Just finished: Densha Otoko

I’ve just finished watching this entertaining series from 2005, and while the storyline may be gossamer-thin, it carries you to the end with its camaraderie and optimism.

If there is a down side to the show, it’s that you have to keep your cynicism firmly in check. A recurring theme is that if you love someone enough, they’re bound to love you back, and it’s not one that I necessarily agree with but within the confines of the story it works fine. Perhaps another down side is the lack of progress made by the main character and his attitude to the woman he loves. Even by the final special episode, he’s still a nervous wreck in her company. You’d think after a while he’d relax a little.

But the show is mostly visual comfort food. It makes no demands on the viewer other than to be led by the hand and not think about things too much. It’s all about love and friendship and trust and belief, so don't worry, everything will be fine.

The fast cut-aways to the many people posting advice on the forum gives a nice sense of community and before long they supply most of the laughs as you start to empathise with them too. In fact, the special after the series has ended focuses on these people, and makes for a perfect end to this show.