Legendary manga author Leiji Matsumoto is planning to release an animated short titled "Galaxy Express 999: Towards The Diamond Ring" on September 9, 2009 as to help promote a tourism event to take place in Kagoshima Prefecture, the location of the main Japanese space launch facility. In this short, Tetsuro Hoshino (the male protagonist of the "Galaxy Express 999" saga) rides train 999 once again as to see a solar eclipse on July 22. Note that this short will feature not only the Uchinoura Space Center, but also the Kyūshū Shinkansen bullet train line.

In addition, Spetember 9, 2009 will also mark the screening of an HD remastered version of 1979 theatrical Anime film adaptation of the "Galaxy Express 999" manga series as to celebrate the movie's 30th anniversary while Mr. Matsumoto himself will be on a Japanese talk show on that day.

Source: ANN

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