Wait — a legendary anime from the 1970s just got a theatrical film greenlit in 2026, and the internet is losing its mind. On July 25, 2026, Leijisha and Toei Animation dropped a bombshell that no one saw coming: Galaxy Express 999 — the beloved sci-fi masterpiece by the late Leiji Matsumoto — is officially returning to the big screen with an all-new original theatrical film. And here is the part that has old-school fans tearing up: Rintaro himself is writing the story.
If you have been around anime long enough, you know exactly how massive this is. Galaxy Express 999 is not just “some old show.” It is one of the foundational pillars of Japanese sci-fi anime — a space opera that shaped everything from Cowboy Bebop to Space Dandy. The manga ran from 1977 to 1981 in Weekly Shonen King, and its 1979 theatrical adaptation by Rintaro (the visionary director behind Metropolis and Harmagedon) became an instant classic. Now, nearly half a century later, the same director is back, crafting an original story concept for a brand-new film at Toei Animation, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
A Story 47 Years in the Making
For those unfamiliar: Galaxy Express 999 follows Tetsuro Hoshino, a young boy who loses his mother to a cyborg hunting party in a dystopian future where the wealthy can purchase mechanical bodies for immortality. Desperate for revenge and a better life, Tetsuro boards the Galaxy Express 999 — a steam locomotive that travels through space — accompanied by the enigmatic and elegant Maetel, a mysterious blonde woman who serves as both guide and guardian. Their destination: the planet Andromeda, where Tetsuro can obtain a free mechanical body.
What made the series revolutionary was not just its premise — it was the melancholy. Each stop along the galactic railway is a philosophical vignette about mortality, identity, and what it means to be human. This was heavy, thoughtful sci-fi wrapped in the aesthetic of a steam train chugging through the stars. It was weird, wonderful, and profoundly Japanese.
Why This Announcement Hits Different
The new film carries weight that few other anime announcements can match. First, the original creator Leiji Matsumoto — the legendary manga artist behind Space Battleship Yamato, Captain Harlock, and Queen Emeraldas — passed away in February 2023. His daughter, Makiko Matsumoto, CEO of Leijisha, released a deeply personal statement with the announcement:
“Approximately half a century has passed since the theatrical release of Galaxy Express 999, and Toei Animation has given us the opportunity to announce a new work that fulfills Matsumoto’s long-held dream. Creating animated films was Matsumoto’s dream since childhood and his greatest goal in life. That unwavering passion will continue forever, running along the silver rails that travel through the distant galaxy.”
Second, the return of Rintaro — now 85 years old — is monumental. He directed the beloved 1979 film adaptation, and his involvement guarantees this is not some soulless corporate reboot. This is a passion project from the people who built the original.
Third, the timing coincides with an ongoing Galaxy Express 999 exhibition titled “THE GALAXY EXPERIENCE: That Journey Continues” at the Kadokawa Musashino Museum in Tokorozawa, Saitama. The momentum is real — and the fandom is buzzing.
What We Know (and What We Do Not)
So far, details are being kept tightly under wraps. No release window has been announced. No cast. No key visual. What we do know: Toei Animation is handling production, Rintaro is writing the original story concept, and Makiko Matsumoto is personally overseeing the project to ensure it stays true to her father’s vision. The announcement itself suggests the film will be a theatrical experience — likely aiming for the same cinematic scale as the 1979 classic.
Fans on social media have already begun speculating wildly. Will Masako Nozawa — the original voice of Tetsuro — return? Will Masako Ikeda reprise her role as the hauntingly beautiful Maetel? And perhaps most importantly: will the new film adapt untold chapters from the manga, or will it be an entirely new story set aboard the 999?
A Legacy That Refuses to Fade
Galaxy Express 999 has never really gone away. The franchise spawned multiple films, TV series, OVAs, and even a crossover manga — Galaxy Express 999 Another Story: Ultimate Journey by Yuzuru Shimazaki, which concluded earlier this year. It has been referenced in countless shows (go back and watch Space Dandy Season 1 Episode 5 if you want a treat), and its influence on creators like Shinichiro Watanabe and Hideaki Anno is well-documented.
But a brand-new theatrical film? With the original director returning? That is something else entirely. This is not just another nostalgia grab — it feels like a love letter, a swan song, and a passing of the torch all rolled into one. For anime fans who grew up with Galaxy Express 999, July 25, 2026 will be remembered as the day the 999 started running again.
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What Do You Think?
Are you hyped for a new Galaxy Express 999 film, or do you think some classics should stay in the past? Would you rather see an adaptation of existing manga material or a completely original story? And who should voice Tetsuro and Maetel in the new film — bring back the legends or pass the torch to a new generation? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we want to hear from both old-school Matsumoto fans and newcomers who have never set foot on the 999.
