10 best anime to watch if you like Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray

With its gripping sports drama and stellar production values, Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray has been gaining attention among anime fans since its premiere in April 2025.

As a prequel focused solely on the legendary racehorse Oguri Cap, it charts the against-all-odds journey from obscurity to national prominence in competitive racing.

If you can't get enough of its blend of high-stakes athleticism, emotional storytelling, and vivid animation, you'll want to check out these top 10 anime picks. From other exhilarating sports tales to series exploring ambition and teamwork, they all capture a similar spirit and energy.

10 must-watch anime for fans of Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray

1. Haikyuu!!

Much like Cinderella Gray, Haikyuu!! is lauded for its adrenaline-fueled sports action and fleshed-out characterization. Across four seasons, it follows passionate volleyball player Shoyo Hinata leading his scrappy high school team to competitive greatness.

With impressive animation, nail-biting games, and a motley crew of teammates, Haikyuu!! delivers that same underdog appeal. Viewers see protagonists striving for glory against prodigy rivals amidst the physical and emotional peaks and valleys.

Both series balance sporting technicalities with engaging interpersonal drama, highlighted by camaraderie and personal growth.

2. Yowamushi Pedal

Yowamushi Pedal (Image via TMS Entertainment)

Yowamushi Pedal draws another parallel with Cinderella Gray—a spotlight on niche athletic pursuits, in this case, competitive cycling.

Through multiple seasons, it follows protagonist Sakamichi Onoda's journey from anime-loving loner to a key member of his school's reborn cycling team, shooting for the top. Much like Oguri Cap's origin story, early episodes establish foundations before ratcheting up the stakes.

The series captures cycling's endurance and strategy with dynamic animated races. Fans similarly become invested in the quirky team's dreams of glory as undervalued outsiders. Both balance tension-filled sports set pieces with quieter school life moments.

3. Ace of Diamond

Ace of Diamond (Image via Madhouse and Production I.G)

In the vein of Cinderella Gray's competitive spirit and story beats, Ace of Diamond dives full-throttle into the inner workings of high school baseball.

Across multiple seasons, it follows gifted young pitcher Eijun Sawamura joining an elite school's team and jockeying for the ace number. Training arcs, tactical plays, and character backstories feed into emotional games.

Like Oguri Cap's path, viewers experience dramatic victories and heartbreaking setbacks, showcasing ambition's double edge. Supporting players also receive detailed treatment as essential to success. Both anime effectively juggle sports details with accessible drama, a winning recipe.

4. Run with the Wind

Run with the Wind (Image via Production I.G)

While less commercially prominent, Run with the Wind matches Cinderella Gray's emotional storytelling and themes of growth through sports. This single-season series chronicles aloof college runner Kakeru and his eccentric dormmates aiming for glory in Japan's storied Hakone Ekiden Marathon.

Despite the grounded setting, the team's against-the-odds quest as underdogs remains compelling. Beyond the races, the story delves into complex character backstories and motivations tied to athletic pursuit.

Talented individuals are brought together under earnest guidance, forming bonds while striving for self-improvement. Blending sports, drama, and comedy, the series mirrors Cinderella Gray's well-rounded appeal.

5. Major

In terms of comprehensive character journeys, Major's six seasons tracing one protagonist's life rivals Cinderella Gray's sole focus on Oguri Cap.

From kindergarten baseball beginnings to professional stardom, it intricately explores pitcher Gorō Honda's single-minded devotion through victories and losses. Key figures influence, support, and challenge him throughout various stages of his life.

Much like Oguri Cap, Gorō advances from raw little leaguer to celebrated ace facing elite foes. Their development highlights self-doubt and the cost of athletic pursuits. With detailed baseball action, Major is a combination of niche focus and accessible drama.

6. Blue Lock

Blue Lock propels viewers through the extreme training regimen of Japan's next soccer hope, striker Isagi Yoichi.

He's among 300 high school players selected for the titular program, facing relentless physical and mental challenges in an unforgiving bid to form an elite national team. Fans similarly see talented yet overlooked individuals forge bonds while pursuing athletic greatness, led by an enigmatic coach.

Blue Lock matches Cinderella Gray's tension between individual skill and team success amid cutthroat competition. Both compel through dynamic sports action and psychologically rich storylines.

7. One Outs

While more overtly psychological, One Outs matches Cinderella Gray's complex interplay of preparation and performance under pressure. Set in professional baseball, it chronicles elite pitcher Toua and his mind games against batters and management as an irregular ace addition to a struggling franchise.

Complex strategies and mental brinksmanship take center stage here as in Oguri Cap's climactic races. Fans will witness the toll of competitive intensity from an athlete's perspective. One Outs fascinates through its cerebral take on the highs and lows of sports stardom.

8. Girls und Panzer

For a completely different setting, Girls und Panzer matches Cinderella Gray's niche focus by depicting the little-known world of high school tank warfare competitions. But among the over-the-top battles, it uncovers engaging team dynamics and themes of personal growth similar to Oguri Cap's journey.

Unique matchups and training regimens establish creative foundations before climactic showdowns between rival academies. Buoyed by characters overcoming self-doubt, fans become invested despite the absurd premise. This singular anime matches Cinderella Gray for committed worldbuilding around a fringe competition.

9. Keijo!!!!!!!!

It pushes the envelope even further, centering entirely around the fictional women's sport of "keijo." In short, players battle to knock each other off floating platforms using only their chests and hindquarters.

Outlandish as it seems, emotionally grounded storylines emerge amid training sessions for an upcoming tournament. It follows underestimated athletes striving to master innovative techniques en route to fame and fortune. Layered character backgrounds complement the buoyant tone.

So between all the sheer spectacle, Keijo!!!!!!!! finds unexpected resonance with Cinderella Gray's underdog appeals.

10. Chihayafuru

Chihayafuru demonstrates similarities despite its niche focus on the traditional Japanese card game of karuta.

Through three seasons, it follows young Chihaya's all-consuming passion for competitive karuta as she establishes a school team shooting for national glory. Its realistic emotional arcs complement the unfamiliar setting, capturing the mental gamesmanship beneath matches' stillness.

The strain of high-level competition is portrayed alongside strong camaraderie. So while karuta seems an unlikely sport, the series shares Cinderella Gray's foundations, endearing characters pursuing greatness.

Conclusion

Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray has carved out its unique niche with its production and storytelling approach. But plenty of series, from established classics to niche gems, explore similar emotional terrain. These 10 picks all offer exhilarating sports drama alongside psychological depth.

So, whether you crave more underdog athletes, training struggles, or team bonding, check out these selections perfect for any Cinderella Gray fan. Each delivers compelling characters, gripping matchups, and the passion that makes sports anime a fan-favorite storytelling style.