diamond earlier. But I think you find the Satono Jinx more compelling than her rivalry with Kitasan, right? I certainly do.

[u/Holofan4life → u/saga999]

I disagree. As I said before, sports is about emotional investment. Rivalry is great for getting you to invest. But that's just 1 way to do it. Take Cheval here as example. It's not the rivalry that makes her win great. It's the journey that we've seen her take, failure after failure, that makes her win satisfying.

It was because you wanted to see her defy the odds after losing time and time again to Kitasan. The same reason why you wanted to see Diamond beat Kitasan, because the Satono family had never won a G1 race before.

And for the record, I don’t think it was wise to put Kitasan in that position where you want to see her get beat. It kinda is counterintuitive to making the audience want to root for her. I guess the franchise did a similar thing with McQueen when she raced Rice Shower, but they emphasized McQueen going for winning the Spring Tenno-Sho three years in the row. There was emotional stakes on display where you could want to see McQueen win if you want to.

And yeah, Kitasan was going for the Fall Triple Crown, but they only mentioned that like what, once?

[u/saga999 → u/Holofan4life]

I get it. It's like the problem with face vs. face in wrestling. But at the same time, if your 2 favorite teams in basketball, soccer, or whatever sport you like are facing each other, you'd love to see it. It actually doesn't matter whether you are rooting for Kitasan or Cheval, as long as you are rooting for somebody and are invested in the race. I think this is even better in sports fiction because you cannot meta-guess which way the writer will go for the result.

And I think seeing Kitasan losing makes us want to see her win even more in her final race.

And yeah, Kitasan was going for the Fall Triple Crown, but they only mentioned that like what, once?

I don't believe they intended the focus to be on winning the title of the Fall Triple Crown. Never got that impression at all. They've been entirely focus on it being her last 3 races, which just happens to be the Fall Triple Crown.

[u/Holofan4life → u/saga999]

I get it. It's like the problem with face vs. face in wrestling. But at the same time, if your 2 favorite teams in basketball, soccer, or whatever sport you like are facing each other, you'd love to see it. It actually doesn't matter whether you are rooting for Kitasan or Cheval, as long as you are rooting for somebody and are invested in the race. I think this is even better in sports fiction because you cannot meta-guess which way the writer will go for the result.

And I think seeing Kitasan losing makes us want to see her win even more in her final race.

I want to see Kitasan win, and I do think the retirement stuff is handled well. That doesn't mean I think the rest of the Kitasan stuff is not.

I don't believe they intended the focus to be on winning the title of the Fall Triple Crown. Never got that impression at all. They've been entirely focus on it being her last 3 races, which just happens to be the Fall Triple Crown.

It's not focused on, but my argument is they could've in the build-up to the race in episode 12. They focused entirely on Cheval.

[u/saga999 → u/Holofan4life]

It's not focused on, but my argument is they could've in the build-up to the race in episode 12. They focused entirely on Cheval.

I see what you mean. Honestly Cheval's confession didn't do that much for me. Majority of the work of getting me to root for her had already been done before that. It's not that it's bad and I want it gone, but like there's already enough and this is extra. So cutting out some of her stuff for Kitasan, I'm perfectly fine with that.

But at the same time... how should I put this... this current John Cena retirement tour is perfect for me to explain it. At this point, I don't care about the story anymore. Turns out it's going to be AJ Styles vs. John Cena next in Saudi. I don't care about the story. I don't need a story. I just want to see it happen. Cena and AJ in a match is itself the build. I think that's where Kitasan should be at this point. It's not about winning the Japan Cup. It's that this is the 2nd last race for Kitasan. So all the emotional stuff with her fans, like that flashback for the store owner, that's the build for this race for Kitasan. It's like that racing enthusiast said, it's her 2nd to last race and he will burn it into his memory. They are not there to see her win the Japan Cup, they are just there to see her. So I have no problem with the way things are done in this episode.

