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Geeky fanboy Ikumi Saiki dreams of finding a girlfriend someday. One day, while on his way home by train, he saves a beautiful girl from a troublesome drunk. The girl sees the hero inside the otaku—and it seems that Ikumi might finally find romance! But even though Ikumi found the courage to save her, will he have the bravery to win her heart? Desperate, Ikumi posts an urgent plea on an internet message board: "Help me with the girl of my dreams!" His story sparks interest across the online world. Everyone is eager to help Ikumi prove that even an otaku can find true love!
This manga adaptation is part of the *Densha Otoko* series, based on the real-life posts of a 23-year-old otaku on the Japanese bulletin board 2channel. This story spawned a best-selling book, an 11-episode live-action series that aired from July 7, 2005, to October 6, 2005, and a film released in Japan on March 26, 2005, which was later licensed for DVD by VIZ Media.
*Densha Otoko: Bijo to Junjou Otaku Seinen no Net-Hatsu Love Story* was published in English as *Train Man: A Shōjo Manga* by Del Rey Manga on November 7, 2006.
A journey of a man who believes he can never have a girlfriend... until one event changes everything!
It was a joy to read, despite having a few flaws.
Pros:
- A fantastic read for hopeless otakus out there.
Ikumi couldn't envision falling in love, considering his status as an otaku. However, along the way, all he needs is to level up, and his journey becomes increasingly intriguing.
- A story from a first-person perspective?
The scenes in Ikumi's tale are depicted solely from his viewpoint, making the journey feel more realistic since we don't get any insight into Mai-chan's thoughts, which I find quite helpful.
Cons:
- The narrative mirrors what loners fantasize about, hence it's somewhat unrealistic.
The epilogue shows how Mai reacts to Ikumi's otaku side. Her response is something I could imagine if I were in the same situation. On the flip side, her reaction might not be as adorable as Ikumi's experience.
But let's overlook the cons. It's the sweetest manga story I've ever encountered.
You'll cherish the ending too.
Train Man is an excellent manga, even though it only has one volume. Honestly, there's no need for more volumes because continuing the story would likely become tedious and drawn out. Once you finish reading, you'll feel content with the ending since it wraps up in a way that feels just right. Thankfully, I didn't find myself anxiously awaiting the next installment. It truly is a heartwarming manga that will leave you gently placing it down to reflect on your own love life—in a positive manner, of course. ^^
The main character is a 22-year-old fanboy, geeky and shy as can be, yet delightful to read about! And really, what's more entertaining than watching a total dork undergo a thrilling makeover? ;]
Then there's the girl, and thankfully, she isn't the kind of character that makes you want to tear the book apart out of frustration. She's sweet and not at all showy!
Seeing my rather high scores, I hope you're tempted to read Train Man, as you might enjoy it just as much as I did!