Toei Animation has officially greenlit a new theatrical project for the seminal sci-fi franchise Galaxy Express 999. The production will feature an original story draft by Rintarō, the visionary director behind Metropolis and Harmagedon. His involvement provides a deep sense of continuity for the project, as he previously helmed the original 1979 film, its successor Adieu Galaxy Express 999, and the Emeraldas: The Eternal Warrior special.
This project arrives during the franchise's 50th-anniversary celebrations, which have included a multi-city exhibition tour across Japan throughout 2025. The enduring legacy of Leiji Matsumoto’s work, which began with his 1977 manga and the subsequent 113-episode television series, remains a pillar of anime history. The narrative will return to the familiar journey of the orphan Tetsuro and the mysterious Maetel, who traverse the stars aboard a space train in pursuit of cybernetic bodies.
Development of this new film follows a period of transition for the series, following the passing of longtime Maetel voice actress Masako Ikeda and franchise composer Nozomi Aoki earlier this year. While recent years saw the conclusion of Yuzuru Shimazaki’s Galaxy Express 999 Another Story: Ultimate Journey manga in February, this new film represents the first major theatrical expansion for the core series in years, aiming to bridge the gap between classic space opera tropes and a modern cinematic experience.
