Series recommendation: Densha Otoko

Synopsis:
A true love story turned to bestselling novel, created from the Internet BBS, 2channel to blockbuster hit movie. Ito Misaki plays Aoyama Saori, working as an office lady at a MNC, gets into trouble with a drunkard on a train. She's saved by Yamada Tsuyoshi, played by Ito Atsushi As a form of appreciation, she sends him Hermes teacups. Having no experience with the opposite sex, Tsuyoshi decides to ask for help on the Aladdin Channel BBS on how to interact with Saori.

Rating: 6/6

Recommendation:
I don’t know about you, but when I first read this plot I thought it seemed incredibly boring. However, after stumbling across it and hearing it mentioned an unknown number of times online, I decided to give it a go. I loved it and was hooked already at the first episode. We follow the romance of Tsuyoshi and Saori, but that’s not the reason to watch it.

You could say what I like about the series is the internet-conversations. The series is kind of made through the eyes of the people at the forums, in that much of the information given is heard as Tsuyoshi telling the forum. That way, you get the feeling of being one of those people reading the forum. The forum is full of reeeally strange people, and I think the somewhat crazy reactions of others help increase your own. That might be part of why the series is so incredibly awesome. There’s also not just the usual animegeeks, but all kinds of geeks. And Oguri Shun, for those crazy fangirls out there.

The only thing I didn’t like was Ito Misaki. She plays the pretty and kind Saori, but judging from my nausea, it might be a bit overdone. Ito Atsushi on the other hand, is really great in his part as Tsuyoshi. I like how he really looks like a nerd, not just some pretty actor with glasses. His facial expressions are priceless, and sometimes creepy…

It’s cute, it’s silly, it’s charming, it’s funny, and it’s really engaging. I swear, before I was finished, I was all “kitaaaa!” at every upturn, even if I hadn’t really heard that expression much before.
This series is a must watch, even if you’re not a geek. You’ll kind of wish you were one anyway.

I even cried at the end. Not because it was sad, but because it was over.

Spoilerfree music video: