Densha Otoko vs Densha Otoko: FIGHT!

I watched the TV adaptation of this novel about a year ago and although I enjoyed it, by the end I was so tired of the main character's chronic shyness that I needed a break. It's only recently that I decided to try the film version. The story is the same in both: an emotionally-stunted anime freak stops a man on a train from harassing a woman and over time, with the advice of some people who write on an internet message board, he begins a romantic relationship with her.

Since the TV series is longer, it can spend more time on minor characters and sub-plots. In the film, Hermes (the female lead) has no brother and we never see her parents. Also, Densha Otoko's work life is barely explored at all, he lives alone and he doesn't try to learn to surf to impress her.

This leaves the film with the bare bones of the story, and it is just as entertaining. On the down side, it does mean that when their relationship has difficulties, it is just due to his misunderstanding rather than an event that causes a rift between them. Also, the TV series has the luxury of tear-jerking scenes like the closing of the thread as it approaches its one thousandth post.

The acting is somewhat better in the film, though, and it's played more low-key, with fewer comedic outbursts from the message board people. Nakatani Miki (Keizoku) is a better Hermes than Misaki Ito (Tiger & Dragon) perhaps because her character took a more positive role in the relationship and also because I thought she and Takayuki Yamada (who played Densha Otoko) were a more believable couple. Also there were some nice cameos in amongst the internet people, including Eita as a hikikomori.

There was a neat touch after the credits roll on the film, when we see the actors from the TV series recreate the scene with the drunkard on the train, and the person who helps hold him back is Densha Otoko from the film! Of course, I went to check the first episode, and there he was – the big screen version of Densha Otoko appearing in the TV series. I liked that.

All in all, both are good. The film is better for those in a hurry, while if you want to immerse yourself in Otaku culture, go for the TV series.

Recommended: Tiger & Dragon

I’d seen this mentioned so often on discussions about Unubore Deka, that I had to try it. Since it’s a bit old (2005) it took a while to find it, but it was worth it. Oh boy, was it worth it! The story is about a tongue-tied yakuza who wants to become a great storyteller in the rakugo style, so he takes lessons from a master who happens to owe money to his boss.











Each episode is loosely based on a traditional folk tale, and the way the narrative slips eaily between the two is a delight. In fact, it’s one of the few dramas where I’ve admired the structure of the show: The two parallel stories enhance and explain each other brilliantly. The script is very funny with some sharp dialogue and one-liners. I feel a bit sorry for the subbers who have to deal with so many puns and references, and you’ll find quite a few explanations in square brackets in some of the episodes, but that’s a minor complaint. For the most part, they’ve done a great job in turning this very Japanese show into something understandable by everyone.

The acting, too, is top quality. Nagase Tomoya is great in the main role, Nishida Toshiyuki is perfect as the rakugo master, and it was interesting to see Ito Misaki in a more challenging role than she had in Densha Otoko, when all she had to do was look nice in soft focus.











In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this. Before I watched it, I thought it couldn't be as good as everyone says, but I was wrong. It even surpassed my expectations, and if you’re not moved by the final episode, well, I guess that means we can’t be friends. Now, I’ll have to try some more of the writer Kudo Kankuro's work.

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.

Just started: Densha Otoko

After a run of detective series, I’ve started looking around for something lighter in tone. So, after not a great deal of thought I chose this show which I’ve known about for a while but never got round to seeing. In this series, apparently based on a true story, an emotionally stunted otaku (geek, for want of a better word) falls in love with a woman he meets on a train when he stands up to a drunk who is harassing her. His faltering steps towards some kind of relationship are helped and/or hindered by the advice he receives from an internet forum he frequents.

Episode one begins faultlessly, with the guy in deepest Akihabara with his geek friends, and her at a party on a boat which is so posh it has English waiters. Thus having set up the two entirely different worlds of our heroes, it launches into a theme song by the Electric Light Orchestra before the story proper can begin. Ten minutes in and I’m already sold.