is a 26-episode science fiction anime series about flying trains in space. The anime is licensed by Funimation Production Ltd. and produced by Leiji Matsumoto. It debuted on American TV in a syndicated FUNimation Channel programming block airing on CoLours TV on Monday, June 19, 2006, but was replaced by Dragon Ball until the programming block was dropped. Currently, the series is still airing on the linear FUNimation Channel. Two sequels have been produced, both currently unlicensed in English regions.
Space Defense Force (SDF) Sirius Platoon Sirius Platoon, named after the star, is the main Platoon in the series. The Platoon's engine is Big One, which is based on the Union Pacific Railroad's 4-8-8-4 Big Boy locomotives, the largest steam locomotives ever built, but with many differences, like a second headlight in place of the bell and number boards, a single smokestack instead of a double one, a number board on the front of its smokebox instead of a handlebar, a second set of pipes coming out of the top cylinder heads of the rear set of cylinders, and the number "001" on its tender.
The Flame Swallow, Big One, and the Cepheus Platoon's train are equipped with Cosmo Matrix Cannon post-invasion of Alfort Armada and used only once to escape the dimensional rift at the end of the Season 2.
Manabu Yuuki
Manabu is the main character in the series. The character's exact age isn't mentioned, but in the second episode it is suggested that he is 18 or 19.The Galaxy Railways Season 1: Episode 2 He is the son of Wataru and Kanna.The Galaxy Railways Season 1: Episode 1 His older brother, Mamoru, is known for being headstrong and deliberately disobeying orders. As punishment, the character often cleans trains or has other punishments inflicted upon them, but the character's antics often are part of the successful end result.
He is presented as deeply caring about the welfare of others and has stated that helping people is the reason, he is a member of the SDF. When Manabu is first heading to SDF headquarters to join the force, he meets Louise. At first the two of them bump heads, but eventually become friends. Throughout season one there is an undertone of romance between the two, and by the end of the first season they start dating officially.
Following Bruce's death, Manabu inherit his position as weapons control.The Galaxy Railways Season 1, Episode 24
Louise Fort Drake
Louise, like Manabu, is very headstrong, though she is generally more obedient to orders, even when she feels they are wrong. In the beginning of the season, it is revealed that she is 18 years old. Louise is a hard worker and teases Manabu frequently. Louise is the only human woman in the Sirius Platoon.
In Season 1, Episode 14 "Bond", it is revealed that Louise's father is President Drake of the Clarious Stellar Cluster. She had a rough time growing up with him because he tended to be cold and unloving towards her and she disagreed with the way that he sat back and never really ruled with his heart. By the end of the episode, she saves his life and he realizes just how wrong he had been all along.The Galaxy Railways Season 1: Episode 14
Schwanhelt Bulge
The captain of the Sirius Platoon, Schwanhelt was made captain by Wataru in the first episode when Wataru sacrificed his life to protect everyone from the invading destroyer. Schwanhelt is a capable leader and is often (both literally and figuratively) seen as a father figure to the other members of the platoon. He puts the safety and welfare of others before his own and takes his job seriously. Schwanhelt is a caring leader, and even gave up love to protect those he cared about. He is about 41 years old.
In Episode 22, "The Merciless Wind", Schwanhelt deliberately disobeys the orders of the general from the secret intelligence division and saves crew members instead of repairing Big One and when the situation gets of out control, he ends up punching the general and knocking him unconscious. In the next episode, Schwanhelt is stripped of his title as captain of the platoon and the platoon is dissolved, causing the members to be distributed to other platoons.The Galaxy Railways Season 1: Episode 22
In Episode 24, "Blazing Galaxy", the commander of the Galaxy Railways gives Bulge permission to take action and he is unofficially reinstated as captain.The Galaxy Railways Season 1: Episode 24
Following the next season, Bulge was officially reinstated as captain after he led the Sirius Platoon to rescue Louise and destroying Alfort Armada's Flagship.The Galaxy Railways Season 2, Episode 1
Bruce J. Speed
In the beginning of the season, Bruce bullies Manabu and expresses a great deal of dislike towards him. Bruce is a very commanding individual, taking charge when necessary and occasionally steps out of line, but he always steps down when Captain Bulge stops him.
Through his service to the SDF, Bruce got himself the name of "Toxic Bruce" because all his partners ended up dying in the line of duty. After the death of his second partner and Bruce got the nickname, he became a cold individual and tried his hardest to avoid getting missions with partners. Soon after this, he got a new partner, Owen, despite his argument against it. Owen was determined to get rid of the nickname "Toxic Bruce". He insisted that he was immortal, so there was no way he could die. Bruce and Owen became good friends, but on a particular mission Owen was killed beside Bruce. Because of this, Bruce blames himself for his death and deaths of all his partners and is haunted by their memory. He is often distant and cold to the members of the platoon, particularly Manabu because of his likeness to Owen, which is revealed in "Memory Gallery". After this episode, the relationship between Bruce and Manabu improves a lot, though there is still distance between them.
