The Galaxy Express 999 is heading back to Kansai screens this winter. Leiji Matsumoto’s animated feature *Farewell to Galaxy Express 999: Andromeda Terminal Station* is being re-released nationwide in a 4K remaster to mark 45 years since its theatrical debut, for two weeks only from Friday, December 18, 2026. In Kansai, cinemas in Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Shiga and Wakayama are on the list.
The second film: “the end of youth and a new journey”
Matsumoto is credited with the concept, original story and composition, and Rintaro directed. This is the second theatrical film, following *Galaxy Express 999*. Where the first film followed a journey about “eternal life,” this one digs deeper into a boy’s independence and growing up.
The story begins when Tetsuro Hoshino, back on an Earth still fighting mechanized humans, receives a message from Maetel and boards the 999 again. On the planet Ramethal he meets a young man named Miyauder, and when he is reunited with Maetel, she oddly urges him to get off the train early. The two keep traveling anyway, and the 999 heads for the terminus, the planet Great Andromeda. Fierce battles against a backdrop of countless stars and a bittersweet, beautiful farewell with Maetel are the highlights.
Photo: © Leiji Matsumoto / Reijisha, Toei Animation
A legendary voice cast and the song “SAYONARA”
Tetsuro is voiced by 野沢雅子, Maetel by 池田昌子 and the conductor by 肝付兼太, joined by 井上真樹夫, 田島令子 and 富山敬. The animation director is 小松原一男 and the music is by 東海林修. The theme song is “SAYONARA” by Mary MacGregor, a ballad still loved by fans.
Photo: © Leiji Matsumoto / Reijisha, Toei Animation
The 45th-anniversary revival of the first film, *Galaxy Express 999*, was a big hit in December 2024. Two years later, the sequel returns for the same anniversary. Original goodies for audiences are planned, and more campaigns will be announced in due course.
11 cinemas in Kansai
These are the Kansai cinemas announced so far. Screening dates and periods differ by cinema, and more venues are expected to be added. In Osaka and Kobe there are city-center options: Namba Parks Cinema and kino cinéma Kobe Kokusai.
- Shiga: AEON Cinema Kusatsu
- Kyoto: MOVIX Kyoto, AEON Cinema Kyoto Katsuragawa, UPLINK Kyoto
- Osaka: Namba Parks Cinema, AEON Cinema Ibaraki, AEON Cinema Shijonawate, MOVIX Yao
- Hyogo: kino cinéma Kobe Kokusai, Tsukaguchi Sunsun Theater
- Wakayama: AEON Cinema Wakayama
Screening information
- Title: *Farewell to Galaxy Express 999: Andromeda Terminal Station 4K Remaster* (1981, Japan, 130 min.)
- Release: two weeks only from Friday, December 18, 2026 (dates and periods vary by cinema)
- Admission: ¥1,700 flat (service days and other discounts do not apply; premium seats etc. may cost more)
- Note: shown from 4K material, but some cinemas and screens may show it in 2K
- Tickets: sold at each cinema
- Latest news on added cinemas: official X @Filmarks_ticket
- Website (Japanese): https://revival.filmarks.com/
