Air Groove is a talented and strict Umamusume who works as the vice president of Tracen Academy's student council and serves as Symboli Rudolf’s right-hand. She’s known for her cool appearance and strong sense of pride. Air Groove is admired by many younger students, who see her as their “Empress.” Even with her busy schedule helping others and strict personality, she has a softer side, like her love for flowers and her close relationship with her mother. She always seeks to become an ideal figure, just like her mother who was a legendary champion. Almost everything she does is with perfection in mind, including her studies, racing, and training.
Air Groove has a grayish chestnut bob haircut parted to the left, sometimes covering her right eye. She wears a yellow ribbon and a gold chain as a hair accessory on her left ear, which also splits at the tip. Her eyes are sharp and cool, and she’s one of the only Umamusume to wear red eyeshadow, matching her mother. Her signature race outfit is called “Empress Road,” which has blue and yellow designs inspired by her and her mom’s real racing silks. She also has a special white and blue “wedding suit” version called "Quercus Kiwiis." Her usual clothes also include gloves and stylish modern accessories.
- Birthday: April 6
- Height: 165 cm
- Weight: Perfectly managed
- Measurements: B90 / W57 / H86 cm
- Shoe size: 24.5 cm (both feet)
- School year: Senior High
- Dorm: Ritto Dormitory
Air Groove is strict, logical, and values hard work and order. She aims to lead by example as a dignified “Empress.” She often guides and manages younger students’ training in addition to her own. Although she usually speaks formally and directly, she wants to help others grow. She struggles to understand Symboli Rudolf’s puns and tends to get annoyed by unexpected surprises or shiny things. Her pride is high, but she deeply respects dedication and dislikes lazy people. Despite her strictness, she enjoys caring for flowers and loves her family.
Air Groove’s mother was once an Oaks-winning champion and is now the head of a school for raising Umamusume. Air Groove wants to become someone others admire, inspired by her mother's achievements. She grew up as the eldest sibling and always tries to carry herself with grace and strength.
She already had a trainer chosen even before the selection race due to her fame. She values an equal partnership with trainers, refusing to work with anyone who doesn’t respect her independence. She lives in Ritto Dorm and her roommate is Fine Motion. She also loves taking care of flowers and listens to Chopin when she wants to relax.
Air Groove excels at racing, especially in leadership roles. She’s known for her finishing speed and poise in critical moments. She’s very intelligent, extremely dedicated to training, and is also skilled at raising and nurturing flowers.
- Symboli Rudolf: Student council president and close comrade. Both respect each other, and Air Groove often has to deal with Rudolf’s weird jokes.
- Silence Suzuka: A talented runner and close friend. Air Groove admires her running and wants to help her grow.
- Fine Motion: Air Groove’s roommate. They have a good relationship, often sharing gifts.
- Mejiro Dober, Daiwa Scarlet, Rhein Kraft: All are juniors inspired by Air Groove and often seek her guidance.
- Duramente: Duramente is like a younger sister to Air Groove and shares a deep connection due to their shared schooling background.
- Other Student Council Members: Tokai Teio, Narita Brian, and others—she works with them as a leader and supporter.
- Air Groove is afraid of sudden flashes of light (like camera flashes).
- She dislikes all bugs except ladybugs.
- Her phone wallpaper is her mother’s winning moment as a queen.
- She never wastes food, even if it tastes weird.
- She plans her mother’s birthday parties a whole year ahead.
- She uses the same tail oil as her mother.
- She enjoys cleaning to relieve stress.
- Her secret relaxation habit is listening to Chopin’s CD.
- "Train, nurture, and lead! Just like my beloved mother."
- "I am Air Groove. If you don't bend your beliefs, your ideals will surely bloom. I will lead as the 'Empress' to show that."
Start of the Story
Air Groove is introduced as the respected vice president of the student council at Tracen Academy.
She manages her own training and helps guide younger Umamusume, working tirelessly each day.
She is already famous, with a trainer selected for her before the selection race even began.
If a trainer does not respect her independence, she cuts ties without hesitation.
She speaks to trainers as equals and is strict but fair.
The ‘STARTING GATE!’ Manga
In the manga, under Symboli Rudolf’s request, Air Groove faces Silence Suzuka in a mock race for Suzuka’s transfer to the Miho Dormitory.
She is first impressed by Suzuka’s speed and develops mutual respect during their race.
Air Groove is shown as a dedicated leader with high expectations for herself and others.
Anime Storylines
- Season 1: Air Groove races in the Takarazuka Kinen, placing 3rd behind Silence Suzuka. In earlier races, she beats Suzuka in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), showing their rivalry and eventual friendship.
- Season 2 & 3: Appears in several episodes, including chasing after other students and helping with events. She also appears in new costumes, like the wedding dress version during a big school event.
- Spin-offs: Appears as a tough but reliable leader in side stories and comedic shorts. She plays a "delinquent" role in a special episode called “The Strongest Team! Pararira!”
Mobile Game and Skills
Air Groove is available from the very start of the "Umamusume: Pretty Derby" game as a 2-star character.
She specializes in Power and has skills for both “Front-runner” and “Chaser” roles.
Her unique skills work best when overtaking others near the finish.
Air Groove is also available in the game wearing her wedding dress outfit, and with different special cards.
She helps players by rewarding consistent effort and good leadership in team competitions.
In the story, she helps and cheers for Silence Suzuka, and gives advice to other girls like Mejiro Dober and Daiwa Scarlet.
She manages her own race goals and motivates others, never slowing her pace.
Real-Life Race Horse
Air Groove is based on a real Japanese thoroughbred. She was born in 1993 and is famous for winning the Japanese Oaks like her mother, breaking a long gap since a filly had won the biggest races against males in Japan. She became the 1997 Horse of the Year.
As a mother, she produced more champions, like Admire Groove, who won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Duramente, who won the Japanese Derby. Her family continues to produce top racehorses.
She was known for her gentle personality, despite being called the “Empress” on the track.
Her nickname was “Bero-chan” because she often licked people to show her affection.
Air Groove also appears in many manga spinoffs and short anime episodes, taking on different personalities, sometimes showing a tougher or more comedic side.
She is featured in many official illustrations with costumes for different seasons and school events.
She is praised in the Umamusume fandom for being both a strict mentor and a kindhearted senior figure who helps all those around her.
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