Season 1
I really like season 1. It's sweet and charming and pretty damn funny at times... Also, Special Week is a way better protagonist than people give her credit for, although she's also probably my least favourite Spica member. Apart from the Spica Trainer, of course. I don't like him.
However, I actually think the show is a bad introduction into Umamusume as a whole, I think some of the game should be played first in order to get attached to the premise. It feels like more or less a generic sports anime, even if there definitely are sparks of something brilliant there. The relationship between Special Week and Silence Suzuka as friends and rivals (and probably lovers) is incredibly sweet... And, my favourite storyline in the series was by FAR the rivalry between Grass Wonder and Special Week. I'd even argue Grass is better in the anime than the game. However, objectively the best written storyline in the show is Suzuka's. She's the true heart of the season and the season is worth watching for her arc alone. I went into the show feeling rather lukewarm about her and came out of it crying.
Also, I really like Special Week's lesbo mum. I wish we could have seen her more in future seasons... I miss her so bad...
Season 2
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Uma Musume Peace Peace ☆ Supi Supi Golshi-chan
I think Peace Peace is a cute manga. I've always been a fan of the short gag mangas, I had a couple growing up that I adored. The lack of anything super engaging going on is easily ignored by the really adorable horse babies. I feel so maternal reading this manga especially when Golshi starts throwing a tantrum...
The chapters where it's just Golshi and the teacher bouncing off each other are a little weak, but any time one of the other Umas are thrown into the mix, it becomes a lot more fun. However, there are WAYYY too many chapters of JUST Gold Ship, and she just is not funny enough on her own. Sorry girl, the Random = Funny jokes are funny until a point. But am I sad that most chapters haven't been translated?? Of fucking course I am. I want to see baby Fenomeno!! She's so cute and funny already, I think seeing her little baby self in that art style will make me keel over. Also, Stego is apparently in the manga which I'm very excited to see.
Umamusumeshi
My absolute favourite. Slice of life stories, where many different girls get to shine. A more in-depth look into the friendships that the girls have and what they do in their day to day lives. I was super upset anytime mangadex had chapters missing... I really hope they get translated soon. There was a chapter between Digitan and Meisho Doto as well as one with Taiki Shuttle, Seeking the Pearl and Silence Suzuka that I'm so sad isn't up. AND a missing one between Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove!! So sad...
I think Umamusumeshi is an underrated must-read for anyone who wants to get attached to the Umas who aren't in global yet. I'm honestly stunned that this series doesn't get talked about more, because it's truly something special. It also talks about the importance of food, whether it's health-conscious choices or indulging in sweets.
Haru Urara Ganbaru!
Haru Urara here is presented as a bratty, aggressive tomboy (which is sort of closer to how she was in real life), and we follow her on her quests to grow into a winner in order to impress the adults around her. Cute in theory, right?
The huge glaring problem is the fanservice. For fuck's sake, she's presented as a pre-pubescent child, and there's constant panels exaggerating her chest and her butt. She's shown naked at several points. And, if you thought that Mayano Top Gun in the game is lolicon content for adult men, this manga cannot go two pages without reminding you that she is in love with an adult man, nor can it go a single chapter without a panel that makes you feel disgusting for looking at it. Do not read this stupid manga.