On September 9th, Odakyu Electric Railway announced that they have started the design process for a new "Romancecar" as of Monday, September 2nd. The company is preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Odakyu Line in April 2027, with plans to launch the new Romancecar in March 2029. "The new Romancecar will inherit the tradition and history of the Romancecar brand that we have cultivated with many of our customers. At the same time, it will offer an even more refined travel experience for both domestic and international passengers," said an Odakyu Electric Railway representative. The new model will replace the EXE (30000 series), excluding the renovated EXEα, and serve as the successor to the VSE (50000 series), which retired in 2023 with hopes for the revival of Hakone as a tourist destination.
The exterior and interior design of the new train will be handled by COA First-Class Architect Office. COA was selected due to their architectural designs, which emphasize a connection to local communities and show thoughtful consideration for users—values that align with Odakyu’s philosophy. "Through our architectural designs, we have thought about how to create spaces where people and nature blend and where connections between people can flourish. Railways, as they connect places and people, are essential to our daily lives. We aim to design a train where everyone can enjoy a comfortable space, have exciting experiences, and spend memorable moments. We want to breathe new life into the Romancecar, which has evolved while preserving its tradition, and create a train that will be loved by many," said a representative from COA.
The actual train manufacturing will be entrusted to Nippon Sharyo, which has a wealth of experience and expertise in Romancecar production. Odakyu plans to further develop the concept and design and is considering setting up a special website to share updates on the project.
