Train_Man: Densha Otoko

I'm someone who can enjoy romance and drama manga's (and anime's of course). So I enjoyed this too, I found out that there was a manga (more actually, even an anime and several drama's). of a true story, so something that actually happened. When I found out it was this story, I was suprised, that it was a romance, and not a warstory, or some kind of crazy deranged drama. But it was a nice suprise, this is about a guy, a "Otaku", who "saves" this ...woman from being harassed by a drunkard in the train, they exchange some information and keep narrowly contact with each other. Thisguy falls in love with the girl and tries to get in more touch with her and even tries to get into a relationship, he does this by asking his fellow "otaku's" on a forum he visits every day, they give him al kind of advices, and there are more and more people joining the specific thread to help our poor "otaku" out. I (as a guy) found this pretty intresting, how people who don't know that guy help him, how they care that he found luck, (let's call the guy Densha), Densha himself thought that these were the best people of the world, he couldn't be happier. The changes through time were great too, from this lazy bum "otaku" to this normal good looking guy. Densha went through major sacrifice's (his collection) and major changes. When they finally get together it's just brilliant and wonderful, I had goosebumps all over me. Just... amazing.. So, the fact that this is based on a real story, is great, how they make the story and let it run in this manga is really great too, I wasn't too fond on the art on the first sight, but it was actually pretty cool. The characters are great too, Densha, the girl but even so, the people who help Densha out. Truly amazing.

“Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.” - Plato. This is a very simple manga and due to such simplicity it is very often down-played and underrated. Is simplicity really such a bad thing? Can a simple manga be a good manga? The question "What makes a good manga?" is one that has no definite standard answer. The world of - let's call it "creative work" thus encompassing a wider scope than just manga - is an open one. Ultimately it is as unlimited as one's imagination can be, therefore any answer to this question will be met with oppositionby other people. Common answers point to a complex story in an engaging setting preferentially with several layers of depth beneath the basic plot, others mention well developed, fleshed out characters with a well developed emotional and psychological profile as the true essential point. Sometimes I find myself in the minority by openly stating that mere simplicity when well executed can provide a good manga, as the quote by Plato indicates, even if it was taken out of context. "Simple" is without a doubt a keyword to describe this manga. The story is somewhat based on real life events. It is the manga adaptation of a very popular story that has spawned novels and movies as well. The real life story revolves around a lonely Otaku who started getting help from anonymous people on an internet anonymous board in order to get closer to a woman he had saved on the train one day. This manga adaptation is based on those threads and replies. But let me explain the actual manga's story a little bit more simplistically so you know what you're getting into here. A loser Otaku saves an attractive woman from a drunkard on the train, afterwards they exchange contact information and from there on, with the help of the many suggestions from several anonymous users he starts developing his relationship with her. Yes, I know. It is a very simple story. Fairly generic, fairly predictable. So what would make it worthy of anyone's time? Let me try to explain that. This is one of the most heart-warmingly simple love stories you can come across in manga. One of those that will make you smile as you see the events playing out. It is not complex or particularly deep at all. There isn't much drama to be felt. But the romantic relationship between our main characters is one that you'll really want to see come true. Here's where the main draw of this sweet manga comes into play: the author doesn't strive for anything different, doesn't go for depth, forced drama, unnecessary awkward character development. He takes upon himself as simple a premise as they come and executes it very well without straying from the true "personality" of his creation. By adding a very good rhythm - that is usually missing in most romantic manga to be honest - likable characters and extremely pleasant comedy, the author compliments the oh-so-typical boy-meets-girl story with solid execution, resulting in a deliciously sweet, funny short manga that warms you up and brightens your day. The execution makes the manga worthy of a shot regardless of how typical the story is. The main character is easily relatable in a way. A simple guy who obsesses over his hobbies, still lives with his parents, works in a normal company and, as is easy to guess, has no luck with women, still a virgin obviously. The author took a great approach to the display of the manga by taking advantage of the "Based on true events" selling line of the story. Most of the events go by accompanied by the actual posts of the original Densha Otoko (translated as Train Man, the actual original real life poster/ main character chose this nickname to post in the threads) which a lot of the times are quite funny. This gives the manga a unique style of storytelling and allows it a pace that will draw you in easily. Even better - not only do we get the funny narration of the original Densha Otoko, we get the often hilarious comments of many of the anonymous users that helped him in his quest. Those comments provide some of the best moments in the manga as the author portrays the anonymous characters with simple images that somehow speak so much and go along so well with the original posts. As more and more of them join in and the rhythm speeds up you'll find yourself cheering along with them as if you were on that website reading the threads along with everyone. The impatience they feel and express when the Train Man takes too long to come back home and report his progress, the frustration they put up with at all the "I just can't do it guys!!" replies of Train Man and the joy at his achievements - you'll feel them too. Allow me to be cheesy here, there's a certain magic about this connection that you develop with such a simple manga and such shallow but strangely familiar characters. It's not magic though, it's just the skills of the author. That's how well portrayed this story is, the visual display is very well thought-out even if the art is somewhat sub-par. That being said I believe that this emotional ride is - at least partially - only possible due to the simplicity of the story. Now I have to say, as you can probably already tell, this manga won't appeal to everyone. It is very important to know what you're getting into. If you despise every "nerdy guy saves hot woman and end up in love" story this is obviously not for you. If you only read story driven manga this is not for you. If you can't get emotionally involved in a story without drama and complex emotional and/or psychological developments this is not for you. But... If you're looking for a simple, funny, very heart-warming romantic manga that isn't too long nor drags on fruitlessly, doesn't lose itself in love triangles or forced drama this is right up your alley. Extra points if you like anonymous internet boards or forums and are used to posting it will probably be a boost to the whole experience. Try this out, it'll cheer you up for sure. Thank you for reading, I hope that if you give this manga a shot it won't come to disappoint you. If you found this review lacking or disagree with any of the points I mentioned, feel free to let me know by commenting on my profile or messaging me, it's a good chance for me to learn how to write better reviews.

It's really hard to believe that this is based on a true story but true story or not it's a must read. Out of all the Densha Otoko Manga's I read this one is the best. As you read the manga you feel like you regret not reading the thread that Densha was posting back when this happen but this manga gives who the feeling that you were actually there when this all happen. Not only does it make you feel like you were reading the thread it also makes you want to change like Densha. It's really a heart pounding love story and Ireally recommend it to people who haven't read this manga yet.

This is a little out of my normal field, but I got seriously caught up in this story. I originally got this manga as part of a lot on Ebay, and only started reading it because it was the closest book to the door for an outdoor trip, but couldn't put the book down! Story is hard to beat, being a true story that exploded onto the national scene. It's one that resonates with just about everyone. Art is fantastic. There are no giant mecha or too cute girls or rampaging monsters, but real life portrayed very well. Characters are great, seeing real growth and development. Hardnot to be jealous in some ways of a person willing to change so much, for such a great reason! Enjoyment - I tore through two books today, have been waiting for them on the mail. Sure to reread! Overall a ten. My favorite manga to date - and I am definetely an avowed scifi geek!