Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Galaxy Express 999: The TV Series Collection 03 - Terminus Blu-ray Movie Review

Galaxy Express 999: Set 3 concludes the beloved and timeless masterpiece. One of the most essential tales in anime, Galaxy Express 999 adapts the cherished manga by legend Leiji Matsumoto (Space Battleship Yamato). The series explores the journey of the traveling Galaxy Express 999 across boundaries of outer space and the epic journey takes audiences on a thrilling adventure.

A big achievement in anime storytelling, Galaxy Express 999 is a tale about the journey of humankind across space and the questions the series asks about mortality are complex and moving. A beautiful space opera and one that audiences will be mesmerized by. An essential classic.

The mysterious and thrilling adventures on board the Galaxy Express 999 are coming to a close. The epic journey across space is reaching its final moments. The train travelers Tetsuro, and Maetel continue the space odyssey while seeking to help others in need from across the universe.

The 999 has now reached towards the final stretch towards the end of the line and Tetsuro and Maetel are both finding more unexpected adventures with those the pair meet and encounter on their wild train ride. As the epic moves towards its conclusion, Tetsuro and Maetel encounter the mysterious Captain Harlock, who is cloaked by a special cape.

Tetsuro will stop at nothing along the way to reach the legendary time capsule. As events unfold, Tetsuro finds more than he bargained for – including a wild ride on a intergalactic elevator and even a mysterious encounter with a different Galaxy Express 999 from beyond! The journey is almost over but the fun continues as the Galaxy Express 999 rides on towards the final line. Can Tetsuro ever achieve what he wants and receive a mechanical body?

The characters are essential to the journey. What would Galaxy Express 999 be without the great cast of characters? The journey of Tetsuro and Maetel is a complex one and the characters were so vital to the series. Not only are the character designs enormously pleasing and satisfying, the design work is quite organic and it remains true to the original aesthetics from the manga by Leiji Matsumoto.

The animation soars bright and provides Galaxy Express 999 with a wonderful aesthetic that is essential to the production. A remarkable achievement from all involved, the series animation is beautiful and imaginative. As an outer space opera, Galaxy Express 999 showcases the wonderful details from the animators and the results are thrilling.

The design of the train itself is beautiful and complex – even exploring the line of the train and the solemn seats beside the windows. These elements make the series all the more engaging and complex visually. The efforts make a huge impression and provide Galaxy Express 999 with a sense of humanity that is profound.

Galaxy Express 999 is a thrilling adventure as well. This is another reason for the series success and why it holds up so well. The science-fiction drama elements are important but so are the fun aspects about exploring the boundaries of outer space and the uncharted territories that are visited by the team of Tetsuro and Maetel. The exploratory nature of the program is excellent and one of the reasons the anime is thrilling.

The original score by Nozomi Aoki (The Galaxy Railways) is iconic. The memorable themes of the series are haunting and moving. Galaxy Express 999 has one of the best scores given to a classic anime and everything about the production benefits from the creative spark of Aoki. The score manages to be emotionally resonant and exploratory – providing an adventurous spark to the series and also fun elements of mystery and intrigue. The music is dreamlike and a perfect fit for the outer-space components of the storytelling.

Featuring chief screenwriting by Yoshiaki Yoshida (Dirty Inspector Fuyu, Cyborg 009), Keisuke Fujikawa (Space Battleship Yamato, Cutie Honey), and Hiroyasu Yamaura (The Return of Godzilla, Godzilla 1985), Galaxy Express 999 is a thoughtful and introspective series that has an enormous amount of fun with adapting the beloved source material by manga artist Leiji Matsumoto. The source material is great – helping the series to excel as a narrative. The results are wonderful. The storytelling has an empathetic and complex style that is uncommon and it adds a profound depth to the production.

The directing for Galaxy Express 999 is remarkable as well. Galaxy Express 999 has a creative energy and style which is heartfelt. The series is often deeply moving and the sense of adventure is readily apparent as well. For a series that explores the terrains of outer space and is often quite fun and sometimes silly, Galaxy Express 999 also ponders a lot of difficult questions about what is important in life and what it even means to be human. These elements make the series a wonderful classic and one that audiences can delight in.

Galaxy Express 999: The TV Series Collection 03 - Terminus Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Discotek Media, Galaxy Express 999: Set 3 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. Though Discotek utilized a standard-definition master for the source material, the upscale effort on the presentation is impressive.

The print does display some occasional print damage with elements of dirt or debris but the clean up and upscale is surprisingly good given the age and condition of the elements that were available to Discotek. A wonderful effort and a pleasing presentation. Discotek did a great job.

Galaxy Express 999: The TV Series Collection 03 - Terminus Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 mono (with English subtitles). The release does not provide an English dub option. The lossless audio encoding capably preserves the original soundstage and sound design. Dialogue reproduction is excellent. Though the audio track does demonstrate some occasional wear, it is a nice and clean track overall.

Galaxy Express 999: The TV Series Collection 03 - Terminus Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 3:

Emeraldas: The Eternal Wanderer:

Emeraldas: The Eternal Wanderer Feature (SD, 47:52)

Emeraldas: The Eternal Wanderer Promo (SD, 00:25)

Can You Love Like a Mother?:

Japanese Version (SD, 1:33:33)

English Version (SD, 1:22:19) produced by Harmony Gold.

Promos (SD, 00:51)

The Boy's Journey and Goodbyes (SD, 24:13)

Vintage Dub Songs (HD, 5:30) includes the following tracks:

• "Galaxy Train" by Corrado Rustica (2:18)
• "Crossroads of the Sky" by Bettee Ross (1:42)
• "Galaxy 999 Lullaby" by Bettee Ross (1:25)

International Sales Booklet includes 23 click-through tabs. The first section includes a full reproduction scan of the booklet and the second section includes close-up illustrations.

Galaxy Express 999: The TV Series Collection 03 - Terminus Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Galaxy Express 999 has reached the end. The epic adventure concludes. One of the most thrilling and complex anime classics, the gem adapted from the beloved manga by Leiji Matsumoto is a essential production. The series asks a lot of difficult questions about humanity and the introspection on the series is deeply moving.

Galaxy Express 999 features a worthwhile video and audio presentation. The supplemental package is wonderful and includes a number of enticing bonus features. A well-rounded release. The collection certainly offers fans a lot of great material. Galaxy Express 999 fans will not be able to resist. Highly recommended.