The highly anticipated CG anime short, Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express (Ginga Tokkyū Milky☆Subway), a sequel to animator Yōhei Kameyama’s viral 2022 short Milky☆Highway, has unveiled its second trailer, offering a deeper look into its chaotic space-train adventure. The new trailer, released alongside a main visual, also revealed additional cast members and the anime’s theme song, confirming its premiere on July 3.
Expanding the Crew: New Voice Talent Joins the Ride
The second trailer for Milky☆Subway introduces a fresh wave of talent to its already quirky ensemble. Joining the previously announced Momoka Terasawa as Chiharu and Anna Nagase as Makina are several prominent voice actors who will lend their voices to the new misfits onboard the galactic limited express.
The newly announced cast members include:
- Hisako Kanemoto as Akane
- Mikako Komatsu as Ryōko
- Kōki Uchiyama as Kurt
- Makoto Koichi as Kanata
- Yoshitaka Yamaya as Max
These additions are set to enhance the dynamic interactions among the characters as they navigate the unpredictable journey of the Milky☆Subway. Momoka Terasawa voices Chiharu, a super human, while Anna Nagase takes on the role of Makina, her cyborg best friend, promising a fast and humorous chemistry.
A Retro Beat for a Galactic Journey: Theme Song Revealed
Adding a nostalgic touch to the futuristic setting, the anime’s theme song has been revealed as “Gingakei Made Tonde Ike!” (Fly to the Galaxy!), a 1977 song by the iconic Japanese girl group Candies. This choice of a classic track is likely to resonate with viewers, providing a unique auditory backdrop to the CG animation. The theme song’s composition is credited to Takurō Yoshida, with lyrics by Makoto Kitajō.
The Unconventional Premise: A Space-Train Spectacle
Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express continues the offbeat narrative established by its predecessor, Milky☆Highway. The story kicks off with super human Chiharu and cyborg Makina finding themselves arrested for violating space traffic laws. Their sentence: community service, which involves cleaning the “Milky☆Subway,” an old interplanetary train. What initially appears to be a simple task quickly devolves into chaos when the train unexpectedly blasts off into deep space.
The official English website describes the unfolding events as the crew scrambles in confusion, leading to a “never-before-seen space-train spectacle, powered by nothing but pure momentum!” This description highlights the anime’s commitment to a fast-paced, unpredictable, and humor-driven narrative, devoid of a clear purpose or principle, operating purely on chaotic energy.
From Graduation Project to Global Phenomenon: The Genesis of Milky☆Subway
Yōhei Kameyama, the creative force behind Milky☆Subway, serves as the director, writer, character designer, and producer for the sequel, handling many aspects of the production himself. The original Milky☆Highway short, released in 2022, was Kameyama’s graduation project from Kadokawa’s Vantan Game Academy CG Animator major. It gained significant traction, accumulating over 6.75 million views across its English-subtitled and original versions, attracting a global fanbase. The success of Milky☆Highway paved the way for this anticipated sequel.
Premiere and Global Accessibility
Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express is set to premiere on July 3 on the Tokyo MX channel at 9:54 p.m. JST. Simultaneously, the short will be available for streaming on YouTube, ensuring broad accessibility for international audiences. In a move to reach a wider global viewership, the anime will feature dubbed versions in ten languages, including English, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, French, Hindi, and Russian, all available on YouTube. This multi-language release underscores the creators’ intent to expand the reach of Kameyama’s unique vision to a worldwide audience.
