Galaxy Express 999 Episode 015

## **Beethoven of the Water Planet**

### Manga

Chapter 008: Dark Star Mephisto's Black KnightChapter 009: Beethoven of the Water Kingdom

## Episodes

### Next

The Town of Fireflies

**Beethoven of the Water Planet** (*Mizu no Kuni no Beethoven*) is the fifteenth episode of the animated series *Galaxy Express 999.* It premiered on **21 December 1978** on Fuji TV.

## Summary

As the 999 travels through space, landing on the star Mephisto, dark clouds begin to surface inside the train. As Tetsuro opens the train door, he falls out, right in front of the Black Knight! Nobody is allowed to come near the star, and the Knight throws its joust at Tetsuro, but Maetel jumps in the way, impaling her, seemingly dead. Tetsuro shoots the hidden Knight, destroying its cloak, and revealing it to be a robot made of junk.

The 999 arrives at the 4D-3 station, on a water-drop planet. Tetsuro and Maetel observe the natural planet, and Tetsuro is excited by the sight of Mother Nature itself! The two arrive at an inn where they will stay until the 999 takes off again. They sit in a hot spring, and then are suddenly attacked! When Tetsuro goes to attack the perpetrator, the innkeeper pleads with him to stop, because that's her son! The bandit is Beethoven, a composer who seeks to attack any guest from the 999, so he can steal their pass and depart on his own.

> "*Hope is the most beautiful light within man's heart. Even if that light of hope leads towards something wrong, that light is still extremely beautiful.*"
>
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## Credits

**By type**

Cast

* **Masako Ikeda** as **Maetel**
* **Kaneta Kimotsuki** as **Conductor**
* **Hitoshi Takagi** as **Narrator**
* **Joji Yanami** as **Black Knight**
* **Yū Mizushima** as **Beethoven**
* **Reiko Suzuki** as **Beethoven's Mother**

Staff

* **Leiji Matsumoto** - Original Story
* **Weekly Shōnen King** - Serialization
* **Nozomi Aoki** - Music
* **Katsuaki Nakatani** - Conducting
* **Columbia Symphonic Orchestra** - Performance
* **Jun Hashimoto** - Theme Song Lyrics
* **Masaaki Hirao** - Theme Song Composition
* **Nozomi Aoki** - Theme Song Arrangement
* **Isao Sazaki** & **Suginami Junior Chorus** - Theme Song Performance
* **Nobutaka Nishizawa** - Chief Director
* **Fuji TV**, **Toei** - Production

## Stop

4D-3

Stop Time: 48 hours

A planet resembling a giant ball of water, 4D-3 reflects a large amount of light, requiring travelers to wear eye protection before arriving. 4D-3 doesn't have a typical station for the 999 to arrive at, as to not disturb nature. The vibrant nature resembles Earth before its downfall.

## Characters

**The following characters appear and are exclusive to this episode/stop:**

Black Knight

***Voiced by: Joji Yanami***

When the 999 passes through Mephisto, Tetsuro falls out and encounters the frightening Black Knight. He doesn't mean any harm, and is only looking for a friend. Tetsuro has to decline, and in anger the Black Knight throws his sword at Tetsuro, but Maetel steps in the way of the attack. Tetsuro blasts the Knight, taking off his cloak to reveal a busted-up robot. He dies shortly after.

Beethoven

***Voiced by: Yū Mizushima***

A resident of 4D-3, Beethoven attempts to steal the passes of Tetsuro and Maetel when they arrive. He aspires to be a great classical musician, and is a piano player. Sadly, his mother cannot afford to buy him a pass for the 999. He watches the 999 leave his planet, confident that one day he will be able to ride it as well.

## Gallery

Title cardData box for the Black KnightData box for BeethovenLocation and information for 4D-3Data box for the Black Knight GE999015Img5.jpegData box for Beethoven and his mother
1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Galaxy Express 999 Perfect Book Vol .1
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Galaxy Express 999 TV Encyclopedia Vol. 1