The key visual for "Galaxy Express Milky Subway: Local Train to the Theater," a re-edited theatrical version of all 12 episodes of the short anime "Galaxy Express Milky Subway," has been released. The newly designed visual by director Kameyama Yohei features Chiharu, Makina, Akane, Kanata, Kurt, Max, and Ryoko, as well as new characters Officer Asami and Ginkyo Prefectural Police Chief Haga. It was also announced that Kensho Ono will play Officer Asami and Robert Waterman will play Chief Haga. A trailer has been released on YouTube, showcasing new scenes.
Officer Asami was a "phantom character" who existed during the production of the 12-episode anime series, but was sadly cut for various reasons. He is an authenticated fellow police officer of Ryoko, and while he is excellent and efficient at his job, he also possesses the typical qualities of a young man.
Ono, who plays Officer Asami, said, "Since I was taking part in something that was already completed, I approached the production without stiffening my acting too much, saying, 'I'll do it once I get to the set!' so as not to ruin the atmosphere of the work. During the recording, Komatsu (Mikako), who plays Ryoko, was ad-libbing, so I remember thinking that I could do it too (laughs). Asami is a good guy. Even though he complains, he has a sense of justice and gets things done properly. I would be happy if people think he was a good guy when they finish watching, and since he is a new character, I hope everyone will enjoy it."
Robert Waterman, who plays Chief Haga, Ryoko and Asami's boss, said, "I saw Milky Subway! I was surprised by the direction, thinking, 'So many lines overlap!?' and I thought the film was really interesting, so when my friends told me about it, I ended up appearing in it (laughs). It's a stroke of luck. Haga is the oldest character in the film. I'm looking forward to seeing it when it's finished. I'll go see it too."
Komatsu, who plays Ryoko, commented, "I had always hoped to see a new side of Ryoko, who is watching each and every person closely, and now it's here! And I never thought it would be this exciting! Asami is very modern, even with the ad-libs that Ono casually adds, and Chief Haga gives the impression of being a beloved boss. I still don't know how the new scenes with the police team will turn out. I'm sure it will be interesting in a way that only a movie version can be, so I'm looking forward to it!"
The trailer begins with a new segment featuring Officer Asami and Ryoko. Ryoko, carrying Chiharu and Makina, who are cleaning the train as part of their volunteer work, suddenly loses control of the train and is sent flying into outer space. Ryoko quickly reports to the police station that the train has been running out of control, sending them flying into outer space. Officer Asami calmly and matter-of-factly retorts, "Well, that can't be okay, can it?" after Ryoko finishes talking impulsively and hangs up the phone. The theme song, "Fly to the Galaxy!" by the idol group Candies, also plays.
"Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway" is a sequel to "Milky☆Highway," a short 3D animation released on YouTube in 2022 as a graduation project by Kameyama Yohei, who was then a student at a video vocational school. It was broadcast on television from July and is also available on YouTube, where it has gained popularity, with the total number of views on the official YouTube channel exceeding 150 million. The re-edited theatrical version will re-edit all 12 episodes and add new parts. It is scheduled to be released on February 6, 2026.
