On a Pale Horse (Umamusume/Youjo Senki)

NerdLord · May 23, 2026

Both her grandparents gradually stopped talking about retirement

So was recently rereading this story and found it kinda of adorable/amusing that atleast part of the reason Shiro is trying to advance so quickly early on is to make sure her grandparents have that chance at her most iconic dream, that of a comfortable retirement.

Critian Caceorte · May 23, 2026

ScarredPunLover said:
I have to wonder how other racers (particularly those would-be rivals to Shiro) will react if/when they hear Shiro speak to them mid-race. Not just in the moment, but how will they internalize it later? That Shiro had the energy and breath control to speak, when they have to focus all their air on the race.

Don't know a whole lot about UmaMusume, so maybe there's moments in the extended media where there is dialogue, but I imagine Shiro's endless stamina and phenomenal breath control will result in a lot of seething.

Off the top of my head, the only examples I can think of is the first Japan Cup and Arima Kinen in Cinderella Gray (it's the reason for Oguri's "I can't understand English!" Meme), so presumably it's rare, but does happen. Every other instance of dialogue is mostly internal.

Ace98 · May 23, 2026

ScarredPunLover said:
Shiro might normally choose silence for lack of anything to say, but on those rare occasions, I can see more than one Uma stumbling and eating shit because they weren't expecting her to speak

Others might shit-talk all the time in the gates, But Shirogane saves her breath...for a few measured words, at just the right moment

Neo3932156 · May 23, 2026

ScarredPunLover said:
Snip

Surprisingly enough, that actually happen several time in the manga. Though usually before the final sprint, iirc.

Tonyloco · May 23, 2026

I think people focus too much on a bad Image for Shirogane, from what I see Uma-musume is a more relaxed and nice universe than most.
Magic also exist here with their goddess and while a lot of the Umas are very competitive they do know about reincarnation, so I do think that some might take their defeats ina bad way, but I also think most of teem would try and learn from it rather than just blame Shirogane and hate her.

I can see misunderstandings going on and some hatred in low level races, but the higher the quality of the race and racers the more likely they would use it as a lesson to become better and learn how to handle not only the psychical pressure but also the mental one.

I think with time everyone would understand that Shirogane is a freak of nature, she's very different from the usual racer, she's not really fast compared to others but her stamina, guts and control are crazy high, but not only that the intensity she can bring to a race can intimidate Umas, she's small and doll-like looking but also strong and doesn't mind using her body to displace others in races.

I think one of the reasons that some would call her a gatekeeper is because most of her races would be more chaotic than usual, but also she would push some racers to go beyond their limits. with some even finding some kind of revelation or unlocking a new skill in the middle of a race.

As I said it before the reason why some would call her the gatekeeper is because for many beating her would be more than just a race, some would really think that she's a test from the goddess or something similar, some would think that she's there to race them for a reason, so rather than think about the broken and destroyed Umas I would rather think about those who rise above the rest and those who learn something from their races.

Right now she's still at low level races and will probably take a while to get to the better ones or do well in them, but if she plans to race every week she will have plenty of time for many opponents.

TheSmallSauce · May 23, 2026

Tonyloco said:
I think people focus too much on a bad Image for Shirogane, from what I see Uma-musume is a more relaxed and nice universe than most.
Magic also exist here with their goddess and while a lot of the Umas are very competitive they do know about reincarnation, so I do think that some might take their defeats ina bad way, but I also think most of teem would try and learn from it rather than just blame Shirogane and hate her.

I can see misunderstandings going on and some hatred in low level races, bit the higher the quality of the race and racers the more likely they would use it as a lesson to become better and learn how to handle nor only the psychical pressure but also the mental one.

I think with time everyone would understand that Shirogane is a freak of nature, she's very different from the usual racer, she's not really fast compared to others but her stamina, guts and control are crazy high, but not only that the intensity she can bring to a race can intimidate Umas, she's small and doll-like looking but also strong and doesn't mind using her body to displace others in races.

I think one of the reasons that some would call her a gatekeeper is because most of her races would be more chaotic than usual, but also she would push some racers to go beyond their limits. with some even finding some kind of revelation or unlocking a new skill in the middle of a race.

As I said it before the reason why some would call her the gatekeeper is because for many beating her would be more than just a race, some would really think that she's a test from the goddess or something similar, some would think that she's thee to race them for a reason, so rather than think about the broken and destroyed Umas I would rather think about those who rise above the rest and those who learn something from their races.

