The highly anticipated CG anime short, Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express (Ginga Tokkyū Milky☆Subway), has unveiled its second trailer, offering a deeper look into its whimsical space adventure, revealing additional cast members, and announcing its theme song ahead of its July 3 premiere. The sequel to Yōhei Kameyama’s viral 2022 short, Milky☆Highway, promises another dose of unadulterated, momentum-driven chaos.
A Return to the Cosmic Commute
Originally conceived as Yōhei Kameyama’s graduation project for Kadokawa’s Vantan Game Academy CG Animator major, the first Milky☆Highway short garnered over 6.75 million views globally, captivating audiences with its unique blend of quirky world-building and laid-back dialogue. Kameyama, a singular talent, returns as the director, writer, producer, character designer, sound director, and even handles much of the animation and editing for Milky☆Subway, maintaining his distinctive one-man production approach that has impressed fans worldwide. This continuation of his vision sees the original short’s protagonists, superhuman Chiharu and cyborg Makina, embroiled in a new, unexpectedly chaotic escapade aboard an interplanetary train.
The premise is as delightfully absurd as its predecessor: Chiharu, voiced by Momoka Terasawa, and Makina, voiced by Anna Nagase, find themselves arrested for violating space traffic laws. Their community service? Cleaning the “Milky☆Subway,” an old interplanetary train. What should be a mundane task quickly spirals into pandemonium when the train inexplicably takes off into deep space, leaving the misfit crew scrambling amidst unfolding chaos. The official description playfully notes the anime’s ethos: “No purpose! No principle! No point! A never-before-seen space-train spectacle, powered by nothing but pure momentum!”
Expanded Ensemble and Notable Voices
The latest trailer for Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express not only showcases more of the short’s dynamic CG animation but also introduces a fresh lineup of voice talent joining the previously announced Momoka Terasawa as Chiharu and Anna Nagase as Makina. The newly revealed cast members are set to bring even more personality to the expanding universe of characters.
Fans will recognize several prominent names lending their voices to the new crew:
- Hisako Kanemoto, known for roles such as Zenith Greyrat in Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, takes on the role of Akane.
- Mikako Komatsu, whose credits include Fels in Is It Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon?, voices Ryōko.
- Kōki Uchiyama, the voice of Rin Itoshi in BLUE LOCK, joins as Kurt.
- Makoto Koichi, who voiced Lloyd in I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince, is cast as Kanata.
- Yoshitaka Yamaya, known for characters like Itsuki Kawasumi in The Rising of the Shield Hero, plays Max.
This expanded cast promises to enhance the already fast-paced and humorous chemistry between the characters, as depicted in the previous Milky☆Highway short. The new trailer hints at the entertaining dynamics between these “super human” and “cyborg pals” as they navigate the unexpected twists of their intergalactic community service.
A Nostalgic Sonic Journey
Adding another layer of distinctive charm to Milky☆Subway is its choice of theme song. The anime will feature “Gingakei Made Tonde Ike!” (Fly to the Galaxy!), a beloved 1977 song by the iconic Japanese girl group Candies. This nostalgic musical selection aligns with the unique aesthetic and tone that Yōhei Kameyama has cultivated, promising a blend of retro-pop sensibilities with futuristic sci-fi visuals. The inclusion of a classic track from a bygone era is likely to resonate with a broad audience, adding a timeless quality to the short’s contemporary CG animation. The theme song’s composer is Takurō Yoshida and the lyrics are by Makoto Kitajō.
Global Premiere and Accessibility
Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express is set to premiere on July 3, 2025, in Japan on the Tokyo MX channel at 9:54 p.m. JST. Crucially for international fans, the short will also be simultaneously streamed globally on YouTube. In a significant move to ensure wide accessibility, the anime will be available with dubbed versions in 10 languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, French, Hindi, and Russian. This commitment to multi-language distribution underscores the growing global appeal of independent animation projects and Kameyama’s burgeoning reputation as an exciting creator to watch.
The original Milky☆Highway was lauded for its fresh take on CG animation and its relatable character interactions, despite its sci-fi setting. With Milky☆Subway, the creative force of Yōhei Kameyama, now supported by production partners Titan Industries and Shin-Ei Animation, seems poised to deliver another unforgettable, high-energy ride through the cosmos. As the July 3 debut approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be a hilariously chaotic journey across the galaxy.
