List of Theme Songs for the Anime "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" | OP by [Alexandros], ED by Oguri Cap

"Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" is a TV anime scheduled to air in split two cours starting April 2025. It is an adaptation of the manga of the same name, which is currently serialized in Shueisha's seinen comic magazine "Weekly Young Jump."

The story centers on Oguri Cap, a character who appears in "Umamusume: Pretty Derby," and the series is commonly referred to as "Shingure" as an abbreviation. This article compiles information about the theme songs and artists for the anime "Shingure."

Synopsis of the Anime "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray"

Girls who possess horse-like ears and tails and superhuman legs, inheriting the names and souls of famous racehorses from another world, are called "Umamusume" (Horse Girls).

Oguri Cap, an Umamusume, is a new student at the run-down Kasamatsu Training Center Academy. The story picks up when she meets Jo Kitahara, a trainer searching for someone destined to be a star. The tale follows the journey of Oguri Cap, the "gray-cindered girl" referred to as a "monster," as she carves a legendary path.

"Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" is a part of the broader "Umamusume" project, which spans various media including anime and games. Oguri Cap is voiced by Tomoyo Takayanagi, who is also known for her role as Sarina Tendouji in "Oshi No Ko."

First Cour OP Theme Song for "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray": "Koeru"

The opening theme song for the first cour of "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" is the new track "Koeru" by the rock band [Alexandros].

Vocalist and guitarist Yohei Kawakami mentioned that after reading the manga version of "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray," he felt personally encouraged, focusing not on the races against rivals but on the internal struggle against oneself. Regarding the song's title, he revealed that he considered naming it after the striking manga keyword "mushaburui" (a trembling of excitement before battle).

Kawakami commented, "A race is often viewed as a competition against others, but ultimately, it is a battle against yourself. The trembling felt in such a situation is not from fear, but from the new self inside you breaking free. ‘The image of me overtaking myself’—etching that into your mind is the true goal of the race. That’s what I always think." He wrote that "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" contains moments that resonate with this worldview, and he is honored to have encountered such a compelling work.

About the First Cour OP Artist, [Alexandros]

[Alexandros] is a four-member rock band. In eastern Japan they are nicknamed "Aleki," while in western Japan they are called "Dros."

They released their first album "Where's My Potato?" in 2010, debuting on an independent label. Performing primarily in live houses, tickets quickly became difficult to obtain as their popularity outstripped venue capacities. They rapidly gained recognition with their prolific live performances and energetic shows.

In March 2015, they made their major label debut with the single "Watari Dori / Dracula La." In August 2018, they held a solo live event "VIP PARTY 2018" at ZOZO Marine Stadium, drawing an audience of 35,000. In 2022, they held their first hall tour and arena tour in the Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka areas.

[Alexandros] has performed the theme songs for various anime, such as "Senko" for the film "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway," "Rock The World" for the movie "Goodbye, Don Glees!", and "Mu Shinpakusu" as the first cour OP for "Aoashi."

First Cour ED Theme Song for "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray": "∞"

The ending theme song for the first cour is "∞" (Mugen), performed by Tomoyo Takayanagi as "Oguri Cap (CV: Tomoyo Takayanagi)." It will be digitally released on April 13, 2025, followed by a CD release on May 21.

At the "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" Advance Screening & Talk Show held on March 30, 2025, Takayanagi commented that "∞" had revealed a wonderful side of Oguri Cap to her.

The lyrics and composition of "∞" were handled by Honoka Takahashi, vocalist and guitarist of the rock band Regal Lily. Takahashi remarked, "I wrote the song in hopes that Oguri Cap's endlessly galloping breath would be conveyed to everyone through music, even a little."

About the First Cour ED Performer, Tomoyo Takayanagi

The ED theme "∞" is sung by Tomoyo Takayanagi under the name "Oguri Cap (CV: Tomoyo Takayanagi)." Takayanagi also voices Oguri Cap throughout the "Umamusume" series and has performed various character songs as "Oguri Cap (CV: Tomoyo Takayanagi)."

