Review of Umamusume: Pretty Derby Season 3

Season 3 had the unfortunate position of following the best representation of the Pretty Derby franchise, season 2. That being said, it still is a worthy addition to the series. Kitasan is a good MC and very well likeable. Her relationship with Diamond doesn't hit the same "high" as the relationship between Teio and McQueen, but it remains cute and fun to watch. Speaking of which, I would have liked to see Teio take more of a mentor role to Kitasan in this anime considering that Teio was the horse girl that Kitason grew up idolizing. However, that role falls onto Nice Nature. That beingsaid, I did very much like the mentor-student relationship between Nice Nature and Kitasan.

I did like the "struggle" that's presented for Kitasan in this anime as it wasn't about injuries but something else that can be very relatable.

Season 2 had a very great side-story involving Rice Shower. Season 3's side story involves Chevel Grand. While Chevel's story didn't pull on the heart strings as much as the situation involving Rice Shower, it still prompted me to root for her.....even not being sad when she achieves something at Kitasan's expense.

I do think this season had a missed opportunity to not show Diamond's race overseas and how that affected her.

Overall, even though it doesn't match season 2, I still really enjoyed it.