STORY STUDY - MEDIUM: FILM - “Densha Otoko”

Go on the internet today, and you’ll find many stories (authentic or fake) that range from hopeful to disgusting. Luckily, today’s post is about is about the former.

Densha Otoko (or Train Man as it is translated into English) is a story that started out on a Japanese internet message board called 2channel. These message boards told the story of an otaku (geek) who frequently visits Akihabara, a district in Tokyo, Japan that is famous for its anime, manga and video game merchandise, and maid cafes. Any anime that features this kind of character will feature Akihabara in at least one episode.

One night while riding on the subway, the man witnesses a drunkard being disruptive. When he starts harassing a young woman, the man gathers up the courage to save her. After saving her, the woman thanks him and asks the man his address.

The man posted his experience on 2channel on March 14, 2004, where his story was read by other posters, whom they nicknamed the man “Densha Otoko” (Train_Man.)

A few days later, Train_Man receives a package from the woman: an expensive tea set from Hermes, the famous French luxury goods manufacturer. The 2channel posters are surprised that such an expensive gift was given to him, and they suggest he contact the woman.

From there, Train_Man was able to get a date with the woman, nicknamed Hermes. However, because he’s never been on a date before, Train_Man asks his posters advice. They give him advice on what clothes to wear, how to look more appealing, and give him restaurant suggestions.

I won’t say what the end result was, but on May 17, Train_Man left the boards. Given that I said it was a hopeful, I think everyone can guess what happened.

This is pretty much the entire story of Densha Otoko, which is directed by Shosuke Murakami and written by Arisa Kaneko. The film showcases the relationship between Train_Man and Hermes while also showing seven other characters that act as the other posters, each having their own little subplots and character development. They treat the Train_Man’s story as catharsis to ease their personal struggles. The film also utilizes fantasy sequences used to show Train_Man’s expectations of a future meeting, or a crazy scenario to indicate how a character views an otherwise mundane situation, even if going on a first date with someone can be considered intimidating.

The film also features computer text that’s sometimes cleverly displayed over the scene.

After re-watching the film again for Story Study, I still find it cute and gut-wrenching. If there is something I wish the film had done is show more of Hermes’ life. After all, the entire story is told through only Train_Man’s point of view. I won’t fault it for the typical, “what does she see in him” question that gets asked in countless romantic comedies, but if you think that when watching this or any other movie, go right ahead.

Densha Otoko started on 2channel, but has since been released as a book, which contains a majority of the message boards that tell the story instead of traditional prose, a TV drama series, this film, which has cameos by the two main leads from the TV drama, and four different manga interpretations. Given the nature of the medium, it’s highly possible the TV drama goes more in depth with Hermes’ character. (I have yet to see it though.)

I was introduced to this film at Anime Expo, possibly in 2007, when this film was released in America through Viz Media. One of the booths was selling it, so I picked it up and read the synopsis on the back. Simply based on that, I took a chance, bought it, and still own it.

Because the story originated on the internet, it is questionable whether or not this event happened at all. The Train_Man’s identity was never revealed. However, Story Study is meant to explore all kinds of stories, and this one, whether it is fact or fiction, is still worth your time.