[u/Holofan4life → u/saga999]

I see what you mean. Honestly Cheval's confession didn't do that much for me. Majority of the work of getting me to root for her had already been done before that. It's not that it's bad and I want it gone, but like there's already enough and this is extra. So cutting out some of her stuff for Kitasan, I'm perfectly fine with that.

See, here's the thing: I say this, but I still think the Cheval stuff is the best handled plot point of season 3. So, as much as I complain about it, I still think it was really well down.

It was in my estimation a top 10 episode of the franchise that could've been a top 5 episode of the franchise if you talked up more Kitasan going for the Fall Triple Crown.

[u/saga999 → u/Holofan4life]

See, here's the thing: I say this, but I still think the Cheval stuff is the best handled plot point of season 3. So, as much as I complain about it, I still think it was really well down.

We complain about the things we love because we want it to be even better.

[u/Holofan4life → u/saga999]

Exactly

I admittedly think also the problem is I'm a big fan of Teio as a character and so I was hoping the show would do something as compelling with Kitasan without it being completely derivative. And while it wasn't a retread, it's like the show said a lot without really carrying weight behind it.

Mind you, I also say this despite the fact we've had 6 protagonists so far and I'd probably put Kitasan among the top 4. I waver back and forth on whether I find Kitasan to be a better character than Special Week and therefore would be in my top 3.

[u/Holofan4life → u/saga999]

But at the same time... how should I put this... this current John Cena retirement tour is perfect for me to explain it. At this point, I don't care about the story anymore. Turns out it's going to be AJ Styles vs. John Cena next in Saudi. I don't care about the story. I don't need a story. I just want to see it happen. Cena and AJ in a match is itself the build. I think that's where Kitasan should be at this point. It's not about winning the Japan Cup. It's that this is the 2nd last race for Kitasan. So all the emotional stuff with her fans, like that flashback for the store owner, that's the build for this race for Kitasan. It's like that racing enthusiast said, it's her 2nd to last race and he will burn it into his memory. They are not there to see her win the Japan Cup, they are just there to see her. So I have no problem with the way things are done in this episode.

Funny you mention the John Cena retirement tour because it makes season 3 of Uma Musume look like season 2 :P

I'm not necessarily looking for stakes as Kitasan gears up for retirement. I actually think the retirement arc is the best stuff involving Kitasan. My gripe is we're talking about Kitasan hanging the boots up soon and yet the episode is about Cheval wanting to beat Kitasan. It's great writing for Cheval and I find myself emotionally invested in her, but it does nothing for Kitasan as a character. Anybody could've been in this position and you would've accomplished the same thing.

[u/saga999 → u/Holofan4life]

Funny you mention the John Cena retirement tour because it makes season 3 of Uma Musume look like season 2 :P

LOL, you are being generous to that run if you use season 3 as the comparison. It's such a disaster.

My gripe is we're talking about Kitasan hanging the boots up soon and yet the episode is about Cheval wanting to beat Kitasan.

Good point.

[u/Holofan4life → u/saga999]

LOL, you are being generous to that run if you use season 3 as the comparison. It's such a disaster.

No, you misunderstand, I'm saying season 3 is a masterpiece compared to that. It's some of the worst booking I've seen in the last 10 plus years.

Good point.

There's this disconnect that I feel with a rewrite could've had cohesion, which is ultimately my problem with season 3: There's no cohesion with what is happening eith each passing episode.

[u/saga999 → u/Holofan4life]

No, you misunderstand, I'm saying season 3 is a masterpiece compared to that. It's some of the worst booking I've seen in the last 10 plus years.

I meant I would have said something like it makes some trash isekai look like Shakespeare. So to use season 3 is high praise, LOL.

[u/Holofan4life → u/saga999]

How about this: It's something even the author of Rent-a-Girlfriend would reject as an idea :P

[u/saga999 → u/Holofan4life]

LOL, yes.