The BEST episodes of Galaxy Express 999
Every episode of Galaxy Express 999 ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Galaxy Express 999!
Galaxy Express is a manga written and drawn by Leiji Matsumoto, as well as various anime films and TV series based on it. It is set in a space-faring, high-tech future in which humans have learned how to transfer their consciousnesses (but not their consciences) into mechanical bodies, thus achieving practical immortality. The manga won the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen in 1978.[6] The anime series won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize in 1981.
#1 - The Pioneer from the River of Purgatory
Season 1 - Episode 71 - Aired 3/27/1980
The River of Purgatory was a barren planet, and crops often grew with great difficulty. Almost all of the pioneers sent to the planet either died or left. Gombei and Yosaku, father and son, were the only two left on the planet. While Gombei kept on ploughing the field, believing that one day his hard work would prevail, Yosaku wanted to leave the planet. A giant bird flew to Gombei's field and picked Gombei's crops. Though Tetsuro managed to chase it away, it came back and started eating off Yosaku's field. Gombei tried to drive it off but was injured. Seeing this, Yosaku came to his father's defense. Tetsuro gave the fatal blow to the bird, and Yosaku, decided to remain on the planet, and worked the land until it became fertile.
#2 - The Planet of Illusive Love
Season 1 - Episode 85 - Aired 8/21/1980
As the 999 approached the Planet of Illusive Love, and everyone started to show yearnings for unrequited love. Tetsuro lost sight of Maetel but instead met Naya, a street poet who was obsessed Lestel, an artist who instead loved her model, Pheras, who was in love Bina). Naya broke out in tears when Lestel rejected her advances. Tetsuro offered to find Lestel, who left with Naya. Maetel appeared took him to their hotel room. Lestel was enraged when Pheras took off with Bina. However, Pheras and Bina were killed in a car crash, and it turned out they were cyborgs. Realizing that he was only chasing a dream, Lestel ran off to join the Legionnaire, while Naya decided to wait for him until he returned.
#3 - The Planet of the Giant Elephant
Season 1 - Episode 84 - Aired 8/14/1980
Tetsuro intercepted a message in a bottle on the train. It was sent by explorer J.F. Stanley, who was left stranded on the Planet of Giant Elephant with his wife, Merusa, and his assistant, Narl. They were searching for a giant elephant called Flame. The Conductor reluctantly stopped at the planet to look for them. They located Stanley's party, but Stanley instead wanted to stay. Narl knocked him unconscious and took off with Merusa when Tetsuro and Maetel were trying to bring him on the boat. Flame appeared and killed Narl. Stanley's wife suffered minor injuries. Stanley wanted to break camp and pursue the Queen, who controlled Flame, while the rest grudgingly followed. When the Queen finally appeared, and instructed Flame to kill them all. Stanley was mortally wounded, but Tetsuro and Maetel managed to confront the Queen and killed her. Merusa decided to remain on the planet to watch over her husband's dreams.
#4 - Lifeform Number Three
Season 1 - Episode 83 - Aired 7/31/1980
The 999 reached a system when a battle took place between two planets, Maya and Zaba. Meanwhile one of the planets in the system was about to explode and destroyed the two worlds. Two Zabans, Seth and Rei took a spaceship to colonize another planet (planet No. 3) in the system. The 999 was also forced to land on the planet. Tetsuro and Maetel were ambushed by an ape man, who stole their passes. The ape man turned out to be Mayan Rossa, who arrive 3 months ago with his companion Luna, but the planet's energy devolved their bodies. They wanted to trade the passes with the Zaban spaceship, but Rei took them hostage while Seth returned the passed to Tetsuro and Maetel.
#5 - A Tale of a Short Life
Season 1 - Episode 82 - Aired 7/24/1980
The next station for the 999 was called Butterfly's Dream. The inhabitants had wings (like butterflies) but they also have a very short lifespan (also like butterflies). They met Leaf and Kureha. Leaf, an artist, was wingless and was shunned by the locals because of it. Kureha was in love with Leaf, but she was also engaged to Hanza. Kureha called off the engagement and went to the forest with Leaf, but Hanza took her back with the help of thugs. When the 999 was about to leave, the autumn wind signalled the end of Kureha and Hanza, but Kureha found Leaf before she died in his arms.
#6 - The Pirate of Time Castle (3)
Season 1 - Episode 81 - Aired 7/17/1980
Leryuzu returns Tetsuro to the present and ties up him and Maetel. Maetel reveals that the Harlock ruling the castle is not the real Harlock, putting some doubt in Leryuzu's mind. Leryuzu confronts the fake Harlock, then destroys the Time Castle, the fake Harlock and herself. Tetsuro realizes that the caped mystery man was the real Captain Harlock, and he sees the Arcadia take off from the planet.
