On a Pale Horse (Umamusume/Youjo Senki)

[WrandmWaffles]

Errrrm @WrandmWaffles did you hit post too early by accident? The second half of your comment is quotes with no responses to them!

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Yeah, I didn't realize you could post by clicking enter somehow.

but Shirogane is lightweight

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She is actually fairly heavy for her size. Though that does mean she is still lighter than many of her bigger opponents.

Having said that, I know I'd like our very own Doakes(person suspicious of Shirogane for saying those words) moments poking at that bit. It is one of those things in the story that is just niggling around in the back of my mind every time it pops up.

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Neo Universe having daymares around Shirogane and Manhattan Cafe wondering why her friend runs away from Shirogane.

 

[MikaShogo]

Also the fact you said Tazuna is constantly keeping check on Shiro's diet, is making me feel like Tazuna and possibly the Director is monitoring her, whenever she eats in the cafeteria

 

[MaHaL]

The real question, is when does Shiro hear about the dirt races and the fact that you can get middle east oil money level prizes out of them once you go international.

 

[MikaShogo]

The real question, is when does Shiro hear about the dirt races and the fact that you can get middle east oil money level prizes out of them once you go international.

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Just replace Magnitude winning with Shiro as the winner lol

 

[Cataquack Warrior]

Something interesting about Shiro's races is that even if she doesn't win, she's likely going to make an impact on the results. Between her intimidating persona causing early crashes and her hard pace making competitors push to her limits, she has a tendency to indirectly mess up racers, and that in turn will affect who comes out on top. I'm reminded of an Augie Doggie comic where son and dad enter a sailing race but capsize their boat at the start and blockade nearly every other racer except one, letting him win the race for the first time after decades. Things probably won't be as bad, but Shirogane might get somewhat of a reputation of a jinx who can upset the predictions due to the chaos that ensues on the battlefield I mean racing ground. To even have a chance in the race, you first have to survive the devil.

 

[WillowFriend]

Don't know what the record is for most races run, but Shirogane will probably at least be comparable to Haru Urara's number of races.

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That or she pulls a lesser version of Kincsem: won a lot of races while losing some of them to turn her into the second coming of the Wonder Mare.

 

[ScarredPunLover]

she has a tendency to indirectly mess up racers, and that in turn will affect who comes out on top

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... I recall someone saying that gamblers would like Shiro for being a constant stable choice, only for someone to counter that they'd probably hate her then, since they'd prefer the risk and the chance at greater reward she wouldn't provide.

Yet in you mentioning this, it occurs that Shiro would probably be a major upset factor for betting. It doesn't matter who the favorite is or what the odds are. If they end up too close to Shiro at the wrong time, even outside of the race, they might fail, regardless.

That might start a whole new gambling thing for all of Shiro's races: Who will react, when, how long can they keep a brave face for, etc.

Maybe we'd see some greater gambling on the number of late or false starts in her races, as well?

 

[RandomNew]

Heck yeah new chapter!
The daily or filler chapter whatever they called are fun to read. Looking forward for more.

 

[undergrinder]

"...Surely my smile is not so grotesque…"

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- Well... ever heard about the saying " a face only a mother would love"? Your smile, only a mother would call innocent.

-In fact, if you do not emote at all and smile JUST before the starting shot, I can garantee that by itself will be a super strong intimidation tatic. Worst case scenario, they will specifially ban you from smiling until the race starts and then everyone in front of you will need to be trained to tolerate your game face.

-it cant be THAT bad.

-Shirogane, if we take turns counting horror stories and you smile at the end of yours, we will need to replace some walls.

- We are umamusume, not Looney Toons.

-Exactly.

 

[HoxShorelight]

While staff management has facets easily applicable to being a trainer, that does not appeal too greatly to me."

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Toujou-san glanced between the two of them with a bemused expression, something that tickled Shirogane's sense of amusement slightly. Her trainer was in many ways alike with her cousin, so if Shirogane could get along with her, was it any real surprise that Shirogane would not find her cousin too bothersome?

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It like seeing Tanya and Salary man talking to each other without their memory of being one another

I am staying in an apartment near Tracen Academy while I attend Keio University, so I have naturally encountered some umamusume when commuting."

Ah, so he was one of those students her landlord had mentioned. "Hmm…perhaps we will encounter each other again, then." It seemed plausible, as she was also in an apartment building off campus, and he was related to her trainer. "I'll admit to being curious about what learning at a more traditional school is like." Had the Salaryman attended Keio? The memory was faint, vague impressions of red-bricked buildings. She could not recall clearly anymore.

