Galaxy Express 999: A Space Odyssey

Ready for a train ride to immortality? In Galaxy Express 999, the young Tetsuro journeys through the universe seeking eternal life and revenge in a future where human and machine converge. This melancholic, retrofuturistic space opera weaves together coming-of-age themes, philosophy, and cosmic adventure in a legendary anime classic. Join us for a marathon screening as we follow up with 'Adieu Galaxy Express 999'. In a distant future, humanity sails effortlessly across space, where immortality is within reach through the transfer of consciousness to mechanical bodies. The legendary train, Galaxy Express 999, carries not just passengers, but the dreams, ambitions, and youth of humanity itself. After the brutal murder of his mother, young Tetsuro grows up in the slums of Megalopolis City on Earth, dreaming of a ticket to the Galaxy Express 999 and a free cyborg body at the destination to avenge his mother's death. Based on Leiji Matsumoto’s intricate manga and TV series, this film pits human against machine—a theme revisited by director Rintaro in his later cyberpunk film, Metropolis (2001). This was Rintaro's first film as director after previously directing episodes of influential series like Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy. With clear nods to Night on the Galactic Railroad (Kenji Miyazawa), Galaxy Express 999 is an astonishing blend of space opera, western, coming-of-age, and retrofuturism. The visuals are still impressively advanced even in 2025. Choo-choo!