First published in 1977, at the same time as his other masterpiece Captain Harlock or Captain Albator, Galaxy Express 999 is a space-opera manga written and drawn by Leiji Matsumoto depicting the adventures of Tetsuro, an earthling who assists to the murder of his mother by an android, the Count Mecha.

To escape his mortal destiny, he manages to board on the Galaxy Express 999, a train that can take him to Planet Prometheum, the only place where he can get a mechanical body which will make him immortal. His long journey across the galaxy will teach the little boy that the quest for immortality is not the only way to live a life.

The 21st and last volume of the manga was released in 1987. A 113-episode anime was realized between 1978 and 1981 by Toei Animation. Several movies inspired by the manga were also produced. Leiji Matsumoto won the Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōnen category in 1978.