#7 - The Pirate of Time Castle (2)
Season 1 - Episode 80 - Aired 7/10/1980
Tetsuro returns to the bar to find the location of the Time Castle and once again is rescued by the caped stranger. Tetsuro rides a motorbike to the Time Castle, but is stopped along the way by some soldiers who are led by Leryuzu. At the Time Castle Tetsuro finds Maetel confronting Captain Harlock himself. Harlock throws Tetsuro back in time, to the day that his mother was killed by Count Mecha.
#8 - The Pirate of Time Castle (1)
Season 1 - Episode 79 - Aired 7/3/1980
A mysterious caped man appears on the 999, who stops a fight between two men and later rescues Tetsuro from another man. The 999 arrives at the planet Heavy Melder where Maetel and Tetsuro split up. Tetsuro wanders to a bar where the bartender tells him of the Time Castle, which is supposedly ruled by Captain Harlock. Tetsuro also meets Leryuzu, a singer who is sister to Ryuzu (episodes 7&8), who tells him that Maetel has headed to the Time Castle.
#9 - The Holy Woman Who Devours Souls (2)
Season 1 - Episode 78 - Aired 6/26/1980
Cueflame began extracting life flame from Maetel, but Tetsuro took the flame before she could consume it. In a confrontation Tetsuro discovered that Arc was a cyborg who was working for Cueflame to reclaim her human body. Meanwhile, Columbus woke up and pledge his service to Cueflame, on the condition that he and Poem could also consume the life flames. After Columbus captured Tetsuro, the Queen rewarded him with the life flame, but killed himself when he was told that the flame was extracted from Poem. The Queen asked Arc to extract Tetsuro's life, but instead she restored Maetel's life, and extracted her own. The Queen became weak after drinking Arc's flame (since she was only a cyborg), and was killed when her fortress collapsed. Maetel and Tetsuro raced back to the train as the planet was ripped apart by natural disasters.
#10 - The Holy Woman Who Devours Souls (1)
Season 1 - Episode 77 - Aired 6/12/1980
The Rainy Pond was the next stop for the 999. A pilgrim warned the passengers of a witch who devoured life, and wanted the Conductor to leave the planet earlier. A flood came, and all the passengers were stranded on the hotel. A woman (revealed to be Arc in the second part) offered a boat ride for a price. A businessman tried to pay his way, but a young man, Columbus, took his money and pushed him into the water. He took the ride along with his girlfriend, Poem, who did so reluctantly. When the hotel was finally destroyed, the pilgrim drifted away, and Tetsuro lost sight of Maetel. Tetsuro was washed up on an island. He entered a lighthouse and was greeted by Arc and the Queen of the planet, Cueflame. Cueflame was the one who extract life flames from her victims to consumed them to attain eternal life. Her next victims were Columbus, Poem, and Maetel.
#11 - Cheyenne the Nation of Water (2)
Season 1 - Episode 76 - Aired 5/29/1980
The Galaxy Railways were notified of the hijacking, and dispathed the SDF to neutralize Waterpress. Meanwhile, Navarro, Suzie and a few Cheyenne warriors began their pursuit of the 999 with one of Waterpress's prototype spaceships. The Conductor subdued the hijhackers, while Navarro boarded the train, but Waterpress and his men took Suzie hostage. Tetsuro and Navarro planned an attack from outside of the train, and neutralized Waterpress. Navarro and Suzie returned to rebuild their homeworld, while Maetel and Tetsuro continued with their journey.
#12 - Cheyenne the Nation of Water (1)
Season 1 - Episode 75 - Aired 5/15/1980
The 999 was forced to land with water-borne inhabitants. Maetel and Tetsuro were escorted to meet with Waterpress, the ruler of the City. They were ambushed by a group of native Cheyenne Fish led by Geronimo, but escaped unharmed. Waterpress held Maetel and Tetsuro hostage, wanting to use the 999 to escape the planet with his people, since they have exhausted all of the planet's natural resources. Geronimo went on his own way after, an argument with his brother Navarro, leader of the Cheyenne, who preferred to live in peace with Waterpress. Waterpress was confronted by Geronimo, but he managed to trick and kill him. The 999 departed. Navarro and Suzie found Gernonimo's body.