In Episode 18, "Life and Death", Bruce finally confronts his fear when there is a terrorist loose in the Galaxy Railways Headquarters. Bruce witnesses Manabu almost die at his side, and insists that he stay behind to protect him. Manabu, wanting to prove to Bruce that he isn't toxic, keeps following him. Manabu is at the brink of death again and Bruce saves him, breaking the curse.The Galaxy Railways Season 1: Episode 18
In Episode 22, "The Merciless Wind", Bruce is shot by an unknown attacker and dies alone outside a gas station, though it could be safely assumed that the attacker was one of the men he crossed earlier that were harassing a nurse. His funeral is held in the next episode, and it causes a great deal of sorrow for the whole platoon, especially Manabu. Manabu, being his partner, keeps Bruce's harmonica.
He was originally going to be back in Season 2 and be friends with David Young. In Season 2, however, he was replaced by Killian Black due to his death in Season 1.
David Young
David is a fun-loving guy, and gambles whenever possible. He makes bets in just about every situation, even those involving life and death. He is good friends with Bruce, and seems to be one of the few people Bruce connects with and trusts earlier in the season.
Yuki Sexaroid
Yuki is the medical officer aboard Big One, and is actually a type of robot called a Sexaroid. In the beginning of Season One she firmly believes her role is to be the medical officer and that because she isn't human, she can't love or be involved in anything that doesn't have to do with duty.
As the season progresses, however, she realizes that human is not a state of matter, but a state of mind and she loosens up and enjoys life more. It is said by her that she secretly loves Manabu.
Killian Black
He is an intern, and the foster son of Mr. Conductor from Galaxy Express 999.
Charlie
One of the two Eagle Fighter pilots introduced during Season 2, his Eagle was shot down during the defense of Planet Fatom in Season 2.
Doris
One of the two Eagle Fighter pilots introduced during Season 2.
Wataru Yuuki
Wataru is the first Captain of Big One mentioned in the series. He is husband to Kanna and the father of Manabu and Mamoru. In the first episode he sacrifices himself to save his crew and the galaxy from a destroyer coming through a warp hole - breaking the hearts of his wife and his children but leaving a legacy of self-sacrifice and duty.
On Season 2, it's revealed that Wataru survived his action toward the Alfort ship, but later killed in action during raid on the rogue AI facility, with his body was absorbed and used as an avatar for the AI on the later half of the Season 2. Manabu later decide to finish him own father off to shut down the rogue AI for good. The only remaining thing that was left intact was the captain's hat, which Manabu takes it home as a keepsake.The Galaxy Railways, Season 2, Episode 26
Owen
Owen was one of Bruce's earlier partners. Much like Manabu he was headstrong and stubborn, but even more so. He died in the line of duty at Bruce's side.
Frell
Frell is a girl from an alternate universe. She was on an interstellar cruise with a group of friends when the ship was destroyed during an electromagnetic storm. Her escape pod then slipped through an inter-dimensional fault line and was transported to the Galaxy Railways universe. Her pod was then found by Sirius Platoon. She is about 10 years old.
She has remarkable cooking ability and was installed as Temporary Head Chef of Sirius Platoon during the latter half of Season 2.
Spica Platoon The all female Platoon, it is named after the blue giant Spica star, which holds the title of being the brightest star in the Virgo constellation. It is another main Platoon in the series. Their engine is Flame Swallow. Unlike Sirius and Vega Platoons, their engine is not based on any real life locomotives.
Their engine was destroyed and the members survived except for Julia, who is badly injured. The engine was destroyed, but was rebuilt in Season 2. The Flame Swallow, Big One, and the Cepheus Platoon's train are equipped with Cosmo Matrix Cannon post-invasion of Alfort Armada and used only once to escape the dimensional rift at the end of the Season 2.
Julia F. Reinhart
The Captain of Spica Platoon. After graduating, she signed up for the SDF and was assigned to the Acrux Platoon. She was promoted to the Captain of Spica Platoon for her "analytical ability and high intelligence". She is bright, but also stubborn and inflexible, although she is very caring and has a high sense of responsibility. Her crew members trust her and see her as more of an older sister than a superior. She is about 35 years old at least.
Work-wise, she doesn't get along well with Murase, the Captain of Vega Platoon, because of her stubbornness to relinquish command and his tendency to act before he thinks. She was badly injured during the battle.
Percy Shelly
The Pilot of Flame Swallow, she is an expert with vehicles, able to control everything from the smallest switching engine to the largest Combat Train with ease. After graduating from training, she took a course with an SDF piloting expert and was assigned to Spica Platoon. Her ability to fly Flame Swallow has been called "extremely stable".
She is an excellent mechanic, and owns several classic cars that she likes to drive around and tune in her private time. She is intelligent, but somewhat impatient.
Maggie Redford
The weapons specialist of Spica Platoon, she is a very skilled fighter pilot and graduated from the SDF Air Force Academy with the title of "Novice Rank S" before being assigned to Spica Platoon.
She has a rough side and sometimes just wants to settle things by force. She also is a very gifted cook.
Ai Matsuura
The Radar and Communications Officer of Spica Platoon, her parents were professional communications engineers. After graduating from training school, she was assigned to Spica Platoon due to her high processing capability and accuracy. She can sometimes become obsessed with processing.