The highly anticipated CG anime short, Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express, has unveiled its second trailer, offering a deeper look into its whimsical space-faring adventure while announcing additional cast members and its retro theme song. Set to premiere on July 3, the project builds upon the viral success of its predecessor, Milky☆Highway, promising an expanded universe of chaotic charm and innovative animation.
Yohei Kameyama’s Return to the Cosmos
Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express marks the much-awaited return of animator Yōhei Kameyama, who gained widespread acclaim for his 2022 CG anime short, Milky☆Highway. The original short, a graduation project from Kadokawa’s Vantan Game Academy, garnered over 6.75 million combined views on YouTube, captivating audiences with its unique blend of quirky world-building and laid-back dialogue. Kameyama’s distinctive one-man production approach, where he single-handedly handles direction, scriptwriting, character design, modeling, animation, and editing, becomes even more ambitious in this sequel. This singular vision is expected to deliver a continuation that is both fresh and familiar to fans of his previous work.
Kameyama has expressed his desire to include everything he loves in this new installment, expanding on the “chatter, facial expressions, action, and sound effects” that made Milky☆Highway so popular. The creative ambition for Milky☆Subway is significant, with the character count quadrupling and the runtime reportedly twelve times longer than the original, leading to a two-year production cycle. This expanded scope suggests a more intricate narrative and dynamic animation sequences, promising an unprecedented visual and tempo experience for viewers.
The Interplanetary Mischief Begins
The narrative of Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express plunges viewers back into the lives of superhuman Chiharu and her cyborg companion, Makina. After their reckless space driving landed them in trouble in Milky☆Highway, the duo finds themselves sentenced to community service. Their assigned task? Cleaning the titular “Milky☆Subway,” an aging interplanetary train.
However, what begins as a seemingly straightforward chore quickly spirals into galactic chaos. The official synopsis reveals that the train unexpectedly takes off into deep space, stranding Chiharu and Makina with a diverse crew of misfits who were also caught in similar space traffic law infractions. This motley crew includes the superhuman pair Akane and Kanata, and the cyborg pals Kurt and Max. Ryoko, the police officer who handed down their sentence, is also caught up in the unfolding pandemonium. The story promises a “never-before-seen space-train spectacle, powered by nothing but pure momentum,” emphasizing its comedic, unscripted, and action-packed nature. The premise sets the stage for a high-speed adventure filled with unexpected twists and the signature humor that defined Kameyama’s previous work.
A Stellar Ensemble: New and Returning Voices
The voice cast for Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express features a mix of returning talent in new roles and exciting additions to the ensemble. Momoka Terasawa steps into the role of Chiharu, the superhuman protagonist, bringing a fresh take to the character previously voiced by Mizuki Fumisuki. Joining her is Anna Nagase as Makina, the quick-witted cyborg best friend, a role originally performed by Kana Kobayashi. Both Terasawa and Nagase have expressed their enthusiasm for their roles, with Terasawa noting the natural, fresh feeling of acting for the characters and Nagase highlighting the snappy dialogue between Chiharu and Makina. Their dynamic chemistry is anticipated to be a central highlight of the short series.
The second trailer release also confirmed an impressive lineup of additional voice actors, broadening the scope of the character interactions. The newly announced cast members and their roles are:
- Hisako Kanemoto as Akane: Known for roles such as Zenith Greyrat in Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation.
- Mikako Komatsu as Ryōko: Recognized for her work as Fels in Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?.
- Kōki Uchiyama as Kurt: Whose notable roles include Rin Itoshi in BLUE LOCK.
- Makoto Koichi as Kanata: Known for portraying characters like Lloyd in I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince.
- Yoshitaka Yamaya as Max: Who voiced Itsuki Kawasumi in The Rising of the Shield Hero.
This expanded cast list suggests a richer, more interactive narrative, allowing for a broader range of comedic and adventurous scenarios as the characters navigate their unexpected journey aboard the runaway galactic train.
A Nostalgic Beat: Candies’ “Gingakei Made Tonde Ike!”
Further adding to the unique charm of Milky☆Subway is its choice of theme song: the 1977 classic “Gingakei Made Tonde Ike!” (Fly to the Galaxy!) by the iconic Japanese girl group Candies. The decision to feature this vintage track reflects Kameyama’s signature style of incorporating unexpected elements that contribute to the project’s distinctive atmosphere. This nostalgic yet energetic song is perfectly poised to complement the fast-paced, uninhibited spirit of the anime, setting an upbeat tone for its cosmic capers. The inclusion of a 1970s pop hit adds a layer of retro cool, appealing to both long-time anime fans and those appreciative of unique musical choices in modern animation.
Global Reach and Anticipated Release
Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express is poised for a significant global release, reflecting its predecessor’s international appeal. The anime short is scheduled to premiere on July 3, broadcasting on TOKYO MX in Japan at 9:54 p.m. JST. Crucially for its worldwide audience, it will simultaneously be streamed globally on YouTube. Adding to its accessibility, the series will be dubbed in ten languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Thai, Russian, and Chinese, ensuring that Kameyama’s unique vision can reach a truly diverse international viewership.
This extensive global distribution strategy underscores the confidence in Milky☆Subway‘s ability to resonate with a broad audience, much like Milky☆Highway did. The convenience of a YouTube premiere with multi-language dubs is a testament to the modern anime industry’s efforts to reach fans worldwide instantly. With its blend of captivating visuals, quirky humor, and a talented cast, Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express is set to be a noteworthy addition to the summer anime lineup, offering a dose of interstellar fun and frantic comedy. Fans eager for an unprecedented space-train spectacle can mark their calendars for July 3.
