The highly anticipated CG anime short, Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express, has unveiled its second trailer, revealing additional cast members and its theme song ahead of its global debut on July 3, 2025. This sequel to the viral 2022 short Milky☆Highway promises an expanded universe of comedic chaos and high-speed space antics, primarily helmed by the singular vision of animator Yōhei Kameyama.
A Sequel to a Viral Sensation
Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express (Ginga Tokkyū Milky☆Subway) follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, Milky☆Highway, a 3D animated film that garnered over 6.75 million views across its English-subtitled and original Japanese versions on YouTube. The original short, released in 2022, served as Yōhei Kameyama’s graduation project from Kadokawa’s Vantan Game Academy CG Animator major. Kameyama’s distinctive one-man production approach, where he handles directing, writing, character design, modeling, animation, and editing, captivated audiences worldwide, establishing a unique style that continues into this new installment.
The success of Milky☆Highway laid the groundwork for this larger, more ambitious sequel, which boasts a runtime twelve times longer than the original and introduces four times more characters, promising an even grander “space-train spectacle.”
Plot: A Chaotic Commute Through the Cosmos
The narrative of Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express plunges viewers back into the irreverent world established in Milky☆Highway. The story centers on two main characters: the super human Chiharu and her cyborg best friend, Makina. Having been arrested for violating intergalactic traffic laws, the duo finds themselves sentenced to community service. Their assigned task? Cleaning the “Milky☆Subway,” an antiquated interplanetary train.
What begins as a seemingly straightforward punishment quickly escalates into cosmic pandemonium. The train unexpectedly takes off into deep space, hurtling its unwilling crew into a high-speed adventure. The official synopsis describes the unfolding events as a journey with “no purpose, no principle, no point,” driven purely by “pure momentum.” This premise suggests a narrative that leans heavily into absurd humor and unscripted chaos, a hallmark of Kameyama’s previous work.
An Unlikely Crew for Community Service
Beyond Chiharu and Makina, the community service detail forces them to collaborate with an eclectic group of fellow misfits who were also caught around the same time. This new ensemble cast expands the dynamic possibilities for comedic interactions and unexpected developments within the confines of the runaway space train.
The Voices Behind the Galactic Express
The second trailer for Milky☆Subway provided a significant update on its voice cast, introducing several prominent talents to the project. While Momoka Terasawa takes on the role of Chiharu and Anna Nagase voices Makina in the sequel (replacing Mizuki Fumisuki and Kana Kobayashi from Milky☆Highway respectively), the newly announced cast members further enrich the short’s character roster.
The expanded cast includes:
- Hisako Kanemoto as Akane
- Mikako Komatsu as Ryōko
- Kōki Uchiyama as Kurt
- Makoto Koichi as Kanata
- Yoshitaka Yamaya as Max
This lineup brings a wealth of experience and distinct vocal talents, promising to bring Kameyama’s quirky characters to life with compelling performances. The addition of these seasoned voice actors indicates a significant step up in production scale and ambition for the sequel.
Soundtrack: A Retro Beat for a Space Journey
Further enhancing the unique aesthetic of Milky☆Subway is its choice of theme song: “Gingakei Made Tonde Ike!” (Fly to the Galaxy!). This catchy tune is not a new composition but rather a 1977 song by the iconic Japanese girl group Candies. The selection of a classic track from the late 1970s aligns with the “retro-pop” and “discount cyberpunk” aesthetic that has been associated with Kameyama’s work, providing a nostalgic yet fitting backdrop for the futuristic, albeit chaotic, space adventure. The theme song’s composition is credited to Takurō Yoshida, with lyrics by Makoto Kitajō.
Production Details and Global Accessibility
Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express is a testament to the power of independent animation, with Yōhei Kameyama serving as the director, writer, original creator, character designer, sound director, and lead in its overall production. This comprehensive involvement allows for a cohesive artistic vision, contributing to the distinct feel of the Milky☆ series. While largely a one-man endeavor, the project also benefits from the planning production of Shin-Ei Animation and the production support of Titan Industries.
The anime short is set to premiere on July 3, 2025, on Tokyo MX in Japan at 9:54 p.m. JST. Critically, for a global audience, the short will also be simultaneously streamed on YouTube, ensuring widespread accessibility from its very debut. In a move that highlights its international appeal, Milky☆Subway will be available with dubbed versions in ten languages on YouTube: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, French, Hindi, and Russian. This extensive localization effort underscores the creators’ intent to reach a broad, diverse viewership, building on the international success of Milky☆Highway.
Anticipation Builds for a Unique Cinematic Experience
The release of the second trailer for Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express has certainly amplified anticipation for this distinctive CG anime short. With its expanded runtime, stellar voice cast, nostalgic theme song, and Kameyama’s signature “one-man” creative force, Milky☆Subway is poised to deliver another dose of its unique brand of space-faring comedic action. Fans of Milky☆Highway and newcomers alike can look forward to a truly unprecedented space-train spectacle that defies conventional narrative with its sheer momentum and delightfully chaotic charm. The countdown to July 3 has officially begun for this highly anticipated galactic journey.
