Have you all seen the Mame Anime yet? The collaboration project between "Jashin-chan Dropkick X Mame Anime (Hokkaido Arc)" and Domingo starts now!

The third season of the anime "Jashin-chan Dropkick," a slightly dangerous slice-of-life comedy about a girl and a demon named Jashin-chan, titled "Jashin-chan Dropkick X," is set to begin broadcasting in July 2022.
Ahead of the main series broadcast in July, "Jashin-chan Dropkick X Mame Anime (Hokkaido Arc)" started on Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting (UHB) from Wednesday, April 6, 2022!

In this collaboration project with Domingo, we'll introduce the various charms of Hokkaido, the this-and-that featured in the Mame Anime! We hope you enjoy it along with the anime!
Now, let's quickly review the first episode of the Hokkaido Arc Mame Anime!

Is Jashin-chan Super Strong!? The Thrills of the Powerful "Ban'ei Keiba"

"Ban'ei Keiba" is a type of horse racing held only in Hokkaido, nowhere else in the world. So, how exactly is it different from regular horse racing? The Obihiro Racecourse, which appears in the Mame Anime, is the venue for Ban'ei Keiba. It's located in Obihiro City, in the eastern part of vast Hokkaido.
Here's what an actual race looks like. Let's see if you can spot the differences from regular horse racing!
First, the jockeys aren't riding the horses. And the horses are pulling iron sleighs. The horses that run in Ban'ei Keiba are not Thoroughbreds, but a type of large draft horse called "Banba." Amazingly, they weigh over a ton—twice as much as a Thoroughbred.
These giant horses pull iron sleighs loaded with weights of up to one ton. Jashin-chan was also trying her best to pull the sleigh; she must be incredibly strong!?
When a one-ton horse pulls a one-ton sleigh, the race is an absolutely incredible spectacle!
The course is a 200-meter straight track. There are also hills along the way, causing the horses to stop multiple times. Spectators run alongside the track, shouting encouragement to the horses they're rooting for.
Ban'ei Keiba offers a unique charm and a unique way to enjoy horse racing. Everything is made easy for beginners, including how to buy betting tickets!
Also unique to Ban'ei Keiba, the horses sometimes have their manes braided or are adorned with decorations. It makes the giant Banba horses seem even more adorable!

Find your favorite horse, buy a betting ticket, cheer as loud as you can, and enjoy the experience to the fullest.

The collaboration with "Jashin-chan Dropkick X Mame Anime (Hokkaido Arc)" is far from over! Stay tuned for the next installment!

(Photos courtesy of Ban'ei Tokachi)