And we're beginning to hit the point where the classics are coming hard and fast in this chart.
Leiji Matsumoto is the kind of awesome creator that the animation and comics industry really don't seem to create anymore. You don't get many creators who work in both fields, the norm today being that the author of a manga has little say in the animated adaptation. Only CLAMP spring to mind as having anything like the cross media influence of someone like Matsumoto, or a Dynamic Productions.
The story follows the journey of the space train, Galaxy Express 999 from Earth to Andromeda. Specifically it is the story of two of the 999's passengers, Tetsuro Hoshino and Maetel. Tetsuro is travelling to Andromeda to get the free machine body that he hears they are offering. Normally extremely expensive, these machine bodies enable humans to live forever, the mysterious Maetel offers Tetsuro passage on the 999 in return for accompanying her as a travelling companion. The format of the series involves different tales and encounters on the planets the 999 visits on the way.
There are 2 movie and 2 OAV sequels, and 2 manga series, the second of which is available from Viz. The OAV series Maetel Legend is also available in the US from CPM. There are numerous crossovers between GE999 and other characters from the “Leijiverse” such as Harlock, Emeraldas and the Yamato. However, as this cannot be emphasized enough:
DO NOT TRY AND MAKE SENSE OF HOW THEY ALL FIT TOGETHER FOR THAT WAY MADNESS LIES.
The Leijiverse is more a shared continuity of mood and characters rather than a coherant timeline. Which I think is a much cooler thing to do, but anime tends to attract the sort of mind that wants to put things in a set order, you know, nerds, and, well, that just doesn't work with Matsumoto's work.
And here's something, the original series is being fansubbed by the good people at Live-eviL. And as I'd hoped since they'd dropped Yawara the subbing speed has picked up a little. Only another 98 episodes to go! The latest OAV series Space Symphony Maetel is also available fansubbed. Viz had released the 2 films on VHS, but no longer have the rights to them. Apparantly there is an official Korean DVD release of the films that has the Viz sub scripts though.