Why Mr. CB is Still the Most Fascinating Horse Girl in Uma Musume Pretty Derby

Why Mr. CB is Still the Most Fascinating Horse Girl in Uma Musume Pretty Derby

If you’ve spent any time in the Uma Musume fandom, you know that some characters just carry a different kind of weight. It isn’t just about who has the highest speed stat or who wins the most CM (Champions Meeting) trophies. It's about presence. Mr. CB is that character. When she finally moved from being a background NPC to a playable unit in the Japanese version of Uma Musume Pretty Derby, the community basically lost its collective mind. Why? Because she represents a specific kind of "cool" that’s hard to replicate.

She's the free spirit. The rule-breaker.

The real-life horse she’s based on was the first-ever Triple Crown winner to come from a Japanese-bred father. That’s a massive deal in racing history. In the game, Cygames translated that legacy into a character who hates being tied down by strategy. While most trainers are obsessing over stamina calculations and optimal positioning, Mr. CB is busy looking at the scenery or deciding she'd rather just hang out in the back of the pack until the very last second. It’s infuriating. It’s brilliant.

The Reality of Running Mr. CB: High Risk, High Reward

Most players see a "Chaser" (Oikomi) and think they know what to expect. You sit in the back, you save energy, and you explode at the end. But Mr. CB feels different. Her unique skill, "Look at the Beyond!" (Kono Saki e!), isn't just a simple speed boost. It’s a middle-leg positioning tool that allows her to ignore the usual clump of horses and find her own path. Honestly, watching her move is kinda stressful. You’ll be at the 800m mark thinking, "There is no way she catches up," and then she just... does.

She breaks the game's internal logic.

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Technically speaking, her kit is designed to reward players who understand how "clogging" works in the game's engine. If you've ever had a top-tier Gold Ship get stuck behind a wall of slower horses, you know the pain. Mr. CB’s skills, specifically things like "Enlightenment" and her inherent ability to manipulate her own lane, make her much more slippery. She doesn’t just run fast; she runs smart, even if her "smart" looks like she's just goofing off for the first half of the race.

Why the Triple Crown History Matters

You can't talk about Mr. CB without mentioning the 1983 Triple Crown. Before Deep Impact or Orfevre, there was CB. The rivalry with Symboli Rudolf is legendary, and the game handles it with a surprising amount of grace. While Rudolf is the "Emperor"—stiff, formal, burdened by the weight of leadership—CB is the "Commoner's Hero." She’s the one who proved that you could win big while still being yourself.

In the game's story mode, this tension is palpable. Rudolf is constantly trying to keep CB within the lines of the Student Council's expectations, and CB just keeps jumping over the fence. It’s a classic archetype, but it works because the writing leans into the loneliness of being a pioneer. She isn't just "lazy." She’s someone who sees the world differently and refuses to pretend otherwise just to make others comfortable.

Training Tips for the Modern Meta

If you’re lucky enough to have her in your roster, don't just throw standard Power/Stamina builds at her and hope for the best.

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  1. Intelligence is everything. Because Mr. CB relies on her skills to reposition during the middle leg, a low Wisdom/Intelligence (Kashikosa) stat will kill her performance. She needs to "prock" those skills early enough to move outside the pack.
  2. The "Chaser" trap. Many people build her with pure Speed and Power, neglecting the fact that her unique skill triggers based on her position relative to the middle of the pack. If she’s too far back because her stats are lopsided, she might not trigger the very move she needs to win.
  3. Card Synergy. Using her own Support Card (the SSR Intelligence one) while training other horses is actually one of the best moves in the game. That card is a staple for a reason. It provides "Curving Maestro" and incredible training bonuses. But when training her, you obviously need different anchors. Look for cards that provide "Straight Dash" or specific Oikomi-lane buffs.

She is finicky. You've got to accept that. Sometimes she'll decide she doesn't want to train, or she'll get a "Low Spirits" debuff at the worst possible time. It fits the lore. The real Mr. CB was known for having a bit of a temper and doing things on his own terms.

A Quick Note on the "Commoner's" Legacy

There’s a misconception that Mr. CB is "weaker" than Symboli Rudolf because Rudolf won more G1 races in real life. In Uma Musume, tiers change constantly based on the current track (the "Meta"). On a long-distance track with a lot of curves, a well-built Mr. CB can absolutely smoke a Rudolf. It comes down to the "Spurt" logic. Chasers get a higher speed multiplier during the final stretch. If you can keep her from getting blocked, her ceiling is arguably higher than almost any Leader (Preceder) type.

The Visual Design and Why It Works

Let's be real for a second: the character design is top-tier. The green highlights, the slightly messy hair, the way she wears her uniform—it all screams "effortless." Cygames is really good at visual storytelling. When she walks, she has this relaxed gait that contrasts sharply with the high-strung energy of characters like Twin Turbo or even Special Week.

It’s about the vibe.

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Fans call her "The Coolest," and it’s not just a meme. There’s a certain maturity to her character arc. She’s like that older cousin who traveled the world and came back with a bunch of stories but doesn't feel the need to brag about them. In a game filled with "moe" archetypes, having a character who feels like a genuine adult (spiritually, at least) is refreshing.

Managing Expectations in the Gacha

Is she worth your jewels? Honestly, it depends on what you want out of the game. If you are a hardcore competitive player who only pulls for the absolute "Must-Have" meta-breaking units that define the year, she’s a solid A-tier. She’s great, but she requires a high level of investment. You need the right support cards to make her shine.

However, if you care about the soul of the game—the storytelling, the historical tributes, and the joy of seeing a legendary horse brought to life—she’s a SSS-tier pull. There is nobody else in the game that plays quite like her.

How to Optimize Your Mr. CB Runs Right Now

To get the most out of your Mr. CB, you need to stop thinking about the "best" build and start thinking about the "right" build for the specific race track.

  • Focus on the "Corner" skills. Since she is a Chaser, her ability to navigate the final corner determines her win rate. Skills like "Long-distance Corner" or "Chaser Corner" are non-negotiable.
  • Balance Stamina. Don't overdo it. She isn't a Super Creek. She needs just enough to survive the distance, with everything else poured into Speed and Intelligence.
  • Watch the Replays. Seriously. Watch where she gets stuck. If she's consistently getting pinned to the inside rail, you need more "Lane Hopping" skills.

Mr. CB isn't a "set it and forget it" character. She’s a project. But when everything clicks—when she swings wide on that final turn and the music swells—there is no better feeling in Uma Musume. She’s the reminder that racing isn't just about math; it's about the drama of the comeback.

To start improving your Mr. CB performance immediately, audit your current support deck to ensure you have at least two high-level Intelligence cards to trigger her positioning skills. Focus your next three training runs exclusively on maximizing her "Wisdom" stat to see how it affects her lane-changing behavior in the final 400 meters.