Train Man/Densha Otoko Licensed by Viz

[Brent Long]

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/pressrelease.php?id=1832


San Francisco, CA, June 28, 2006 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the forthcoming DVD release of the quirky romantic comedy TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO. The film, which received widespread critical acclaim and caused a sensation in Japan upon its release in 2005, will be released by VIZ Pictures, a new VIZ Media sister company. TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO will be available domestically on DVD in January of 2007. VIZ Media will also publish the companion manga series, TRAIN_MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, in October for $9.99.

TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO is the film inspired by the phenomenal bestseller by Hitori Nakano that took Japan by storm. Based on true events that took place on a popular Internet Relay Chat (IRC) website in Japan called “2ch,” this fairy tale-like story has become a media sensation, and been adapted in book, comic, television drama, and movie formats. Released in 2005, the movie became an instant hit, grossing over 35 million dollars in Japan.

TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO is the story of a computer engineer otaku (the Japanese term for “geek”), who is an average young man dressed in unstylish clothes and dorky glasses. As luck would have it, he encounters a pretty young woman on a commuter train and saves her from a lecherous molester, falling in love with her at first sight. A few days later he receives a thank-you message from the woman along with a set of Hermes teacups. Having never had a girlfriend or received a gift from a girl in his life, the otaku seeks out his pals on his IRC website for advice using his codename Train_Man (Densha Otoko). Deeply interested in Train_Man’s first love, his IRC pals eagerly supply him with advice. Encouraged by their support, Train_Man undergoes a total makeover for his first-ever date with “Hermes.” Little does he know that he is about to ignite an Internet phenomenon.

“TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO is a unique and heartwarming romantic story and its focus on what ultimately attracts people will likely make this film a favorite,” states Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO for VIZ Pictures. “Good stories always have an underdog or an unlikely hero to root for, and TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO presents a believable and genuine protagonist. We are pleased to launch VIZ Pictures with the release of this acclaimed film. The story will make people think fondly about their own first experiences with love and the thrill and rush it caused. Perhaps it will even inspire a few to take a chance on someone they like!”

VIZ Media will be previewing TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO at Anime Expo 2006 on Saturday, July 1st at 7:30 p.m. TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO will have its theatrical premiere in September 2006 beginning in New York with major cities to follow.

[Lord Dalek]

Heh, maybe they'll grab Daicon IV out of licencing hell as an extra.

Yeah, I wish.

[Brent Long]

I just read through the synopsis in the PR. This is one of the most interesting anime I've heard about in ages. I was expecting this to be a bullet-train tokusatsu anime when I first heard of it when Karl mentioned it in one of the podcasts.

[Lord Dalek]

I just read through the synopsis in the PR. This is one of the most interesting anime I've heard about in ages. I was expecting this to be a bullet-train tokusatsu when I first heard of it when Karl mentioned it in one of the podcasts.I really wouldn't get your hopes up. Its pretty bad.

[Brent Long]

I really wouldn't get your hopes up. Its pretty bad.

Really? Are you referring to just the movie, because I recall hearing good things about the TV series?

Edit: By the way, could a mod change the thread title to "Densha Otoko/Train Man Movie Liscensed by Viz"?

[Chris Wood]

I just read through the synopsis in the PR. This is one of the most interesting anime I've heard about in ages. I was expecting this to be a bullet-train tokusatsu when I first heard of it when Karl mentioned it in one of the podcasts.

"anime"?

[Brent Long]

"anime"?

I meant a tokusatsu done through anime.

[Neo-Era]

Really? Are you referring to just the movie, because I recall hearing good things about the TV series?

The general opinion is that the TV series is far superior to the movie version.

[FlyByNite77]

The general opinion is that the TV series is far superior to the movie version.

IMO the TV series blows away the movie. I think the guy used for Densha in the movie isn't geeky enough, the guy in the TV series was perfect though and the TV series was just funny as hell.

The opening credits being an animated remake of the Daicon IV opening... The stocked rooms of the Otaku's with anime merchandise and everything.

I hope they pick up the TV series too.

[Chris Wood]

I meant a tokusatsu done through anime.

I'm still confused. I thought the film and series were live action comedy/drama, nothing to do with anime or tokusatsu.

[Brent Long]

I'm still confused. I thought the film and series were live action comedy/drama, nothing to do with anime or tokusatsu.

The film that got liscensed is an anime. There's another TV series that's also an anime as well as a live action J-Drama and several manga adaptations. All of these are based on the same story (based on supposedly true events) and not tokusatsu. I only thought this originally because I had only ever heard of the title itself being referenced, and never anything regarding the plot until I read the PR that is.

[FlyByNite77]

The film that got liscensed is an anime. There's another TV series that's also an anime as well as a live action J-Drama and several manga adaptations. All of these are based on the same story (based on supposedly true events) and not tokusatsu. I only thought this originally because I had only ever heard of the title itself being referenced, and never anything regarding the plot until I read the PR that is.

There's an anime movie coming out/has come out of it? I had seen a manga adaption, wasn't aware of the anime.

