Galaxy Express 999: A timeless journey and a moving story reassessed

Galaxy Express 999: An eternal journey and a hymn to youth

Galaxy Express 999 is a science fiction anime based on the original work by Leiji Matsumoto, which aired from 1978 to 1981. It is a long series consisting of 117 episodes, and its epic story and profound themes left a strong impression on viewers. The work depicts a future human society and the suffering and hopes of the people living there, and questions the longing for eternal life and the price it comes with.

■Overview of the work

Galaxy Express 999 is set in the future. Humanity has expanded beyond the solar system, connecting planets scattered across the galaxy with a space train called the Galaxy Express. In this world, the wealthy have acquired mechanical bodies and enjoy eternal life. However, the poor are unable to become cyborgs and are persecuted. After his mother is killed by a cyborg, the protagonist, Hoshino Tetsuro, boards the Galaxy Express 999 and sets off on a journey in search of eternal life. On his journey, Tetsuro encounters various planets and people, and grows as a person.

■Broadcast information

"Galaxy Express 999" was broadcast on Fuji TV from September 14, 1978 to April 2, 1981, every Thursday from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. It was a long-running series with 117 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and was characterized by an appealing storyline that drew viewers in. In addition, three special editions were broadcast during the program reorganization period, attracting even more attention.

■ Production staff

The original story was written by Leiji Matsumoto and the director was Nobutaka Nishizawa. It was produced by Fuji Television Network and Toei Animation, and the copyright belongs to Leiji Matsumoto and Toei Animation. The music was written by Nozomi Aoki, and the Columbia Symphonic Orchestra enhanced the atmosphere of the work. The character designs were done by Shingo Araki and Shigeru Kogawa, and the general animation supervision was done by Shigeru Kogawa and Kazuo Komatsubara.

■Theme song

The opening theme was "Galaxy Express 999," with lyrics by Jun Hashimoto, music by Masaaki Hirao, arrangement by Nozomi Aoki, and sung by Isao Sasaki and the Suginami Children's Choir. The ending theme was "Blue Earth," with lyrics by Jun Hashimoto, music by Masaaki Hirao, arrangement by Nozomi Aoki, and sung by Isao Sasaki and the Suginami Children's Choir. These theme songs, with their beautiful melodies and lyrics that symbolize the themes of the works, were deeply engraved in the hearts of viewers.

■ Main characters

・Tetsuro Hoshino <br> A boy who lived a poor life on Earth. After his mother was killed by a mechanized human, he sets out on a journey to obtain a mechanical body himself. A curious and somewhat belligerent 10-year-old boy. Voiced by Masako Nozawa.

・Maetel <br> A beautiful blonde woman who rescues Tetsuro when he collapses on the road, gives him a pass to ride the 999, and travels with him. She is the daughter of the queen of the Machine Empire, the ruler of the planet Tetsuro is heading for, and is tasked with gathering strong-willed young people under her mother's orders and delivering them to her. She is voiced by Masako Ikeda.

· conductor
Conductor of the 999. He has a serious personality and is knowledgeable about planets and Galaxy Express. He is an incorporeal invisible man with a body made of high-pressure gas, and has a strange appearance with only his yellow glowing eyes peeking out from under his large conductor's uniform. He was voiced by Kaneta Kimotsuki.

・Prometheum <br> The queen of the machine empire that rules the galaxy, and Maetel's biological mother. She was once a kind mother, but after obtaining a machine body, she became cold-hearted and looked down on flesh-and-blood humans. She was voiced by Ryoko Kurumiya.

・Galaxy Express 999 <br> The fastest express train on the Galaxy Railroad. Its appearance is modeled after an old C62 steam locomotive, but it is a super-modern space train built using technology discovered in ruins in outer space. Voiced by Koji Toya and Shunji Yamada.

■ Story

In the future, humanity has advanced beyond the solar system, and planets scattered across the galaxy are connected by a space-running train called the "Galaxy Express." The wealthy people living in space have acquired mechanical bodies and enjoy eternal life, but the poor are unable to become automatons and are persecuted. Hoshino Tetsuro, who longs for eternal life, sets off on a journey aboard the "Galaxy Express 999," aiming for a planet that will give away mechanical bodies for free. On this journey, Tetsuro meets various planets and people, and grows as a person. As he continues his journey with Maetel, Tetsuro is forced to think deeply about the true meaning of eternal life and how to live as a human.