#13 - The Gimme Planet of 1,765,000,000 People
Season 1 - Episode 74 - Aired 5/8/1980
The Gimme Planet was the next stop of the 999. It is a planet where begging was the only way of life. Maetel explained to Tetsuro that in the past, the planet was divided into an impervished working class, and an extremely corrupt ruling class. Idleness eventually became the only means to combat corruption, so everyone on the planet turned to begging. Two beggars, Ikari and Nasake, could not tolerate the attitude of the people and became bandits. They sneaked into the 999, robbed the train and took Tetsuro hostage. However, Tetsuro was persuaded by their determination of not willing accepting charity, and his convinced the Conductor to disconnect their car so that they could go free to another planet. Maetel told him that, though their future is unknown, his trust and friendship gave them hope to start a new life.
#14 - Africa, the Great Dark Nebula (2)
Season 1 - Episode 73 - Aired 5/1/1980
While experimenting on the 999, the Ghost Hoppers put the three to a nearby jail. One of the Ghost Hoppers explained that they colonized Kilimanjaro two years ago, and eradicated the local aboriginal population. The artificial suns (which became the triple sun) they launched resulted in their two-dimensional appearance. The Ghost Hopper Queen's mothership appeared to halt the experimentation. She restored the 999 and released the three. The Queen, disgusted by the unethical pursuit of science by her own people, also left the Nebula.
#15 - Africa, the Great Dark Nebula (1)
Season 1 - Episode 72 - Aired 4/24/1980
While traveling Great Dark Nebula, the Conductor was taken away by a two-dimensional people called the Ghost Hoppers. Meanwhile, Tetsuro was temporary blinded by the triple Sun in the system. The train the proceeded to land on the ice planet Kilimanjaro, where the same Ghost Hoppers also kidnapped Maetel and Tetsuro. They, and the 999, became experimental subjects for the Ghost Hoppers.
#16 - The UFO of the Planet of Forgotten Parents
Season 1 - Episode 86 - Aired 8/28/1980
The 999 was interrupted by an UFO near the Planet of Forgotten Parents. The rustic planet got its name when the youth left their parents behind to find new lives. The innkeeper mistook Tetsuro for his son, Tetsuo, but his wife explained that he went mad while waiting for him. The real Tetsuo to a factory as a slave. He killed the slavemaster and escaped in an UFO. A secret agent located Tetsuo and took him back to the slave planet, but Tetsuro offered her to take him instead, so that Tetsuo's father would not have to suffer. The agent was moved by Tetsuro and released both of them.
#17 - The Capital of Kind Flowers
Season 1 - Episode 70 - Aired 3/20/1980
The 999 stopped at the City of Flowers, which was covered with flowers. When Tetsuro and Maetel went to the Hotel, a fire broke out that ravaged the planet (and the flowers). The train made an emergency take off, while Maetel and Tetsuro were rescued by Coa and Rea (who started the fire), and their children Mia and Doa. The flowers, Coa explained, were poisonous, and those who destroyed them were executed. The police discovered Coa's role, and ordered his execution. The family refused to come out, and the ploice threatened to seal their entrance. The people rose up in defiance, however, and the police captain was forced to back down. Now on board of the 999, Maetel and Tetsuro contemplated on the significance and irrationality of Coa's (and his family's) sacrifice.
#18 - The Rebellion of C62
Season 1 - Episode 69 - Aired 3/13/1980
The episode opened with an armed robbery that took place on the 555 when it took a stop on the Medical Treatment Asteroid (in Episode 67). Next, the 999 received an emergency stop signal and the Conductor halted the train in mid-space. Maetel was summoned by the C62 (the locomotive for the 999), who informed her that it was going to disconnect and go on its own. News of both incidents reached the Galaxy Railways Headquarters, and one of the operatives determined that both trains were on the asteroid when the heist occurred. The Conductor later discovered that the two robbers were on board the 999, and soon after the SDF appeared. One of the robbers took Tetsuro hostage and demanded that the SDF be attached to the 999.
#19 - The Planet Named Curiosity
Season 1 - Episode 68 - Aired 3/6/1980
The 999 passes the Curiosity Planet, a planet with a large red dot on it that makes the planet look like an eye. The Conductor orders the passengers to not stare at the planet, but one of the passengers, a young woman named Miiru whose boyfriend was pulled out of the train to the planet does. This enrages the planet, which sends its moons after the 999 and orders the passengers to come off. There they find Miiru's boyfriend. The planet demands that the Conductor remove his clothes, which he refuses. Tetsuro and Maetel do so instead so he doesn't have to. The planet then demands Maetel be cut open so it can see her insides. This enrages Tetsuro, who using a knife from Miiru's boyfriend cuts open the planet. Exposed, the planet is embarrassed and commits suicide after the 999 flies safely away.
