Synopsis
Tanabata, the Star Festival, July 7th, commemorates the day when, according to legend, two lovers Princess Orihime and Hikoboshi who are normally separated from each other by the milky way are able to meet at long last. On the eve of Tanabata, a man and woman worlds apart make a similar wish for love. On their way home, fate finds them both on the same subway car. When an old drunkard causes a ruckus and starts harassing Aoyama-san, Yamada is the only person to gather up enough courage to confront him. This simple act of bravery becomes the foundation of a relationship between Yamada and Aoyama-san.
Review
In the synopsis I meant ‘worlds apart’ in a figurative sense. Aoyama Saori belongs to a rich family and can easily pass off as a supermodel. Yamada Tsuyoshi is middle class and doesn’t have much of a social life other than playing video games, surfing the internet, and watching anime. He is the typical Japanese otaku with a geeky exterior. When he gets home that night, Yamada posts the highlights of the subway incident at a message board. From that day forth, his online buddies give him the nick ‘Densha Otoko’ which translates to ‘The Train Man.’ Densha Otoko is based on a true story of a message thread at the infamous 2chan and was made into a manga, a summer movie, and now a popular daytime drama series.
The official Japanese site can be found at http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/denshaotoko/index.html.
The Breakdown
The story that can be generalized to encompass the millions of Anime Otakus around the world whose dream it is to find true love.
» The Pros
You got to love the comments and reactions of Yamada's online friends many of whom he has never met face to face. They are an important aspect to Yamada's life in that they encourage him in pursuing Saori and offer a variety of suggestions whenever he's in trouble. And it's not only Yamada that's affected. His life becomes an inspiration for theirs. An injured and disgruntled basketball player comes to his senses and goes to rehab, an abused wife decides within herself not to take it anymore, and another Otoko stops running away and goes forward to confess his love. Relationships that were once broken are mended. No matter how hard it gets, you have to always believe in your heart. As Yamada said in his won words, there's something magical about the message thread.
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» The Cons
Sorry I honestly can't think of any. It's a mystery though how much of the drama is actually real fact. The story most likely has been exaggerated.
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» Animation
9.0 |
Gonzo contributed to the production of Densha Otoko by providing it's own made up anime series about Mina, an intergalactic space heroine who battles all sorts of aliens. The intro to Densha Otoko is entirely anime. Funny character design with bunny ears and a couple of carrot rockets coming out of her fluffy behind. I want a Mina figurine! Mina-Kick!! The drama also weaves in 3D CG animation. To name a few instances, the Japanese lettering, entering into cyberspace, the rendering of the country of Japan, and in episode 1 when water gushes out of the sewer tunnel. |
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» Sound
9.0 |
Itoh Atsushi is absolutely perfect for the role as Yamada Tsuyoshi. No once can possibly play off the role of a loser any better, the way he looks and the way he stutters his lines. I can't really say that much about Ito Misaki (Aoyama Saori) except that she was subdued into playing that role. Her lines are slow and overly dramatized. Shiraishi Miho (Jinkama Misuzu) is truly menacing *cue Star Wars music*. There's a huge supporting cast to play all of Yamada's online acquaintances. Nomizu Iori, the cute, adorable, little cosplay punk singer girl with glasses, is going to be a star someday (you should ashamed of yourselves Loli people). Some of the soundtracks are actually American songs - the OP theme Twilight by Electric Light Orchestra and episode 1's insert song Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto by Styx. The soundtrack grows on you. I especially like Track 13. chanto tsukandemasukara. Its soft, piano and violin melody plays at all the emotional moments. Track 2. Start Me Starting Love - getsumen usagi heiki miina by Missing Link is the theme song for the Mina anime series. Track 3. A Fateful Encounter you can just picture the rose colored glasses when Yamada sees Hermes. Track 20. Sea of love (English version) is sung by Tsubaki. Even though she's no BoA, it's a great song ^_^ |
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» Story
9.0 |
Densha Otoko is an 11 episode series with an additional aftermath special episode. What comes around, goes around is certainly true in the life of Saori's childhood friend Kazuya Sakurai who also is Yamada's rival. |
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» Recommend
9.0 |
Ok, it's one of those expensive yet well worth series. At Yesasia.com they have it priced at $242.25. I swore the Japanese suggested retail price was 23800 Yen ($183.26). The box set is expected to be released on December 22, 2005. There also seems to be a spin off Mina PC game in the works, and of course the TV series CD soundtrack. The movie you should be hesitant in buying. The cast is different. They only refer to the main characters as Densha and Hermes instead of their real life names. There's only so much you can cover in a movie that can be better spread out in a drama series. |
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» Other Information
Language: Japanese
Extras: Mina stickers
Package: Mina extending her arm in the forefront of lit skyscrapers. |
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
