"Trainman" (Densha Otoko), a story born on the net, adapted into manga by 4 competing magazines. (229)

1 Name: Guest: 05/01/02(Sun)13:08 ID:Ibgil9NM [Del]

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=5930

Trainman (Densha Otoko), a love-story original born on the popular 2 Channel message board, and later published by Shinchou, is going to receive four completely separate manga adaptations for serialization in four competing magazines.

Trainman, which captured the public attention on 2 Channel in March of 2004, tells the story of a 22-year old otaku who is interested in "Miss Hermes," an attractive young woman he saved from an annoying drunk on the train on his way home from Akihabara.

On 2 Channel, "Trainman" sought advice from fellow-otaku on how he should approach Miss Hermes and reported back on the progress of his relationship, while receiving encouragement from hundreds of online well-wishers.

A collection of these posts, spanning a period of 2 months, was published by Shinchou in autumn 2004 , and sold 260,000 copies in just 3 weeks and half a million copies in 2 months. In the process, the story garnered the attention of several manga anthologies, leading to a rather unique situation...

Not only is Trainman the first successful novel to be created from Internet message board postings (although there are some similarities with the situation in My Sassy Girl), but it is now also the first novel to be independently adapted into four different manga for serialization in four different manga anthologies at roughly the same time.

Three shonen magazines will serialize the story, while one shoujo magazine will publish it as a one-shot. Young Champion Magazine from Akita Shoten was the first to market, with their first installment published in their December 28th issue, followed by Shogakukan's Weekly Young Sunday Magazine on January 6th and then Monthly Champion RED Magazine (also from Akita Shoten) on January 19th. Shoujo magazine Dessert, published by Kodansha, plans to release a one-shot adaptation in their spring issue.

The editorial department of Young Champion explained their aim: "We were interested in the idea of a tale of friendship born on an anonymous message board on the net, being a subject suitable for manga and reflecting the present".

The editorial department of Young Sunday says "Even if there are others doing the same story, due to each Manga artists different style of expression, the content will be different."

Regarding fees due to the original creator of a work when it is adapted into a manga or anime, the concerned parties have stated that they intend to contribute the money to a fund for earthquake victims in Chuetsu, Niigata.

It's currently unknown, and the subject of widespread speculation, as to whether Trainman actually had a real life relationship with "Miss Hermes" or if the story expressed on 2 Channel was an elaborate piece of fiction, a hoax.

101 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-09-22 08:24 ID:Heaven

>>99
try GTO

102 Name: random bystander 2005-09-24 02:03 ID:5Ctvv9St

thanks...the other jdorama im watching right now is Gokusen..does that have the similar story as GTO?

103 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-09-24 03:37 ID:aftkUd2i

>>99 seconded, though the overacting often made me laugh more than anything.

This JDrama, though at times quite excessive, might as well become quite influential, even in the West, as some kind of hallmark of otaku [in the western sense] and 2ch-style BBS culture... as, provided the story is anything near real, a brilliant showcase of the best (and at times the worst, still...) of what can come from a band of forum-dwellers. And how, finally, the Internet, thought by many to be more against social behavior than anything, can at times bring together apparently unrelated (and anonymous!) people for a (quite) selfless cause.

It could as well give ammunition to those who claim the superiority of anonymous, subscription-less bulletin board systems, as indeed, none of this could have happened - at least, not that easily - if 2ch didn't work the way it does.

Posting in such a forum makes me somehow feel part of the story... Or at least, part of the same subculture, even though the barrier between 2ch and the english-speaking boards is more than obvious.

104 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-09-24 22:58 ID:ruRAnVzu

I've seen both GTO and Densha Otoko, any further suggestions? Please?

Is it true that Summer Snow is good?

105 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-09-25 01:55 ID:1tcCTJwV

I found this site, which has some of the original 'densha otoko' forum posts translated in to english. They are from the densha book, which seems like it is basically a print out of the entire real life thread. Anyone know if there are other sites working on this?

I know there are doubts to how 'legit' the origins of the story are, but either way I think it'd be fun to read (=´∇`=)...

http://www.rinji.tv/densha/

106 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-09-25 07:42 ID:Heaven

>>105
The original threads are (partially, they seem to only include the "important" posts) here: http://www.geocities.co.jp/Milkyway-Aquarius/7075/trainman1.html

Fan-based translation of the whole thing is also going on here:
http://academy4.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/english/1098117242/l50

Btw, I found it funny that in the TV series they made it look like the whole story took place in one single thread.

