Galaxy Express 999 Watch Order: The TV Series, Films, Specials and Side Stories, in order
“The Galaxy Express 999 TV series, films, specials and side stories in order, with the three essentials flagged.”
You only need three tickets to ride the Galaxy Express 999. Out of 23 titles on Lifehaki, the story is carried by the original TV series, the 1979 film and its sequel, Adieu Galaxy Express 999. Everything else is a special, a short or a side story. (All aboard, though, if you want the scenic route.)
So which comes first, the series or the film? Answer: either one. The TV series (113 episodes, 1978 to 1981) is the long journey, and the 1979 film retells the same story in about two hours. Pick the series if you want the full trip, or start with the film if you'd rather skip to the big moments. Then watch Adieu, which follows the film and serves as its theatrical conclusion.
The TV specials and short films from the early 1980s, like Eternal Traveller Emeraldas and Can You Live Like a Warrior?, are optional detours. So are Eternal Fantasy from 1998 and Space Symphonic Poem Maetel, a 2004 side-story series made by a different studio. Think of them as station stops: lovely if you have time, never required to reach the final destination.
The rest is skippable: a recap special, planetarium shows, short anniversary clips, a 2023 music video project, and a new film that's listed for 2026 but not out yet. (Night on the Galactic Railroad is a different story based on a Kenji Miyazawa novel, so it isn't here.)
At the end: the TV series or the 1979 film, then Adieu Galaxy Express 999. Ticket, please.
The original series and films (1978-1982)
Start here for the full journey. Tetsuro rides the space train to find a mechanical body. 113 episodes.
A two-hour retelling of the story. Start here if you want the short route.
The 1979 film retells Tetsuro and Maetel's journey in about two hours. If 113 episodes is too much, begin here and follow it with Adieu Galaxy Express 999.
A 1 hour 33 minute TV special from October 1979.
A 15-minute short from 1980 about the glass waitress Claire.
A 48-minute TV special from 1980 about Emeraldas.
A 1 hour 33 minute TV special from October 1980.
The film sequel and theatrical conclusion. 2 hours 10 minutes. Watch it after the 1979 film.
A 24-minute recap special from 1982.
Revivals and short films (1998-2002)
A 54-minute film from 1998 for the franchise's 20th anniversary, with Captain Harlock.
A 15-minute 3D take on the Claire story, from 2000.
A two-part OVA from 2000 and 2001, 45 minutes each, made by a different studio.
Space Symphonic Poem Maetel (2004)
A 13-episode side-story series from 2004 about Maetel.
This series was made by Azeta Pictures rather than Toei Animation, so it has a different look from the original series and films.
Later shorts (2007-2014)
Five 4-minute web episodes from 2010.
Four 4-minute web episodes from 2011.
A 25-minute film from January 2014.
New projects (2023 onward)
Eight one-minute music videos from December 2023.
That's the whole route, captain.
23 stops left on this route — 0% logged so far.
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