Proving Oneself
Proving Oneself (自分の証明, Jibun no Shōmei)) is the 5th episode of the 3rd season of the Umamusume: Pretty Derby anime.
| Proving Oneself | |
|---|---|
| Season 03, Episode 05 | |
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| Kanji | 自分の証明 |
| Romaji | Yume wa Owaranai |
| Air Date | November 2, 2023 |
| Director | Mizuki Sakuma |
| Songs | |
| Episode Guide | |
| Previous | My Own Shine |
| Next | Diamond |
This page contains spoilers. Proceed with caution! |
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Summary
Satono Diamond runs in the Japanese Derby, the race coming down to a photo finish. Meanwhile, Kitasan's times are better than ever after her intense training session. But Kitasan's hopes might be dashed by Duramente's recovery...
Plot
Satono Diamond is running in the Japanese Derby while Kitasan Black, Cheval Grand, and Satono Crown cheer her on from the crowd. In the final stretch, Dia fights to pull ahead into first place.
In the end, the winner comes down to a picture finish, which ends up leaving Dia in second place by a nose. After the race, while leaving the track, Dia realises that half of her horseshoe was missing after breaking off mid race.
Following the day of the race, Dia, Kitasan, Crown, and Cheval all sit together in the cafeteria. Kitasan brings up how Dia likely would have won if not for her broken horseshoe, causing the topic of conversation to shift to the Satono jinx, which states Satono umamusume can’t win G1 races. Crown explains her own experience as a Satono umamusume struggling to win a G1 race, and compares it to what happened with Dia. Dia choses to ignore the jinx, and instead vows to win the upcoming Kikuka Sho.
Meanwhile, Kitasan trains while her trainer times her. Team Spica compliment her improvements, and discuss one of her upcoming races, the Takarazuka Kinen. Kitasan then decides to head off to do some work in town, satisfied with her progress in training.
Kitasan runs around town, reflecting on her training. She overhears a news broadcast announcing Duramente’s return to racing following her injury, which includes the Takarazuka Kinen. The broadcast then shows Duramente, who is accompanied by Air Groove, for an interview.
On the news, Duramente and the interviewer discuss her recent win at the Nakayama Kinen and her trip overseas. Air Groove compliments Duramente’s performance winning second place at her race in Dubai, but Duramente verbalizes she is still not satisfied with losing. Duramente avoids the interviewer’s questions, repeatedly pledging to win instead.
The interviewer then brings up Kitasan, who is expected to rival Duramente at the Takarazuka Kinen upon her improvement. Duramente professes that it does not matter to her, since she only sees the races as simply stepping stones to the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe. Duramente then storms out of the interview before it is over, opting to return to her training instead, much to Air Groove’s disapproval.
Team Spica talk over the interview together in the Team Spica office. Kitasan expresses her worry in facing Duramente again, considering her previous two losses against her. Kitasan’s trainer reassures her by reminding her how far she’s come since last year, with the rest of the team agreeing. Gold Ship then hands her the results of the fan vote, revealing Kitasan to be voted number one, replenishing her confidence.
As Kitasan goes to leave Tracen, she finds that she forgot to bring her umbrella the moment it begins to rain. While waiting for the rain to stop at the main entrance, she finds Duramente, who has the same issue.
Kitasan attempts to make small talk with Duramente. Kitasan eventually brings up the interview Duramente was in earlier, showing her admiration for Duramente’s confidence and strength. Kitasan asks Duramente if she ever struggled with the expectations of others, but Duramente admits to never thinking about it. Duramente explains how winning is her duty to her family, and her reason for winning any race at all, including the Takarazuka Kinen, is to win the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.
Kitasan feels inspired by this, letting Duramente know she won’t take it easy on her. Duramente then asks who Kitasan is, revealing she had no idea she was talking to her rival the entire time. Kitasan is shocked by this, and proceeds to introduce herself to Duramente, before vowing to beat her. Kitasan then runs away, off into the rain.
Kitasan continues to train, as well as Dia and Crown. We also see Cheval training by lifting weights, determined to show her sisters her true potential, and Duramente, training alone in silence.
At the Takarazuka Kinen, Kitasan prepares to face Duramente, as well as Crown and Cheval. As the race begins, Kitasan quickly takes the lead and sets the pace as Duramente saves her stamina. With the race going by fast, they enter the second half with Kitasan still comfortably in the lead. Rounding the final corner and reaching the final stretch, Duramente makes her move and pushes forward, but struggles to catch up to Kitasan.
Suddenly, Duramente lands on her foot wrong, but refuses to lose and pushes even farther forward. Soon, Kitasan is fighting for first alongside Duramente and another racer, River Light. But, much to their suprise, River Light pushes forward just as they reach the finish line, leaving Duramente in second and Kitsan in third.
As Kitasan realises she lost, she notices Duramente behind her fall to her knees in pain. Kitasan offers to get help, but Duramente insists she will be fine and forces herself to her feet.
Kitasan accepts her defeat and congratulates Duramente on her victory against her. Duramente compliments Kitasan’s strength, swearing to get stronger and challenge Kitasan again. Kitasan swears to do the same, and the two shake hands.