An original television anime series, titled “Tetsuryo! meet with Tetsudō Musume,” is officially set to premiere in 2026, drawing inspiration from Tomytec’s popular “Tetsudō Musume” (Railway Girls) multimedia franchise. The announcement, made via the anime’s official website, included a teaser visual, a preview video, and details regarding the main staff.
A New Journey with Railway Girls
The upcoming “Tetsuryo! meet with Tetsudō Musume” anime will center on four university students who are members of a “Train Travel Club,” known as Tetsuryo. Their journey will involve traveling across Japan, encountering and exploring the lives of various “Tetsudō Musume” characters who embody different railway-related professions. A teaser visual has been released, showcasing the four main characters: Misaki, Usa, Kodama, and Ushio.
Key Creative Team Behind the Rails
Misuzu Hoshino, known for her work on “Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable!”, is directing the series at EAST FISH STUDIO Inc. The series composition and scripts are being handled by Aya Satsuki (“Solo Camping for Two”), while Naofumi Hashimoto (“Laid-Back Camp Season 3”) is responsible for character designs.
The Enduring Appeal of Tetsudō Musume
The “Tetsudō Musume” project, which translates to “Railway Girls” or “Railroad Girls,” was initially launched by Tomytec, a subsidiary of Takara Tomy, in 2005. This multimedia franchise features over 100 female characters, each representing a different job within Japan’s extensive railway networks. These characters’ names are often derived from real-life train stations or characteristics of specific railroads, and they are depicted wearing the authentic uniforms of their respective railway companies.
From Figures to Franchise
The franchise began with the release of toy figures in November 2005, showcasing a variety of railway roles such as station staff, conductors, and train operators. Over the years, “Tetsudō Musume” has expanded into a diverse range of media, including novels, voice dramas, manga, and video games.
In 2008, a live-action television drama titled “Tetsudō Musume ~Girls be ambitious!” aired, featuring members of AKB48 in the cast. The characters have also served as mascots and promotional ambassadors for various real-world railway companies and local tourism initiatives across Japan, such as Arisa Nishiura for Matsuura Railway and Konori Kinosaki for West Japan Railway Company. The upcoming anime series marks another significant expansion for the long-running project, coinciding with its 20th anniversary.
