Rail Wars! Nihon Kokuyū Tetsudō Kōantai (RAIL WARS! -日本國有鉄道公安隊-, lit. Rail Wars! Japanese National Railways Security Force) is a Japanese light novel series written by Takumi Toyoda with illustrations by Vania 600. As of February 2014, eight volumes have been published by Sohgeisha under their Sohgeisha Clear Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation titled Rail Wars! Nihon Kokuyū Tetsudō Kōantai The Revolver began serialization in Mag Garden's Blade Online in 2012. An anime adaptation began airing in July 2014.
The series takes place in an alternate version of Japan where the nationalized railway system was never privatized. Naoto Takayama is an ordinary high school student who aspires to a comfortable life working at Japanese National Railways. He ends up working as a security force trainee, where he unwillingly has to deal with his strange colleagues as well as RJ, a group of extremists who are fighting to privatize the railway.
Naoto Takayama (高山 直人, Takayama Naoto)
Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama
The main protagonist. While originally he wanted a peaceful life as a driver, he ended as the leader of the Fourth Guard Squad. He is a big train fan and he's very knowledgeable about all types and models. When he was young, he nearly fainted after he had gastritis after he took a picture of a passing train.
Aoi Sakurai (桜井 あおい, Sakurai Aoi)
Voiced by: Manami Numakura
The main female protagonist. She is the most fight-ready member of her team and claims she hates men. She's very athletic and the best at shooting and fighting. It is later revealed that she has hidden feelings for Naoto, but refuses to show it. Her father is a police officer and that greatly influenced her, to the point that she can't differentiate between her job and the police.
Haruka Kōmi (小海 はるか, Kōmi Haruka)
Voiced by: Maaya Uchida
One of the main female protagonists. A well-endowed girl with a sweet demeanor. While she is not very physically strong, she has a good memory and enjoys studying. She has had a crush on Naoto since the time he saved her when she got lost in the railroad museum during their childhood.
Shō Iwaizumi (岩泉 翔, Iwaizumi Shō)
Voiced by: Satoshi Hino
The other male protagonist. The most easy going and physically fit member of the team. He always wears a yellow stab vest. He seems to have a massive appetite because he exercises efficiently.
Nana Iida (飯田 奈々, Iida Nana)
Voiced by: Yui Horie
Originally the leader of the Fourth Guard Squad, but after seeing Naoto's leadership skills, she resigns her position as leader and gives it to him (temporarily). She has a cheerful personality and treats her subordinates kindly and equally, but can also be mischievous.
Mari Sasshō (札沼 まり, Sasshō Mari)
Voiced by: Hiromi Igarashi
A friend of Naoto from school who joins the OJT a month after him. She has excellent hearing and enjoys listening to the sounds of trains. She seems to know a lot about Naoto and has a crush on him. She works as a waitress at the train's station restaurant the Fourth Guard Squad usually frequents.
Hitomi Gonō (五能 瞳, Gonō Hitomi)
Voiced by: Mai Nakahara
The fiendish instructor and commander of the Tokyo Security Force's mobile units. Despite being sometimes harsh, she deeply cares for the safety of the passengers. She is close friends with Nana.
Noa Kashima (鹿島乃亜, Kashima Noa)
Voiced by: Minori Chihara
A recently popular idol. She is the main vocal of the idol unit unoB, as well as writing the lyrics and composing the songs for the unit. She develops a crush on Naoto after he saves her from a crazed man during a concert.
Rail Wars! began as a light novel series written by Takumi Toyoda, with illustrations by Vania 600. The first novel was published by Sohgeisha on January 16, 2012 under their Sohgeisha Clear Bunko imprint, and nine volumes have been released as of June 20, 2014.
A manga adaptation, titled Rail Wars! Nihon Kokuyū Tetsudō Kōantai The Revolver (RAIL WARS! -日本國有鉄道公安隊- The Revolver) and illustrated by Keiji Asakawa, began serialization in Mag Garden's Blade Online magazine on November 30, 2012. The first tankōbon volume was released on November 9, 2013.
An anime adaptation by Passione began airing on TBS on the broadcast night of July 3, 2014. The opening theme is titled "Mukai Kaze ni Utarenagara" (向かい風に打たれながら) and is sung by Minori Chihara. The ending theme is titled OVERDRIVER and is sung by ZAQ. The anime has been licensed by Sentai Filmworks.
An adventure game developed by 5pb. for the PlayStation Vita was announced that was originally due for a November 27, 2014 release, until it was delayed.
On January 28, 2016, 5pb. and Mages. Inc. announced that the PlayStation Vita game was cancelled due to the game's development falling behind schedule and other "various circumstances".
