Completed Anime
Galaxy Express 999

“Impoverished boy Tetsurou boards Galaxy Express 999 with Maetel to obtain free immortality after his mother's murder.”

Galaxy Express 999

7.79
1,145 rank · 45,678 viewers · 508 favorites
Adventure Drama Sci-Fi Space
113 episodes · 24 min per ep min · Fall 1978 · Toei Animation · G - All Ages
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Episodes · 113 113/113 aired
EP 01 ~3 ep / stripe EP 113

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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...

However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...

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Synopsis

Impoverished boy Tetsurou boards Galaxy Express 999 with Maetel to obtain free immortality after his mother's murder.

In the distant future, humanity has found a way to live forever by purchasing mechanical bodies, but this way to immortality is extraordinarily expensive. An impoverished boy, Tetsurou Hoshino, desires to purchase a pass on the Galaxy Express 999—a train that travels throughout the universe—because it is said that at the end of the line, those aboard can obtain a mechanical body for free. When Tetsurou's mother is gunned down by the villainous machine-man hybrid Count Mecha, however, all seems lost. Tetsurou is then saved from certain death by the mysterious Maetel, a tall woman with blonde hair and a striking resemblance to his mother. She gives him a pass to the Galaxy Express under one condition: that they travel together. Thus, Tetsurou begins his journey across the universe to many unique planets and thrilling adventures, in hopes of being able to attain that which he most desires.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

What people say

Community consensus

Derived from 15 sampled reviews

7.2 /10

What 15 viewers settled on.

85% recommend
Score distribution
median 8 mode 8 σ 2.43
1510
Agreement

Polarized

σ 2.43 · split reception

split
The polarity gap

6.4 pts

Recommenders 8.4 · others 2.0

Yes
No
Score over time

↓ 2.80

Running avg · Mar 2010 → Jan 2026

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Production slate

A Tv Production · Fall 1978

Toei Animation.
in association with

Fuji TV

  • Format 113 × 24′ eps × min
  • Total runtime 45h 12m all episodes
  • Aired Sep 1978 – Mar 1981 Fall 1978
  • Source Tv media type
  • Rated G All Ages
  • Ref. BS-1354 catalog

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