Bullet Train Explosion (Original title: Shinkansen Daibakuha, 2025) is a high-stakes thriller set in the heart of Japan’s Shinkansen network, where a routine journey spirals into a desperate race against time after a bomb threat puts countless lives at risk. Acting as both a sequel and a reimagining of 1975’s The Bullet Train, this film is packed with nail-biting tension, emotional depth, and unexpected twists. It highlights the courage of railway workers, passengers, and officials as they fight to save everyone on board. With powerful themes of responsibility, forgiveness, and confronting hard truths, Bullet Train Explosion delivers a gripping story that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats until the very last moment.
This article contains spoilers.
Bullet Train Explosion (Shinkansen Daibakuha, 2025) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
The film opens inside the Aomori Shinkansen Stock Center, where conductor Kazuya Takaichi gives a school group a tour of the newest Shinkansen model. When asked why Takaichi became a conductor, Takaichi explains he enjoys seeing different groups board the same train for various reasons. Meanwhile, younger crew member Fujii joins the journey. Since Fujii is closer in age to the teens, Takaichi believes he can connect with them better. Soon after, passengers begin boarding Hayabusa No. 60 bound for Tokyo. Among the passengers are the school kids, a scandal-ridden politician, Yuko Kagami, a famous YouTuber and author, Todoroki, and a rude passenger named Goto.
Meanwhile, JR East Shinkansen Control Centre employees, led by the meticulous General Manager Kasagi, prepare for another routine day. However, the JR Call Centre receives a call from a voice-morphed individual, claiming there is a bomb on Hayabusa 60. To prove the threat’s authenticity, a similar bomb is placed on train 2074, set to detonate if the speed falls below 5 km/h. The bomb explodes, confirming the danger. Immediately, Yoshimura, General Manager of Planning, recognizes similarities to the 109 attack and informs Kasagi. Consequently, Hayabusa 60’s path is cleared of other trains, and driver Matsumoto is instructed to maintain 120 km/h, turning off the ATC system to prevent automatic slowing.
Why does Kagami want to help?
The next person alerted is Takaichi, who is instructed to tell passengers they won’t stop at the next station due to technical issues without mentioning the bomb. Hearing about it, Fujii panics, but Takaichi urges him to stay calm in front of the passengers. Meanwhile, the school group kids tease a boy who likes Aoi while the teacher watches over Yuzuki. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) arrives at the JR control center. As Hayabusa 60 approaches Hachinohe Station, they must test if the ATC is truly disabled. Meanwhile, the bomber demands 100 billion yen, collected by charging every citizen 1000 yen.
While Yoshimura contemplates how to deal with this situation, the advisor to the Prime Minister, Sasaki, enters the center and says the government does not negotiate with terrorists. The government’s order is for the crew to inform the passengers about the bomb threat, as the government believes this will help find the culprit. Hearing the news, one of the passengers starts fighting with Takaichi for being irresponsible. Sensing an opportunity to change her reputation, Kagami interferes, but the passenger abuses Kagami. Now, Takaichi interferes and stops the fight. The rude man tells Takaichi that he should not protect Kagami, but Takaichi says all passengers are equal to him.
What does Todoroki do to help the situation?
The Prime Minister informs the press about the bomb threat. Meanwhile, the bomber calls the control room, questioning why 100 billion yen was not mentioned. An impatient Sasaki tries to assert dominance, but the bomber hangs up. On the train, Todoroki finds a link where the bomber discusses the ransom; the video goes viral, causing panic among passengers.
At the control center, another problem arises: a train is on Hayabusa 60’s path. Therefore, Hayabusa 60 must switch to the northbound track. However, another train approaches, so the timing must be precise to avoid a collision. Now, Kasagi instructs Matsumoto to bring the speed to 105km/h. The passengers are asked to stay low as the switch at this speed can get bumpy.
At the track, Matsumoto switches tracks but slightly collides with another train. Thankfully, no one is hurt. While Takaichi is with Matsumoto, Fujii lets Todoroki announce to the passengers that he has set up a fundraiser on Todoroki’s website to pay ransom to the bomber. The passengers spread the message widely by sharing the link on social media.
Because of this, the Prime Minister is targeted for not taking action to save the Hayabusa 60 passengers. Some boys recognize Goto as a helicopter tour guide blamed for a crash. The passengers bully Goto into apologizing. Now, Goto pleads for help—Yuzuki presses the emergency button. Takaichi informs Matsumoto about the false alarm and rescues Goto. However, Yuzuki wonders why Takaichi saved Goto, so Takaichi says it is his duty.
Who did not board the rescue train?
