Galaxy Express 999 / Галактический экспресс 999 / Ginga Tetsudo 999

"Manga Review: Galaxy Express 999" Galaxy Express 999, also known as Ginga Tetsudo 999, is a manga series that was first released in 1977. The story is set in a future where the Earth's population is divided into two parts. The "Mecha," who are people with mechanical bodies that do not experience hunger or cold and can live for thousands of years, reside in Megalopolis, a super modern city with artificial climate control and all conveniences. On the other hand, the "poor," who are unable to obtain Mecha bodies, are forced to live outside the dome in harsh conditions without any protection against the Mechas, who sometimes hunt humans for fun. The protagonist of the manga is a young boy named Hoshino Tetsuro, who lost his parents at a young age. He promises his dying mother that he will obtain a Mecha body and live a long and happy life, no matter what it takes. To fulfill his promise, he needs to obtain a ticket for the Galaxy Express 999, a legendary and famous space train that departs from Earth to Andromeda once a year. Rumor has it that one can acquire a Mecha body for free on Andromeda. In his quest, Tetsuro encounters a mysterious lady named Maetel, who offers him a ticket with the condition that he must accompany her. Despite the strangeness of the request, Tetsuro agrees. Thus begins his endless journey through stars and planets, with no knowledge of what awaits him ahead, except for the vast, shining ocean of stars. Compared to the well-known anime adaptation, the manga differs significantly. It includes scenes and sometimes entire stories that are unknown to the anime viewers. Additionally, the characters' personalities sometimes differ, and the general tone of the manga is darker. Galaxy Express 999 has several related works, including "Galaxy Express 999: Eternal Fantasy" (1997) and "Galaxy Express 999 Another Story: Ultimate Journey" (2018). In conclusion, Galaxy Express 999 is a captivating manga that takes readers on an intergalactic journey filled with adventure and mystery. The futuristic setting, complex characters, and unique storyline make it an enjoyable read for fans of science fiction and space travel.