Train Man

Manga by
Machiko Ocha

Based on Densha Otoko by
Hitori Nakano

Del Rey, November 2006, 186 pp.
ISBN: 0-345-49619-1

Genre: Comics
Subgenre: Manga
Reviewed: 12/31/2006

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Manga Page

Synopsis

Ikumi Saiki is 22-years old and an anime fanboy and a virgin. He loves to spend a lot of time online in chatrooms talking with his friends. The one thing he really wants, as do all of his friends, is a girlfriend.

One day, while riding on the train to work, he spies a very pretty young woman who is reading a book. When an old, drunk man starts harassing the commuters and especially her, Ikumi stands up and defends the passengers. Everyone on the train is grateful, especially the young woman. When Ikumi gets home, he has dreams of having her as his girlfriend, and his friends online are very supportive.

Having given his address to the commuters, Ikumi received a package of expensive teacups and a letter from the young woman. His friends online pressure him to call the girl, which he finally does. Of course, her voice mail picks up. He tries again the next night and she finally answers. Her name is Mai Kohinata and they make a date for dinner. Knowing he looks like a anime fanboy, Ikumi gets a haircut and buys some new clothes. Who knows? Maybe he will finally find himself his first girlfriend.

Train Man is a manga book by Machiko Ocha based upon an original story by Hitori Nakano. This story was Translated and Adapted  by Makoto Yukon and Lettered by North Market Street Graphics.

This book contains the following chapters:

• 1: Enter Densha Otoko

• 2: Keep It Up, Densha Otoko

• 3: Get Hermes!

• 4: A Miraculous Ending

• Epilogue

There are also some sections in the book for: A) Honorifics Explained, B) Translation Notes, and C) Train Man: How and Otaku Created a Pop Culture Phenomenon. The book reads from right to left and back to front, just like a book from Japan. This manga book is intended for readers ages 16 and up.

Review

Train Man is an interesting story about a young man that is totally wrapped up in anime and talking with his friends online in chatrooms. Of course, he has never physically met any of his friends, but he is okay with that. It is about the evolution of a computer geek into a man. As for Mai, she is a sweet girl and goes after what she wants.

I did enjoy their growing relationship, but had a hard time relating to the main character. Sure, I spend a lot of time online, but I don't spend it in chatrooms and have that as my only social interactions. Ikumi is quite the geek when the story starts. It takes being out in the real world with Mai to bring out the man in him.

This book is toted as a story about a beautiful girl and an innocent fanboy and their internet love story. Young readers who spend a lot of time online in chatrooms will feel especially close to Ikumi and his longing to have a girlfriend. Someone who is flesh and blood, not just plastic, computer ships, and wires.

Overall, Train Man is good, but I feel the books intended audience is too small. I did enjoy it, but had a hard time relating to the main character. After all, he enjoys and laughs at ASCII art.

I rated this book a 7 out of 10.