In the control center, Kasagi suggests uncoupling the last car of Hayabusa 60 while it’s still running. First, another train needs to run parallel to Hayabusa 60; the crew sends in the tools required to turn off the brake system on Hayabusa 60. This can be done using ropes and pulleys. The tech will inform the crew on Hayabusa 60 to disconnect the cars physically and electrically. The rescue train will connect to the second-to-last car of Hayabusa 60. This plan is informed by Takaichi, who tells the passengers. Takaichi needs any electricians on board to help. Thankfully, there is one. Rescue train 9012 is approaching Hayabusa 60.
The passengers are moved to the last car. Meanwhile, Matsumoto and the driver of 9012 coordinate to begin the rescue process. The trains are parallel—the crew from 9012 transfers the tools to Hayabusa 60. The electrician on board, Shinohara, successfully turns off the car electrically and physically. As soon as the cars get uncoupled, the unoccupied cars explode. The rescue train 9014B approaches Hayabusa 60. Both crews link the two trains. The rescue operation begins. In the rescue train, the school teacher realizes Yuzuki is still in Hayabusa 60, so she heads back even though it’s risky. Even Kagami joins the teacher. Now, Todoroki is forced by the other passengers to help Yuzuki.
Who is the hijacker and bomber of Hayabusa 60?
In the other car, Goto creates trouble as he just wants to die. Now, Kagami tells Goto that he can start over. The public will forget all scandals over time. Unfortunately, the train’s speed comes down because of the automatic braking system. Moreover, 9014B disconnects from Hayabusa 60, leaving seven passengers and three crew members on board. While disconnecting, some metal goes through Fujii’s shoulder, and now he is bleeding profusely. The passengers realize they must stop before Tokyo Station without a rescue plan. Hearing this, Yuzuki leaves to make a call. Meanwhile, Takaichi realizes that there must be another track connecting Tokyo.
At the control center, Sasaki needs permission to connect the Tohoku Shinkansen track to the Tokaido Shinkansen track at Tokyo Station. Meanwhile, Yuzuki calls her father, Tsutomu, who had bragged about taking down a terrorist in the 109 attack. For the first time, Yuzuki tells Tsutomu he is a liar and reveals she is the bomber on Hayabusa 60. Saying that Yuzuki detonates a bomb at Tsutomu’s house, killing him. Now, Yuzuki walks inside the car with the passengers and calls the control room.
Coming clean, Yuzuki tells Yoshimura that she has a chronic illness and a heart monitor is implanted in her chest. The only way to defuse the bomb is for a passenger to kill Yuzuki and stop her heartbeat. At Tokyo Station, workers begin changing the tracks. Meanwhile, the team verifies everything Yuzuki said, and it checks out. The teacher tries to reason with Yuzuki, but she lashes out. According to Yuzuki, everyone hides behind masks, and she planted the bomb to reveal people’s true nature.
Bullet Train Explosion (Shinkansen Daibakuha, 2025) Movie Ending Explained:
The cops find a link to Yuzuki and Koga, who have access to bombs. They meet Koga and learn he is the son of the 109 case bomber. On the train, Fujii is bleeding, so Takaichi pleads with Yuzuki to defuse the bomb. The control room reports they can’t change tracks as it’s outside JR’s jurisdiction. So, Kasagi informs Takaichi, who decides to kill Yuzuki but only tries and fails.
Instead, Takaichi hugs Yuzuki. Now, Yuzuki breaks down. From Koga, they learn the bomb locations. The next plan is to uncouple Hayabusa 60 while moving to the Washinomiya Maintenance Centre. Cars 1-6 will move to the northbound track. Car 7 will skid diagonally, followed by car 8. Once at Washinomiya, the train can be uncoupled. Cars 1-6 will explode, while cars 7 and 8 stop. Although it will cause a terrible impact, the passengers agree and gather items to reduce the shock and strap themselves in.
The government gives its approval for the strategy. The crew on the ground readies crash cushions. Now, Matsumoto joins the rest. It all goes according to plan. Cars 1-6 explode, and 7 and 8 skids hit the crash cushions to prevent a fire and reduce the impact. The team finds all the passengers alive. Immediately, Fujii is sent to the hospital. Some of them have minor injuries.
The one investigating Yuzuki is Kawagoe. Listening to Yuzuki, Kawagoe realizes Yuzuki hates people. To give a reality check, Kawagoe shows Todoroki’s fundraiser. It has reached its target. This means people are not as horrible as Yuzuki thinks. Ultimately, the team on the ground applauds Takaichi and Matsumoto for doing their duty well.
The only reason Yuzuki planted the bomb was because of her father bragging about something he had not done. In truth, the terrorist killed himself in front of Yuzuki’s father, who was a cop. The 109 case is a callback from the first “Bullet Train” movie. The film’s highlight is the coming together of the Railway teams from different jurisdictions and the government.
Unlike other hijack films, this film utilized social media for a good cause in the movie. The passengers and the crew also came together to help solve the issue. The film also explores the sense of duty one needs to perform even in dire situations. This sense of duty saved Yuzuki, even though she was the one who put everyone’s life in danger. In the end, all the passengers survive.
