Jaja Uma Grooming UP! じゃじゃ馬グルーミン★UP!

Jaja Uma Grooming UP! Review (Rating: 5/5)

Overview

Jaja Uma Grooming★UP! is a Japanese manga series by Masami Yuuki, serialized in Weekly Big Comic Spirits (Shogakukan) from 1994 to 2000. The series is complete in 26 volumes and is set on a horse breeding farm, offering a coming-of-age story with a unique rural backdrop.
Reference: Wikipedia (English)

Synopsis

The story begins with Shunpei, a city-born student preparing for university entrance exams. By chance, he ends up living at the Watarai Farm in Hokkaidō, a breeding farm for racehorses. There he meets Hibiki Watarai, the daughter of the family who runs the farm, and starts a new life surrounded by horses. As he learns about breeding, raising, and training thoroughbreds, Shunpei slowly adapts to this unfamiliar environment. The series depicts not only the farm’s peaceful daily life but also the harsh realities of raising racehorses and the human drama that unfolds alongside them.

Main Characters

• Shunpei
  The protagonist. Raised in the city and completely unfamiliar with farm life, he begins working at Watarai Farm. His journey is about growth, learning, and building relationships with both people and horses.

• Hibiki Watarai
  The daughter of the farm family. Strong-willed and knowledgeable about the work, she becomes both a guide and a sometimes strict mentor for Shunpei. Through her, readers are introduced to the world of horse breeding.

• The Watarai Family
  They support the farm and bring authenticity to the story, showing the challenges of breeding and managing racehorses.

Story Development

The narrative follows Shunpei’s gradual transformation as he goes from a complete outsider to someone deeply involved in the life of the farm. The series portrays racehorses not only as vessels of human dreams but also as economic animals, often facing tough realities. Episodes involving illness, failed training, or financial struggles reveal the difficulties behind the glamorous image of horse racing. Meanwhile, Shunpei and Hibiki’s relationship develops naturally—from initial friction to trust, companionship, and eventually a deeper bond—mirroring the flow of time on the farm.

Distinctive Features

What makes Jaja Uma Grooming★UP! unique is its focus on the behind-the-scenes world of horse breeding rather than the racetrack itself. The manga shines a light on the everyday work of raising thoroughbreds, with detailed depictions of the environment and routines. Readers feel immersed in farm life, as if they are experiencing it firsthand. Masami Yūki’s hallmark style—smooth storytelling and natural dialogue—adds to the sense of realism and engagement.

Personal Impressions

Through this series, readers gain an understanding of the realities of breeding horses for racing. Although the setting reflects the 1990s, the fundamental challenges of raising thoroughbreds remain unchanged even today. While horse racing is sometimes perceived as a “dirty” industry, this manga highlights the contrast between the farm’s tranquil atmosphere and the tough, sometimes harsh realities of dealing with animals as economic assets. I was struck by how naturally the story flows—thanks to the author’s skill—and how easy it is to empathize with Shunpei as a complete beginner. By the time I reached the final volume, I felt a strong sense of loss: “Is it really over already?” Yet the series concludes beautifully, demonstrating the author’s narrative strength. Overall, it stands out as a highly engaging and heartfelt manga about farm life.

Conclusion

Jaja Uma Grooming★UP! is more than just a manga about raising racehorses; it is a human drama that unfolds within a unique and demanding environment. Even readers with little knowledge of horse racing will find the daily life of the farm and the evolving relationships fascinating. The story develops smoothly, and the conclusion leaves a deep sense of satisfaction. I rated it 4/5 because, as with many long-running series, there are moments where the pacing feels a bit slow. Nevertheless, the overall quality is impressive, and the series succeeds both as a manga about horse breeding and as a coming-of-age story. Highly recommended for readers seeking something beyond the usual sports or slice-of-life narratives.