Leiji Matsumoto’s 50th Anniversary Exhibition: Galaxy Express 999 Unveiled in Tokyo

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Summary

  • Exhibition celebrating 50th anniversaries of Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Harlock to open in Tokyo in June
  • Over 300 original drawings by Leiji Matsumoto to be showcased for the first time
  • Makiko Matsumoto shares heartfelt message about the exhibition and her father’s legacy

This year, a tribute exhibition for Leiji Matsumoto’s iconic space opera masterpieces, “Galaxy Express 999” and “Space Pirate Captain Harlock,” is scheduled to take place. The official announcement was made on the website, revealing that the event will be held at Tokyo City View from June 20th to September 7th. This special occasion marks the golden jubilee of these two groundbreaking works, which initially started their serializations in 1977, and will reach their 50th anniversaries in 2027.

This show is the inaugural event of multiple upcoming initiatives aimed at celebrating a significant milestone. For the first time, it will display Leiji Matsumoto’s work in this distinctive format.

About the Exhibition

Leiji Matsumoto’s Works Exhibited For the First Time

The forthcoming event, named “The Galaxy Express 999 50th Anniversary Project Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition -Journey of Creation”, is slated to take place from June 20 to September 7. This extraordinary showcase will be situated on the 52nd floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower in Tokyo City View. The exhibition promises a display of more than 300 original sketches, along with valuable memorabilia and even early works from Leiji Matsumoto himself. Makiko Matsumoto, Leiji’s daughter and President of the company he founded, Leijisha, has shared an exciting message about this exhibition:

[Makiko’s Message]
“We are thrilled to present this extensive collection of my father’s work, spanning over five decades. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the creative journey of Leiji Matsumoto, from his early works to his most recent creations. We hope that this showcase will inspire and delight both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

For two years now, I’ve been missing my father, Leiji Matsumoto, who embarked on a journey to the cosmos. We are delighted to share an exhibition showcasing his original artwork, made possible by everyone’s hard work. Though he left behind no pens – items he held dear – each of these priceless drawings, as numerous as stars, beautifully capture Matsumoto in the moment. I spent my childhood watching him sketch intently at his desk, often feeling his absence due to his constant work. However, these original pieces allow me now to cherish and appreciate my father as he was then, and to feel a profound sense of meeting him again as a child. Matsumoto once said, “We shall meet again in the distant land where time’s gears interlock,” a place that may not only be found in the future but also in the past. We invite you all to experience Matsumoto at the “place where time’s gears interlock” within your hearts through this exhibition.

Renowned mangaka Leiji Matsumoto (January 25, 1938 – February 13, 2023) was celebrated for crafting space operas, and among his creations, “Galaxy Express 999” (1977) and “Space Battleship Yamato” (1974) stand out as highly acclaimed. Many individuals, beyond the anime community, are familiar with Matsumoto’s work due to the popularity of the music video for Daft Punk’s “One More Time”, which is part of “Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem” (2003), a musical science fiction anime film that served as the visual accompaniment to their second album, “Discovery”. This production was handled by Toei Animation and directed by Kazuhisa Takenouchi under the supervision of Leiji Matsumoto.

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2025-02-13 23:34