Hold on, did I see this story before? The setting, the plot and those guest characters… of course I have and perhaps you have as well if you have watched or are currently watching the original Galaxy Express 999 TV series. Galaxy Express 999: Can You Live Like a Warrior!? was the first TV special compilation film made during the series’ original airing and at the time would have been a treat since we get to watch once again a memorable early sojourn of Tetsuro and Maetel’s galactic quest.
Essentially a retelling of The Fossilized Warrior two-parter, you would at first believe this was simply episodes 12 and 13 spliced together into one. Yet Can You Live Like a Warrior!? has more to tell and includes minute glimpses of other earlier travels. Plus, we get an extensive chunk of the very first episode showing the tragic death of Tetsuro’s mother and the meeting between Tetsuro and Maetel where Maetel presents Tetsuro with an all exclusive pass to ride the galactic train C6250, the fabled Galaxy Express. With all that said if anyone has never seen, or read (can’t forget the manga) any Galaxy Express 999 at all and wants a quick crash course I can recommend this TV special, or the epic 1979 motion picture adaptation, if you want a singular first tasting into the classic Galaxy Express 999 universe.
Upon landing at the next layover stop C6250 runs into a bit of apparent sabotage as the line of track has been covered by many massive stones preventing a smooth stop. Needless to say, Tetsuro and Maetel are trapped! Well why not go in reverse? Science fiction fantasy or not, trains may be able to fly through outer space in Galaxy Express 999, but this space locomotive can only move in a singular direction. Realizing they are trapped for the moment both Tetsuro and Maetel observe a barren lifeless world with only piles of rock, much of which looks rather human, like statues or carvings… too perfect and precise to be just natural erosion.
With the aid of binoculars Tetsuro spots one of these human like rock formations far in the distance, an attractive female form similar to an ancient art scuplture… perhaps this planet’s Venus/Aphrodite? Ever curious he leaves the confines of the train to get a close look. Astonished by the beauty of the figure up close he is soon greeted by a sword wielding young man who proclaims Tetsuro to be a thief and thus attacks him. The fallen Tetsuro exposes his Galaxy Express pass and is thus struck by the young man with the sword. Maetel soon shows up to rescue Tetsuro and tend to his wound, a nasty slice in his back! Tetsuro then realizes his pass is missing and according to rules this makes him ineligible to ride the train. Come hell or high water, Tetsuro vows to get his pass back.
Making my way through the Galaxy Express 999 TV series I am glad to take a break and recapitulate with this TV special as I fondly remembered the original episodes Galaxy Express 999: Can You Live Like a Warrior!? was based from. Leiji Matsumoto’s stories and characters are some of the most cherished in all of anime and manga, endeared by many in Japan and around the world, including this BIG fan writing this post! His stories represent courage and taking a personal stand usually with a bit of fantastic flair that looks and feels like nothing else. Tetsuro must take a stand in this TV special to prove that he, like many other Matsumoto heroes, Can You Live Like a Warrior!? (no need for the question mark this time 😉 )
… now onto the next episodes of the TV series and the second of three TV specials!
Hashire Melos… Run Melos… An Olympic Fable: Run For Life… call it what you will. Produced by Toei and directed by long time veteran Tomoharu Katsumata, Run Melos would debut as a one and done TV special. Our story begins with Melos at home preparing for the wedding of his beloved sister and their close friend out in the countryside. Afterwards he sets off towards the city for some last minute shopping when by accident he gets into trouble with the law. The city’s ways have changed under the rule of their king as he has become much more strict and there is an air to the atmosphere that feels a little off and corrupt.
Melos soon goes to trial for the alleged incident and encourages a friend to be brought forth to offer testimony. Despite this, Melos is sentenced to die. Trying to prove his innocence Melos and his friend offer a bargain which allows Melos three days to return home to watch his sister get married. Melos would then return to accept his sentence and in exchange, his friend would take his place as a form of collateral. If Melos does not return, the friend would receive Melos’ punishment. Can Melos get back to his home in the country to fulfill his obligations and return to the city on time?
Originally this was a short story by Osamu Dazai, which is a reinterpretation of Friedrich Schiller’s Die Bürgschaft, which is a version of Gaius Julius Hyginus’ take on the Greek legend of 
Before this anime I had only one reference to the name of Melos. The opening theme from Blue Comet SPT Layzner is named Melos no Yō ni Lonely Way. Main protagonist Eiji is seen running, or piloting the Layzner, while the rocking guitar track accompanies. So now I know where that song comes from, more so the original short story than the anime perhaps. Run Melos is classic late 70s/early 80s Toei through and through from the look, the feel and… even the smell. Well maybe not smell, but I thought it would be funny. Many of my first anime experiences are Toei products from that era and now I can add this to my listing as well.
Originally a manga featuring the writing of Ryu Mitsuse and the artwork of Keiko Takemiya, 
Science fiction’s beauty, when done well, is in its ability to depict contemporary social commentary through a fantastic alternative circumstance which allows for blurring the edges in a subtlety of intelligent protest. While 
Unable to reason, those under the system’s spell become cogs in the machine fulfilling the desires of another with no regard towards the consequences of themselves, or others. 
Rewatches are often needed as at times it can be years since my last viewing… memory can only go so far sometimes. Even after this most recent viewing I needed yet another watch as this one off TV special moved at times quite quickly. In my opinion it could have been better told as a short TV series as there are a lot of elements that can get rushed or confusing. Just as I was about to rewatch again I discovered that A
The Classic Anime Museum 
You must be logged in to post a comment.