The highly anticipated CG anime short, Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express, has unveiled its second trailer, offering fans a deeper look into its chaotic cosmic journey and revealing additional cast members alongside its retro-pop theme song. Set to debut on July 3, 2025, this sequel to the viral hit Milky☆Highway promises a unique blend of absurd comedy, fast-paced action, and distinctive 3D animation, all largely crafted by the singular vision of animator Yohei Kameyama.
The Return of the Galactic Express
Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express is the much-awaited follow-up to Yohei Kameyama’s 2022 short, Milky☆Highway. The original short, a graduation project from Kadokawa’s Vantan Game Academy, garnered immense popularity on YouTube, amassing over 6.7 million views combined for its English-subtitled and original versions. Its success stemmed from its quirky worldbuilding, laid-back yet witty dialogue, and a kinetic energy that captivated audiences worldwide.
Kameyama’s distinctive approach to animation is a defining characteristic of this project. He is credited with an astonishing array of roles for Milky☆Subway, including director, screenwriter, character designer, modeler, animator, and editor. This near one-man production style has earned him global recognition and highlights his innovative prowess in the independent animation scene. The sequel boasts a runtime four times longer than its predecessor and a production schedule spanning over two years, indicating a significant expansion of Kameyama’s ambitious vision.
A Fresh Ensemble Joins the Cosmic Ride
The upcoming short will see the return of its central duo, the genetically enhanced human Chiharu, voiced by Momoka Terasawa, and her cyborg best friend Makina, voiced by Anna Nagase. Their “fast, funny chemistry” was a highlight of Milky☆Highway and is expected to continue driving the narrative’s comedic elements.
The second trailer for Milky☆Subway has now confirmed an exciting roster of additional voice talent, bringing more depth and personality to the burgeoning cast. These newly announced members include Hisako Kanemoto as Akane, Mikako Komatsu as Ryōko, Kōki Uchiyama as Kurt, Makoto Koichi as Kanata, and Yoshitaka Yamaya as Max. Each of these voice actors brings a wealth of experience from notable roles across the anime industry, promising to enrich the character interactions within Milky☆Subway‘s peculiar universe. Hisako Kanemoto is known for roles like Zenith Greyrat in Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, while Mikako Komatsu has lent her voice to characters such as Fels in Is It Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon?. Kōki Uchiyama is recognized for his work as Rin Itoshi in BLUE LOCK, Makoto Koichi as Lloyd in I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince, and Yoshitaka Yamaya as Itsuki Kawasumi in The Rising of the Shield Hero. Their collective talent is poised to elevate the short’s already engaging dialogue and character dynamics.
The Unconventional Journey of the Milky☆Subway
The premise of Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express continues the offbeat adventures of Chiharu and Makina. After being arrested for violating intergalactic traffic laws, they, along with a new crew of equally eccentric misfits, are sentenced to community service. Their task: to clean the “Milky☆Subway,” an old interplanetary train. However, what begins as a seemingly mundane chore quickly spirals into galactic chaos when the train unexpectedly blasts off into deep space.
The official synopsis playfully describes the ensuing events as a “never-before-seen space-train spectacle, powered by nothing but pure momentum!” It explicitly states “No purpose! No principle! No point!” This highlights the series’ commitment to its unique brand of spontaneous, unscripted chaos, where characters are thrown into bizarre situations with minimal foresight or strategy. This comedic approach, often described as a “discount cyberpunk story” that is both “Speedy and Unprecedented,” promises a refreshing departure from conventional sci-fi narratives. The humor is expected to arise from the characters’ bewildered reactions and improvised attempts to navigate the escalating absurdity.
The Sound of the Stars: A Retro-Pop Theme
Further cementing its distinctive style, Milky☆Subway will feature the 1977 song “Gingakei Made Tonde Ike!” (Fly to the Galaxy!) by the iconic Japanese girl group Candies as its theme song. This choice of a classic J-pop track from the 70s adds a nostalgic, retro-pop layer to the otherwise futuristic CG animation. The juxtaposition of the vintage sound with the modern visual aesthetic contributes to the series’ unique charm and quirky atmosphere, resonating with both long-time anime fans and newcomers. The song’s upbeat tempo and celestial title perfectly complement the anime’s lighthearted, space-faring premise.
Global Reach and Accessibility
In a strategic move to maximize its audience, Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express will not only premiere on Tokyo MX at 9:54 p.m. JST on July 3, 2025, but will also be simultaneously streamed globally on YouTube. This widespread accessibility is further enhanced by the commitment to dub the anime into ten different languages, including English, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, French, Hindi, and Russian. This multi-language release strategy underscores Kameyama’s ambition to connect with a diverse international audience, building upon the global success of Milky☆Highway. It also positions Milky☆Subway as a significant example of independent animation leveraging digital platforms for worldwide distribution, bypassing traditional release barriers.
Anticipation Builds for a Defining Space Comedy
As the debut of Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express draws near, anticipation within the anime community continues to mount. Yohei Kameyama’s distinct artistic vision, combined with the proven appeal of the Milky☆Highway universe and a newly expanded cast, sets the stage for a memorable entry into the realm of animated space comedies. The series is poised to deliver a fresh, unpredictable, and thoroughly entertaining experience that capitalizes on its “pure momentum” philosophy. Anime enthusiasts are encouraged to mark their calendars for July 3 to join Chiharu and Makina on what promises to be an unprecedented and hilariously chaotic intergalactic adventure.
