A brand-new Galaxy Express 999 theatrical anime film has officially been announced, marking the franchise’s long-awaited return to the big screen nearly five decades after the original movie premiered.
The new film will be produced by Toei Animation, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. It was also announced that legendary director Rintaro, who directed the 1979 Galaxy Express 999 movie and 2001’s Metropolis, will serve as the story concept creator for the upcoming project.
The announcement was made alongside a new teaser visual featuring Tetsuro Hoshino and Maetel aboard the iconic Galaxy Express 999.
To commemorate the announcement, Makiko Matsumoto, President of Leijisha and daughter of late Galaxy Express 999 creator Leiji Matsumoto, shared a heartfelt message about the new film.
She said:
“Thank you all for waiting. Nearly half a century has passed since the theatrical release of Galaxy Express 999, and Toei Animation has now given us the opportunity to announce this new work, which was one of Matsumoto’s greatest wishes.”
Makiko explained that creating animated films had been Leiji Matsumoto’s dream since childhood and remained his greatest lifelong ambition.
She added:
“His unwavering passion will continue forever, racing across the silver rails that travel through the galaxy. I believe Matsumoto would be delighted that this miraculous journey can continue together with all of you. I hope you’ll look forward to its release.”
Rintaro Returns to the Franchise
One of the biggest announcements is the return of Rintaro, who directed the original 1979 Galaxy Express 999 theatrical film, as the story concept creator for the new project.
Animation production will be handled by Toei Animation, the studio behind the franchise’s original television anime and films.
At the time of writing, no release window, staff beyond the initial announcement, or cast information has been revealed.
About Galaxy Express 999
Created by legendary manga artist Leiji Matsumoto, Galaxy Express 999 is one of Japan’s most influential science fiction manga series. It was serialized from 1977 to 1981 and quickly became a major success after receiving both television and theatrical anime adaptations during its original run.
The story follows Tetsuro Hoshino, a young boy whose mother is killed by mechanized humans in a future where wealthy people replace their bodies with machines to achieve eternal life. Hoping to obtain a mechanical body of his own, Tetsuro boards the mysterious Galaxy Express 999 alongside the enigmatic Maetel, embarking on a journey across the galaxy that explores themes of humanity, mortality, and the value of life.
The franchise has remained one of Leiji Matsumoto’s defining works and continues to receive new exhibitions and projects, including Galaxy Express 999 THE GALAXY EXPERIENCE: The Journey Continues, celebrating the enduring legacy of the classic series.
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About Galaxy Express 999
Galaxy Express 999 (Japanese Name: Ginga Tetsudō Surī Nain) is a Japanese science fiction manga series created by Leiji Matsumoto. The manga was serialized between 1977 and 1981, becoming one of Japan’s most celebrated sci-fi works before receiving a television anime adaptation and several theatrical films produced by Toei Animation.
The story follows Tetsuro Hoshino, a young boy who travels through space aboard the Galaxy Express 999 with the mysterious Maetel in search of a machine body, exploring different planets while confronting themes of life, death, technology, and what it truly means to be human.
Over the decades, Galaxy Express 999 has become one of the defining works of Japanese science fiction and remains a cornerstone of Leiji Matsumoto’s legacy. The newly announced theatrical anime marks the franchise’s first brand-new feature film in decades, with Rintaro returning as the story concept creator and Toei Animation producing the project.
Source: Official Website
