“It has some flaws characteristic of its creation date, but otherwise it's earned its reputation as a near-classic.”
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Galaxy Express 999
Ginga Tetsudou 999 · 銀河鉄道999 · 1978
A cosmic locomotive carries a boy searching for an immortal soul.
Synopsis
In a distant futuristic society where wealthy aristocrats purchase mechanical bodies to achieve physical immortality, the impoverished human underclass is ruthlessly persecuted. Young orphan Tetsuro Hoshino loses his beloved mother to the sadistic sport hunter Count Mecha. Swearing vengeance, Tetsuro seeks to reach the legendary Planet Promethium, where mechanical bodies are reportedly given away for free. Rescued by the enigmatic, sorrowful blonde beauty Maetel, he is gifted an unlimited boarding pass for the Galaxy Express 999, a majestic space train. Journeying across strange celestial worlds, Tetsuro gradually confronts the true tragic cost of eternal metallic existence.
Background (may contain spoilers)
Produced by Toei Animation and directed by Nobutaka Nishizawa, *Ginga Tetsudou 999* adapts the seminal space opera manga created by legendary mangaka Leiji Matsumoto. Airing on Fuji TV from September 1978 to April 1981 for 113 episodes, the series was a foundational pillar of the late-1970s anime golden era. The production captured Matsumoto's distinctive romantic melancholia, baroque starship designs, and philosophical reflections on human mortality and industrialization. Accompanied by evocative orchestral themes composed by Shunichiro Genda, the television series spawned blockbuster theatrical films and remains an internationally celebrated cultural icon.
Episodes
113- 101 Dec 24, 1980
- 102 Jan 7, 1981
- 103 Jan 14, 1981
- 104 Jan 21, 1981
- 105 Jan 28, 1981
- 106 Feb 4, 1981
- 107 Feb 11, 1981
- 108 Feb 18, 1981
- 109 Feb 25, 1981
- 110 Mar 4, 1981
- 111 Mar 11, 1981
- 112 Mar 18, 1981
- 113 Mar 25, 1981
Characters
112
Staff
54Animation Director10
Assistant Production Coordinat1
Background Art4
Character Design2
Chief Animation Director2
Director1
Editing1
Episode Director3
In-Between Animation1
Key Animation11
Music2
Original Creator1
Planning1
Production Assistant1
Production Manager1
Publicity1
Recording1
Screenplay2
Script1
Sound Effects1
Storyboard3
Theme Song Performance3
Studios
Main Studio
Producer
HakiPoints
4 critic reviews- Conquers 0% · 0 reviews
- Hero's Choice 75% · 3 reviews
- Average 25% · 1 review
- Skippable 0% · 0 reviews
“A classic baroque space opera adventure. Enjoyment of this title varies a lot on acceptance of the general feeling and atmosphere of this show. Those who cannot get over the idea of a starship that looks like a train or do not like their adventure quite this grand or their heroes a bit over the top might want to subtract or a star.”
Read full review ↗“Strong four-star for a strong classic. This is Matsumoto at his very best.”
Read full review ↗“... a series that concerns itself more with the triumphs and tragedies of the human condition than with explosion-laden interstellar wars.”
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