Originally from Chiba Prefecture, Takayanagi began her path as a voice actress by enrolling in a voice acting training school during her first year of university. Oguri Cap was the first character she landed through an audition after becoming a voice actress. Major anime roles played by Takayanagi include Mikan Hinatsuki in "The Demon Girl Next Door" and Sarina Tendouji in "Oshi No Ko."

Takayanagi has performed numerous character songs under various character names. As a solo artist, she sang "Ano Hoshi no Mukou ni," the Episode 4 ending theme of "Koisuru Showakusei" as Mira Konohata (CV. Tomoyo Takayanagi).

Character songs performed as "Oguri Cap (CV: Tomoyo Takayanagi)" include the group ED theme "Umapyoi Densetsu" in Episode 13 (EXTRA R) of the first season of "Umamusume: Pretty Derby," as well as the solo song "unbreakable," which was also used in the game's TV commercial.

Episode 3 Insert Song: "Shin Kasamatsu Ondo"

The insert song used in Episode 3 is "Shin Kasamatsu Ondo" by Michiya Mihashi. After her first victory in a race, Oguri Cap expresses gratitude to her fans by dancing "Shin Kasamatsu Ondo" during her winning live performance, leaving the audience stunned. Once this winning live aired, both "Kasamatsu Ondo" and "Kasamatsu Ondo" (written in different spellings) began trending on X (formerly Twitter).

"Shin Kasamatsu Ondo" was a song created in 1979 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Kasamatsu Town in Gifu Prefecture. 

In the "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" manga, the name of the song Oguri Cap danced to was not revealed, but as part of the lyrics included "Odore odore ya Kasamatsu Ondo" (Dance, dance, it's Kasamatsu Ondo) and the official manga X account posted "#Kasamatsu Ondo," it is highly likely that the Bon dance song Oguri Cap performed in the manga is "Kasamatsu Ondo."

About Episode 3 Insert Song Artist, Michiya Mihashi

Michiya Mihashi was a singer born in 1930 in Hokkaido. At age nine, he won first place in a folk song contest in Hokkaido. In 1950, he moved to Tokyo to pursue a singing career and made his debut in 1954 with "Sake no Nigasa yo" after being scouted.

His song "Onna Sendou Uta" became a hit, and Mihashi made his first appearance on NHK’s prestigious "Kohaku Uta Gassen" song contest in 1956, thereafter performing for 10 consecutive years. He passed away in January 1996 due to multiple organ failure.

Specializing in both folk and popular songs, his record sales exceeded 160 million copies. His signature songs include "Kojo," "Ringo Mura kara," "Hoshikuzu no Machi," and "Aishu Ressha."

Episode 4 Insert Song: "BRIGHTEST HEART"

The insert song in Episode 4 is "BRIGHTEST HEART," a character song performed by Takayanagi as "Oguri Cap (CV: Tomoyo Takayanagi)." "BRIGHTEST HEART" is included as a B-side track on the CD for the first cour ending theme "∞".

While several songs under "Oguri Cap (CV: Tomoyo Takayanagi)" have been released for the "Umamusume: Pretty Derby" game and anime, "BRIGHTEST HEART" is a new song that debuted in "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray."

After Oguri Cap wins her first race against Fujimasa March in the Junior Crown, she performs "BRIGHTEST HEART" during the post-race Winning Live. This scene featured several original elements not present in the "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" manga, such as Oguri Cap's improved dancing since Episode 3’s "Shin Kasamatsu Ondo" performance, Kitahara wondering if someone taught her, Norn Ace copying Oguri Cap’s choreography, a flashback showing dance practice, and Norn Ace being moved to tears after the live performance.

Listing the Theme Songs of the "Umamusume: Pretty Derby" Anime Series

This section summarizes the main theme songs for the "Umamusume: Pretty Derby" anime, which began airing its first season in April 2018. Other special songs, like the Season 2 Episode 7 ending theme "Sasayaka na Inori," were also used on certain occasions.

