You’ve seen the flight jacket. You’ve heard the "You copy?" catchphrase. Honestly, if you’ve spent more than five minutes in the world of Cygames’ mega-hit, you know that Mayano Top Gun is a lot more than just a girl who really likes airplanes. She’s a menace on the track and a total sweetheart in the lobby.
She flies. She races. Most importantly, she confuses the heck out of new players who don't understand how a girl that small can have a stamina stat that high.
Mayano Top Gun in Uma Musume Pretty Derby represents one of the most fascinating translations of real-world horse racing history into anime character tropes. If you look at her design, it’s all "Top Gun" (1986) references and bubbly teenage energy. But look at her stats. Look at her skills. Underneath that "sparkly idol" exterior is a long-distance monster that can eat up the turf at the Arima Kinen without breaking a sweat. It’s a weird contrast. It works perfectly.
The Reality of Mayano Top Gun: More Than Just a Pilot Jacket
Let's get one thing straight. The developers didn't just pick a name out of a hat. The real-life Mayano Top Gun was a legendary racehorse active in the mid-90s, known for being incredibly "moody" or "capricious." One day he’d lead the pack from the start; the next, he’d sit at the very back and rocket past everyone in the final 200 meters.
In the game, this translates to Mayano having an "A" aptitude for almost every running style.
- She can do Runner (逃げ).
- She can do Leader (先行).
- She can do Betweener (差し).
- She can even do Chaser (追込).
Basically, she’s the Swiss Army knife of your roster. But here’s the kicker: being good at everything makes her surprisingly hard to train for beginners. If you don't pick a lane, you end up with a girl who is mediocre at four things instead of elite at one.
Most people mess this up. They see the versatility and try to balance her. Don't do that. You’ve gotta commit to the bit. If you’re going for a Runner build, you need to stack Speed and Intelligence. If you’re going for the classic Mayano "Miracle" comeback, you’re looking at Power and Stamina. It’s a balancing act that keeps the meta interesting.
💡 You might also like: Why the Disney Infinity Star Wars Starter Pack Still Matters for Collectors in 2026
Why the "Genki" Personality Actually Matters for Gameplay
Mayano is the definition of a Genki girl. She’s loud, she’s flirtatious in a playful "I want your attention" way, and she’s obsessed with being "adult-like" despite being one of the shorter characters.
This isn't just flavor text. Her personality drives her support card interactions and her main scenario events. In Uma Musume Pretty Derby, Mayano Top Gun’s training events often revolve around her whims. If she’s feeling it, you get massive stat boosts. If she’s bored? Well, enjoy your minimal gains and a possible "Lazy" condition. It’s frustrating. It’s also exactly like the real horse she’s based on.
Real talk: training Mayano is a lesson in patience. You’re essentially babysitting a genius who would rather go to the arcade than run intervals. But when she hits that "Brilliant Red Ace" unique skill? Everything changes. The animation of her flying through the air isn't just for show—it signals a massive speed boost that can turn a losing race into a highlight reel.
Breaking Down the "Maya" Meta
If you’re trying to climb the ranks in the Champions Meeting, you’ll notice Mayano Top Gun pops up in some very specific niches. While she isn't always the "Tier 0" undisputed queen like Kitasan Black or Christmas Oguri Cap, she’s a consistent disruptor.
Her unique skill, "Sparkling Flash" (Kirameki no Flash), is a bit of a weird one. It triggers when you're in the front group during the final corner. The problem? It’s highly dependent on positioning. If she gets boxed in, it’s game over. This is why many high-level players prefer her wedding alt version (the "Sunlight Bouquet" outfit). That version focuses more on Leader/Betweener roles and has much more reliable healing skills built-in.
Speaking of the wedding dress outfit... can we talk about the power creep?
📖 Related: Grand Theft Auto Games Timeline: Why the Chronology is a Beautiful Mess
The original Mayano is great for long distances because of her base stamina growth. But the wedding version is a beast for medium distances. It’s a classic gacha move: take a fan-favorite character and give them a slightly better kit to keep the spending alive. It worked. Everyone pulled for Wedding Maya. Not just for the stats, but because the "waifu" factor is off the charts with this one.
The Support Card Struggle
You can’t talk about Mayano Top Gun without mentioning her SSR Support Cards. Her SSR (Stamina) card, "Pushing Through the Clouds," is actually pretty decent for specific builds. It gives the "Non-Stop Girl" skill, which is arguably one of the most important acceleration skills for any horse that isn't a front-runner.
The issue? You usually want to use better Stamina cards like Super Creek. Using a Mayano card means you can’t use Mayano the racer. It’s the "Same Character Restriction" that haunts every Uma Musume player.
Historical Context: The Four-Way Rivalry
To understand why Mayano is treated like royalty in the game, you have to look at 1995-1997. This was the era of the "Four Kings."
- Mayano Top Gun
- Marvelous Sunday
- Sakura Laurel
- (To an extent) Narita Brian
The 1997 Tenno Sho (Spring) is widely considered one of the greatest races in Japanese history. Mayano Top Gun beat Sakura Laurel and Marvelous Sunday in a finish that looked like something out of a movie. He broke the world record for 3200 meters at the time.
When you play her story mode in Uma Musume, the game tries to capture that tension. You aren't just racing random mobs; you’re racing against the ghosts of 90s turf legends. The rivalry with Sakura Laurel is particularly poignant in the game's later chapters. It’s a story of a "natural genius" (Maya) finally finding a reason to take training seriously.
👉 See also: Among Us Spider-Man: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With These Mods
Technical Tips for a Winning Mayano
If you want to actually win with her, stop trying to make her a Chaser unless you have god-tier Support Cards. It’s a trap for 90% of players.
Instead, focus on the Leader (先行) role.
It’s her most stable path.
Stack Speed.
Aim for at least 800 Stamina if you’re doing the Arima Kinen or Tenno Sho Spring.
Use inheritance to grab "Maestro of the Depths" (円弧のマエストロ).
Without a gold healing skill, Mayano will gas out at the 2500m mark. She’s got the heart of a sprinter sometimes, but the lungs of a marathon runner. You have to force those two sides to get along.
Is she still relevant in 2026?
Surprisingly, yes. Even with the constant influx of new characters like Daring Tact or the latest Triple Crown winners, Mayano Top Gun holds a spot because of her versatility. She’s a "filler" character in the best way possible. If you’re missing a long-distance runner for your team, Mayano can step in. If you need a medium-distance leader, she’s there.
She is the ultimate "safety net" for your roster.
Final Actionable Insights for Players
Don't let the cute "Kira!" and "You copy?" distract you from the fact that this character requires a bit of a brain to pilot.
- Prioritize the Wedding Alt: If you have the choice, the "Sunlight Bouquet" version is generally easier to slot into competitive teams due to her built-in "Charm" and better acceleration triggers.
- Focus on G1 Milestones: Her "Hidden Mission" involves winning all the major GI races her real-life counterpart won. Doing this gives a massive boost to her stats at the end of the season.
- Watch the Mood: Mayano’s training failures are higher than average. Keep a "Cupcake" or "Shrine Visit" ready to fix her mood immediately. A "Blue" mood Mayano is basically a wasted training turn.
- Inheritance is Key: Since she has such broad aptitudes, use her as a parent for other Uma Musume. She is fantastic for passing down "Long Distance" or "Runner" stars to characters who need them.
Go fix your deck, check your inheritance loops, and give the girl a chance to actually fly. She’s been waiting in your stable long enough.