Netflix is set to release its highly anticipated film, New Bullet Train Explosion, exclusively on April 23, 2025, featuring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi as the lead character, train Conductor Kazunari Takato. This nail-biting thriller, directed by Michihito Fujii, reimagines the 1975 classic Bullet Train, taking the suspenseful plot and bringing it to modern audiences with high-octane visuals and relentless action.
Central to the film's riveting storyline is the Hayabusa 60, the Shinkansen train bound from Shin-Aomori to Tokyo, which has been rigged with explosives. If the train's speed dips below 100 kilometers per hour, the bomb detonates, creating unimaginable chaos as the crew and passengers scramble to avert disaster. The film effectively marries stunning visual effects with real-life train mechanics, thanks to the special cooperation from JR East, allowing actual Shinkansen cars and facilities to be utilized during filming.
During the recent Netflix event, Next on Netflix 2025, Director Fujii shared insights on the making of the film, sparking conversations across social media platforms. The topic gained significant traction, trending on X as fans eagerly anticipate this cinematic showdown.
Joining Kusanagi are notable co-stars who add depth to the adrenaline-fueled plot. Yuta Takao plays Keiji Fujii, another train crew member, with Non reprising the role of the skilled driver, Chika Matsumoto. Adding gravity to the story are Oono Sachie portraying parliament member Misako Kaga, YouTuber entrepreneur Arata Iura as Chikara Some, and school trip student Yumika Toyoshima as played by Hana Toyoshima. Meanwhile, Saito Takumi takes on the role of Yuichi Kaseki, tasked with coordinating efforts to save the Hayabusa from potential disaster
The trailer unveils harrowing scenes: as Conductor Takato informs frantic passengers of the peril they’re in, panic ensues within the train. He must think fast to work with both crew and passengers, maximizing their chances to keep the train's speed high and evade the bomb's countdown.
The visual effects team promises viewers cutting-edge visuals, showcasing the train's prowess as it speeds along the rails, colliding with other cars and sparking dramatic moments of danger, powered by varying lighting and sound design elements.
Director Fujii, known for his work on Shin Godzilla, captures the essence of urgency and suspense throughout the film, maintaining the frenetic pace. The film takes great pride in its production quality, with many scenes filmed on location using standard operational equipment, imbuing realism and authenticity to each tense moment.
The plot thickens as the villain demands a staggering ransom of 1 billion yen for safe passage. This adds layers to the conflict as the police, the government, and the innocent civilians aboard the train become entangled in this dire situation.
With the film prepped for its digital release, many fans of the original series await the modern resurrection of this iconic storyline. New Bullet Train Explosion promises to blend nostalgia with contemporary filmmaking, poised to resonate with both longtime enthusiasts and new viewers.
The excitement mounts as glimpses of the film surface online. The teaser art, laden with images of chaos, flashes the quote "Keep Running!" capturing the intense pressure characters face. With the clock ticking down, nothing can be taken for granted.
Fans of thrillers and action-packed cinema should gear up for what promises to be one of the marquee releases of the year. Can the crew save the Hayabusa 60, and can Japan pull through this catastrophe?
Mark your calendars for April 23rd mark as New Bullet Train Explosion lands on Netflix!