Northernlion accidentally became Umamusume: Pretty Derby’s biggest Twitch streamer

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Under the influence of his audience’s requests, Twitch broadcaster Northernlion came close to shattering his viewership record just by streaming one unique game: Umamusume, a popular anime about horse girls racing. Immediately upon starting the stream, he captured the top spot among all players of this game.

For several consecutive days, his chat had been urging him to try it out. Once he agreed, his community didn’t disappoint – memes and videos quickly went viral on Twitter, attracting even more viewers eager to see him perform.

Northernlion will play Umamusume (real) ᵃⁿᵈ ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʰᵉ ᵗʳᵃᶦⁿˢ ᴳᵒˡᵈ ˢʰᶦᵖ#umamusume

— Pkoi (@ArtPkoi) July 2, 2025

At times recently, a middle-aged streamer named Northernlion has dominated approximately 94% of the game’s overall viewership on Twitch, particularly while broadcasting a game centered around horse girl high schoolers. Occasionally, he’s found himself confronted with similar themes in the game itself.

However, it does seem like he at least enjoys it.

Northernlion instantly becomes top Umamusume streamer

So, could you explain to me, what exactly is Umamusume? I’ve noticed it seems to be a popular topic on Twitter and other platforms – it appears to be a game involving horse girls.

From a mechanical perspective, Umamusume: Pretty Derby doesn’t involve traditional “gaming”. Instead, it offers a strategic experience where players select their preferred horse-girl character, enhance their attributes through various social and training activities, and ultimately, spectate the races they participate in.

Moreover, although the loop might appear straightforward, the intricate process of adequately preparing a racer for success is far from evident at first glance. This dedication to training results in an intense investment among participants, as they strive for their trainee to triumph and clinch victory in the URA Finale by campaign’s end.

Even individuals who might not typically fall within the intended demographic for Umamusume find themselves captivated and eager to compete, proving just how engrossing this loop is.

northernlion is getting the full umamusume experience and it’s beautiful

— SVA Social Bun – Puns 🐰💾💖 (@sockspuns) July 2, 2025

As a gamer, I’ve found myself riding the crest of an exhilarating wave – my enthusiastic viewers and my own sheer enjoyment of the game have combined to propel me to the pinnacle of streaming this particular title.

In July, his live stream reached a record-breaking 31,000 viewers, just second to his highest viewership peak on Twitch after many years of streaming. Notably, he garnered almost twice his usual average viewers while playing Umamusume, and during one instance, this particular streamer accounted for over 93% of the entire game’s Twitch viewership.

As a seasoned gamer of 36, I’ve managed to outshine all other streamers worldwide when Umamusume was first launched globally. Some might find it surprising, given the demographic usually associated with horse-racing games like this one. But hey, who said age should limit enjoyment?

Northernlion humorously lamented the fact that he wouldn’t have time to play the game over the weekend due to childcare responsibilities, hinting at his desire to “slip in a bit of work” when his kids are playing elsewhere.

Similarly, it applies to other streamers such as Premier Two (also known as Pete), who’s in his 40s and leading the rankings with viral videos featuring Umamusume.

THIS GAME IS SO PEAK

— Peter (premier two) (@premier_two) July 2, 2025

Certainly! Even though it’s probably aimed at players around their late teens to early twenties, a top-notch video game remains an excellent choice for anyone.

Prior to its worldwide release on June 24, the game Umamusume: Pretty Derby had generated significant hype, leading its publisher Cygames to become a major sponsor for the 151st Kentucky Derby. This prestigious horse race marked the first opportunity for American players to experience the game.

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2025-07-06 01:48