Densha Otoko

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Densha Otoko (電車男? translated as Train Man) is a Japanese movie, television series, manga, novel, and other media, all based on the purportedly true story of a 23-year-old otaku (Japanese geek) who intervened when a drunk man was harassing several women on a train. The otaku ultimately begins dating one of the women.

The event, and the man's subsequent dates with the woman, who became known as "Hermès" (エルメス Erumesu?), was chronicled on the Japanese mega-BBS 2channel. This led to the compilation of the relevant threads in a book, followed by several manga versions, a movie, a theatrical play later released as a DVD, and finally a TV series.

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[edit] Origin

While many attest to the truth of the story—including the producers of the television series who contacted the real Densha Otoko—it has not been proven that the story was completely authentic.

Hitori Nakano (中野 独人 Nakano Hitori?) is the man the character Densha Otoko (the "Train Man") is based on. All the manga and anime Densha Otoko is about an actual event in his life. From Anime News Network;

"Nakano Hitori" is not a real person. It's a pseudonym created from naka-no-hitori (中の一人), "one of those people," for the true identity of "Densha" is never revealed and the book is a collection of posts on the 2channel bulletin board.

Densha Otoko is a popular example of the "nice guy" class of Japanese geeks who wish to lead normal lives, but are too shy to find a girlfriend, or speak openly anywhere but online. The television series uses a large number of computer-bound extras.

In 2004, an anonymous user posted in a 2channel thread for single men to bemoan their woes. According to his account, he had been sitting next to a young woman on the train when a drunken man entered the car and began bothering the other passengers, most of whom were female. When the drunk began to badger a particular woman, the poster took the risk of telling the man to stop bothering the passengers. The two struggled for a short time while the other passengers used this distraction to summon the conductor, who took control of the situation.

Never having done such a thing in his life, the poster was amazed to find the woman thanking him deeply for saving her from harassment. The young woman requested his address, telling him that she wanted to express her appreciation for his act, before they parted ways. The poster, upon returning home, shared his experience with other posters in the thread and was eventually nicknamed "Densha Otoko" (Train_Man).

A few days later, Train_Man received a package from the woman: an expensive set of cups and saucers made by Hermès. Flabbergasted, the man turned to the 2channelers for advice; he was soon convinced that the tea set was too expensive to be a mere thank-you gift. Following the advice and suggestions of the other posters, Train_Man eventually contacted the woman.

As Train_Man had never been on a date before, he consistently posted updates on his situation, asking for advice on everything from restaurant choices to what clothing to wear. After an enjoyable first date, they began meeting regularly. Following the 2channelers' collective advice, he got a haircut, updated his wardrobe, and began to emerge from his shell. After several dates, his demeanor had changed for the better and this culminated a few months later in his confessing his love for her. She reciprocated, and when the 2channelers were informed, there was a mass celebration; posts began flowing in congratulating the new couple, and extravagant Shift JIS art pictures were posted. Because 2ch has an enormous impact on net culture in Japan, this story quickly spread throughout the media.

[edit] Drama

Main article: Densha Otoko (drama)

The drama aired on Fuji TV from July 7 to September 22, 2005 (with a special episode on October 6, 2005). The series originally aired on Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. A two hour long TV special, Densha Otoko Deluxe, aired on September 23, 2006.

[edit] Film

Main article: Densha Otoko (film)

A film version of Densha Otoko was released in June 2005.

[edit] Manga versions

Volume 1 of Hidenori Hara's manga adaptation (English Version)
Volume 1 of Hidenori Hara's manga adaptation (English Version)

There are four manga adaptations of Densha Otoko:

  • Train_Man: Densha Otoko (電車男～ネット発、各駅停車のラブストーリー～ Densha Otoko: Net-hatsu, Kakueki-teisha no Love Story?, "Train_Man: Internet, Local Train Love Story") - a 3-volume seinen series by artist Hidenori Hara, published by Shogakukan. It was licensed by Viz Media in the United States, translated by Cindy H. Yamauchi & Mark Giambruno, and released on October 11, 2006. (see box)
  • Densha Otoko: The Story of a Train Man Who Fell in Love With A Girl (電車男～でも、俺旅立つよ。～ Densha Otoko: Demo, Ore Tabidatsuyo?) - another 3-volume seinen series by artist Wataru Watanabe (渡辺 航 Watanabe Wataru?), published by Akita Shoten. It was originally planned to be four volumes but due to lackluster sales of the second volume, it was truncated to three volumes. Licensed by CMX in the United States.
  • Train_Man: Go, Poison Man! (電車男　がんばれ毒男！ Densha Otoko: Ganbare Doku Otoko!?) - a 3-volume shōnen manga series by artist Daisuke Dōke (道家 大輔 Dōke Daisuke?), also published by Akita Shoten.
  • Train_Man: A Shōjo Manga (電車男～美女と純情ヲタク青年のネット発ラブストーリー Densha Otoko: Bijo to Junjō Otaku Seinen no Net-hatsu Love Story?, "Train_Man: Beauty and the Simple Otaku-Boy, an Internet Love Story") - a one-volume shōjo manga by artist Machiko Ocha (御茶まちこ Ocha Machiko?). Licensed by Del Rey in the United States.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links