Highlights
- PETA sparked a "war on anime" by targeting the Umamusume franchise with graphic imagery.
- Fans retaliated with mass reporting, citing disrespect toward the real-life horse's legacy.
- Critics dismissed the stunt as another attempt to generate headlines through gaming controversies.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has officially kicked the hornet’s nest, declaring what many are calling a "war on anime" after targeting the hit franchise Umamusume: Pretty Derby. The controversy exploded on Dec 11, 2025, when the animal rights organization posted a graphic and disturbing image of the character Silence Suzuka to criticize the horse racing industry. While PETA aimed to shock fans into acknowledging the darker side of the sport, the stunt has drawn widespread condemnation for its perceived disrespect toward the memory of the real-life horse and the wholesome nature of the series.
The backlash began the moment PETA’s official social media accounts shared a gruesome parody of Silence Suzuka, a beloved "horse girl" character known for her inspiring and kind personality. In stark contrast to the anime’s clean aesthetic, PETA’s artwork depicted the character screaming in agony with broken, bloody legs.
The accompanying text accused the show of dishonesty, criticizing the character’s fictional "comeback arc" for ignoring the tragic reality of the actual racehorse the character is based on. PETA’s caption drove the point home, stating that, unlike the anime, real horses do not get a second chance after a failed event.
The response from the global anime and gaming community was instantaneous and severe. Thousands of fans flooded the post with criticism, labelling the stunt a callous attack on the memory of a legendary animal. Gamers were quick to point out that the developers of Umamusume operate under strict guidelines to respectfully honour the legacies of these horses.
The Real Legacy of Silence: Suzuka and Umamusume’s Cultural Impact
The backlash was organized into a mass-reporting campaign, with users noting that the graphic image violated Cygames’ specific rules for derivative works. To understand the fury of the fanbase, one must understand the cultural weight of the franchise. Umamusume: Pretty Derby is not just a game; it is a revolution in the sports anime genre that dominates the Japanese market. Horse racing is a massive industry in Japan, featuring 10 major racetracks and hosting over 21,000 races annually.
The series was developed in close cooperation with the Japan Racing Association and the owners of the original horses to ensure every character detail, from hair color to accessories, matches the real-life counterpart. The anime’s version of Silence Suzuka is a tribute, giving the horse a rehabilitation arc that allows him to "run again" in the hearts of fans, fulfilling the dreams cut short by his untimely death.
Fans often cite the emotional bond between the real horse and his jockey, Yutaka Take, as a reason for their defense of the series. Take believed that Silence Suzuka saved his life during that fatal 1998 race by limping to the side rather than collapsing immediately.
Instead of sparking a dialogue on ethics, PETA has united the community in defense of the developer, Cygames, with many hoping the company will issue a cease-and-desist to protect their intellectual property.
This incident is not an isolated event but part of a long-standing pattern of PETA clashing with gaming culture to generate headlines. Veteran gamers recall similar campaigns, such as the 2012 Pokémon Black & Blue parody game that equated trainers with abusers and the 2024 accusation that One Piece characters were emotionally abusing the reindeer character Chopper.
Critics have long slammed these tactics, ranging from the 2009 "Unhappy Meals" campaign, where activists showed children pictures of chickens wielding knives, to a January 2025 stunt involving a manure dump at ASPCA offices, as hypocritical. Many detractors point to the high euthanasia rates at PETA’s own shelters as evidence that their shock tactics lack moral grounding.
