9+ Best Anime Like Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - Shin Jidai no Tobira

If you loved Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - Shin Jidai no Tobira, chances are you'll really enjoy Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - ROAD TO THE TOP, Umamusume: Cinderella Gray and the others too. They share that same energy—whether it's the intense Drama, Psychological, Slice of Life, Sports, or just the vibe that keeps you hooked. While you wait for the next episode to drop, it’s the perfect time to explore something new that still feels familiar. These picks aren't just similar—they're fan favorites for a reason, and they might just become your next obsession.

1. Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - ROAD TO THE TOP

Synonyms: Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Road to the Top, ウマ娘ロードトゥーザトップ, Uma Musume: Pretty Derby RTTT

The new anime will depict T.M. Opera O, Admire Vega, Narita Top Road, and other Uma Musume (Horse Girls) going head-to-head to win Classic competitions. (Source: Anime News Network)

2. Umamusume: Cinderella Gray

Synonyms: None

Unbeknownst to those around her in the destitute countryside of Kasamatsu, the staggering potential of this ashen-haired "Beast” will soon rock Japan with her feet and catapult her to the national stage—down the path of a legend. Follow Oguri Cap and her insatiable appetite as the starting gates open on this Umamusume's hot-blooded Cinderella story! (Source: It's Anime powered by REMOW, edited)

3. Umamusume: Pretty Derby Season 2

Synonyms: สาวม้าโมเอะ ภาค 2

The second season of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby. All eyes are on Toukai Teiou as she takes on the Japanese Derby, ready to gallop in Symboli Rudolf's footsteps and become an undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girl. The stands are full. The track is set. It's time to see which horse girl fortune favors! (Source: Crunchyroll, edited)

4. Revue Starlight: The Movie

Synonyms: None

The stage emulates life and compresses it, setting free skills learned over lifetimes in brief but dazzling displays for the amusement and judgment of others. For the performers, it is the ultimate risk, and some will rise while others must fall. Nowhere is this truer than at the Seisho Music Academy, where music, dance and real weapons all come into play in the creation of the next great Star. Karen and Hikari’s destinies have been linked since a childhood promise, but their journeys here have taken very different paths. Now, after Hikari leaves, Karen must discover who she is without her opposite, while Hikari must rediscover her own course. (Source: Sentai Filmworks)

5. Tomorrow's Joe

Synonyms: Rocky Joe, Champion Joe

Joe, a teenage orphan in the slums of the Doya streets, meets Danpei, a homeless, alcoholic ex-boxing coach. Danpei, seeing Joe's boxing talent, decides to train him. When Joe is sent to a terrible juvenile home for petty crimes, he meets Rikiishi who becomes his boxing rival. Danpei arrives at the home to help Joe to train in order to defeat Rikiishi. When Joe decides to seriously pursue boxing, Danpei cannot get a coaching license because of his reputation as a drunk. (Source: AnimeNfo)

6. Gridman Universe

Synonyms: GRIDMAN×DYNAZENON

Theatrical follow-up to SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYNAZENON. A year has passed since the events of SSSS.GRIDMAN. The world is at peace and no one except for Rikka and Utsumi remembers the kaiju, Gridman, or Akane Shinjou. This includes Yuuta, who despite serving as Gridman's host, has no memory of the most important moments of his life. So when a new Kaiju appears, he leaps at the chance to prove to himself that he too can be the hero by merging with Gridman once more. (Source: Anime News Network)

7. Ping Pong the Animation

Synonyms: None

Tsukimoto Makoto (nicknamed Smile) is a quiet high-schooler who's been friends with the loud and energetic Hoshino Yukata (nicknamed Peko). They're both in the table tennis club and are very good at it, though Smile's personality prevents him from winning against Peko. The club teacher however notices Smile's talent and tries to make him gain some sportive tenacity. (Source: Anime News Network)

8. THE FIRST SLAM DUNK

Synonyms: Slam Dunk Movie, ザ・ファーストスラムダンク, סלאם דאנק

Shohoku's “speedster” and point guard, Ryota Miyagi, always plays with brains and lightning speed, running circles around his opponents while feigning composure. Born and raised in Okinawa, Ryota had a brother who was three years older. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, who was a famous local player from a young age, Ryota also became addicted to basketball. In his second year of high school, Ryota plays with the Shohoku High School basketball team along with Sakuragi, Rukawa, Akagi, and Mitsui as they take the stage at the Inter-High School National Championship. And now, they are on the brink of challenging the reigning champions, Sannoh Kogyo High School. (Source: GKIDS)

9. Tomorrow's Joe 2

Synonyms: Rocky Joe 2, Champion Joe 2

Yabuki Joe is left downhearted and hopeless after a certain tragic event. In attempt to put the past behind him, Joe leaves the gym behind and begins wandering. On his travels he comes across the likes of Wolf Kanagushi and Goromaki Gondo, men who unintentionally fan the dying embers inside him, leading him to putting his wanderings to an end. His return home puts Joe back on the path to boxing, but unknown to himself and his trainer, he now suffers deep-set issues holding him back from fighting. In attempt to quell those issues, Carlos Rivera, a world renowned boxer is invited from Venezuela to help Joe recover.

10. MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD

Synonyms: เมกาโล่บ็อกซ์ เจ้าสังเวียนพันธุ์แกร่ง ภาค 2

The second season of Megalo Box. In the end, “Gearless” Joe was the one that reigned as the champion of Megalonia, a first ever megalobox tournament. Fans everywhere were mesmerized by the meteoric rise of Joe who sprung out from the deepest underground ring to the top in mere three months and without the use of gear. Seven years later, “Gearless” Joe was once again fighting in underground matches. Adorned with scars and once again donning his gear, but now known only as Nomad. (Source: TMS Entertainment)

If you're anything like me, once you finish something amazing like Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - Shin Jidai no Tobira, you're left wondering—what now? Luckily, there’s a whole world of stories out there that give off the same energy, whether it’s the intense fights, emotional backstories, or just that feeling of being completely hooked. The titles like Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - ROAD TO THE TOP, Umamusume: Cinderella Gray... I’ve shared aren’t just similar—they feel right. They hit that same nerve that made Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - Shin Jidai no Tobira special in the first place. Of course, everyone’s taste is different, but I really think you’ll find something here that pulls you in. And hey—if you’ve got a favorite that didn’t make the list, I’d love to hear about it. I’m always looking for my next obsession.