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They are neighbor maybe right next door even or different floor

Toujou-san let out a slight sigh as she shook her head, though her expression suggested she was more amused than annoyed

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It like seeing a male and female version of the same person talking to each other isn't it
Well when Shiro chan retire and Tensei got a good career they can marry
Wait his name mean Reincarnation isn't it so in a way he is the salary man of this reality

Shirogane shrugged. "My presence here at Tracen came about through a rather unusual pipeline. I hadn't even participated in an official foot race until my tryouts, so it remains to be seen whether this was a fluke or not."

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You are a scholarship student Shiro-chan , an complete unknown with no blood tie to some famous family that is quite a feat in itself

The Triple Tiara races are shorter lengths," Air Groove explained. "And they are generally considered to be a chance to showcase more refined skill compared to raw power."

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It's generally viewed as more prestigious." Dober-san sighed, tail flicking in disapproval. "The races have longer distances and have a more open selection process, while the Oka Sho circuit requires a higher level of preparation for the winning lives."

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"The prize pools are similar, even though it's less prestigious."

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the officials naturally would prefer the big races not compete with each other for spectators on the same day."

"Usually the equivalent leg is about a week apart."

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The shorter distances for the Triple Tiara races were not in her favor, but if they had comparable payouts to the Triple Crown races…it was worth considering

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Shiro is gonna try to run both at the same time isn't it
One race for Triple Tiara then a week later run for Triple Crown
She might lost 2 but come in like top 3 and win 1 of the Triple Tiara while maybe win 2 and lost 1 , still in top 3 mind you of the Triple Crown
Shiro will become a legend on her own
Yup many future Umamume will try to copy her alright but they don't have her stamina to do it
The smile is that smile isn't it that wide as f smile full of teeth , the smile Tanya have whenever things goes her way or interesting enough

 

[plammed]

Shirogane being a sort of third wheel.

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Yeah, sure Shiro, you're the third wheel. I think it's absolutely hilarious, and perfect, that she hasn't noticed that it's odd how similar Tensei's worldview is to hers. Just a sensible young man, absolutely nothing else going on here.

 

[MaHaL]

That or she pulls a lesser version of Kincsem: won a lot of races while losing some of them to turn her into the second coming of the Wonder Mare.

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Wasn't Kincsem undefeated? I'm open to being wrong but I think Kincsem's biggest claim to fame is going 54 for 54 rather than a particularly exceptional bloodline or anything else.

EDIT: 8 of those were walkover or compromise but that's still 46 for 46 actually running which keeps the #1 all time title

 

[WillowFriend]

Wasn't Kincsem undefeated? I'm open to being wrong but I think Kincsem's biggest claim to fame is going 54 for 54 rather than a particularly exceptional bloodline or anything else.

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True, not once did Kincsem lost.

Shiro losing here isn't an improbability so the Wonder Mare title would be step too far for any Umas to recreate as of now. Though she's likely going to get called with something to show how much of an endurance monster she is.

 

[Aragaurn]

Yeah, sure Shiro, you're the third wheel. I think it's absolutely hilarious, and perfect, that she hasn't noticed that it's odd how similar Tensei's worldview is to hers. Just a sensible young man, absolutely nothing else going on here.

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Years down the line and she realizes her husband just got a job in HR at her old company: Wait, what the fuck?!?!

 

[Thomisannoyed]

since for the most part Shirogane doesn't talk or think too hard about it since she's now on an uma brain that doesn't have as much time for that kind of existentialism.

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Wasn't it already know that Uma are reincarnations? And they semi remember their days as a giant animal thing. But none of them really worry too much about it because Uma Brain.

"Guys, I think Shirogane may have been Reincarnated."
"You idiot, we've all been reincarnated!"
"Oh yeah…"

 

[Wild Transient]

The shorter distances for the Triple Tiara races were not in her favor, but if they had comparable payouts to the Triple Crown races…it was worth considering.

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The wheels are turning in her head. If she goes for both she may also end up being called the Iron Uma.

"S-Shirogane-san?!"

Shirogane blinked, looking up at Mejiro Dober in confusion, finding a startled look on her senpai's face. "Yes?"

"You just smiled…"

Shirogane blinked again. Had she been smiling? "And what of it?"

"Hoh? So you do have a game face after all." Air Groove smirked. "I can see why your dance instructor told you not to smile during your performances."

"...Surely my smile is not so grotesque…" Her family had never made mention of it.

"I-It's not that at all!" Dober-san denied quickly, shaking her head rapidly. "It was just…fiercer than I expected."

"I don't look that delicate, do I?"

"No…but…I just hadn't seen you smile before…"

"You are quite serious most of the time," Air Groove agreed. "It's made some of some of your seniors a bit worried. For a while Kiseki-san thought she'd upset you."

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Heh! Her smile strikes again!

Maybe she should smile more? She didn't want to worry other people for no reason.

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That actually might make people more worried.

Why do I feel like we've made a big mistake?" Dober-san muttered under her breath.

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Because it is?

 

[Tiypo]

Shirogane is aiming for the divine runner of the six paths

(i couldn't come up with a suitable name which isn't a Crown or Tiara)

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Obviously, Demon Lord Route

Umamusume are stated somewhere(can't recall exactly where) to be people that were born to run and are manifestations of legends from another world. So, not sure if it might raise eyebrow or not.

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I'm pretty sure that's a meta explanation given to us viewers in the anime, not a commonly known thing in-universe. We only have a handful of examples of uma that do know, and even then the degree varies. Neo Universe is fully aware of other dimensions and timeline; Stay Gold is aware of her past life as a horse; and Aston Machan looks at US through the 4th wall so we don't forget her. It's also arguable that Manhattan Cafe is somewhat aware, as she's VERY connected to the paranormal. That exceptional knowledge and behavior of those 4 is a part of what sets them apart from others.

Wasn't it already know that Uma are reincarnations? And they semi remember their days as a giant animal thing. But none of them really worry too much about it because Uma Brain.

"Guys, I think Shirogane may have been Reincarnated."
"You idiot, we've all been reincarnated!"
"Oh yeah…"

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Don't forget that reincarnation is a commonly held Buddhist belief that roughly a third of Japan identifies with. It's very rare that Uma actually remember their past lives.

 

[GarfRed]

Yeah, sure Shiro, you're the third wheel. I think it's absolutely hilarious, and perfect, that she hasn't noticed that it's odd how similar Tensei's worldview is to hers. Just a sensible young man, absolutely nothing else going on here.

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Her marrying her past life's self and the rumors of her having a guy friend is going to create some shenanigans aren't they.

 

[Granet]

"Just so." The uncannily familiar young man nodded, his gaze meeting Shirogane's briefly, before politely returning to Toujou-san. "And I take it you are here in regards to your new trainee?"

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What's so uncannily familiar about the guy? Is it because he looks like you toujou or some other thing i don't know.

"Not to mention that this job is a particularly perilous one for a reasonably good-looking young man." One of her ears twitched in jest as Shirogane smiled. "There are many runners that might make maintaining ethical boundaries…difficult."

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Shiro what have you told your parents about your romantic relationship plans. Jest or no, you dont just causally flirt like that. Also, she smiled. Not THE smile. But nice to know she can do that when feeling in the mood. Speaking of.

"S-Shirogane-san?!"

Shirogane blinked, looking up at Mejiro Dober in confusion, finding a startled look on her senpai's face. "Yes?"

"You just smiled…"

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It's gonna be so funny when she does do THE smile against her opponent. Granted I'm not entirely sure what would prompt it. Perhaps a rivial?

Of course that would lead into who we think will declare shiro to be their rival. I'm currently thinking grass wonder or king halo from what we've seen so far.

 

[Cataquack Warrior]

Shiro's prioritization of family over racing makes me wonder, what are typical uma family relationships like? Now that I look back, I think Shiro is the only one who really talks about her family in conversation. From what I understand, umas tend to have an uma parent, so I'm guessing that uma families are often less directly close - not neglectful, but understanding and encouraging a focus on the desire to race, and more of a broader social group fitting with a herd mentality.

This could lead to some interesting situations not only in how Shiro focuses on her family, but also how she'd view and react to umas who don't have the same priorities in that regard. Like after a classmate's race, Shiro asks more about how their family is doing since they met up following the race, rather than about the race itself. Or when someone doesn't really talk about their family much, she assumes their family relationships are strained, when by Uma standards the family is happy.

Or consider the recurring sports narrative scenario where a loved one is injured/ill at the same time as a competition. I've seen cases of this scenario where the implicit good response is for the athlete to compete regardless, with the hospitalized person not wanting them to quit and rooting for them from where they are. But then there's the alternate take on that scenario where the right thing to do is to give up the challenge and be by your loved one's side, since that's what really matters. For most uma, I imagine that the former approach is how they'd response to a crisis like that, but Shiro would take the latter route, thinking that it's only a race and not worth neglecting a loved one.

With that in mind, it would be interesting not only if Shiro was in that situation, but how she'd react to someone else in that situation, where they choose the race. I get the feeling that she wouldn't be impressed, viewing it less as something noble and more as being a glory hound.

 

[CantFocusOneThing]

guess this might be useful for others like me: if you want to download the UMA DERBY game, you'll need 10GB of storage. I wanted to try it out and play it to give this piece that extra "touch," but well, I need to buy a new phone first. So, if anything I wrote doesn't quite fit the canon or correct, I apologize!

