Train Man: Densha Otoko

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

79%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 4,653

Super Reviewer

Train Man: Densha Otoko Photos

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Movie Info

A socially-challenged otaku (Japanese slang for "geek") saves an attractive female from the unwanted advances of a lecherous salaryman while commuting on the local train route, only to become infatuated with the kind and thankful woman in a romantic comedy that takes its cue from a real-life romantic encounter. Densha Otoko (Takayuki Yamada) may not have much experience with the ladies, but what he lacks in romantic know-how he more than makes up for in gentlemanly instinct. When Densha notices an unruly drunk making a female train passenger (Miki Nakatani) uncomfortable, his snap decision to come to her rescue finds the relieved woman requesting his address so that she may send him a gift for his thoughtful display of kindness. Densha isn't the smoothest operator in town though, and in order to make a good impression he soon begins seeking out the romantic advice of his equally inexperienced internet friends. Now, as Densha strives to improve his social skills in order to win the heart of the woman he has grown to love, his romantic journey will find him realizing that there is much more to life than the heady philosophy behind the Matrix Trilogy.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Art House & International, Comedy, Romance
Directed By:

Shosuke Murakami
Written By:

Arisa Kaneko
In Theaters:

Sep 22, 2006 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Feb 6, 2007
Runtime:

105 minutes
Studio:

Viz Pictures

Cast

Ren Osugi
as Middle-aged man in train

Miki Nakatani
as Hermes

Takayuki Yamada
as Densha Otoko

Ryoko Kuninaka
as Rika

Eita
as Hirofumi

Kuranosuke Sasaki
as Hisashi

Tae Kimura
as Michiko

Yoshinori Okada
as Yoshiga

Naomi Nishida
as Hermes's friend

Hiroki Miyake
as Tamura

Ian Moore

Makoto Sakamoto
as Muto

Momoko Shimizu
as Schoolgirl on the train

Ichie Tanaka

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Critic Reviews for Train Man: Densha Otoko

All Critics (6) | Top Critics (3) | DVD (3)

If nothing else, this breezily entertaining fable ups the ante on depicting modern communication. I haven't seen a film that has more characters online or on a cell phone or both.

Dec 8, 2006 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

G. Allen Johnson
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic
A simple tale of beauty, the geek and the Internet, this Japanese romantic comedy follows the halting courtship of a 22-year-old nerd and his subway crush.

Sep 21, 2006 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
Top Critic
Train Man: Densha Otoko is a lot like its protagonist: sweet, weird, and likable despite some irritating quirks.

Sep 19, 2006 | Full Review…

Drew Tillman
Village Voice
Top Critic
The back story behind Train Man is as entertaining as the film itself

Jun 7, 2007 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Don Willmott
Filmcritic.com
Murakami gives the film an effervescent buzz that keeps things moving.

Mar 1, 2007 | Full Review…

Frank Lovece
Film Journal International
Though Train Man cleans up pretty decently, he still talks too fast and stands too close, and his makeover is a long-term work in progress. But it is working, and that's happy ending enough.

Sep 22, 2006 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Maitland McDonagh
TV Guide

View All Critic Reviews (6)

Audience Reviews for Train Man: Densha Otoko

Jan 07, 2010

A fair romantic movie that begins on a train. The best part of the film is the communicating via the web in a chat room about the lead character's exploits and travails, and the interaction he has with his fellow online chatters. I loved the ending when those other online chatters are truly affected by the train man and venture 'outside' their wired world. Charming movie!

alan j Super Reviewer
Jun 24, 2009

A friend recommended I see this movie and I really enjoyed this film. You always want to pull for the underdog and in this case you experience the frustrations of the main character to the point you really want to throw something at the screen. You become lost in his world and in the end you can't help but cheer for him. I highly recommend this movie.

George K Super Reviewer
Oct 10, 2007

[font=Century Gothic]In "Train Man," a shy young man(Takayuki Yamada) intervenes to help stop the harassment of women on a train by a drunken businessman. Afterwards, one of the victims, a young woman(Miki Nakatani), sends him a nice set of cups as a thank you gift. He calls her to say thanks and asks her out to dinner, to which she says yes. Buoyed by the advice of his online friends, he undergoes a drastic makeover in preparation for their date...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Train Man" is a sweet romantic movie that is neither vulgar nor condescending. Its central message of getting a life is ironically aimed at people who already have a life in the vibrant world of cyberspace. Granted it may not seem like a terribly attractive one to some, but it is still a valid one, even if most of one's friends are online.(For example, the three gameplayers enjoy playing video games together, so what's wrong with that?) The movie's definition of a successful life is narrowly defined as heterosexual romance. And identifying yourself only by how others see you is quite misguided. But I did like how courage is defined here.[/font]

Walter M Super Reviewer
Dec 20, 2006

Based on the book that was based on a true story. Train Man is possibly the most modern of all love stories. Told in a brilliant fashion as a young man searches for the courage to pursue love. He is supported by fellow internet users, who give advice and cheer him on. Little does he know the effect he is having on those who support him. Brilliant comical moments and a fresh romantic narrative make this a sweet and enjoyable film. The book is suprisingly well transferred to film and a number of new techniques bring along the communication via messageboards and text messages. Slows down towards the end but a great ride.

Luke B Super Reviewer