Cast:
Itoh Atsushi – Yamada Tsuyoshin (Train Man)
Itoh Misaki – Aoyama Saori (Hermes)
Shiraishi Miho – Jinkama Misuzu
Horikita Maki – Yamada Aoi
Oguri Shun – Broad Administrator

Synopsis:
Densha Otoko is a story of a nerd that has a romantic relationship with a popular pretty girl that was older than him. Yamada Tsuyoshi is an awkard and nerdy guy that never date any girl for as long as he lives, one day he’s gather up a courage to defend a pretty girl that was harrassed by a old drunkard in a train. Aoyama Saori, the girl was very impress and sending him a gift, 2 cups and saucers brand Hermes. Yamada was so shocked and dunno what to do he throw a question in the forum for single guy. There’s where the story really begin and Yamada gained the nick name Densha Otoko or Train Man, as Aoyama was code as Hermes. One obstacle to another was overcome with the help of his friends from the forum. They all got excited, some try to flaming the forum and discourage Yamada, but most of them were behind him 100% and support his action to be normal, and hopefully become couple with Aoyama.

Review:
On Story
For some reason, remind me of my experience. I’m not otaku (I hope) but I can relate the feeling of pouring ur heart content (‘curhat’ dee…) to a stranger on the other side of the net, that could be on the other side of the world and next door, could be anyone actually. I like the development of character they bring to the climax, I was actually move and can feel what the main character feeling at the end of the story. :touch: … The story also involving side stories from the other poster in the forum. The Broad Admin, played by Oguri Shun (I kinda despised his hair in here… ) is actually a smart person that use to have a company (I gather an IT company) but was betray by his own friend and take all his money away. He than become a hermit and leave his girlfriend. Later on the forum his girlfriend recognise him. He said he’s not ready to meet her again, so she said, if Yamada succeed he have to see her again. Another part of the story is about a basketball player that got injured and has to stop playing basketball. He was frame by the media that he can not comeback to the national basketball team, but seeing Yamada courage to move forward, he decide to take rehab and train himself back to the national team. Or another guy that was lay-off his work and feel a shame to his wife, so he decide to leave her. But from Yamada’s determination to be a good man for Aoyama, moved him to reconcile his relationship with his wife.

On Acting
Itoh Atsushi potray a perfect otaku, I honestly can not see any angle of him that not a nerd, until the end, when he gained confidence. His acting is superb, altough probably is a taste matter, for me it’s even too dramatic. Itoh Misaki acting is totally the opposite with what I saw in Gokusen. In DO she’s playing a calm, quiet and pretty girl, and for some reason it’s hard for me to shake her image that I get from Gokusen. She’s very patient too, especially on the scene where Yamada confess to her. I was like”.. gggrrrr.. c’mon spill it!” but she’s so patient and even encourage Yamada, “Ganbatte!!!” he,he,he,he…

Shiraishi Miho, on the other hand, I saw her as a quiet and calm girl in Orange Days, and in here her character was totally the opposite! But she’s so funny, very energetic and violent too . This dorama is the second time I see Horikita Maki, I first saw her in Nobuta Wo Produce, although her part is not much here, but she’s also deliver a different character acting that NWP.

Overall
I always give rating on series/moving based on the feeling that I got after finished watching it. This one, I’m kinda tempted to give 4 out of 5, but some of the scenes is overdramatic and boring. I like it when the forum chatting with each other and giving response in the thread, that’s so funny. Some even burn their computer out because of heavy used .. ha,ha,ha… even though the thread was title Single Man Ranting, there’s actually a couple that giving advise and encourage Yamada. It was a very simple story, typical jdorama, but entertaining and have a good message.

I think it’s a 3.5 stars out of 5. (I put 4 stars here because of the rounding up.. )

Official Site : Densha Otoko