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Train Man: A Shojo Manga
LONELY HEARTS UNITE!
Geeky fanboy Ikumi Saiki has a dream that someday, somehow, he’ll finally get a girlfriend. Then one day, on the train home, he rescues a beautiful girl from a troublesome drunk. Now the girl sees the hero inside the otaku–and it appears that Ikumi will finally find romance! But though Ikumi found the courage to save her, will he ever be brave enough to win her heart?
Desperate, Ikumi posts an urgent plea on an Internet message board: “Help me win the girl of my dreams!” Ikumi’s story ignites the whole online world. Everyone is ready to help Ikumi prove that even an otaku can find true love!
Includes special extras after the story!
Geeky fanboy Ikumi Saiki has a dream that someday, somehow, he’ll finally get a girlfriend. Then one day, on the train home, he rescues a beautiful girl from a troublesome drunk. Now the girl sees the hero inside the otaku–and it appears that Ikumi will finally find romance! But though Ikumi found the courage to save her, will he ever be brave enough to win her heart?
Desperate, Ikumi posts an urgent plea on an Internet message board: “Help me win the girl of my dreams!” Ikumi’s story ignites the whole online world. Everyone is ready to help Ikumi prove that even an otaku can find true love!
Includes special extras after the story!
179 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 10, 2019
I love the story ❤️
It’s so romantic 😍😁✨
It’s so romantic 😍😁✨
December 29, 2021
Pengen baca komik lagi, akhirnya memutuskan baca komik ini yang baru dibeli beberapa hari yang lalu *entah kenapa komik baru dibeli itu lebih menggoda untuk dibaca dibanding yang udah lama dibeli dan disimpan XD*.
Tertarik beli ini karena pernah liat tulisan orang yang bilang ini ceritanya bagus dan benar aja sih, ceritanya bagus dan ringan juga ^^. Baca ini pun ngalir aja ceritanya. Jadinya bisa dibaca sekali duduk ^_^.
Btw, komik ini juga ada versi novelnya. Ya karena memang komik ini diadaptasi dari novel sih ^o^. Tapi kayaknya cukup baca ini aja sudah mencakup keseluruhan isi novelnya deh.
Tertarik beli ini karena pernah liat tulisan orang yang bilang ini ceritanya bagus dan benar aja sih, ceritanya bagus dan ringan juga ^^. Baca ini pun ngalir aja ceritanya. Jadinya bisa dibaca sekali duduk ^_^.
Btw, komik ini juga ada versi novelnya. Ya karena memang komik ini diadaptasi dari novel sih ^o^. Tapi kayaknya cukup baca ini aja sudah mencakup keseluruhan isi novelnya deh.
January 16, 2024
This manga was so cute and nerdy!! I’ve never really read a book with this type of concept, but I really enjoyed it!
the flow and story progression made sense, and I feel it was really natural to read. My only confusion would be differentiating between the active dialogue and what was being said in the online forums, but if you get that, then I didn’t really see any complaints!!
The main characters were each complex and cute and nerdy and I think it all just tied together in a nice way!!
the flow and story progression made sense, and I feel it was really natural to read. My only confusion would be differentiating between the active dialogue and what was being said in the online forums, but if you get that, then I didn’t really see any complaints!!
The main characters were each complex and cute and nerdy and I think it all just tied together in a nice way!!
March 18, 2018
This was really boring.
April 3, 2018
Not very memorable...
August 16, 2016
When I was at my local library a couple months ago I was looking at their (relatively small) manga collection, when a certain title caught my eye: Train Man. To anyone else this title would mean absolutely nothing to them, but to me it does: my first ever online username was Trainman1405, a name I still go by sometimes even to this day. I picked it up off the shelf, sat down in a chair at a nearby table, and began reading it since my mom was doing shopping at the nearby Costco before she came to pick me up. I was planning on checking it out from the library if my mom came to pick me up before I finished it, but by pure luck I finished a couple minutes before she arrived.