Right now she's still at low level races and will probably take a while to get to the better ones or do well in them, but if she plans to race every week she will have plenty of time for many opponents.

To be honest, considering how much Tanya enjoyed proctoring her training sessions personally, and how much the Salaryman enjoyed raising talented subordinates... Shirogane would probably enjoy this role.

I think I said it somewhere before, but she's pre-eminently qualified and suited to being both a trainer and a racer.

It's not as if she expects to win a G1, judging by her own rather harsh estimation of her own abilities, so who knows? Perhaps having these G1 winners owing her a favor or feeling indebted to her for her help is a better and more likely outcome?

WrandmWaffles · May 23, 2026

TheSmallSauce said:
It's pretty cool to see small details represented in the story like this.

I'm glad you appreciate my internal screaming at trying to make the timeline make sense, lol.

NerdLord said:
So was recently rereading this story and found it kinda of adorable/amusing that atleast part of the reason Shiro is trying to advance so quickly early on is to make sure her grandparents have that chance at her most iconic dream, that of a comfortable retirement.

Alternate title would be "A Young Umamusume's Quest for her Family's Retirement Fund."

FluffyVoid · May 24, 2026

TheSmallSauce said:
To be honest, considering how much Tanya enjoyed proctoring her training sessions personally, and how much the Salaryman enjoyed raising talented subordinates... Shirogane would probably enjoy this role.

Imagine how Shiro's would be rivals would react to hearing Shiro gushing about some racer that she helped push to be even better and surpass her.

PolyBBenson · May 24, 2026

FluffyVoid said:
Imagine how Shiro's would be rivals would react to hearing Shiro gushing about some racer that she helped push to be even better and surpass her.

Merry Soon would be livid when she finds out that the one sure-fire way to surpass Shirogane is to get taught by the Orzel herself lmao

Shadow314 · May 24, 2026

PolyBBenson said:
Merry Soon would be livid when she finds out that the one sure-fire way to surpass Shirogane is to get taught by the Orzel herself lmao

I don't know why, but when I read this, I couldn't help but picture Merry acting like Gold Ship half the time, while the other half she's the perfect student trying to get Shiro's attention—who would be distracted by her other "Umas."

WrandmWaffles · May 24, 2026

Name	Suzuki Shirogane (Orzel)
Birthday	April 4th
Class	Junior Division
Dorm	Off Campus Apartment
Roommate	None
Height	145cm
Three Sizes	B78 W54 H80
Shoe Size	23cm
Weight	You're not supposed to actually list it!
Image Colors	[FFFFFF] [DC143C]
Emoji	Does not use any
Calls Self	Watashi
Calls Trainer	Toujou-san

Likes	Peace and Quiet
Dislikes	Unexpected loud noises
Ears	Tracks sounds without a single errant twitch
Tail	Only moves to adjust balance or swat pests
Family	Always pesters her about eating enough food
Personal Rule	Earn more revenue than expenses
Phone Background	Default
Before a Race…	Eats a light breakfast and warms up
Good Subject	Mathematics
Secret Pride	She can find the most efficient path to the destination without a map
Frequent Purchases	Groceries
Secrets	She wants to fly
	She has a devastating right hook

WrandmWaffles · May 24, 2026

Work has been busy recently, so here's a profile for Shirogane I threw together when someone brought it up in my discord.

Questing Knight · May 24, 2026

WrandmWaffles said:
You're not supposed to actually list it!

Man, who would have thought that someone like Tanya would ever be sensitive about her weight?

Powergoat · May 24, 2026

Heh, seems really boring until you get to the secrets.

Lyrista · May 24, 2026

Questing Knight said:
Man, who would have thought that someone like Tanya would ever be sensitive about her weight?

I don't think she is.

Remember Taiki Shuttle and Seeking the Pearl set this up for her.

I think when Shirogane saw the field for weight, she actually answered and Seeking the Pearl must of redacted it afterwards and commented that Shirogane wasn't actually supposed to list it.

Ttran2323 · May 25, 2026

Questing Knight said:
Man, who would have thought that someone like Tanya would ever be sensitive about her weight?

Didn't you read the threadmark atop?

"(Mostly set up by Taiki Shuttle and Seeking the Pearl)"

Jetsmillion · May 25, 2026

I bet Mayano would be interested if she learned about Shirogane's secret wish to fly.