"Umamusume: Pretty Derby"

OP song: "Make debut!"
Performed by: Spica [Special Week (CV. Azumi Waki), Silence Suzuka (CV. Marika Kouno), Tokai Teio (CV. Machico), Vodka (CV. Ayaka Ohashi), Daiwa Scarlet (CV. Chisa Kimura), Gold Ship (CV. Hitomi Ueda), Mejiro McQueen (CV. Saori Onishi)]
ED song: "Grow Up Shine!"
Performed by: Special Week (CV. Azumi Waki), Silence Suzuka (CV. Marika Kouno), Tokai Teio (CV. Machico), Vodka (CV. Ayaka Ohashi), Daiwa Scarlet (CV. Chisa Kimura), Gold Ship (CV. Hitomi Ueda), Mejiro McQueen (CV. Saori Onishi)

"Umamusume: Pretty Derby Season 2"

OP song: "Yume wo Kakero!"
Performed by: Special Week (CV. Azumi Waki), Silence Suzuka (CV. Marika Kouno), Tokai Teio (CV. Machico), Vodka (CV. Ayaka Ohashi), Daiwa Scarlet (CV. Chisa Kimura), Gold Ship (CV. Hitomi Ueda), Mejiro McQueen (CV. Saori Onishi)
ED song: "Komorebi no Yell"
Performed by: Tokai Teio (CV. Machico), Mejiro McQueen (CV. Saori Onishi)

"Umamusume: Pretty Derby Road to the Top"

Theme song: "Glorious Moment!"
Performed by: Narita Top Road (CV. Kanna Nakamura), Admire Vega (CV. Hitomi Sasaki), T.M. Opera O (CV. Sora Tokui)
Episode 4 ED song: "Umapyoi Densetsu"
Performed by: Narita Top Road (CV. Kanna Nakamura), Admire Vega (CV. Hitomi Sasaki), T.M. Opera O (CV. Sora Tokui), Meisho Doto (CV. Misaki Watada), Curren Chan (CV. Yu Sasahara), Haru Urara (CV. Yukina Shuto), Rice Shower (CV. Manaka Iwami), Oguri Cap (CV. Tomoyo Takayanagi)

"Umamusume: Pretty Derby Season 3"

OP song: "Soshite Minna no"
Performed by: Kitasan Black (CV. Hinaki Yano), Satono Diamond (CV. Hina Tachibana), Satono Crown (CV. Sayumi Suzushiro), Cheval Grand (CV. Yuko Natsuyoshi), Sounds of Earth (CV. MAKIKO), Duramente (CV. Akina)
ED song: "Akogare Challenge Dash!!"
Performed by: Kitasan Black (CV. Hinaki Yano), Special Week (CV. Azumi Waki), Silence Suzuka (CV. Marika Kouno), Tokai Teio (CV. Machico), Vodka (CV. Ayaka Ohashi), Daiwa Scarlet (CV. Chisa Kimura), Gold Ship (CV. Hitomi Ueda), Mejiro McQueen (CV. Saori Onishi)

"Umamusume: Pretty Derby Shinjidai no Tobira"（movie）

■Theme Song: "Ready!! Steady!! Derby!!"
Performed by: Jungle Pocket (CV. Yuri Fujimoto), Agnes Tachyon（CV. Sumire Uesaka）, Manhattan Cafe（CV. Yui Ogura）, Dantsu Flame（CV. Haruna Fukushima）

Summary

The opening theme for the first season of "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" is the song "Koeru" by the rock band [Alexandros].

The ending theme for the first season is performed by the main character Oguri Cap's voice actress, Tomoyo Takayanagi, under the name "Oguri Cap (CV: Tomoyo Takayanagi)." The song, titled "∞," was written and composed by Honoka Takahashi, the vocalist and guitarist of the rock band Regal Lily.

In episode 3, after securing her first victory, Oguri Cap performed a Bon dance during the Winning Live, leaving the audience in stunned silence. The song she danced to was "Shin Kasamatsu Ondo," sung by Michiya Mihashi, which was created to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Kasamatsu Town.

In episode 4's Winning Live, "BRIGHTEST HEART," sung by "Oguri Cap (CV: Tomoyo Takayanagi)," was showcased.

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