The highly anticipated CG anime short, “Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express,” has unveiled its second trailer, offering a deeper look into its chaotic space-faring adventure, new cast members, and a surprising theme song choice ahead of its July 3 debut. This sequel to animator Yōhei Kameyama’s viral “Milky☆Highway” promises a unique blend of humor, action, and unadulterated momentum.
A Journey into Controlled Anarchy
“Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express” plunges viewers into the misadventures of superhuman Chiharu and cyborg Makina, who find themselves under arrest for violating space traffic laws. Their sentence? Community service, cleaning the antiquated “Milky☆Subway,” an interplanetary train. What begins as a seemingly straightforward task quickly devolves into cosmic chaos when the train unexpectedly rockets off into deep space.
The official English website for the anime describes the unfolding narrative as a “never-before-seen space-train spectacle, powered by nothing but pure momentum!” The story highlights a crew scrambling in confusion as chaos erupts onboard, emphasizing a plot driven by sheer spontaneity: “No purpose! No principle! No point!”
Expanding the Ensemble: New Voices Join the Ride
The second trailer for “Milky☆Subway” introduced several prominent voice actors who will be lending their talents to the eccentric cast. The newly announced members include:
- Hisako Kanemoto as Akane
- Mikako Komatsu as Ryōko
- Kōki Uchiyama as Kurt
- Makoto Koichi as Kanata
- Yoshitaka Yamaya as Max
These additions join the previously announced main cast members: Momoka Terasawa as Chiharu and Anna Nagase as Makina. In the preceding “Milky☆Highway” short, Chiharu was voiced by Mizuki Fumisuki and Makina by Kana Kobayashi.
A Blast from the Past: Theme Song Choice
In an unexpected, yet fitting, move, “Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express” 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 vintage selection injects a distinct retro-pop flavor into the modern CG animation, further highlighting the short’s unique aesthetic.
The Visionary Behind the Express
Yōhei Kameyama, the animator responsible for the original viral hit “Milky☆Highway,” returns to helm “Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express.” Kameyama is credited with directing, writing, and producing the sequel, demonstrating his multifaceted involvement in the project. His extensive responsibilities also encompass character design, modeling, animation, and editing, showcasing his singular vision for the anime.
The original “Milky☆Highway” short, released in 2022, was Kameyama’s graduation project from Kadokawa’s Vantan Game Academy CG Animator major. It garnered significant attention, accumulating over 6.75 million combined views for its English-subtitled and original versions, attracting a global fanbase. This impressive reception laid the groundwork for the highly anticipated sequel.
Global Reach and Premiere Details
“Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express” is set to premiere on July 3 on the Tokyo MX channel at 9:54 p.m. JST. In a move designed for broad international accessibility, the short will simultaneously stream on YouTube. Furthermore, the anime will be available with dubbed versions in ten languages, including English, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, French, Hindi, and Russian, ensuring a wide global reach. This extensive localization strategy underscores Kameyama’s ambition to share his unique creative work with audiences worldwide.
The blend of an eclectic premise, a talented voice cast, and a nostalgic soundtrack, all driven by a singular creative force, positions “Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express” as a short to watch for its anticipated July 3 debut.