#20 - Dyruz the Space Monk
Season 1 - Episode 67 - Aired 2/28/1980
Dairuz, a monk with a mechanical body was on board of the 999. His rang his bell throughout, and the sound waves were powerful enough to damage the train and all of Tetsuro's teeth. The Conductor took the train to the Medical Treatment Asteroid for an overhaul as a result. Maetel and Tetsuro met Maria, who brought her boyfriend Mikhail for gunshot treatment from their homeworld, the crime-ridden Asteroid 33. The operation was successful, but Mikhail was losing his will to live. Dairuz tried to save him with prayers, but it was Tetsuro who gave Mikhail hope to live on. Despaired, the Dairuz smashed his bell, and sacrificed part of his body so that Tetsuro's teeth could be fixed. In parting, Dairuz, who was now attached to a rock to sustain his body, told Tetsuro he had to remeditate to change his way of salvation.
#21 - The Fog of the Planet of Funerals
Season 1 - Episode 66 - Aired 2/21/1980
As the 999 touched down on the Funeral Planet, its arrival (and whistle) disturbed a funeral procession, who decided to bury Maetel and Tetsuro alive as punishment, with the proper pomp and circumstance. They were rescued by Machiru, a woman responsible for ringing the funeral bell. She explained that the inhabitants on the planet were immortal, so killing for funerals became a past time when they witnessed one over 120 years ago, when a couple crash landed on the planet. The bell stopped ringing, and Machiru was killed by the procession as a result. Maetel and Tetsuro came across the procession and stunned them all. Maetel explained to Testuro that funerals would be given to them when they stopped moving, whether they were still alive or not.
#22 - Symphonic Poem and the Witch's Harp
Season 1 - Episode 65 - Aired 2/14/1980
The 999 arrives at a planet where the people are starving because the Queen of the planet orders all food to be brought to her. Tetsuro and Maetel travel to the island where the Queen is located and find that she died long ago, with her consciousness stored in a device behind her corpse. Tetsuro destroys the device and her corpse, freeing the planet from her oppression.
#23 - The Sacred Planet of Silence
Season 1 - Episode 64 - Aired 2/7/1980
Maetel and Tetsuro arrived at the Planet of Silence, where raising one's voice (beyond a whispering level) was punishable by death. Maetel asked Tetsuro to stay behind while she had to attend to some private business (concerning her "mission" with Tetsuro). Bored and worried, Tetsuro went looking for her. The townsfolk could not tolerate his voice, and was soon caught by the authorities to be executed. He was rescued by Maetel and a woman named Sylvia (in a Good, Bad, and Ugly way). Sylvia revealed that the law was enacted because everyone wore hearing aid to better listen other people's business, a vestigial legacy of a former totalitarian regime. Sylvia's father was executed when he cried for help to save her, when she was still a baby. They were discovered and surrounded. Knowing their weakness, Testuro screamed at the crowd so loudly, that their hearing devices fell out. The planet returned to normal as the train departed with Maetel and Tetsuro on board.
#24 - The Sisters of the Pitch Dark Planet
Season 1 - Episode 63 - Aired 1/31/1980
The 999 stops at the Pitch Dark Planet, where all light is instantly absorbed. A while after Maetel leaves the train to "attend to private business", Tetsuro is beckoned outside by a figure at his window, who proves to be Miru, a daughter of the planet's ruler. She and her father tell him that Maetel has been kidnapped by Miru's sister Lelan, a deranged but brilliant scientist who plans to use Maetel's brain to launch an artificial sun into orbit, and that Maetel will die unless Tetsuro can infiltrate Lelan's base and kill her. Further, the new sun will doom most of the life on their world, which has never had light in its entire natural history. Tetsuro goes back for his gun, but is taken prisoner by Lelan the instant he steps off the train. His efforts to escape prove futile and Lelan launches the sun.
#25 - City Without Night
Season 1 - Episode 62 - Aired 1/24/1980
As the 999 approaches the City Without Night, Maetel tells Tetsuro of a lake there, but tells him not to go out to see it. When they arrive on the planet, Tetsuro gets in trouble for going out at night, but is saved by Maetel. They are told that no one is allowed out at night because of a dangerous dinosaur, Heron, that lives in the lake. Tetsuro and Maetel head there anyway and help Heron when it is captured by some photographers. Heron actually is a friendly creature, and later helped Tetsuro and Maetel out when the police try to arrest them for the death of the photographers.