Taking off to the unknown
As I did last year, I started drafting up a look back at the works that struck a chord with me over the course of the year. I generated a beefy list made up of works both new and new-to-me. The quickly ballooning list reminded me that I had been graciously afforded the time to check out a lot of stuff. Dominating the top of my mind was the abundance of good eating that the fall anime season had provided with favorites like Bocchi the Rock!, Akiba Maid War, and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury.
In all honesty, I don’t think I would have kept up with the season as much as I did if I wasn’t now writing about Japanese media on a somewhat regular basis. I’ve had the good fortune to cover the nuts and bolts of some of my favorite works this year for stellar outlets. Project A-ko, Macross Frontier, Kamen Rider Kuuga? This time last year, I didn’t expect to be able to go as ham as I did; even getting the chance to interview the folks who work hard to get anime out to new audiences. Readers getting a kick out of those pieces was quite the pleasant surprise on top of it all.
However, more than the media I’ve experienced and incredible opportunities I’ve had, I keep coming back to the amazing people I’ve met. The connections I’ve made through podcasting, writing, and attending events mean the world to me. It reminds me a lot of bumming around a train station while on a long layover. Using the time to explore new and occasionally frightening places with new friends.
With those feelings in mind, I saw my overwhelming list quickly shrink down to one film. One individual work that spoke so deeply to the experiences I had this year: 1979’s The Galaxy Express 999.
Created by Leiji Matsumoto and directed by Rintaro, The Galaxy Express 999 follows Tetsuro Hoshino, a young boy who longs to take the titular space train to the end of the line in hopes of getting a mechanical body. A mechanical body that will allow him to take revenge on his mother’s murderer. After a failed attempt to steal a train ticket, the mysterious Maetel agrees to give him a train ticket on the condition that she travels alongside him. He agrees and the two take off into the vast cosmos, going on wild adventures with the folks they meet along the way.
The thought of checking out The Galaxy Express 999 started at a place we’ve all been before: filling out an online shopping cart enough for free shipping. Shortly before Thanksgiving, Right Stuf Anime ran a sale on the entire Discotek Media catalog. Custodian of the Space Kaleidoscope, Russell Latshaw had recently asked me if I had any 4K anime blu-rays, mentioning that they were “real good”. I didn’t, but the thought of upgrading my old Manga Entertainment DVD copy of Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro had been on my mind for a while now.
With that and Space Adventure Cobra in my cart, I browsed the catalog once again. I scrolled through more than a few times with an embarrassing amount of tabs open. The scrolling stopped when I was struck by the image of Maetel that adorns the cover of The Galaxy Express 999.
Outside of Interstella 5555, I had no real experience with the works of Leiji Matsumoto. However, the word of mouth around those works has been overwhelmingly positive for as long as I can remember. After asking about it on the bird site, I went ahead with nabbing the film and its sequel Adieu Galaxy Express 999. I figured that since Galaxy Express 999 is a single film, it would be a good point of entry to get my feet wet with the Leijiverse. The film soon became my most anticipated purchase of the whole package.
Once the package had arrived, I made the effort to dedicate a night to watching the film. With my water bottle filled, I put my phone away and turned on a dim light as I settled in. The dark room was soon illuminated by the bright tones of Godiego’s Yukihide Takekawa, telling me that I was now taking off alongside Tetsuro and Maetel. It was then I knew that The Galaxy Express 999 is something truly special. An experience that reminded me so much of the first time I saw Aim for the Top! Gunbuster back in 2011. One that’s been burnt into my mind for the rest of my life.
By the time Tetsuro and Maetel’s journey ended, I was in awe of what I had just seen. As if I was a young child watching Star Wars for the first time. The final moments of the film choked me up. The Galaxy Express 999 most definitely had taken me on a journey, a never ending journey. I woke up the next morning smiling ear to ear, having heard the title song repeat in my dreams throughout the night.
In 2022, I didn’t quite meet Captain Harlock or Emeraldas like Tetsuro did, but I was lucky to be able to ride my train with some amazing people. Starting the year riding in from Chicago on an actual train, I was able to bear the doldrums of retail work through the great friends I was able to collaborate with. Whether it be with Stephen Hero and pmcTRILOGY on the occasional podcast or one of many talented editors I worked with this year.
When the train stopped in D.C. for Otakon, I couldn’t have fathomed the amount of friends and connections I made. Especially the gracious industry members who took the moment to chat with me despite the fact I was so nervous to be out and about at a convention again. Not to mention that it was my first time doing that in a somewhat professional capacity too. Memories of the weekend make me enthusiastic to return for next year’s show… and have another bowl of that killer ramen at Bantam King too.
Speaking of friends, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my Dude, You Remember Macross? Co-pilot, Dylan Gregory. After doing the show for over three and half years, we finally got the chance to meet up in person. We watched too much anime, shared in the gospel of Giant Robo, and generally had a really chill time. I mention this on occasion, but seriously, I wouldn’t be doing what I do now if it wasn’t for Dylan agreeing to join me on a wild podcasting ride. He’s a wonderful collaborator that I’m proud to say is one of my best friends. I always look forward to remembering Macross with him.
I end 2022 on a layover at another station in life. There are a few trains coming through that I could very well hop on. No matter the train, the experience will be both exciting and a little scary. However, for the first time in a long time, I know that whatever train I hop on will take me only forward. A direction filled with new opportunities, new people, and plenty of familiar faces.
Thank you all for a wonderful year, here’s to the next one.
Adieu 2022.
