Sports papers give rap to millions
packing theaters for otaku flick

Densha Otoko, a Japanese movie telling the story of a geek who finds pure love, is packing fans into theaters, according to Monday's edition of the Hochi Shimbun sports daily.

Attendances are expected to top the magical 1 million mark -- a rarity for a Japanese movie -- with many theaters doubling their originally planned three-week runs of the adaptation of the best seller of the same name.

Densha Otoko faces a huge test, however, with the imminent release of Hollywood blockbusters "War of the Worlds" and "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith."

Hochi said that "Densha Otoko" is currently screening at 192 theaters across Japan, with many showings offering standing room only.

Movie business insiders are reportedly delighted that "Densha Otoko" is packing people into cinema complexes.

Densha Otoko tells the story of a geekish otaku who has never had a girlfriend in his life. Played by Takayuki Yamada, the title character, an online nickname that translates into English as Train Man, sees his life changed after he saves a girl called Hermes, who is being threatened as she rides on a train.

Densha Otoko posts a message on an online bulletin board asking for help in wooing Hermes. Thousands respond with advice and he finally gets his girl. Nakatani Miki plays Hermes.

"Densha Otoko" is supposedly based on a true story and the book was a huge best seller when it appeared on the market last year. The real Densha Otoko and Hermes have given messages of support for the movie. They are still seeing each other and were delighted to see their romance recreated for the big screen.

Fuji TV is due to release a "Densha Otoko" TV mini-series in July starring Itoh Atsushi and (the unrelated) Itoh Misaki .

[2005.06.20 Mainichi ]

.