107 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-09-25 12:00 ID:Heaven

>>106
Did they? They always said "read the forum", not "read the thread". There were several parts.

108 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-09-26 05:17 ID:Heaven

Maybe a couple of lines in the fansubs were translated oddly, so everything that happened was "in this thread".

109 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-09-26 21:53 ID:V2vewh6j

>>104
Long Vacation: Aspiring pianist deals with crazy women.

110 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-09-27 08:34 ID:Heaven

>>107
It sometimes looked like it were several threads but often enough the fansubs refered to "this thread" and the last episode kinda seemed to confirm that for me, what with all of them going crazy over 1000GET

111 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-09-29 07:15 ID:bg4CgUY5

>>103

why would u even want to be part of the "subculture"... otakus in japan are hated (even though its thought that they are getting popular among girls.. but those are girls that have been cheated by their good looking boyfriends numerous times.)

anyways, this drama was interesting looking at the japanese otaku people in more precise details. i still think they are disgusting though with some guys wearing the girl cosplay and crap.

112 Name: random bystander 2005-09-30 13:04 ID:Heaven

I think that Summer Snow is pretty good. The cast isn't as good as the ones at Densha Otoko and GTO but the storyline is well written. You should go check it out, the guy who started the Alladin Channel, Oguri Shun (Munetaka Minamoto) is in that series. im on the last episode

113 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-15 08:44 ID:rQvump+N

I'm having fun reading the "original" translated version of Densha Otoko book. I found it quite hilarious. It seems "Densha" was a bit (fabricated?) after translation but the supporters were quite original. How they depict each personality into the TV series was quite amusing. I'm pretty sure the original people who answered "Densha" were not as the obsurd character like in the TV series but it gave me quite a chuckle (okay, I lied, I was laughing HARD). I'm pretty sure it is quite impossible to recreate this in America where people, instead of being anynomous/random, prefer to post their picture (someone else's who is better looking than them in that matter) instead. This, Densha Otoko BBS "true story" could be one hella scam to pull off if it were produced in US. Possible location? New York? Who knows.

114 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-16 10:46 ID:wbEtrZR+

Well, >>111, if you take it from a culturally relevant angle, the people that matter most to otaku (other otaku) don't hate them. It's all about acceptance in one's peer group, see.

>>113, you're correct! The mindset of most English-speaking countries when it comes to messageboards like this is that they're jokes, that they can use their anonymity to cause random havoc, that nothing said is really serious or real at all. At least, that's what I've observed and participated in, nyaha.

>>114 is internet anthropology!

115 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-16 13:50 ID:Heaven

I reported >>114 to AOL for abusing his anonymity, as it is a crime.

116 Name: MistressOfSin 2005-10-16 22:31 ID:oIHJq466

I am American...and found this drama truly compelling...I wish it would be produced here, it would do quite well in my opinion...

xoxo

117 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-17 04:36 ID:fQ1rRRq0

I just finished watching the movie and the entire drama of densha otoko and not to say i got really hooked with this.
To read the book is the only thing left for me, well I'm exactly a quarter on my way reading it. I can't read japanese that's why I still waiting for the tranlated thread/book to finish. AHHH!! it's just taking to long of wait. _|¯|O

118 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-18 04:46 ID:M6rs+mHd

>I'm pretty sure the original people who answered "Densha" were not as the obsurd character like in the TV series

I'm not so sure about that.

119 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-18 05:03 ID:bg4CgUY5

>>118

they probably werent that obsurd. the people who made the drama over-exaggerated some things to give each character a specific personality. if you read the book/threads, you kinda see that.

120 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-18 05:51 ID:fQ1rRRq0

but what they did in the TV drama is great anyway. it was pretty hilarious on what they did with the TV drama. and hey, it also said the story is fiction based on a true story. so we just can say that maybe 60% of the TV drama did not really happened, but it's pretty close to the real thread, right? [maybe 50-50?]

121 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-18 07:41 ID:Heaven

× obsurd
○ absurd

122 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-18 22:41 ID:Heaven

>>118
The secondary characters in the drama are basically all stereotypes. Fun, but not all that realistic.

123 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-19 03:14 ID:223+ynBZ

>>122
yea, maybe.. but that's the funny thing about it. (",)

124 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-19 07:24 ID:Heaven

>>122
Who wants a realistic drama? The more overacting the more fun for the audience! Also, I think the term you want is "naturalistic", simply because I want to say that the persons in the drama felt very real to me and still make sense.

125 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-19 15:51 ID:223+ynBZ

it's a comedy/drama. it's real in some cases and not-that-real in other parts. if you want to do a comedy - you have to go beyond what is real. if you want drama, put something real to it. put them together = you have one hell of a funny realistic show. "natural" if people see it that way.

126 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-10-20 09:38 ID:Heaven

I dunno, if I want reality I don't watch a movie/TV. I step outside.

127 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2005-11-06 16:04 ID:ynddgb+K

Being part of that culture~ the characters are not as exaggerated as most may think. Though they are stereotyped a little bit to easily flesh out each person's character more easily in the limited time frame of a TV show (as the viewers would appreciate the minutes better spent on making the main characters evolve). Of course, there is a couple of side stories that fitted nicely in in order to evolve a couple or so of the thread posters so that people won't think that these people are as 'stereotypical' as one might belive from watching the series.

As for which scenes were 'real' and which ones weren't; The scenes that were reffered to in the context of the thread were not made up.

128 Name: anoymous 2006-01-19 14:13 ID:IhVP04SX

i like this Densha.Otoko. i also recommend friends to watch it.
itoh misaki very pretty

129 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-01-30 11:18 ID:Heaven

> Being part of that culture~ the characters are not as exaggerated as most may think.

The characters are fine, but I don't think the life/romance parts of 2ch are actually full of otaku. Bored housewives, maybe.

130 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-01 08:58 ID:BA5q8rSO

I like densha Otoko. But why the Densha character often cry a lot? :D

131 Name: L 2006-02-01 09:01 ID:BA5q8rSO

Anyone watch densha otoko- yamada guest?

132 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-01 16:27 ID:GjV/nb1E

\o me!

133 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-02 10:45 ID:1blCaut5

hey can sometome teach me how to type that face densha always use on the msg board?

134 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-06 12:48 ID:8vrTeCcw

i want sex with itoh misaki. is that wrong?

135 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-09 08:42 ID:cgcXCDSS

>>134

I on the other hand think Itoh Atsushi is sexy... -_~

I'm a guy BTW.

136 Name: rokunana 2006-02-12 13:00 ID:qD3P73Tc

lolz...this is like the "single man's rant" forum shown in the drama...

137 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-14 13:44 ID:Heaven

>>136 is pretty DQN.

138 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-15 14:33 ID:0V4gWH9U

What does DQN mean anyway?

139 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-15 22:09 ID:Heaven

>>138
An idiot or a jerk, or behavior characteristic of one. It comes from a Japanese word, "dokyun."

140 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-16 20:53 ID:QPArIy6e

I like densha otoko too. Regardless if the story is true or not, it has a message. Hopefully, it'll reach you or at least get your brain working. If you have trouble remembering, stories play a big part in our history. Stories inspired and founded countless religions. The basis of truth is irrelevant. That's why it's called "faith".
I guess there are people who don't like the story. It must be tough to be like them...

141 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-17 00:58 ID:uWdQKMJC

>>140
What exactly is the message of this story? Do not try to change yourself to something you are not? The story of Densha Otoko has been told many, many, many, many times. That being said, I mildly enjoyed the TV series. The only reason I could bare to watch it was Itoh though.

142 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-17 06:04 ID:Heaven

Even though he didn't give up his otakuness, Densha did make a lot of changes in his life to be more appealing to Hermes. His wardrobe, his hair, learning about restaurants.

143 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-17 06:08 ID:Heaven

That is not a change of his person though.

144 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-17 18:25 ID:rD+7+06q

>>141
I think the message is: nobody's perfect. People shouldn't really judge others on the basis of inferiority. Everybody needs a little improvement.

145 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-19 21:13 ID:3THSlH5B

anybody here who's a member of the official densha otoko fanlisting? I don't blame 'ya, they only have 15 members...worldwide.

the same 15 people in this thread?

146 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-19 22:58 ID:Heaven

What's a "fanlisting".

147 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-20 03:48 ID:Heaven

I don't know, but I bet it's something dumb!

148 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-21 02:25 ID:BNn3hOOO

>>146
It's the Web 2.0 equivalent of webrings http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webring. By which I mean, the same exact thing with a new name and coat of paint. Only it's less useful than webrings because there's no front page navigation for skipping from site to site. Yes, it's dumb.

149 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-21 06:39 ID:Heaven

Oh how I love the web 2.0 world. Everything is just like before, only shitter and with new names. E/N site? HEAVENS NO, it is a BLOG! Wtf is a permalink? Oh, it is the link that ANYONE THAT ISN'T RETARDED uses... but they made a name for it!

150 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-21 15:01 ID:Heaven

>>149
Thanks for reminding me about "E/N site." I totally forgot I had ever known that term, heh.

151 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-21 20:04 ID:I24TpjHY

there's an official fanlisting? is it even in english?

152 Name: 404 - Name Not Found 2006-02-21 22:51 ID:Heaven

Any fanlisting is only official in the sense that someone set it up, declared it official, and a bunch of others joined in deference. So it's not official at all.

153 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2006-04-07 08:36 ID:JgmLWTZB

ey

154 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2006-04-10 01:14 ID:qpMe0NL4

I just finished the TV series today. It was so awesome.

Quote: I never imagined that mainsteam people behave otakus like they're menace for the community, like gross...Ok, lots of them are overdoing it e.x. looking at the pants of a female anime...figure. O_o But they aren't all otakus like this.

155 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2006-04-18 06:39 ID:POaobWgk

wha?!?

156 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2006-04-18 06:41 ID:POaobWgk

2ch forum imitation? XD

157 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2006-05-04 14:42 ID:Heaven

>>154
Yeees, we just look at their panties..., nothing more. I promise...

http://danbooru.donmai.us/post/list/tags/semenonfigure/1
(don't click it)

158 Name: Drak : 2006-06-28 12:14 ID:C5cmHG3I

I love the semenonfigure thing, i wanna rub my cock on an anime girl sooo much!!! ill get somefigures some day and make loads of videos hehe!
http://rapidshare.de/users/MYAKDB
http://rapidshare.de/users/1KM5B7
awesome, the best videos on the net for semenonfigure
FAP FAP FAP.............. SPLAT

159 Name: Albright!LC/IWhc3yc : 2006-06-29 19:11 ID:Heaven

JESUS I HATE THE INTERNET

160 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2006-07-03 04:56 ID:5cE3grJ0

omg I hate THAT >>158

161 Post deleted by moderator.

162 Post deleted by moderator.

163 Name: Esperlia : 2006-10-06 12:14 ID:Nk5GiXeE

I loved this drama tv series. :) Regardless if it is true or not true.

164 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2006-10-12 04:05 ID:sV39hxNm

3 of the 4 manga adaptations will have the English versions out soon! :3

165 Name: Lain : 2006-11-04 17:25 ID:R/CdvfvL

I just finished watching the series. I got hooked straight after watching the first episode. I ended up watching the whole series in one sitting. Its really a heart warming story and i guess many nerds like me can actually draw strength from it and probably find love one day.

166 Name: unknown : 2006-11-09 04:16 ID:+nz40S3L

i know the truth of this story..because i was one of them..

167 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2006-11-15 17:38 ID:MhiLzSZu

then prove it

168 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2006-11-19 04:49 ID:4WN6PvOF

yeah prove it

169 Name: yuka : 2006-11-24 13:15 ID:oYCQW246

>>165
Yes! That's true! I watched densha otoko too and it's a got a wonderful story!

170 Name: fräulein rose : 2006-12-28 23:31 ID:Y6x6r9kX

o_o hi!

171 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2006-12-29 05:25 ID:sV39hxNm

Since this is about the manga adaptations, here's how I rank the ones that have been translated so far.
Viz version(seinen type) > unlicensed version > Del Rey version (shojo type) > CMX version (shonen type)

172 Post deleted by moderator.

173 Post deleted by moderator.

174 Name: Gokudo : 2007-01-10 15:34 ID:tGgeuSgy

Hello everybody!
Does any one read the manga of densha otoko?

175 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-01-11 05:11 ID:sV39hxNm

Yes, we do. Right now I'm waiting for volume 2 of the Viz version.

176 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-01-11 10:14 ID:tUE8Nus+

am i the only one to find that the "densha otoko" mangas suck ?

177 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-01-13 08:59 ID:mb44NKys

178 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-01-26 04:12 ID:ZimDVq+Z

Wow this thread sucks compared to the original. LoL.

179 Name: Mike : 2007-01-30 04:50 ID:tM6UF7D1

The only reason that I got into 4-ch was because of this movie. I am very grateful to it. ^_^

180 Post deleted by moderator.

181 Post deleted by moderator.

182 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-05-29 23:23 ID:JXKZA8m3

I've only read the CMX version(I wish CMX had better quality in general, I really do.), and the Del Rey novel version, but I was hooked from the premise. It's the reason I'm at 4-ch XD

I love how the novel version is set up, though it's kind of weird to have prices in pounds and other UKish stuffs.

>>165
Yeah, I think that's why a lot of otaku/nerds in general like Train Man so much. It's inspirational; that not everyone judges by looks, and that even otaku can find love somewhere.
(I highly doubt I could be as brave as Train and stand up to a drunkard though XD)

183 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-06-04 01:23 ID:A2UDwUcz

There are a lot more drama out there better than Densha Otoko.

184 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-06-06 16:48 ID:KaxikTOl

>>176

I was disappointed in the Viz manga too. IMHO, the drama is the best, followed by the movie. (The drama's great because it's so long, so you get more detail.)

185 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-06-07 03:53 ID:pmNwBV70

i just started watching the tv drama, i really like it

186 Name: Dani : 2007-06-13 22:35 ID:PmISnmoV

Densha isn't the be all and end all of dorama, just enjoy it for what it is.

187 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-06-17 04:55 ID:ajsVTzJY

Also, like a lot of the other ppl here, watching Densha Otoko inspired me to come to Ch2 + Ch4 :3 it was an awesome movie. awmawgawd. it blew me away, it is definitly one of my all time favorite films ^^

188 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-06-18 13:03 ID:JrZiIA4i

I read the manga today. I think it's a cute tory. And at the moment i feel like that guy in the manga...

189 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-06-19 22:17 ID:CDHKkDFz

a little bit late though, but I just watch the dorama...

damn... i really envy the main char, for him to be able to get a nice woman like that... (-.-)

190 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-06-26 17:07 ID:3LlRvkFp

The original posts > than all adaptations.

I didn't much like the dorama, I didn't care for the way they exaggerated the otakus. How are you supposed to take these clowns seriously?

I similarly didn't like the manga adaptation of NHK ni Youkoso! Too much gratuitous exaggeration. Seems like the writers were shying away from the reality of the situation. They lacked balls.

191 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-07-04 21:15 ID:Heaven

>How are you supposed to take these clowns seriously?

yeah... kind of sums up here.

192 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-07-08 03:13 ID:sV39hxNm

I just saw the DX special pseudo-sequel. It was contrived as hell, but somehow still entertaining. At least we got to see more Jinkama, and the villain guy was awesome. The bit at the end helped to redeem it some. It really felt like something out of 2ch.

193 Name: Loser : 2007-08-16 15:10 ID:1DeRGy3X

>>190

The manga of NHK ni Yokuso was much more cynical than the anime! It was the intention to exaggerate it into a degree that made sad situations turning into kinda funny, pathethic situation -.-

The anime was much more dramatic than being cynicall!

You have to see both version as their own.

I just love both the manga and the anime ;)

194 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-08-16 15:34 ID:Heaven

>>190
it's black comedy, what did you expect?

195 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-09-21 06:30 ID:vkMIH1pj

i <3 densha otoko. one of my fav bk ever

196 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-09-25 01:09 ID:cBFCU8By

I first watched the movie, and thought "Something is missing here..."

Then I stumbled across the "novel" in a book store, started reading the first few pages, and thought "...Ah, here it is!"

197 Name: zack : 2007-09-29 03:35 ID:zWR+hD15

I've just finished watching densha otoko by now. It's a great JDorama :D

198 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-09-30 22:55 ID:8h9TIjSf

The drama is way better than the movie

199 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-10-08 10:55 ID:H4HX8cDo

I decided to read the original posts - translated to English since I don't speak a word of Japanese. So far all I can say the original is muuuuch better than both the movie and and the dorama. Seriously - if you can, red the originals.

200 Name: 404 - Name Not Found : 2007-10-09 03:27 ID:/0/1tUDK

>>199
Better... I don't know. I have only seen the dorama. It's obvious from comparing the dorama to the original 2ch thread that they scripted some really strange things to make the show more interesting/put you on the edge of your seat.

So, the thread is the thread while the dorama is a fiction based on the thread with some application of artistic license. I think both are enjoyable in their own way.

Apples and oranges.

And yes, go read the original thread. It's quite nice.

Name: Link:
Leave these fields empty (spam trap):
More options...
Verification: