The film version of the short anime "Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway," which began airing and streaming in July 2025, titled "Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway: Local Train to the Theater," was released on February 6th. "Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway" is a sequel to the short 3D animation "Milky☆Highway," which Kameyama Yohei, then a student at a video vocational school, released on YouTube in 2022 as his graduation project. Chiharu, a cyborg, and her team, who are arrested for violating the Galactic Road Traffic Act, are tasked with cleaning the interplanetary train "Milky☆Subway" as a volunteer activity. They become embroiled in a major incident aboard the train when it suddenly begins to go out of control. The film's sci-fi yet nostalgic visuals and unique, natural dialogue have garnered popularity, with over 200 million views on YouTube. The film re-edits all 12 episodes of the short anime series and adds new parts. We spoke with Momoka Terasawa, who plays Chiharu, and Anna Nagase, who plays Makina, about the appeal of the series and behind-the-scenes recording.
◇I was surprised to find out it was made into a movie!
-- "Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway" has an unpredictable plot, and during its broadcast, it became a hot topic, with many people speculating on social media. Did you both receive any feedback?
Not only did I see comments and fan art on Terasawa-san 's social media timelines, but people would say to me in their private lives and at work, "I saw Milky☆Subway." There were also a lot of people around me who bought merchandise and drew pictures to show to me, and it really made me realize that I'd been able to appear in an amazing production.
Nagase: I've also had a lot of people tell me that it was really interesting. Not only the actors, but also the director, sound director and other creators have told me that they have a really interesting animation, so I think that "Milky Subway" is being recognized as something really interesting from all directions. I was also really happy to see fan art flowing on my social media timeline. Ever since we were recording, I've wanted to share this fun with everyone as soon as possible, so I'm glad that it's been so well-received.
--What were your honest thoughts when you found out that "Galaxy Express Milky Subway" was going to be made into a movie?
Terasawa: Actually, we were surprised when we found out during the filming of the special. Towards the end of filming, Director Kameyama suddenly said to us, "By the way, a movie version has been decided," and we both said, "Whaaat?!"
Nagase really screamed "Ahhh!"
I was so surprised by that, Terasawa-san , and more than anything, as a genuine fan of the work, I was really happy to be able to see that world view again in the movie version.
Nagase: When I first saw the script and footage for "Milky Subway," I thought it would be perfect for a movie. There were parts here and there that made me think, "Only someone who loves movies would do this kind of direction." The key visuals also had an 80s movie vibe, and I had been thinking since it was on the air that "this should definitely be shown in theaters," so when it was decided to be made into a movie, I was incredibly happy.
◇The charms and growth of the polar opposites Chiharu and Makina
--The relationship between Chiharu and Makina is also one of the charms of the series. The two have been best friends since their school days, and they have been in trouble with the police many times, such as when Makina punches Chiharu's ex-boyfriend in the jaw, knocking him unconscious, or when she beats up an upperclassman who tries to pick her up.
Nagase: It's interesting because the two characters are completely different. The two of us who play the roles are different types, or rather, we have different traits. That's also interestingly reflected in Chiharu and Makina, and I think their lively conversations are fun.
Terasawa-san , the relationship between these two is like supply and demand, with Makina always supporting Chiharu and Chiharu being happy for that, so they have a good chemistry and I really got the feeling from watching the main story that they've been together for a long time. I feel like the two of them are complete opposites and have a bit of an uneven relationship, so they fit together just right.
-Was there a scene where you particularly felt the relationship between the two of them?
Terazawa-san said that episode 3, in which the two are interrogated, is an episode that shows the relationship between the two and what has happened up until now. Makina always goes out of control because of Chiharu, but Chiharu is unable to stop her, so they end up being arrested together many times. Makina can't get along with anyone other than Chiharu, and Chiharu has no power to stop herself from doing things that she thinks are wrong. Both of them overcome this in episodes 11 and 12. Makina says that she wants to escape this situation by fighting together with everyone, not just for Chiharu's sake. I felt that she has grown a lot when she accepted Chiharu's feelings and cooperated with everyone to fight against OTAM (Autumn).
Nagase: I feel the same way. At first glance, it seems light and comedic, but I think there's something a little murky about their relationship. Makina will do anything for Chiharu, while Chiharu is passive, and the reason she's been arrested up until now is because she's comfortable with that messy relationship and it's continued like this for so long. It's not codependent, but I think there's a bit of an obsession there. I feel like that's slowly changing as she interacts with different people.
◇ “Anime-like acting” is not allowed. Impressed by the visuals that match the acting.
--One of the major features of "Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway" is the lively, fast-paced dialogue. What was the recording like?
At first, Terasawa-san asked me to speak in a lazy manner without putting any pressure on my stomach, and he also gave me direction that is rarely heard on an animation set: "Please don't make it sound like an anime." For me, that was the first challenge, but in the first episode, Director Kameyama told me, "It's fine if Chiharu speaks just the way Terasawa-san does," and I felt like it became much easier. If I were to speak those lines, I would say them like this. From then on, with each episode, I felt like I had become one with Chiharu. So Director Kameyama's words were like magic words that made it easier for me to play Chiharu.
Nagase-san used pre-scoring (a technique where lines are recorded first and then video is created to match the sound) to carefully create images that matched our acting, so the conversations and movements feel real. Pre-scoring is used in many different works, but these are still animation images. When it comes to mouth shapes, the shapes for "a" and "i" are clearly defined, but in "Milky Subway" the mouth is accurately portrayed as if speaking in a sloppy manner. It's not just the mouth, but the slight body movements that occur when breathing are also reproduced, which makes for an interesting style. I was impressed that the direction was based on that in mind. It's amazing.
Terasawa-san's every single movement is so realistic. The way he walks, blinks, and moves his neck all have their own unique personalities, and it really made me feel like, "Ah, these characters are alive." I was so touched and happy that he was able to interpret our acting and portray it with such small details.
--Were there any difficulties or fun aspects that are unique to pre-recording?
It was a fresh experience for Terazawa-san . Not only was it my first time doing pre-recording, but I was also asked to create a new acting style that I had never experienced before, which was really fun and exciting. Because there were no images, I was able to act however I wanted. The director also said, "Match the images to the acting," so we were able to have a dialogue with almost no restrictions, which was really fun and fresh, and I think it was a great experience.
Director Nagase trusted us so much and entrusted us with the characters, which is why we were able to act so enjoyably. I felt there was a lot of freedom, and the images were created to match the acting, so it was very rewarding. The finished video was also very interesting, and I felt it was packed with the director's depth and sense, as well as the hard work of the voice actors and staff.
◇The movie version that delves deeper into the scene that taught me so much
--In addition to Terazawa and Nagase, the cast also includes a stellar cast of voice actors, including Komatsu Mikako as Ryoko, Kanemoto Hisako as Akane, Koichi Makoto as Kanata, Uchiyama Kouki as Kurt, and Yamatani Yoshio as Max. What did you think about working together in this film?
Nagase: I've always thought Terasawa's Chiharu was amazing.
Terazawa-san, what?! I'll give it back to you exactly as it is.
Nagase-san , first of all, I think your voice is a natural gift. There are only a limited number of voices that are cute and captivating, and you have that. Furthermore, Chiharu's acting style and character could be perceived as annoying depending on how you look at it, but you've played her in a way that makes her so cute, and makes you want to fall in love with her and get to know her better, which I thought was really amazing. I think the reason she turned out to be such a cute and lovable character is because the character created by the director and Terasawa-san's voice and acting came together so well.
Thank you , Terazawa-san !
Nagase-san is the best!
Terasawa: I had seen "Summertime Render" in which Anna starred, so when I heard that she would be playing the role of Makina, I was happy to be working with her and was convinced that she was absolutely amazing. It was the naturalness of her voice when I actually heard it. I believe that it was definitely thanks to Anna that I was able to play Chiharu. When the person I'm interacting with is good, I feel like the acting becomes more enjoyable for me, and I really felt that when I was acting with Anna. She seems very gentle in person, but I wondered which drawer she was drawing on to bring out that delinquent vibe of Makina. It was a very educational experience for me as well. Thank you very much.
Nagase-san : No, thank you. This set was really filled with amazing voice actors, and the members who were able to respond to the director's detailed directions were so amazing, I learned a lot, and it was a set that made me realize once again that I have to work hard.
--Please tell us what the highlights of the movie are.
There are new parts recorded by Terasawa-san , and new characters appear, but you can see what this character was like behind the scenes of other characters. I think it's finished in a way that will allow you to get to know "Milky☆Subway" on a deeper level, so I hope you'll look forward to it.
Nagase-san , when I watch the new part, the resolution is definitely higher. It has a bit more suspense, doesn't it?
Terazawa-san: Yes!
Nagase: I feel like the story has become stronger, so I hope you'll watch that as well. The movie version fills in the gaps left by the short anime series, so I think it will be even more interesting and will be able to dig deeper.
White dog/MANTANWEB
