{ "id": "epc5hwfv85", "slug": "adieu-galaxy-express-999", "title": "Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (さよなら銀河鉄道999 アンドロメダ終着駅)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form", "label": "Films by genre, form, and subject", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts", "label": "Animated and short films", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features", "label": "Japanese anime features", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features.yr-1932-1998", "label": "Released 1932 to 1998", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features.yr-1932-1998" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features", "label": "Asia (other) · 1946 to 2000: Japanese anime features", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features", "path": [ { "id": "geo.asia", "label": "Asia (other)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946", "label": "Asia (other) · 1946 to 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form", "label": "Films by genre, form, and subject", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts", "label": "Animated and short films", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features", "label": "Japanese anime features", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (さよなら銀河鉄道999 アンドロメダ終着駅) is the 1981 Toei anime sequel to Galaxy Express 999, directed by Rintaro, following Tetsuro and Maetel to the machine empire's terminus on Great Andromeda; 4K revival screenings announced for December 2026.", "snippet": "Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (さよなら銀河鉄道999 アンドロメダ終着駅) is the 1981 Toei anime sequel to Galaxy Express 999, directed by Rintaro, following Tetsuro and Maetel to the machine empire's terminus on Great Andromeda; 4K revival screenings announced for December 2026.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features.yr-1932-1998", "markdown": "# Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (さよなら銀河鉄道999 アンドロメダ終着駅)\n\n**Adieu Galaxy Express 999** (さよなら銀河鉄道999 アンドロメダ終着駅, *Sayonara Ginga Tetsudō Surī-Nain: Andromeda Shūchakueki*, \"Farewell Galaxy Express 999: Last Stop, Andromeda\") is a 1981 Japanese animated science fiction film, the second theatrical feature based on [Leiji Matsumoto](https://www.edgepedia.org/leiji-matsumoto)'s manga *Galaxy Express 999* and a direct sequel to the 1979 film. Directed by Rintaro and produced by [Toei Animation](https://www.edgepedia.org/toei-animation), it follows the boy Tetsuro Hoshino as he boards the galaxy train 999 a second time and travels to the machine empire's terminus on the planet Great Andromeda.[1](https://galaxyrailway.com/ge999/honsha/kanrikyoku/news/news2026-0709.html) • [2](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Japanese release | 1981, distributed by Toei; SensCritique lists 1 August 1981[2](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html) • [3](https://www.senscritique.com/film/adieu_galaxy_express_999/491207) |\n| Director / original story | Rintaro; original story by Leiji Matsumoto[1](https://galaxyrailway.com/ge999/honsha/kanrikyoku/news/news2026-0709.html) |\n| Screenplay / music | Hiroyasu Yamaura and Makoto Naito (椋尾篁); music by Osamu Shoji (東海林修)[2](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html) |\n| Runtime | 130 minutes per Japanese sources; 2 h 15 min (135 min) on IMDb and JustWatch[1](https://galaxyrailway.com/ge999/honsha/kanrikyoku/news/news2026-0709.html) • [4](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/adieu-galaxy-express-999) |\n| Lead cast | Masako Nozawa as Tetsuro, Masako Ikeda as Maetel, Kaneta Kimotsuki as the conductor[1](https://galaxyrailway.com/ge999/honsha/kanrikyoku/news/news2026-0709.html) • [4](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/adieu-galaxy-express-999) |\n| Setting | Two years after the first film, during the continuing war between humans and the machine people, ending at the terminus on planet Great Andromeda[2](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html) |\n| Anniversary release | 4K remastered revival screenings across Japan beginning December 2026, marking the film's 45th anniversary[1](https://galaxyrailway.com/ge999/honsha/kanrikyoku/news/news2026-0709.html) • [5](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2026/9/9/adieu-galaxy-express-999-45th-anniversary-4k-screenings) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Story\n\nThe film opens two years after the events of the first movie. Tetsuro Hoshino has returned to an Earth still ruled by Queen Promethium's machine soldiers, and the war between humans and the mechanized people continues. He fights as a resistance member until a message from Maetel reaches him, and he boards the [Galaxy Express 999](https://www.edgepedia.org/galaxy-express-999) once more.