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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21h ago
The Japanese government has selected director Rintaro as one of its Persons of Cultural Merit for fiscal 2026. Rintaro, whose real name is Shigeyuki Hayashi, is 85. The citation credits his contributions to the development of television animation through works such as Astro Boy. He directed the 1979 Galaxy Express 999 film, its Adieu Galaxy Express 999 follow-up, and the Emeraldas special, and he is handling the original story draft for Toei Animation's new film based on Leiji Matsumoto's Galaxy Express 999 franchise. His other directing credits include Harmagedon, X/1999, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, The Dagger of Kamui, Metropolis and Yona Yona Penguin. His autobiographical manga My Life in 24 Frames per Second won the Grand Prize at the 29th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize and was nominated for Best Graphic Memoir at the 2026 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. Madhouse congratulated him on its official X account.
Aug 28
Sound editor Robert James Kizer, known professionally as R.J. Kizer, died on August 12 after a battle with glioblastoma. He was 73. His family announced the news and plans a memorial. Kizer worked on the English dub of the 1969 Galaxy Express 999 film and contributed sound to over 100 projects, including Deadpool and War for the Planet of the Apes.
Jul 26
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.