If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the world of Uma Musume Pretty Derby, you know Gold Ship. She’s the silver-haired chaos gremlin who dropkicks her trainer and spends her free time doing "Paka-tube" vlogs. But behind the eccentric horse girl is a real human being. Her name is Hitomi Ueda.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a voice actor and a character blend together so perfectly that you can’t tell where the script ends and the personality begins. Ueda doesn't just "read lines" for Gold Ship; she inhabits the madness.
The Woman Behind the Chaos
Hitomi Ueda isn't some newcomer who stumbled into a lucky role. She’s a Kyoto native and a graduate of the prestigious Aoni Juku. That’s the training ground for Aoni Production, one of the biggest talent agencies in Japan. You've heard their voices in everything from Dragon Ball to One Piece.
Before she was winning awards for voicing a horse, she was a student at Doshisha University. Fun fact: she was in the sailing club there. It’s kinda poetic when you think about her voicing a character named "Ship."
Ueda officially debuted around 2015. Her first named role was Aki Hiyami in World Trigger. It was a solid start, but let's be real—nothing could have prepared the industry for the storm that was coming in 2017. That was the year she landed the role of Gold Ship.
Why Hitomi Ueda is the Perfect Gold Ship Voice Actor
In 2022, Hitomi Ueda won the Best Voice Actor award at the Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards. It wasn't just a "participation trophy" for being in a popular game. She won because she managed to make a violent, lazy, and utterly unpredictable character actually likable.
🔗 Read more: Shamea Morton and the Real Housewives of Atlanta: What Really Happened to Her Peach
Gold Ship is based on a real-life Thoroughbred who was famous for being a jerk. The horse once cost bettors 12 billion yen because he decided to stand on his hind legs at the start of a race. To capture that energy, you need more than just a "cute anime voice."
The "Golshi" Range
Ueda’s performance is a masterclass in vocal flexibility. One second, she’s using a deep, gravelly tone to threaten her trainer. The next, she’s let out a high-pitched squeal because she saw something shiny.
She's also scarily good at impressions. Fans often point out how she can imitate other Uma Musume characters as Gold Ship. It’s a voice within a voice.
- The Deep Grumble: Used when she’s being "cool" or threatening.
- The Gremlin Laugh: That iconic "He-he-he" that usually precedes a disaster.
- The Sudden Sincerity: Rare, but Ueda nails the emotional beats when the story actually gets serious.
More Than Just One Horse
While we’re all obsessed with the Gold Ship voice actor for obvious reasons, Ueda’s resume is actually getting pretty stacked. You shouldn't pigeonhole her. She has range that goes way beyond comedy.
Recently, she’s been making waves in the gacha world again. She voices Zani in Wuthering Waves. If you’ve played it, the contrast is hilarious. Zani is overworked, tired, and basically the polar opposite of Gold Ship’s "I do what I want" energy.
💡 You might also like: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
She also voices Michiko Tendo in Chainsaw Man. If you missed that, go back and listen. It’s a much more grounded, professional tone. She also landed the lead role of Yoshino Somei in Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii. That’s a massive win for her. It shows that the industry sees her as a leading lady, not just a character actress.
The Real-Life Connection
Is Hitomi Ueda actually like Gold Ship?
Well, she doesn’t go around dropkicking people (as far as we know). But she definitely leans into the bit. If you watch the PakaLive streams or live concerts, she’s usually the one bringing the most chaotic energy to the stage.
She famously showed off the "Gold Creator Award" from YouTube when the Uma Musume channel hit a million subscribers. She looked just as proud as the character would have been. She also lists "mochi pounding" and "air guitar" as her special skills. That feels very Gold Ship-adjacent.
What's Next for Hitomi Ueda?
The year 2025 and 2026 are looking busy for her. She’s slated for roles in Übel Blatt and From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman.
📖 Related: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
The cool thing about her career trajectory is how she’s moved from "the girl who voices the funny horse" to a genuine A-list talent. She can do the gritty Seinen stuff, the idol singing, and the high-octane comedy without breaking a sweat.
If you’re a fan, the best thing you can do is check out her non-Gold Ship work. It’ll give you a whole new appreciation for how much effort she puts into that specific "Golshi" rasp.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to follow her career more closely, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Live Events: If you can find clips of the Uma Musume 4th or 5th Event, watch Ueda’s stage presence. She’s a powerhouse performer.
- Check out Mayonaka Punch: She plays Tokage here, and it’s another great showcase of her comedic timing.
- Follow the Castings: With Yakuza Fiancé and other lead roles coming up, 2026 is going to be the year where she becomes a household name in the anime community.
Hitomi Ueda proves that voice acting isn't just about the voice. It's about the soul you pour into the character. Without her, Gold Ship would just be another quirky anime girl. With her, she's a legend.