Train Man is a one-off manga novel about otaku (the Japanese word for fanboy) Ikumi Saki who is on a train home when he spots a woman being harassed by a drunk man. Somehow Ikumi manages to muster the courage to tell the drunk to leave her alone. She thanks him. Later, once at home, Ikumi posts on a popular online message board soliciting advice on how he can win the girl of his dreams, the one he saved from harm on the train. Over the course of the story it progresses as he continues soliciting advice on the message board from the thousands of others following his journey on what to do in order to achieve the girl of his dreams. You'll see the relationship between him and the girl grow, and also how Ikumi goes from being a shy and quiet boy to a man with confidence.
It's a fun and pretty quick read you can knock out, however I did not enjoy it tons. I just didn't care for the way it felt it jumped around a lot without warning, causing me to have to re-read a few bits.
If you're interested, you can read more about Train Man on Wikipedia and how it's become a book, movie, and even a television show.
Like what you see? You can check out the rest of my book reviews over at Devin's Book Hub.
Train Man is a one-off manga novel about otaku (the Japanese word for fanboy) Ikumi Saki who is on a train home when he spots a woman being harassed by a drunk man. Somehow Ikumi manages to muster the courage to tell the drunk to leave her alone. She thanks him. Later, once at home, Ikumi posts on a popular online message board soliciting advice on how he can win the girl of his dreams, the one he saved from harm on the train. Over the course of the story it progresses as he continues soliciting advice on the message board from the thousands of others following his journey on what to do in order to achieve the girl of his dreams. You'll see the relationship between him and the girl grow, and also how Ikumi goes from being a shy and quiet boy to a man with confidence.
It's a fun and pretty quick read you can knock out, however I did not enjoy it tons. I just didn't care for the way it felt it jumped around a lot without warning, causing me to have to re-read a few bits.
If you're interested, you can read more about Train Man on Wikipedia and how it's become a book, movie, and even a television show.
Like what you see? You can check out the rest of my book reviews over at Devin's Book Hub.
October 22, 2016
Of the various media elements to come out of the "Train Man" tale back in the mid-2000s, this one-shot manga was not one of the better adaptations. To start out, the art was a bit too simplistic. It was weird seeing so much white space going unused, and not particularly appealing either. Her character designs were less than stellar as well, not up to my usual shoujo fare.
The story itself was painful. I found myself rolling my eyes through most of the scenes, particularly with the guy bursting into tears so often. It almost felt like she was trying to turn the Densha Otoko into a stereotypical manga girl and his love interest into something more of the stereotypical guy. Quite frankly, it didn’t work.
I think part of the problem was how rushed it felt. You couldn’t really develop any sort of attachment to the characters. I found myself wondering, “Why should I care?” There just wasn’t enough substance.
On the other hand, there were a few good points. The “screens” from 2chan were neat, although the things written were rather painful. I also rather enjoyed the translation notes included by Del Rey, and their sum up of the whole Densha Otoko phenomenon. It’s a shame that the extras were better than the manga itself.
The story itself was painful. I found myself rolling my eyes through most of the scenes, particularly with the guy bursting into tears so often. It almost felt like she was trying to turn the Densha Otoko into a stereotypical manga girl and his love interest into something more of the stereotypical guy. Quite frankly, it didn’t work.
I think part of the problem was how rushed it felt. You couldn’t really develop any sort of attachment to the characters. I found myself wondering, “Why should I care?” There just wasn’t enough substance.
On the other hand, there were a few good points. The “screens” from 2chan were neat, although the things written were rather painful. I also rather enjoyed the translation notes included by Del Rey, and their sum up of the whole Densha Otoko phenomenon. It’s a shame that the extras were better than the manga itself.
November 19, 2015
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.
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.
September 9, 2007
Train Man (Densha Otoko) is a Japanese-based story of an “otaku,” which closely translates to an anime/video game fanboy, who finally found true love while rescuing a girl in the train. Lacking the know-how of love and matters of the heart, Ikumi Saiki, the male lead, must depend on his friends from an Internet forum for advices and dating suggestions! The thing I love about this book is that it clearly shows how love can bring out the best in people. After finding love, Ikumi gradually came out of his shell and became a more confident and honest person. Readers would definitely enjoy the book’s fast-paced story and graphic art; of course, the happy ending is a big plus! After the story, the book also has special extras like notes from the author, a translation guide and how an otaku created a pop culture phenomenon. I highly recommend this book to otakus like me and for readers who believe that love knows no bounds.
September 12, 2007
Geek boy fantasy about snagging hot girl. Meh.