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Wait you didnt play the game? i'm surprised how You give Haru the Rice Shower script as Shirogane as her Mejiro McQueen and the flash speech to Shirogane. RUN BARRY RUN!!

 

[WillowFriend]

Wait you didnt play the game? i'm surprised how You give Haru the Rice Shower script as Shirogane as her Mejiro McQueen and the flash speech to Shirogane. RUN BARRY RUN!!

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Funny enough, I doubt that anyone would be mad at whatever results came out in that omake. They basically watched a miracle take place during Tenno Sho and whoever won there, pretty much do not care if Urara became the Rice Shower to Shiro's Mejiro McQueen or if Shiro beat Urara at the goal, ending Urara's cinderella act.

That race will be talked a lot for generations since someone was not only able to withstand Shiro's gold debuffs and keep up with her but also matched her stamina just for that one race.

 

[Chronometry]

Royal Flush? Dual Monarch?

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Dual Monarch evokes Austria-Hungary, which is appropriate considering Kincsem.

 

[Jubjub3000]

So shiro is going all in on the races haha! Money!

 

[JKD_666]

Funny enough, I doubt that anyone would be mad at whatever results came out in that omake. They basically watched a miracle take place during Tenno Sho and whoever won there, pretty much do not care if Urara became the Rice Shower to Shiro's Mejiro McQueen or if Shiro beat Urara at the goal, ending Urara's cinderella act.

That race will be talked a lot for generations since someone was not only able to withstand Shiro's gold debuffs and keep up with her but also matched her stamina just for that one race.

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Urara after winning: Thank you, Argent!
Shirogane: A-argent?
Urara: Uhm... yeah, because you have silver hair...
Shirogane: Oh, yeah...

 

[WillowFriend]

Urara after winning: Thank you, Argent!
Shirogane: A-argent?
Urara: Uhm... yeah, because you have silver hair...
Shirogane: Oh, yeah...

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Urara: "Thanks Argen... Wait, no... Argon... Ara? Ah, thanks, Shiro-senpai!"

Shirogane: "Ah... Well, you're welcome, Urara."

Urara's vocabulary isn't exactly that great.

 

[Dianchas]

Umamusume are stated somewhere(can't recall exactly where) to be people that were born to run and are manifestations of legends from another world. So, not sure if it might raise eyebrow or not.

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I've seen this idea being floated around in thread multiple times now.

Yes, Umamusume are reincarnations of race horses. Thing is, nobody within that universe knows about that. That isn't common knowledge.

The amount of people who know this, that we know about, can be counted on one hand: Stay Gold and Neo Universe. And they are the exceptions, not the rule.

 

[Pollyamorous]

"Similar prizes, you say…?" Shirogane pursed her lips in thought. "I don't remember the exact schedules for these races, but they aren't held on the same day as their Triple Crown counterparts, correct?"

"No," Air Groove replied with a swish of her tail, "the officials naturally would prefer the big races not compete with each other for spectators on the same day."

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I know that the "mandatory rest period" was mentioned just a few lines later, but this got me thinking about Shiro looking at the exact wording of the rules and finding a way to compete in multiple races on the same day.

Not big ones of course, as it was stated that they can't be big ones, but the smaller ones which don't have as much attention on them? If she suddenly realizes she needs a big influx of cash, or thinks that she needs a rapid popularity boost, she might go "Oh, well I can actually save time on this by just doing three 3000 meter races. Though I'll need to calculate the length of both the post-race performances and the transit times. And give some leeway in case of any more injuries."

And then she ends up doing it, winning each race but having them all result in injuries, firmly cementing her position as a stamina behemoth and as the most grievous bad-luck charm in the circuit.

 

[Chronometry]

I've seen this idea being floated around in thread multiple times now.

Yes, Umamusume are reincarnations of race horses. Thing is, nobody within that universe knows about that. That isn't common knowledge.

The amount of people who know this, that we know about, can be counted on one hand: Stay Gold and Neo Universe. And they are the exceptions, not the rule.

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Yeah, the whole "reincarnated from another world, born to run" spiel is recounted at the start of all the movies/anime seasons so that the audience gets the central conceit of the setting. Like a "long time ago in a galaxy far far away" thing.

 

[RadFoxUK]

Yeah, I didn't realize you could post by clicking enter somehow.

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I've a similar problem with Discord, the chat system accepts line spaces via enter as valid, but enter is also the post button.

So anytime I need to put in a line space in Discord I just type it up into WordPad, and copy it over.

Silly that, since in the mobile app for Discord the button for posting, and the keyboard app return/enter key, have seperated functions.

One of the few times the mobile app of a program is superior to the original.