Toei Animation is producing a new theatrical Galaxy Express 999 film with an original story draft by Rintarō, but no director, release date, or further production details have been announced.
Toei Animation announced a new theatrical anime film based on Leiji Matsumoto's Galaxy Express 999 franchise on July 26, 2026. The project is the first theatrical film for the franchise in decades. Rintarō, who directed the original 1979 film and its sequel, is handling the original story draft for the new project. No director, release date, or other production details have been disclosed. The announcement was made by Leijisha, the company that manages Matsumoto's estate.
The franchise has seen key figures pass away in 2026. Lyricist Jun Hashimoto, who wrote the opening and ending themes for the Galaxy Express 999 TV anime, died on May 21 at age 86 due to liver cirrhosis. Voice actress Masako Ikeda, who voiced Maetel, died on March 3 at age 87. Composer Nozomi Aoki died on February 20 at age 94. A Leiji Matsumoto exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Galaxy Express 999 has been touring Japan since June 2025.
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1d ago
Toei Animation announced on Saturday that it is producing a new theatrical anime film based on Leiji Matsumoto's Galaxy Express 999 franchise. Anime director Rintarō, who directed the original 1979 Galaxy Express 999 film and its sequel Adieu Galaxy Express 999, is handling the original story draft for the new project. The announcement was made by Leijisha, the company managing Matsumoto's estate. No director, release date, or further production details have been disclosed. The original Galaxy Express 999 television anime ran for 113 episodes from 1978 to 1981, and the 1979 film was an alternate retelling. The franchise has since spawned multiple movies, specials, and OVAs. The story follows orphan Tetsuro Hoshino as he travels across the galaxy on a space train with the mysterious Maetel, seeking a cybernetic body. Two key franchise figures died earlier this year: voice actress Masako Ikeda, who voiced Maetel, passed away on March 3 at age 87, and composer Nozomi Aoki died on February 20 at age 94. A Leiji Matsumoto exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Galaxy Express 999 has been touring Japan since June 2025.
Jun 2
Lyricist Jun Hashimoto died in a Tokyo hospital on May 21 due to liver cirrhosis. He was 86. Hashimoto wrote lyrics for the Galaxy Express 999 TV anime's opening and ending themes, as well as the theme song for Hayao Miyazaki's debut film Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro. His family held a private funeral.