Galaxy Express 999: The Movie (1979)
A landmark of Japanese animation, this 1979 theatrical epic sends a grieving boy across the cosmos aboard a legendary space train.
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie - Movie Information
- Original Title: 銀河鉄道999
- Release Year: 1979
- Directed by: Rintaro
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi
- Runtime: 2h 8m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 4, 1979 (Japan), August 8, 1981 (United States), October 5, 2022 (South Korea - 12)
- Alternative Titles: 은하철도 999 극장판 1기 (KR), Galaxy Express 999 (US), Galaxy Express 999 - The Movie (IT)
- Production Companies: Toei Animation
- Production Countries: Japan
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie - Plot
In the future, one can achieve immortality by obtaining a mechanized body. Orphaned, young Tetsuro hitches a ride on the space train Galaxy Express 999 in the hope of obtaining a cyborg body to avenge his mother's death. Along the way, he meets Maetel, who is the spitting image of his dead mother.
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the cosmos come alive:
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Galaxy Express 999: The Movie - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Rintaro
Main Cast
- Masako Nozawa
- Masako Ikeda
- Yoko Asagami
- Miyoko Aso
- Toshiko Fujita
- Yasuo Hisamatsu
- Makio Inoue
- Tatsuya Jo
- Ryoko Kinomiya
- Kaneta Kimotsuki
Writers
- Kon Ichikawa
- Fumio Ishimori
- Leiji Matsumoto
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie - FAQs
What is Galaxy Express 999: The Movie about?
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie follows Tetsuro, a young orphan who boards a legendary space train to reach a planet where he can obtain a mechanical body and avenge his mother's murder. Along the journey he meets the enigmatic Maetel, who bears a haunting resemblance to his late mother, and confronts deep questions about humanity and immortality.
Is there a post-credits scene in Galaxy Express 999?
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie does not feature a post-credits scene. The film wraps up its emotional story within the main runtime, delivering a complete and resonant conclusion without any additional footage after the credits roll.
Where can you stream Galaxy Express 999: The Movie?
You can stream Galaxy Express 999: The Movie on Crunchyroll. It's available as part of the platform's anime library, making it easy to revisit this classic or discover it for the first time.
Is Galaxy Express 999 based on a manga or original story?
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie is based on the beloved manga series by Leiji Matsumoto, who also contributed to the screenplay. The manga ran from 1977 to 1981 and inspired both a long-running TV anime series and this theatrical film adaptation.
Who are the main voice actors in the film?
The main cast features Masako Nozawa as the young hero Tetsuro Hoshino and Masako Ikeda as the mysterious Maetel. The film also includes Makio Inoue as the iconic Captain Harlock and Ryoko Kinomiya as Queen Promethium, rounding out a memorable ensemble of Japanese voice talent.
What themes does Galaxy Express 999: The Movie explore?
At its heart, the film wrestles with transhumanism — what it truly means to be human when immortality is within reach. It also explores grief, revenge, and the loss of innocence through Tetsuro's journey, making it far more philosophically rich than a typical animated adventure film of its era.
How was Galaxy Express 999: The Movie received by critics?
The film is widely regarded as a landmark of Japanese animation. Critics and anime historians praise its ambitious scope, emotional depth, and Rintaro's striking visual direction. It remains a touchstone of the late 1970s anime boom and is frequently cited among the greatest anime films ever produced.
What are similar films to Galaxy Express 999: The Movie?
If you enjoyed Galaxy Express 999: The Movie, you might love Titan A.E. (2000) for its space adventure scope, Patema Inverted (2013) for its imaginative sci-fi world-building, or Gurren Lagann the Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars (2009) for its emotionally charged mecha epic. Project A-Ko (1986) is another fun anime film from the same era.
More About Galaxy Express 999: The Movie
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