Space Symphonic Poem Maetel: Galaxy Express 999 Side Story
Synopsis
Maetel abandoned her mother and her home planet, the doomed and frozen La Metal, where people must become cyborgs to survive. When she is beckoned to return, her options seem slim: follow her mother's path (and with it a robot mind and the contempt of all humans), or run away and fight with humans against the machines. Yet, she is not without comrades and defenders. If she can accept the friendship of beings of metal who desire peace, and oppose those who think being made of flesh and blood is enough to make one human, she may still have a chance to find her own path. (Source: Anime-Planet)
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is mixed, with some finding it a worthy addition to the Leijiverse, while others criticize the writing and CG. The show seems to evoke nostalgia for the original Galaxy Express 999, but falls short in execution for some viewers. The use of familiar plot devices is seen as both a positive and a negative, depending on the viewer's tolerance for repetition.
Strengths
- Faithful to Leijiverse lore
- Good cell animation (on par with GE999 films)
- Message actually makes sense
Weaknesses
- Awful CG
- Tastelessly bright and contrast colors
- Abysmal writing and scripting
- Repetitive/uninspired plot elements (Death Star)