■ Episode

Galaxy Express 999 is a long series consisting of 117 episodes, each of which features a different planet and character. Below are some of the main episodes:

• Episode 1 / Ballad of Departure <br> After his mother is murdered, Tetsuro sets out on a journey in search of a mechanical body. It also depicts his encounter with Maetel.
• Episode 2: The Red Wind of Mars In this episode, Tetsuro and Maetel arrive on Mars and fight the Martian wind. The harsh environment of Mars and the lives of the people there are depicted.
• Episode 3: The Sleeping Warrior of Titan After arriving on the planet Titan, Tetsuro and Maetel meet the Sleeping Warrior. The warrior's past and future are depicted.
• Episode 4: The Great Thief Antares <br> An episode depicting an encounter and battle with the great thief Antares. Antares' character and background are explored in depth.
• Episode 5: Shadow of the Lost Star
  In this episode, Tetsuro and Maetel arrive at the Lost Planet and confront a shadow being. The true identity and meaning of the shadow are revealed.
• Episode 6 / Comet Library <br> An episode in which the characters visit a huge library that exists on a comet. This is a story that questions the value of knowledge and information.
• Episode 7 / Graveyard at the Bottom of Gravity Part 1 <br> An episode where they visit a graveyard at the bottom of gravity. The secrets of the graveyard and its background are revealed.
• Episode 8 / Graveyard at the Bottom of Gravity Part 2 Continuing from the first part, this episode reveals the secret of the graveyard. It also depicts the growth of Tetsuro and Maetel.
• Episode 9 / Trader Turning Point Part 1 <br> In this episode, Tetsuro and Maetel arrive at the Trader Turning Point and investigate the secrets of the Turning Point. The meaning of the Turning Point and its influence are depicted.
• Episode 10 / Trader Turning Point Part 2 <br> Continuing from the first part, this episode reveals the secret of the turning point. Tetsuro and Maetel's decision is depicted.

In this way, each episode depicts a different theme and story, deeply inspiring and thought-provoking to the viewer. All 117 episodes provide the viewer with a consistent story and theme by following Tetsuro's growth and journey.

■ Related works

"Galaxy Express 999" has spawned many related works. Below are some of the main related works.

• "The Galaxy Express 999"
  The original manga, written by Leiji Matsumoto, follows Tetsuro's journey and growth.
• "Goodbye Galaxy Express 999 Andromeda Terminus"
  A film. A sequel to Tetsuro and Maetel's journey, depicting further adventures and growth.
• "Galaxy Express 999 Eternal Fantasy"
  An OVA work depicting the new journey of Tetsuro and Maetel.
• "Galaxy Express 999 Glass Claire"
  An OVA work depicting the new adventures of Tetsuro and Maetel.
• "Galaxy Express 999: Rainbow Signpost"
  An OVA work depicting the new journey of Tetsuro and Maetel.
• "Galaxy Express 999: Station of Dreams and Hopes"
  An OVA work depicting the new adventures of Tetsuro and Maetel.
• "Galaxy Express 999: Beyond the Diamond Ring"
  An OVA work depicting the new journey of Tetsuro and Maetel.
• "Space Symphony Maetel: Galaxy Express 999 Gaiden"
  An OVA work depicting Maetel's past and future.
• "Internet Animation Galaxy Express 999"
  An internet distribution work depicting the new adventures of Tetsuro and Maetel.
• "Linear Express 999"
  An OVA work depicting the new journey of Tetsuro and Maetel.
• "Galaxy Express 999" Flower and Green Expo
  An event production depicting the new adventures of Tetsuro and Maetel.
• "Galaxy Express 999: Glass Claire"
  An OVA work depicting the new adventures of Tetsuro and Maetel.
• "Space Pirate Captain Harlock"
  Related works. Another work by Leiji Matsumoto, sharing the same worldview.
• "Queen Emeraldas"
  Related works. Another work by Leiji Matsumoto, sharing the same worldview.

■ Evaluation and impact

Galaxy Express 999 is the work that sparked the Matsumoto Reiji boom in the early 1980s, and its influence is immeasurable. It was also selected as a recommended work by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and three special editions were broadcast at the time of the program reorganization. The work's themes of the longing for eternal life and the price it comes at, as well as the questions it raises about how to live as a human being, deeply move viewers and make them think. In addition, different planets and characters appear in each episode, and the fascinating story development that draws viewers in was a distinctive feature.

■Reasons for recommendation

"Galaxy Express 999" is a work with a grand story and profound themes that leave a strong impression on viewers. The longing for eternal life and the price it comes at, as well as the questions it raises about how to live as a human, leave viewers deeply moved and pondering. Also, different planets and characters appear in each episode, and the fascinating story development draws viewers in. Furthermore, the beautiful music and visuals also add to the appeal of the work. It is a work that we highly recommend you give it a watch.

■ Summary

Galaxy Express 999 is a science fiction anime based on the original work by Leiji Matsumoto, and was broadcast from 1978 to 1981. It is a long series consisting of 117 episodes, and its epic story and profound themes left a strong impression on viewers. This work depicts a future human society and the suffering and hopes of the people living there, and questions the longing for eternal life and the price it will cost. It is a work that you should definitely give it a watch.