“Galaxy Express 999” welcomes you! “Matsumoto Reiji Exhibition: Creative Journey” exhibits more than 300 valuable materials including original manga version of “Space Battleship Yamato” manga.

The exhibition “Galaxy Express 999 50th Anniversary Project Matsumoto Reiji Exhibition: Creative Journey” will be held from June 20th to September 7th, 2025 at Tokyo City View (52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower). The overview of the exhibition has been announced.

“Matsumoto Reiji Exhibition: Creative Journey” is the first major exhibition since the death of Manga artist Matsumoto Reiji, who has produced many masterpieces, including Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Harlock. More than 300 original drawings, including early works, materials for the first time, and valuable memorabilia will be revealed.

The venue will consist of three zones that trace Matsumoto Reiji’s creative journey. First, at the entrance in front of the zone, visitors will be greeted by the station platform that appears in Galaxy Express 999 and the monument of Galaxy Super Express No. 999.

Zone 1 has a lineup of early works. The exhibition features “The Exploration of the World of Insects,” a work from when he was 14 years old when he wanted to become a manga artist, as well as the original artwork from the early girls’ manga that he took his first step as a manga artist after moving to Tokyo, and the original artwork from “Otoko Oidon,” which depicts the importance of individuality, in comparison to the transcripts of the instrument, Reiji Meter, which Matsumoto liked to draw in his works.

The precious “creative notes” from the time of their debut, which will be released for the first time, have also been released. This book explores the source of creativity he has been active in two fields: manga and anime, including the original manga version of Space Battleship Yamato, which has made his dream of creating animation since childhood, as well as the original drawings of the world-famous Space Pirate Captain Harlock, and the handwritten storyboards.

Zone 2 explores how the elements that characterize Matsumoto Reiji’s works, such as the precious original drawings from the first episode of his masterpiece Galaxy Express 999, as well as the elements that characterize Matsumoto Reiji’s works, such as space, women, and mecha, were shaped. Through the art supplies he actually used, reference books, and memorable items such as hats he loved, he explores Matsumoto Reiji’s creative secrets from various angles.

Zone 3, “Artist Leiji Matsumoto,” will display original colours that will brighten up your masterpieces, including “Otoko Oidon,” “Space Battleship Yamato,” and “Galaxy Express 999.” The works, painted with delicate brushstrokes and vivid colors, invite visitors into the world of stories.

“Galaxy Express 999” 50th Anniversary Project Matsumoto Reiji Exhibition A journey to create
(English) “The Galaxy Express 999” 50th Anniversary Project Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition -Journey of Creation
Meeting period: June 20, 2025 (Gold) to September 7 (Sun)
Venue: Tokyo City View (52nd floor, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Opening hours: TBD
Admission fee: TBD
Organised by: Tokyo City View
Special cooperation: Zero-jisha
Planned and produced by: Toei, Toei Animation
Supervised by: Omote Tomoyuki (Kitakyushu Manga Museum)
Support: J-WAVE, TOKYO MX

(C) Matsumoto Leji/Zero Hour Club
(C) Matsumoto Reiji/Zero-shisha/Toei Animation

{Takahashi Katsunori}