Umamusume: Pretty Derby’s Inaugural U.S. Concert Faces Possible Cancellation Due to Trump

Umamusume: Pretty Derby made its debut in Japan in 2021, charming fans with its unique mix of horse racing, fandom culture, and talented anime girls who both race and sing. The game’s international release in 2023 marked a significant achievement for its developer, Cygames, turning it into a global phenomenon. However, the company now faces challenges in bringing voice actors to the U.S. for a highly anticipated concert due to immigration restrictions imposed by the Trump administration.

The game’s allure lies in its engaging gameplay, where players train horse girls inspired by real-life racehorses to achieve victory. These characters also double as music idols, with their racing successes celebrated through live performances featuring original songs. The franchise’s popularity has led to sold-out concerts across Japan, prompting Cygames to announce its first-ever World Tour earlier this year. This tour aims to showcase the voice actors performing songs from the game at venues worldwide, with the inaugural international event scheduled for the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles later this week.

Unfortunately, the concert is now in jeopardy. Cygames issued a statement revealing that they have not yet secured the necessary visas for the voice actors to perform in the U.S.:

“In preparation for the 7th EVENT: THE STAGE in LOS ANGELES concerts planned for Oct 22–23, 2026, we had been working with lawyers and promoters in the US to secure the visas necessary to enter the US for over six months, but as of now, the visas have yet to be approved. We are coordinating with all parties concerned to explore every possible option to get the visas approved in time to make the concerts happen.”

Since the Trump administration resumed office in 2024, there has been a notable increase in immigration enforcement, leading to complications for many international artists who have either canceled events or opted not to perform in the U.S. due to these restrictions.

Cygames is actively working with legal teams to resolve the visa situation. This concert was set to be a significant highlight of the game’s international success, with additional performances planned in London and Seoul later on. Fans from across the country and even Japan have invested considerable resources to attend this event, eagerly awaiting news on whether the show will proceed or if immigration issues will lead to its cancellation.