by Legendary Anime Horse Makibao Surprises Fans at Uma Musume’s First-Ever World Tour
The highly anticipated first stop of “Uma Musume Pretty Derby 7th EVENT WORLD TOUR ‘THE STAGE’ in TOKYO” was held on June 20 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, delivering unforgettable moments for fans. While the concert featured spectacular performances, surprise guests, and beloved songs from the franchise, the biggest highlight of the evening came when Makibao, the iconic horse protagonist from the classic anime Midori no Makibao, unexpectedly appeared during the show.
The surprise appearance left the audience stunned, with cheers and gasps echoing throughout the arena. The collaboration performance quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the event and demonstrated the enduring popularity of both franchises.
Uma Musume Begins Its First-Ever World Tour
The Tokyo performance marked the beginning of Uma Musume’s first global concert tour, a major milestone for the multimedia franchise.
Unlike previous live events, the 7th EVENT WORLD TOUR will include international performances, allowing fans around the world to experience the excitement of Uma Musume live for the first time.
The opening night featured a massive lineup of voice actors and performers representing fan-favorite horse girls from across the series.
Some of the featured cast members included:
Machico (Tokai Teio)
Tomoyo Takayanagi (Oguri Cap)
Sora Tokui (TM Opera O)
Minori Suzuki (Agnes Digital)
Naomi Ohzora (Tamamo Cross)
Minami Tsuda (Air Shakur)
Misaki Watada (Meisho Doto)
Ruriko Noguchi (Sakura Chiyono O)
Hina Hitsujimiya (Daring Tact)
Fuka Izumi (Buena Vista)
Kaori Ishihara (Almond Eye)
Yuki Nakajima (Lucky Lilac)
Hina Natsume (Gran Alegria)
The concert also featured commentary by Satomi Akasaka and a surprise appearance from Aimi, who voices Casino Drive.
A Night Filled With Surprises
The event opened with the powerful ensemble song “VOLTAGE,” immediately energizing the crowd.
Several performances highlighted newer cast members making their live concert debut. Songs such as “Winning the Soul” showcased the talents of performers playing Kiseki, Epiphaneia, and Victoire Pisa, all of whom received enthusiastic support from the audience.
Another major surprise arrived during “UMA IN AMERICA,” when secret guest Aimi unexpectedly appeared on stage. Her performance alongside Espoir City, Loves Only You, Red Desire, Forever Young, and Marche Lorraine generated one of the loudest reactions of the evening.
However, the biggest shock was yet to come.
Makibao and Uma Musume Unite for a Special Collaboration
The concert’s most memorable moment arrived during the 11th song, “Hashire OO-Oh.”
The performance celebrated a special collaboration between Uma Musume Pretty Derby and the beloved 1990s horse racing anime Midori no Makibao.
The collaboration is particularly significant because:
2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the Midori no Makibao anime.
2026 also celebrates the 5th anniversary of the Uma Musume Pretty Derby mobile game.
A special collaboration commercial aired earlier in the year, generating excitement among fans of both franchises.
The live concert collaboration brought that partnership to life in spectacular fashion.
Makibao’s Voice Ignites the Arena
Before the performance began, the arena suddenly echoed with Makibao’s unmistakable voice.
The character enthusiastically addressed the crowd:
“You’ve never seen a live show like this before, have you? My friend is coming on stage now! Are you ready to get excited with me?”
The unexpected announcement immediately sparked cheers and laughter from the audience.
After a lively call-and-response segment, a special video featuring Makibao played on the giant screens, setting the stage for the collaboration performance.
“Hashire OO-Oh” Delivers a Nostalgic and Emotional Performance
Following the video, a special group of Uma Musume cast members appeared on stage.
The performers were specifically chosen because their characters’ names contain the letter “O,” creating a playful connection to Makibao’s classic theme song.
The performers included:
Machico (Tokai Teio)
Sora Tokui (TM Opera O)
Ruriko Noguchi (Sakura Chiyono O)
Yumiko Mochizuki (Carston Light O)
Riko Akechi (Sakura Chitose O)
During the iconic lyrics “Run! Run! OO-Oh!”, each performer sang the name of their respective Uma Musume character, creating a unique version of the beloved song.
The nostalgic tribute delighted longtime anime fans while introducing younger Uma Musume viewers to one of horse racing anime’s most iconic characters.
Why the Collaboration Was So Meaningful
For many fans, the collaboration represented a symbolic passing of the torch between generations of horse-themed anime.
Midori no Makibao
First broadcast in the 1990s, Midori no Makibao became one of Japan’s most beloved horse racing anime series. Its underdog story, memorable humor, and emotional races left a lasting impact on anime fans.
Uma Musume Pretty Derby
Since its debut, Uma Musume has transformed real-life racehorses into anime characters, becoming one of Japan’s most successful multimedia franchises through anime, games, music, and live events.
Seeing both series share the same stage created a rare and emotional crossover that celebrated decades of horse-racing-themed entertainment.
Concert Finale Keeps Energy High
After the Makibao collaboration, the concert continued with several major performances, including:
“We are DREAMERS!!”
“Glorious Moment!”
“Ms. VICTORIA”
“STARTING FORCE”
“U.MA NEW WORLD!!”
The event ultimately concluded with the franchise’s signature anthem:
“Uma Pyoi Densetsu”
The song brought together the entire cast, including surprise guest Aimi, for a grand finale that had the audience singing and dancing until the very end.
As thousands of fans joined in, the concert closed on an emotional high note, celebrating both the franchise’s past achievements and its growing global future.
Highlights From the Tokyo Setlist
Some of the night’s most memorable performances included:
Opening Stage
VOLTAGE
Fan Favorites
Bakunetsu My Soul
BLOW my GALE
winning the soul
NEXT FRONTIER
Special Guest Segment
UMA IN AMERICA
Collaboration Performance
Hashire OO-Oh (Midori no Makibao × Uma Musume)
Finale
U.MA NEW WORLD!!
You! Aim! A!!
Uma Pyoi Densetsu
The Future of Uma Musume’s World Tour
The Tokyo concert successfully launched Uma Musume’s historic world tour and demonstrated the franchise’s growing international popularity.
With upcoming overseas performances planned, fans around the globe can expect:
New live performances
Special guest appearances
Exclusive announcements
Unique collaborations
Fan-favorite songs from across the franchise
The success of the opening show suggests that the 7th EVENT WORLD TOUR could become one of the biggest live anime concert events in the franchise’s history.
Final Thoughts
The first night of Uma Musume Pretty Derby 7th EVENT WORLD TOUR “THE STAGE” delivered everything fans could have hoped for: powerful music, emotional performances, surprise guests, and unforgettable nostalgia.
However, the appearance of Makibao and the live performance of “Hashire OO-Oh” ultimately became the defining moment of the night. By bringing together two generations of horse-racing anime fans, the collaboration celebrated both the legacy of Midori no Makibao and the ongoing success of Uma Musume Pretty Derby.
As the world tour continues, fans will undoubtedly be wondering what surprises await at future stops.