Not a bad manga, decent art and so on, but the story is so incredibly old I couldn't bring myself to be very interested. At least this geek boy undergoes the requisite makeover first, instead of just inexplicably gaining the girl's interest by being gormless and getting regularly beaten up by her soon-to-be-dumped boyfriend.
If anyone can rec me a story about a geek girl who snags a hot boy without having to undergo a makeover first, please do! (Not The Wallflower, though; I tried reading the manga but found I couldn't stand it.)
Not a bad manga, decent art and so on, but the story is so incredibly old I couldn't bring myself to be very interested. At least this geek boy undergoes the requisite makeover first, instead of just inexplicably gaining the girl's interest by being gormless and getting regularly beaten up by her soon-to-be-dumped boyfriend.
If anyone can rec me a story about a geek girl who snags a hot boy without having to undergo a makeover first, please do! (Not The Wallflower, though; I tried reading the manga but found I couldn't stand it.)
November 1, 2007
Ah, the heartwarming story of how the Internet helped a geek win the heart of a beautiful girl. Based on a series of anonymous posts on a Japanese message board, this possibly true tale has many incarnations, including a movie, a TV series, and several graphic novels. This version, a light and fun read geared toward females, is briskly paced with appealing character designs and dialogue. The English translation is clearly intended for those who are already familiar with Internet culture and contemporary Japan- a choice that will endear this graphic novel to its primary audience, but may leave others feeling a little lost.
May 25, 2010
Gag! It got the basics of the Train Man story, but there were so many starbursts and hearts I felt like the book was hot pink even though it was printed in black and white. I did like the moment when Train Man explained that he felt he should walk the girl home, but she said no so he didn’t. And everyone said, Girls just say that to be polite, but you absolutely must insist on walking her home or you won’t have a chance. Unless, of course, she really means it and doesn’t want you to walk her home—then if you do, you won’t have a chance.
June 14, 2021
As a sweet romance story that generally plays it safe, I was surprised to find out that Train Man was based on a true event. The themes are uplifting, concerning how even the most awkward and gross of otaku can freshen up and catch a significant other. The cultural significance of this manga and Socrates in Love is especially present in 2019, where identifying as an otaku no longer has a negative connotation.
Despite some flaws, as in the way everything seemed to flow smoothly with little to no conflict, this gave me some warm fuzzies. If that's all you're looking for, I'd recommend.
Despite some flaws, as in the way everything seemed to flow smoothly with little to no conflict, this gave me some warm fuzzies. If that's all you're looking for, I'd recommend.
May 21, 2011
my second-to-least favourite version of the story, mainly due to the art (my least favourite is the tv show, which i couldn't finish watching because of acute cringe). the redeeming feature of this redaction is that Hermes (named Mai here, which is - weird) comes across like a real, normal girl, probably because the manga is by a woman - but it's a shame that to achieve this, the otaku pov that never sees her as less than idealised is diluted. good cultural notes at the back.
January 6, 2012
This is a book I would *never* have picked up if it weren't for my teen book group. The story is sticky sweet romance (not my cup of tea), but I did love the explanation of the origin of the story that the author included at the end. We had a really great discussion of how the story (both the real story and the media sensation of it) affected Japanese culture. I recommend it as a book group selection.
November 30, 2007
I'm recommending it for 7th and up because it's appropriate but the romance aspect may not appeal to that age. I thought this was a sweet story of first love with lots a appeal for both boys and girls. Good entre into manga for the uninitiated.
March 20, 2009
I loved the movie, and figured I had to read the shojo manga in private. I was right. Sniffled my way through it. ^^; It's heartwarming, fluffy, made me giggle, and a total "awww! /gush" fest. /happy place
February 10, 2008
I love this book. Its probably the best manga I've read so far. It is about how a nerd finds a girlfriend and he uses a chatroom 2 help him out.
July 28, 2011
Lovely and interesting shojo story, full of otaku pop culture.
October 19, 2013
I love this story!!! I saw the movie first but the manga is well worth tracking down. Beautiful romance, but also a beautiful story about the impact our online friendships can have.
May 18, 2014
An adorable one-shot made even more adorable by the fact that it actually happened! Read it!!
January 25, 2015
I love this book so much i dont even know what to write in this review about it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews