The Philippine Game Show 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark event. Organizers have confirmed that Marika Kohno, the Japanese voice actress and singer behind Uma Musume: Pretty Derby’s Silence Suzuka, will be performing live as an international guest. She’ll take the main stage this November 14–16 at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City, bringing an added spark for anime and gaming fans alike.
Who is Marika Kohno?
Marika Kohno is no stranger to anime and game fans. Her voice has brought life to characters like Rin Obana in Seiyuu Jinsei!, Yumina Ernea Belfast in In Another World with My Smartphone, and Yua Nakajima in Hinako Note. Beyond her acting, she has also made a mark as a singer, performing songs that showcase her emotional range and versatility.
Her performance as Silence Suzuka is among her most beloved roles, where she balanced grace and subtle intensity — qualities that resonated strongly with fans of Uma Musume.
Why Silence Suzuka is Special
Within Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, Silence Suzuka is one of the most iconic horse girls. She’s portrayed as quiet, graceful, and unwaveringly determined, embodying a mix of elegance and inner strength. Her story arc, blending inspiration with tragedy, became a cornerstone of the anime’s emotional impact. Kohno’s voice work elevated Suzuka into a character remembered as much for her quiet charm as for the poignant moments that defined her.
The Real-Life Silence Suzuka
Silence Suzuka wasn’t just a fictional creation — she was a legendary Japanese racehorse in the late 1990s. Known for her unmatched speed and front-running style, Suzuka often took the lead early and left competitors far behind, capturing the imagination of racing fans. Tragically, her career was cut short during the 1998 Tenno Sho (Autumn), where an injury led to her untimely passing at just four years old.
Her legacy, however, lives on. To this day, Silence Suzuka is remembered in Japan not only for her dominance on the track but also for the heartbreak of her sudden loss. Uma Musume reintroduced her story to a new generation, reframing her life as both inspiring and bittersweet — and it’s this emotional weight that makes Marika Kohno’s Manila performance even more meaningful.
Explainer: What is Uma Musume: Pretty Derby?
Uma Musume is a multimedia franchise that reimagines real-world racehorses as anime idols — horse girls who run, sing, and carry the histories of their namesakes. It spans anime series, manga, mobile and PC games, and live concerts, blending sports drama, idol culture, and heartfelt storytelling.
Characters like Silence Suzuka, Tokai Teio, and Mejiro McQueen aren’t just performers in the franchise; they serve as tributes to the actual racehorses that inspired them. This uniquely interesting mix of sports and history has turned Uma Musume into a cultural phenomenon, loved by both anime fans and horse racing enthusiasts.
With Marika Kohno set to perform at Philippine Game Show 2025, fans in the Philippines get a rare chance to connect with a talent who has voiced one of the franchise’s most iconic figures – definitely something you won’t want to miss!
Read More:
Still In Love: Uma Musume’s First Full-Blown Yandere Takes the Fandom by Storm – VRSUS
The Best Songs in Uma Musume: Post-Race Performances That Steal the Show – VRSUS
Beloved Underdog Racehorse Haru Urara Passes Away at 29 – VRSUS