[2](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html) • [4](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/adieu-galaxy-express-999)\n\n**The journey.** The train's first stop is La Maetel, the planet where Maetel was born. There Tetsuro meets a young alien named Meowdar and hears a rumor he cannot believe: that Maetel has succeeded Promethium as ruler of the machine empire. When the two reunite aboard the 999, Maetel inexplicably urges Tetsuro to leave the train early; he refuses, and the journey continues toward the heart of the machine empire.[1](https://galaxyrailway.com/ge999/honsha/kanrikyoku/news/news2026-0709.html) • [2](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html)\n\nA mysterious Black Knight blocks Tetsuro's path along the way. At the terminus on the planet Great Andromeda, Tetsuro learns a terrible truth about Maetel and the Black Knight, and confronts Queen Promethium, who is revealed as the mother of both Maetel and Queen Emeraldas.[2](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html) • [6](https://999-40.jp/story/) The film was positioned as the conclusion of the saga, in which Tetsuro leaves his childhood behind and becomes an adult, and it ends on what one audience summary calls a cliffhanger of sorts.[7](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/galaxy_express_adieu_galaxy_express_999)\n\nReturning characters include the conductor, Queen Emeraldas, and Captain Harlock, who has a more prominent role than in the first film. A new character, the mechanical woman Metalmena, serves as the train's waitress, taking the place of Claire, who sacrificed herself for Tetsuro in the first film.[7](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/galaxy_express_adieu_galaxy_express_999)\n\n## Production\n\nThe film was made following the box-office success of the 1979 *Galaxy Express 999* movie, as the war between the \"machine empire\" and unmodified humans continued from that film.[8](https://lineup.toei-anim.co.jp/ja/movie/999_sayonara/story/) Rintaro, who had also directed the 1979 film, returned as director; his other credits include *[Metropolis](https://www.edgepedia.org/metropolis-2001-film)* (2001).[1](https://galaxyrailway.com/ge999/honsha/kanrikyoku/news/news2026-0709.html) • [9](https://www.toei-anim.co.jp/news/detail/swrts4ocpb/) The screenplay is credited to Hiroyasu Yamaura and Makoto Naito, with music by Osamu Shoji.[2](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html)\n\nUnlike the first film, which condensed the manga, the sequel departs from the manga and television series and tells an original continuation, a choice that reportedly confused some fans at the time.[10](https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/49794/adieu-galaxy-express-999/)\n\n## Cast\n\n[Masako Nozawa](https://www.edgepedia.org/masako-nozawa) voices Tetsuro Hoshino and Masako Ikeda voices Maetel, roles both had originated in the 1979 film and the television series.[5](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2026/9/9/adieu-galaxy-express-999-45th-anniversary-4k-screenings) The Japanese cast also includes Kaneta Kimotsuki as the conductor, Reiko Tajima as Emeraldas, Makio Inoue as Captain Harlock, Yoko Asagami as Metalmena, Kei Tomiyama as Meowdar, Tohru Emori as Faust, and Ryoko Kinomiya as Promethium.[4](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/adieu-galaxy-express-999) An English dub produced by Viz Video with The Ocean Group featured Saffron Henderson as Tetsuro, Kathleen Barr as Maetel, and Janyse Jaud as Metalmena.[7](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/galaxy_express_adieu_galaxy_express_999)\n\n## Reception\n\nAudience ratings have been moderate. IMDb lists 7.0/10 from about 700 votes, and Rotten Tomatoes shows an 88% audience score from fewer than 50 ratings with no listed critic reviews.[11](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0184881/) • [7](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/galaxy_express_adieu_galaxy_express_999) On SensCritique the film holds 7.3/10 and ranks 43rd in the site's list of the best animated films of the 1980s.[3](https://www.senscritique.com/film/adieu_galaxy_express_999/491207)\n\nCritical opinion divides along a consistent line. Reviewers praise the visuals: DVD Talk's Stuart Galbraith IV called the film \"visually a stunner\" with excellent picture quality, and [Letterboxd](https://www.edgepedia.org/letterboxd) reviewers single out its set-pieces, darker tone, and upgraded score.[10](https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/49794/adieu-galaxy-express-999/) • [12](https://letterboxd.com/film/adieu-galaxy-express-999/) The screenplay draws more criticism. Galbraith judged it inferior to the first film, overlong at 135 minutes, and \"for-fans-only,\" with plot twists he compared to *Soylent Green* and *The Empire Strikes Back*; a French SensCritique review similarly describes the result as resembling an unstructured compilation of sequences from the original series.