Welcome Back!
Welcome Back! (おかえりなさい！, Okaerinasai!) is the 11th episode of the 1st season of the Umamusume: Pretty Derby anime.
| Welcome Back! | |
|---|---|
| Season 1, Episode 11 | |
 |
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| Kanji | おかえりなさい！ |
| Romaji | Okaerinasai! |
| Air Date | June 4, 2018 |
| Director | Osamu Honma |
| Songs | |
| Opening Song | Make debut! |
| Ending Song | Grow-up Shine! |
| Episode Guide | |
| Previous | No Matter How Many Times I Lose |
| Next | Stage of Dreams |
Summary
Suzuka makes her highly anticipated return in the Open Special Race, with Broye observing from the stands, declaring her intentions for the Japan Cup. Despite a slow start, Suzuka pushes through, exploding in the final stretch to win the race by a landslide. Suzuka reflects on her journey with Trainer and expresses that this is just the beginning of her dreams. Special Week now prepares for the most important race of her life, The Japan Cup.
Plot
The Open Special Race kicks off and Suzuka is set to make her highly anticipated return. The crowd is abuzz, and in the upper stands the overseas sensation, Broye, is watching closely. Prior to this, she had announced her intention to enter the Japan Cup, the very same race Spe is aiming for.
Broye’s presence sends shock waves through the nation. In her press conference, she boldly declares she will show Japan "what it really means to be strong." Her declaration attracts large groups of reporters and photographers, bringing heaps of attention to the Japan Cup. Trainer and Hana Toujou witness her incredible strength first-hand when Broye beat Symboli Rudolf’s time in a simple practice run.
Suzuka is putting in extra work for her return, and Spe follows suit upon learning of Broye’s participation. After a taxing training session, Trainer talks to both of them, discussing the difficult races ahead of them. There was no certainties but Spe kept her spirits up in honor of the dreams given to her by everyone.
In the entrance tunnel, Trainer and Suzuka reflect on the difficult road to recovery. Trainer expresses concern, but Suzuka assures him she’s ready and will win. She takes her first steps onto the track alone, walking down memory lane as cheers erupt from the crowd, Gold Ship and the rest of Team Spica fire off a devastatingly embarrassing Kamehame-WIN blast for Suzuka. But not everyone was as receptive, a new girl, Sun Visor, challenges her return, declaring she would be the star today.
The crowd quiets and the tension builds before the race begins. The gates open and Suzuka falls behind from a late start, perhaps the a consequence of the long layoff. The fans worry as she remains in last place heading into the final stretch. Then, Suzuka’s breath slows. The noise fades. Her eyes close. And in the blink of an eye- she explodes forward! Speeding past the other racers one by one, overtaking Sun Visor and claiming an incredible lead. Suzuka crosses the finish line, not just in first place, but with an unbelievable margin, winning the race by a landslide.
Spe, sheds a tear watching from afar, making a vow to do just the same when it was her turn. Broye watches too, unconcerned, promising to deliver an even better performance in the Japan Cup.
Back in the entrance tunnel, Team Spica and Team Rigil greet Suzuka with cheers, celebrating her return. After the celebration dies down, Trainer and Suzuka walk together, Suzuka thanks him and expresses this was just beginning. This was just the start towards her dream. As was the same for Spe, staring at the starting gates of the Japan Cup. The most important race of her life was moments away from starting.