BULLET TRAIN EXPLOSION: IS THE NETFLIX THRILLER BASED ON A TRUE STORY? Imagine boarding a sleek, futuristic bullet train, the Hayabusa No. 60, slicing through Japan’s countryside at breakneck speed. This gripping Netflix thriller stars Tsuyoshi Kusanagi as Conductor Takaichi, who is thrust into a nightmare scenario. Alongside conductor Fujii (Kanata Hosoda) and driver Matsumoto (Non), Takaichi must navigate chaos to prevent catastrophe. Among the passengers are a high school student, Yuzuki (Hana Toyoshima), a savvy entrepreneur and YouTuber Todoroki (Jun Kaname), and Diet member Kagami (Machiko Ono), all bringing different stakes and reactions to the perilous situation. Overseeing efforts from afar is Kasagi (Takumi Saitoh), the General Commander at the Shinkansen General Operation Control Center, who scrambles to guide the team and avoid disaster.
Directed by Shinji Higuchi—acclaimed for Shin Godzilla and Attack on Titan—Bullet Train Explosion is a bold reimagining of a 1975 Japanese thriller The Bullet Train. While the Hollywood classic Speed might spring to mind for many Western viewers, it was actually The Bullet Train that inspired Speed’s concept. Now, nearly 50 years later, Higuchi reclaims the narrative for a new era.
So, is Bullet Train Explosion based on a true story? Let’s explore the truth behind the tracks.
THE REALITY BEHIND THE FICTION
Despite its pulse-pounding realism and detailed portrayal of Japan’s railway infrastructure, Bullet Train Explosion is not based on a true story. However, it draws from a long history of public anxiety and fascination with high-speed rail travel, and a real 1975 film that was in part inspired by the fears of domestic terrorism in Japan during that era.
The original The Bullet Train (“Shinkansen Daibakuha”) was a fictional film released in 1975. It featured a plot almost identical to Bullet Train Explosion: a train rigged with a bomb that would explode if the speed fell below a certain threshold. That film’s premise was likely inspired by Japan’s emerging Shinkansen (bullet train) technology, which first launched in 1964. At the time, the idea of sabotaging such a high-tech system was a chilling what-if scenario. Japan was also dealing with political unrest and sporadic acts of domestic terrorism during the 1970s, making the idea plausible enough to spark cinematic tension.
Fast-forward to today, and Bullet Train Explosion uses the same framework to create a high-stakes modern action drama—but with even more authenticity. Thanks to unprecedented cooperation from JR East Railways, the Netflix production team was granted the rare privilege of filming onboard real bullet trains. They executed seven full high-speed runs from Tokyo to Aomori, capturing motion and intensity impossible to fake on a set. The film also constructed two full-scale replica train cars and used a 1/6 scale model for special effects sequences.
Director Shinji Higuchi praised the realism this access provided, noting that the goal was to make viewers feel the sheer velocity and precision of a real bullet train. “We were able to do everything we have always wanted to do for many years,” he said at the Netflix APAC showcase. Without Netflix’s support, such a production would’ve been nearly impossible under traditional Japanese film industry restrictions.
ROOTS IN PERSONAL AND INDUSTRY HISTORY
Director Shinji Higuchi, a tokusatsu (special effects) veteran known for Shin Godzilla, drew inspiration from both the 1975 film and Hollywood thrillers like Speed. The decision to set the bomb’s speed threshold at 100 km/h (lower than the Shinkansen’s typical cruising speed of 300 km/h) heightens the tension, forcing the train to navigate curves and junctions at dangerous velocities. This is a dramatic flourish, not a reflection of real Shinkansen capabilities, which are designed for stability at high speeds.
He has wanted to make the film for nearly two decades. His journey, however, was blocked by industry politics. His desired lead actor, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi—former member of the legendary boyband SMAP—was previously blacklisted by powerful entertainment agencies. Only with Netflix’s entrance into the Japanese content scene was the dream finally greenlit.
Higuchi’s own story adds emotional depth to the movie’s themes. A creative mind shaped by Ultraman, Godzilla, and the epic American films of the 1970s, he once felt trapped in a life path set by societal expectations. He took a public service job after high school, believing creativity wasn’t an option. Yet, his passion for film burned too strongly. The characters in Bullet Train Explosion, fighting to live and protect others, reflect his own struggle to break free and pursue what he truly wanted.
“I hated this world,” Higuchi admitted in a recent interview. “But I thought, maybe if I just keep going, the future will be better.” It’s this belief—that hope and courage can emerge even at the darkest moment—that pulses beneath the movie’s relentless action.
REAL- WORLD INSPIRATIONS
Bullet Train Explosion isn’t based on a real event, but it does play on fears that make sense. The Shinkansen in Japan has been in use since 1964 and is a great example of advanced technology. It has a nearly perfect safety record. But because it is so well known, it could be a target. Concerns about terrorism on public transportation are echoed in the movie’s bomb threat. For example, the Aum Shinrikyo cult’s sarin attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995 killed 13 people and hurt thousands more. Even though chemical weapons were used instead of bombs, the attack showed how weak Japan’s transportation systems were and is still remembered by the whole country.
The movie also shows how precise Shinkansen operations are. With the help of JR East Railways, Higuchi was able to show real control rooms, train interiors, and emergency procedures. For instance, the Shinkansen General Operation Control Center, which is where Kasagi plans the response, is based on real-life places that keep an eye on train speeds, track conditions, and passenger safety. These details give the story a realistic basis and raise the stakes right away.
A NEW STANDARD FOR JAPANESE ACTION CINEMA
More than just another thrill ride, Bullet Train Explosion showcases the evolving landscape of Japanese cinema. With Netflix’s backing, the production scale far exceeds typical local standards. The studio didn’t just reboot an old IP—they supercharged it, using cutting-edge technology and global cinematic influence to push the boundaries of what a Japanese thriller can be.
The visual tone is heightened by a custom poster painted by artist Lambert in his signature hyperrealistic style. “I wanted to capture the high-speed intensity and the powerful performances of the cast,” he shared. The result is a dynamic blend of Eastern storytelling and international spectacle.
It’s also worth noting that Netflix isn’t stopping here. The platform’s local content strategy includes distinct projects like Demon City and 10Dance, aimed at highlighting uniquely Japanese narratives for a global audience. For Takahashi, Netflix Japan’s head of live action, it’s all about showcasing stories “too specific, quirky, or local” for mainstream studios.
In that sense, Bullet Train Explosion is more than a movie. It’s a symbol of a new wave—stories that challenge norms, resurrect forgotten classics, and give voice to filmmakers like Higuchi, who refused to let obstacles derail their vision.
No, Bullet Train Explosion isn’t based on a true story—but it is based on true passion. It’s built from the bones of a 1975 thriller that reflected the anxieties of its time, revitalized by a filmmaker who spent years fighting to bring his vision to life. With Netflix behind the wheel, it became not only possible, but powerful.
This is a story about momentum—literal and metaphorical. About refusing to slow down in the face of danger. About risking everything to keep going.
Just like the train, the dream never stops.
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WHERE WAS NETFLIX’S BULLET TRAIN EXPLOSION ACTUALLY FILMED?
