Train_Man Vol.#02

By: Sakura Eries
Review Date: Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Release Date: Saturday, December 09, 2006



Creative Talent
Writer/Artist:Hidenori Hara
Translated by:Cindy Yamauchi
Adapted by:Mark Giambruno

What They Say
The geek, a.k.a. "Train_man," has managed to go on several dates with the girl of his dreams, but he still can't go beyond that "more than just friends" glass ceiling. Will his Internet forum be able to help him cross that line? As Train_man reinvents himself, his courageous transformation inspires and gives hope to an entire online community.

The Review
Things are heating up between Train_Man and Hermess! They've had dinner dates, they're text messaging each other all the time, and Hermess even invites him over to her house for tea! Train_Man has gone far beyond the wildest hopes of the forum community, which, by the way, is growing by leaps and bounds as Train_Man's story spreads. Train_Man is becoming a hero and inspiration to all! But as Train_Man's relationship with Hermess progresses, everyone starts wondering the same thing: when will Train_Man finally get the guts to confess his love to Hermess?

Hara's taking more liberties in Volume 2 as he fleshes out the basic Densha Otoko story, but most of these embellishments have to do with Train_Man's impact on the forum community than details regarding Train_Man and Hermess. The forum members get quite a bit of panel allocation as Hara depicts the things they've been inspired to do as a result of Train_Man's courage, including an attempted repeat of the drunk-on-the-train-confrontation (with markedly different results). Although Train_Man's entries on the thread are still depicted as stand-alone panel "quotes," the responses of the forum members in Volume 2 are mainly presented visually along with accompanying dialogue/exclamations. The forum members' quotes from the thread are only depicted as postings when Train_Man is trying to recall their advice. Train_Man and Hermess also get fleshed out some, but Hara stays largely mum about the particulars of their lives (although Hermess's dog does get a name).

Extras consist of a two page "story thus far," table of contents, and a page of Train_Man FAQs (the same FAQs as in Volume 1). This title is rated "teen" for a scene of Train_Man in the shower and a little bit of Train_Man fantasizing about Hermess.