Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express, the highly anticipated CG anime short and sequel to the viral hit Milky☆Highway, is set to premiere on July 3. A second trailer for the short has unveiled additional voice cast members and the nostalgic theme song, building anticipation for its imminent release. The new project continues the unique, high-energy style of its predecessor, spearheaded by animator Yohei Kameyama.
A Return to the Galactic Road
The original Milky☆Highway short, released in 2022, quickly gained significant traction, accumulating over 6.7 million views and becoming a notable viral success for its distinctive blend of sci-fi, comedy, and “discount cyberpunk” aesthetics. Created by Yohei Kameyama as his graduation project from Kadokawa’s Vantan Game Academy CG Animator major, Milky☆Highway introduced audiences to the chaotic adventures of superhuman Chiharu and cyborg Makina. Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express serves as a direct follow-up, promising to expand on this quirky universe with a new misadventure.
Yohei Kameyama returns as the singular driving force behind the sequel, handling an impressive array of roles including directing, writing, producing, character design, modeling, animation, and sound production. This “one-man production” approach has been a hallmark of Kameyama’s work and a significant factor in the distinct visual and narrative identity of the Milky series. Shin-Ei Animation is involved in the planning, with Titan Industries handling the production.
Unveiling New Voices and a Retro Beat
The recently released second trailer offers a deeper look into the world of Milky☆Subway, showcasing more of its dynamic CG animation and hinting at the chaotic journey ahead. A significant reveal in this trailer is the official theme song: “Gingakei Made Tonde Ike!” (Fly to the Galaxy!) by the legendary Japanese girl group Candies. This choice of a 1977 track adds a unique retro-pop flair, complementing the short’s futuristic yet whimsical setting, and has been composed by Takurō Yoshida with lyrics by Makoto Kitajō.
In addition to the previously announced main cast, the second trailer has also confirmed several new voice actors joining the ensemble. Momoka Terasawa reprises her role as the superhuman Chiharu, while Anna Nagase returns as her cyborg companion, Makina. The newly revealed cast members who will bring the eclectic crew of the Milky☆Subway to life include:
- Hisako Kanemoto as Akane
- Mikako Komatsu as Ryoko
- Koki Uchiyama as Kurt
- Makoto Koichi as Kanata
- Yoshitaka Yamaya as Max
The Chaotic Premise
The plot of Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express centers around Chiharu and Makina, who find themselves in trouble with space law. After being arrested for breaking space traffic regulations, they are sentenced to community service: cleaning an old interplanetary train known as the “Milky☆Subway.” However, what should be a simple task quickly devolves into cosmic chaos when the train unexpectedly blasts off into deep space. They are joined by a motley crew of other misfits arrested around the same time, including the superhuman pair Akane and Kanata, and the cyborg duo Kurt and Max. Police officer Ryoko oversees their community service, setting the stage for an unpredictable space-train spectacle driven by “pure momentum,” with “no purpose! No principle! No point!” as described by the project’s official website.
Global Premiere and Accessibility
Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express is scheduled to premiere on July 3, 2025, on TOKYO MX in Japan and will also be available for streaming globally on YouTube. Demonstrating a commitment to international accessibility, the short will feature dubs in ten different languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Thai, Russian, and Chinese, allowing a broad audience to experience Kameyama’s latest creation. This wide release strategy underscores the global appeal cultivated by the original Milky☆Highway and positions the sequel to reach an even larger viewership.