[10](https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/49794/adieu-galaxy-express-999/) • [3](https://www.senscritique.com/film/adieu_galaxy_express_999/491207) Pia's Japanese synopsis frames the same quality positively, calling the film an unusual work that reveals the various mysteries of the *Galaxy Express 999* story across the manga, TV series, and films, with a chain of unexpected reversals.[2](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html)\n\n## Later releases and anniversary\n\nThe film has circulated on home video and in revival screenings. A DVD titled \"さよなら銀河鉄道999－アンドロメダ終着駅－\" is listed by Pia, and a Discotek Media/Eastern Star DVD with the Japanese stereo surround mix and an English dub was reviewed by DVD Talk in 2011.[2](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html) • [10](https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/49794/adieu-galaxy-express-999/) Dolby Cinema screenings of both *Galaxy Express 999* films have also been announced in Japan.[13](https://www.cinematoday.jp/movie/T0009758)\n\nFor the film's 45th anniversary, the Filmarks revival screening project scheduled 4K remastered theatrical showings across Japan beginning in December 2026, with participating theaters, dates, campaigns, and visitor bonuses to be announced later.[1](https://galaxyrailway.com/ge999/honsha/kanrikyoku/news/news2026-0709.html) • [5](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2026/9/9/adieu-galaxy-express-999-45th-anniversary-4k-screenings) The announcement came in a period of renewed activity for the franchise: Leiji Matsumoto, the creator, died on 13 February 2023, and in July 2026 Toei Animation announced a new theatrical *Galaxy Express 999* anime film with Rintaro providing the story draft.[14](https://www.city.ozu.ehime.jp/uploaded/attachment/37286.pdf) • [9](https://www.toei-anim.co.jp/news/detail/swrts4ocpb/)\n\n## References\n\n1. [銀河鉄道管理局 news: 45th-anniversary 4K revival screening announcement, Galaxy Railway](https://galaxyrailway.com/ge999/honsha/kanrikyoku/news/news2026-0709.html)\n2. [さよなら銀河鉄道999 アンドロメダ終着駅 作品情報・あらすじ・キャスト, ぴあ映画](https://lp.p.pia.jp/event/movie/1631/index.html)\n3. [Adieu Galaxy Express 999, SensCritique](https://www.senscritique.com/film/adieu_galaxy_express_999/491207)\n4. [Adieu Galaxy Express 999 streaming, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/adieu-galaxy-express-999)\n5. [Adieu Galaxy Express 999 Anime Film Celebrates 45th Anniversary with 4K Theatrical Screenings, Crunchyroll News](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2026/9/9/adieu-galaxy-express-999-45th-anniversary-4k-screenings)\n6. [Story, 銀河鉄道999 劇場版公開40周年記念作品 舞台 銀河鉄道999 さよならメーテル〜僕の永遠](https://999-40.jp/story/)\n7. [Adieu, Galaxy Express 999, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/galaxy_express_adieu_galaxy_express_999)\n8. [ストーリー さよなら銀河鉄道999, 東映アニメーション 作品ラインナップ](https://lineup.toei-anim.co.jp/ja/movie/999_sayonara/story/)\n9. [新作劇場アニメーション作品『銀河鉄道999』製作決定, 東映アニメーション](https://www.toei-anim.co.jp/news/detail/swrts4ocpb/)\n10. [Adieu Galaxy Express 999 DVD review by Stuart Galbraith IV, DVD Talk](https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/49794/adieu-galaxy-express-999/)\n11. [Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (1981), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0184881/)\n12. [Adieu Galaxy Express 999, Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/film/adieu-galaxy-express-999/)\n13. [劇場版『銀河鉄道999』『さよなら銀河鉄道999』ドルビーシネマ版上映決定, シネマトゥデイ](https://www.cinematoday.jp/movie/T0009758)\n14. [追悼 松本零士さんを偲ぶ, 愛媛県愛南町](https://www.city.ozu.ehime.jp/uploaded/attachment/37286.pdf)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Films by genre, form, and subject › Animated and short films › Japanese anime features › Released 1932 to 1998*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/adieu-galaxy-express-999", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/adieu-galaxy-express-999.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (さよなら銀河鉄道999 アンドロメダ終着駅)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/adieu-galaxy-express-999. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (さよなら銀河鉄道999 アンドロメダ終着駅)](https://www.edgepedia.org/adieu-galaxy-express-999)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/adieu-galaxy-express-999](https://www.edgepedia.org/adieu-galaxy-express-999). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (さよなら銀河鉄道999 アンドロメダ終着駅)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/adieu-galaxy-express-999. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Adieu Galaxy Express 999 is the 1981 Toei anime sequel to Galaxy Express 999, directed by Rintaro, following Tetsuro and Maetel to the machine empire's terminus on Great Andromeda; 4K revival screenings announced for December 2026." }