Densha Otoko (TV series)


Densha Otoko is a Japanese television drama that aired on Fuji Television. It is based on the Densha Otoko story, which has also been portrayed in other media.
The drama's 11 episodes were aired on Fuji TV from July 7 to September 22, 2005. A two-hour-long TV special, Densha Otoko Deluxe, aired on September 23, 2006, featured a visit to Tahiti. Pony Canyon released the series on a DVD box set on December 22, 2005. It also aired in Taiwan's Videoland Japan from January 24, 2006, and in Hong Kong's TVB Jade from April 15, 2006.

Plot

The plot follows the life of Yamada after a chance encounter with Saori, when he rescues her from a drunken man on the train. Saori sends him a set of Hermès tea cups as a thank you gift. Relying on advice from users on a website, he is able to find the courage to change and eventually confess his feelings to Saori.
The drama is filled with various dream sequences in which the characters use to portray their fantasies.

Cast

Atsushi Itō and Misaki Ito have a cameo appearance after the end credits in the movie. In turn, Takayuki Yamada who portrays Densha Otoko in the movie, appears in a brief cameo in the first episode of the TV series, as well as in a special episode. Miho Shiraishi had also a brief role in the movie, but as a different character. The Japanese Rock Band that played the ending credits, Sambomaster, also made a cameo in episode 11 where Densha had to go to the hospital where he believed that Saori has collapsed.

Opening sequence

The television series makes numerous references and homages to otaku culture. The opening animation is a homage to the legendary Daicon IV "Twilight" anime short, which was created by the founders of Gainax. Also, the space ship in the first opening is similar to the logo of the band ELO, who composed Twilight.
Though rival anime studio Gonzo produced the Densha Otoko opening and is referenced several times in the series, the producers acknowledged Gainax's work by putting their name in the credits before that of Gonzo. The opening sequence is also a homage of the opening for the cult-anime Galaxy Express 999, in which a poor boy meets the very beautiful Maetel and travels through space on the train Galaxy Express 999, which embarks them into adventures.
The series also makes use of Shift JIS art, or Japanese ASCII art during screen transitions and within the story itself.

Episodes

Specials

Special 1 - Another Ending

The first special contains a few story arcs which chronicles the lives of the other 2channel users. Many scenes from the original series were parodied. e.g. Kazuya confessing to Jinkama like how Yamada confessed to Saori.
Ushijima's Story
Ushijima believes the love of his life has run off with his money. He finds her but discovers that she did not steal his money but got scammed herself. They reunite happily.
Matsunaga's (Guitar Otoko) Story
Matsunaga, one of Yamada's friends is tricked into buying a guitar. He attempts to woo Yuko, one of Saori's friends by singing live at the Tokyo Dome.

Music

Opening

Introductory music from the first episode is "Mr. Roboto" by Styx.
Subsequent openings use the song "Twilight" Electric Light Orchestra.

Ending

's "Sekai wa Sore o Ai to Yobundaze".

Original soundtrack

Composed by
Released: August 24, 2005
Duration: 76 min
ASIN: B000A3H62W
JAN: 4547366022209
Label: Sony Music Entertainment
Track list
1. トワイライト
2. START ME @ STARTING LOVE - 月面兎兵器ミーナ
3. a fateful encounter
4 もちつけ俺... ))
5. 名無しさん
6. 喰っちゃったんですか??
7. 詳細キボンヌ
8. めしどこか たのむ
9. キタ──────────────!!!!!
10. 毒男
11. 哀愁のWaltz
12. steal up...
13. ちゃんと掴んでますからw
14. グレイスフルトレーディング
15. ベアノティー
16. sea of love ~instrumental version~
17. エルメス
18. ちゃんと掴んでますからw ~Acoustic Guitar version~
19. 世界はそれを愛と呼ぶんだぜ ~Bluesharp version~
20. sea of love ~English version~
21. 宇宙のファンタジー
22. コーリング・オール・エンジェルズ
23. ダウンタウン・トレイン
24. Twilight ~A.Piano version~

''Getsumento Heiki Mina''

The animation sequences for both the opening and series shots of the metafictional anime series Getsumento Heiki Mina were produced by Gonzo. Both Gonzo and the producers of the Densha Otoko TV series put a concerted effort into creating the appearance of a long-standing franchise, from hiring voice actress Saori Koide to recording an opening theme for the Mina series, "START ME @ STARTING LOVE" by Missing Link.
Several toys, "video games", custom figurines and other "merchandise" were made specifically for use by otaku in the series. One of the figures, valued at $4000, was inadvertently broken by actor Atsushi Itō during filming. Replicas of the original figure were later sold at the Winter 2005 Comiket.
On January 13, 2007, the real world version of began airing in Japan. Gonzo had mentioned on December 16, 2005 that all the existing sequences and properties from Densha Otoko would be used. However, the narrative of the real-world adaptation of Mina is different from the .

Reception

On October 25, 2005, Densha Otoko was awarded six prizes at the 46th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Drama, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Musical Arrangement and Best Opening.