Galaxy Express 999 Anime Film Officially Confirmed by Toei

Toei Animation confirmed on July 25, 2026, that a new Galaxy Express 999 anime film is officially in production. It’s the franchise’s first theatrical release since 1998’s Galaxy Express 999: Eternal Fantasy, marking a return to movie screens after 28 years. Rintaro, who directed the original 1979 film, is attached to write the story.

Here’s what’s confirmed so far. Toei Animation is handling animation production on the new film during its own 70th anniversary year. Rintaro is developing the original story concept, though no director has been named for the finished movie. Leijisha, the company Leiji Matsumoto founded to manage his creative legacy, made the announcement.

Galaxy Express 999 – What We Know

Galaxy Express 999 first launched as a manga from creator Leiji Matsumoto in 1977, followed by a Toei Animation TV series in 1978 and Rintaro’s landmark 1979 theatrical film. The story follows Tetsuro Hoshino, a boy chasing a free mechanical body aboard a steam-powered space train, alongside the mysterious Maetel. It’s one of the defining works of Japanese science fiction anime.

Rintaro’s resume with the franchise runs deep. He directed the original 1979 film, the follow-up Adieu Galaxy Express 999, and the Galaxy Express 999: Emeraldas: The Eternal Warrior special. His return as story writer signals a direct link back to the property’s most celebrated era, even without a confirmed director yet.

No title, cast, or release window has been revealed. Toei and Leijisha haven’t said whether the film will serve as a continuation, a remake, or a fresh take on Matsumoto’s universe.

What This Means for Galaxy Express 999 Fans

The timing carries extra weight. Leiji Matsumoto passed away in 2023, and the franchise lost two more key figures this year. Composer Nozomi Aoki, who scored the original TV series and 1979 film, died on February 20, 2026, at age 94. Voice actress Masako Ikeda, who played Maetel from the 1978 debut through decades of follow-up projects, died on March 3, 2026, at 87.

Those losses make a new theatrical film feel like more than a nostalgia play. It’s a chance for Toei and Leijisha to carry the franchise’s legacy forward at a moment when several of its founding voices are gone. Whoever steps into scoring and casting duties will be working without the two people most identified with the original film’s sound and lead performance.

Fans shouldn’t expect the new movie to simply recreate the 1979 original. Rintaro’s involvement suggests continuity in tone and vision, but a project built around a new creative team will almost certainly bring its own interpretation to Tetsuro and Maetel’s journey.

What’s Next for the New Film

Toei hasn’t set a release date, and further staffing announcements are expected as production moves forward. A Leiji Matsumoto exhibition tied to the announcement is already running in Japan, giving fans an early look at the promotional push behind the project.

Anime News Network and other outlets note that a manga continuation, Galaxy Express 999 Another Story: Ultimate Journey, wrapped its run earlier this year after launching in 2018. That closes one chapter of the franchise right as this new one opens. Expect additional details on director, cast, and release timing throughout the rest of 2026 and into 2027.

FAQ