Ep 1. Ballad of Departure

In the first episode of Galaxy Express 999's first season, titled "Ballad of Departure," we are introduced to the main character, a young boy named Tetsuro Hoshino. Tetsuro is living in a world where humans have been replaced by cyborgs, and the only way for a person to gain a new body is to board the fabled Galaxy Express 999 and travel to a distant planet where they can receive a free mechanical body.

Despite being poor and unable to afford a ticket, Tetsuro dreams of one day boarding the Galaxy Express and gaining a new body so that he can escape the harsh reality of his life. His mother, who is also a cyborg, is sick and in need of constant maintenance, but Tetsuro cannot afford to keep her running.

Desperate to find a way to help his mother, Tetsuro meets a mysterious woman named Maetel who offers to give him a free ticket to the Galaxy Express 999. Suspicious of her offer, Tetsuro hesitates but ultimately decides to go with her, and they travel to a station where the train is scheduled to depart.

Once aboard the train, Tetsuro is amazed by his surroundings, and he meets a variety of interesting characters. He befriends a young girl named Claire who is traveling with her father, a wealthy man who has boarded the train for his own reasons.

As the train makes its way through space, Tetsuro is forced to confront the harsh reality that there are many dangers in the universe. The train is attacked by a gang of space pirates, and Tetsuro is forced to defend himself and his newfound friends. Despite the danger, Tetsuro refuses to give up on his dream of obtaining a new body and is determined to see his journey through to the end.

Throughout the episode, Tetsuro learns the importance of friendship and the power of hope. He comes to understand that the universe is a vast and wondrous place, full of both danger and beauty. And despite the many challenges he faces, he remains determined to fulfill his dreams and to find a way to help his mother.

As the episode comes to a close, Tetsuro realizes that his journey has only just begun. There are many more adventures to be had, and he is eager to see where the Galaxy Express 999 will take him next. The first episode of Galaxy Express 999's first season, "Ballad of Departure," sets the stage for an epic and awe-inspiring journey through space and time.