WrandmWaffles · May 25, 2026

Questing Knight said:
Man, who would have thought that someone like Tanya would ever be sensitive about her weight?

Lyrista said:
I think when Shirogane saw the field for weight, she actually answered and Seeking the Pearl must of redacted it afterwards and commented that Shirogane wasn't actually supposed to list it.

Basically this, yeah, None of the umas have an actual weight listed but Shirogane has no shame about it.

SalUsol · May 25, 2026

How did they know that she wanted to fly, that she has a devastating hook, and that she takes pride in finding things without a map?

because I think it would be very difficult to extract personal information from her

Tonyloco · May 25, 2026

No nickname??

I think she would be the kind of racer that would have several nicknames, some by friends some by opponents.

I don't think the Pale rider fits her because she's the Uma not the rider.

So I think the common nickname she would have is something like The Pale One
And friends would call her something cuter that annoys her like porcelain doll or something like that.
Opponents would call her SHI with all the connotations that might have.

just some thoughts on how others would see her, I'm sure the press would love to make stories about her being a more mysterious than you usual Uma types

SectionZ · May 25, 2026

SalUsol said:
How did they know that she wanted to fly, that she has a devastating hook, and that she takes pride in finding things without a map?

She understands the merchandising value of trading cards with stats on them. Unlike those useless power scale charts within their own settings that exist just for people to gasp at how something is cooler than their chart.

Lyrista · May 25, 2026

SalUsol said:
How did they know that she wanted to fly, that she has a devastating hook, and that she takes pride in finding things without a map?

because I think it would be very difficult to extract personal information from her

Taiki Shuttle and Seeking the Pearl set it up and likely just asked Shirogane for the answers to fill them in. Shirogane, not seeing any issue with it if informed all of the Umas in Tracen have a profile like this made or feeling self conscious or ashamed about any of it, simply answered.

Dissimilate · May 25, 2026

Shiro's "secret right hook" was discovered the first time she was in the gate at the Academy. She punched the speaker into oblivion when the gun went off. Though I do not remember her ever telling anyone she wanted to fly, at least not so far in story... maybe off-screen?

adding this edit: As the profile was made by others based on Shiros answers, I would think they would have listed "Wants to be a Pilot" as opposed to 'wants to fly'.

PostwarGryphon · May 25, 2026

WrandmWaffles said:
Height 145cm
Three Sizes B78 W54 H80
Shoe Size 23cm

So to summarise...

She is smol.

Lyrista · May 25, 2026

Not smol, just "compact"

Acerer · May 25, 2026

WrandmWaffles said:
She has a devastating right hook

I wonder how people found that out. Did Spica's trainer commit bad touch again.

Herofox · May 25, 2026

PostwarGryphon said:
She is smol.

Lyrista said:
Not smol, just "compact"

I knew Shirogane was small, but I didn't expect her to be the same height as Rice Shower lmao

Acerer said:
I wonder how people found that out. Did Spica's trainer commit bad touch again.

She punched the speaker previously.

PostwarGryphon · May 25, 2026

Lyrista said:
Not smol, just "compact"

Smol is smol.

Headpats and snacks must be provided to her.

Lyrista · May 25, 2026

PostwarGryphon said:
Smol is smol.

Headpats and snacks must be provided to her.

Do so at your own risk. Word on the street is she has a devastating right hook.

zecorezecron · May 25, 2026

Lyrista said:
Do so at your own risk. Word on the street is she has a devastating right hook.

That is what the snacks are for, to placate the danger horse while petting.

On a Pale Horse (Umamusume/Youjo Senki)

Getting some practice in, huh?

Not too sore, are you?

Know what you're doing yet?

Versed in the lewd.

Getting sticky.

Use it or lose it!

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Versed in the lewd.

A not so epic individual.

Know what you're doing yet?

I trust you know where the happy button is?

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Connoisseur.

Versed in the lewd.

The Eternal Procrastinator

Know what you're doing yet?

Not Gay if it is Cute

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Making the rounds.

Getting sticky.

0.1 LY per turn delivery, or your money back.

The Eternal Procrastinator

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Dutiful Ignorer Of Duties

The Eternal Procrastinator

Not too sore, are you?

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Dutiful Ignorer Of Duties

The Eternal Procrastinator

First Of His Name!

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