[Ryoutarou]

The film that got liscensed is an anime. There's another TV series that's also an anime as well as a live action J-Drama and several manga adaptations. All of these are based on the same story (based on supposedly true events) and not tokusatsu. I only thought this originally because I had only ever heard of the title itself being referenced, and never anything regarding the plot until I read the PR that is.Umm...come again? o.O As far as I know, there's the movie and the TV series, both are live action. Neither are tokusatsu, but J-Drama. I know of the manga, but those are based off the books, same with the TV series and movie. But I've never heard of an anime for it.

Side note: Viz Pictures? w00t! This could be the opening to have tokusatsu on our side of the world.

[Brent Long]

Umm...come again? o.O As far as I know, there's the movie and the TV series, both are live action. Neither are tokusatsu, but J-Drama. I know of the manga, but those are based off the books, same with the TV series and movie. But I've never heard of an anime for it.

You're right. Sorry, I had assumed there was a seperate anime TV series and movie based off of the fact that ANN and AOD both announced the liscensing of it, and the picture Wikipedia had of the anime opening for what I'd assume to be the J-Drama TV series. I thought it was more of a multimedia blitzkrieg than it really is.

Does this topic even fit here anymore? Don't we normally have Japansese live action covered on The Entertainment Board?

Again, I apologize for any confusion here.

Edit: Complete re-haul of my original post.

[Karl Olson]

They've picked up the Live Action film and one of the several manga adaptions.

It's pretty much universally accepted from what I've seen that the TV series is the best out of the various variations on Densha Otoko. And I'll let it slide as the story is about an otaku who is huge into anime culture and the whole Densha story has had a radical effect on the acceptance of anime fandom and otaku-ism in Japan as a whole. The word Otaku has begun to lose it's negative connotations in Japan in part because of Densha (and also because of the word Hikikomori being the new descriptor for the disturbingly obsessive and anti-social,) so it's ok. Besides, I think we had a talk back on this forum for the TV show for a while: http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=149050

I mean, it's so incredibly embedded into anime culture, that the only live action that'd be more fitting would be Live Action Cutey Honey or the Gokusen J-Drama.

[Go-chin]

Speaking of the Live Action Cutie Honey, that needs a license as well.
It was so incredibly bad, and even had Go Nagai cameo.

[Conan-san]

I'd rather have the novel myself.

[Weatherman]

Speaking of the Live Action Cutie Honey, that needs a license as well.
It was so incredibly bad, and even had Go Nagai cameo.

Actually, I kinda liked that movie.:shrug:

So Viz is getting into Live Action now? Hunh. I guess Train Man is goign to be farmed out all over the place since one of the other manga adaptions was licensed by Del Ray.

[Brent Long]

So Viz is getting into Live Action now? Hunh. I guess Train Man is goign to be farmed out all over the place since one of the other manga adaptions was licensed by Del Ray.

It would seem so. They also released Kamikaze Girls (http://animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6022) earlier this year.

[Karl Olson]

I think it's more of a push towards getting large multimedia properties in Japan. Kamikaze Girls had a movie, a book and one-shot manga, all of which Viz grabbed. They've been making a similar push with stuff like Socrates In Love, and Train Man/Densha Otoko follows this push. They've got the film and one of the mangas, and if those work, they can make a play for the original novel and the TV series. Only thing Densha they won't be able to get it the Minna spin-off anime (it's Gonzo, so unless Viz is co-proing it, Funimation will get it,) and the Densha mangas that they missed out on (Del-Rey snagged one, and I think their are two others still up in the air that I'd imagine will almost have to two other publishers.)

[Nobuyuki sama]

Densha mangas that they missed out on (Del-Rey snagged one, and I think their are two others still up in the air that I'd imagine will almost have to two other publishers.)
One was picked up by CMX, as well.

[Go-chin]

Actually, I kinda liked that movie.:shrug:


I did as well. I was just saying, the movie was bad.
Just because something is bad doesn't mean you can't enjoy it.

[Weatherman]

I did as well. I was just saying, the movie was bad.
Just because something is bad doesn't mean you can't enjoy it.

Ehh, it had much better production values than alot of junk I've seen. The story even kinda made sense. Plus, she was really really really really etc etc etc hot.

Looks like Train Man will be a "somethign for everyone" property. Heck. Geneon, Bandai and ADV all stand as good a chance as any otehr company of snagging the anime.

[Chris Wood]

IMO the TV series blows away the movie. I think the guy used for Densha in the movie isn't geeky enough, the guy in the TV series was perfect though and the TV series was just funny as hell.
.

I haven't seen the film, but less geeky would be an improvement as the romance in the TV series is completely implausible.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

Another live action movie? The writings on the wall folks... Viz is going to bring us the Deathnote movies for sure.

[tinlunlau]

Another live action movie? The writings on the wall folks... Viz is going to bring us the Deathnote movies for sure.

shouldn't that be with Warner Brothers?
they did produce it after all.

[Karl Olson]

Another live action movie? The writings on the wall folks... Viz is going to bring us the Deathnote movies for sure.

Actually, that hinges on who has precidence - Shueisha or Warner. Viz already got slapped on that when it came to Gonzo/Funi, and Warner is a much bigger and meaner setup than Gonzo/Funi.

[Chris Wood]

Does anyone else think 40 Year Old Virgin might have been inspired by Densha Otoko? Seems awfully similar.

[Chad Bonin]

Kittaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!