Densha Otoko!

The past few weeks has been rather busy… I went into shift work and had to adjust to an entirely different sleeping pattern. In fact, today is my off day and I’m still wide awake at 4am in the morning. Now I can’t really sleep at night but I can’t stay awake in the day!

During this time too, I’ve been glued to my laptop watching the Japanese drama “Densha Otoko” (translated as "Train Man"). This show is based on a true story of a 23-year-old otaku (Japanese geek) who intervened when a drunk man was harassing several women on a train. The otaku eventually got to know one of the women and started to date her out. The big problem is: he has absolutely zero experience with women! He started posting his experience on an online forum and got a lot of dating advice and eventually even managed to win the girl’s heart!

Initially though, I didn’t quite like the protagonist. He seemed weak and can’t even finish a proper sentence without stuttering. The girl (acted by Misako Ito) was so pretty and graceful and way out of his league. I think anyone of us by instinct would have thought that she deserves someone better. However, I did get touched by his sincerity for the girl and actually hoped that they really get together as the show goes on! This show really reminded me of myself when I was still young and clueless. The show captured the feeling of the uncertainty… the helpless feeling of having a mega crush on someone… wanting to know what she thinks of you… the internal struggle to call or not call her… planning how to ask her out on a date… planning what to do on that date! It really reminded me of my first date! Of course, I didn’t get the girl that time and maybe that’s why I wanted to see the protagonist win that girl’s heart! Wait… I even posted on online forums before too!

Also, the show is set in Tokyo and I’ve been to most of the places in the drama! The fun part is that I was at Akihabara, Tokyo before I've even seen this show! Okay, Akihabara is really the paradise of otakus… and I have to admit I do have quite a bit of otaku in me! Being in the Tokyo before actually made the show all the more believable and personal to me. Now I’ll have to deal with the withdrawal syndrome of finishing a such an addictive tv show! (and make myself sleep now that it’s 5am)



"Sekai wa sore wo ai to yobundaze" by Sambomaster [Densha Otoko ED Version]


"Twilight" by Electric Light Orchestra [Densha Otoko Opening Song