Character Relationship Map: Train Man

Characters

• Densha otoko (played by Takayuki Yamada) — protagonist

  A frightened and inexperienced man who intervenes when a drunken passenger harasses others on a train. He develops feelings for Hermes, seeks advice from an anonymous online community, and gradually g...

• Hermes (played by Miki Nakatani) — supporting

  A passenger whom Densha otoko protects from harassment on a crowded train. She thanks him with an expensive-looking tea-cup set, agrees to dinner, and gradually develops a close relationship with him...

• Schoolgirl on the train (played by Momoko Shimizu) — supporting
• Middle-aged man in train (played by Ren Osugi) — supporting

  A drunken passenger who harasses people on a crowded train, including Hermes. His behavior prompts Densha otoko to overcome his fear and intervene.

• Hermes's friend (played by Naomi Nishida) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Densha otoko → Hermes (Romantic Interest) — Their relationship gradually develops from gratitude into an uncertain romantic connection.

  Densha otoko develops feelings for Hermes after their train encounter and pursues further dinners and meetings with her.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Densha otoko → Schoolgirl on the train (Social Fellow Passenger) — They share the train setting during the disruptive incident.

  Densha otoko witnesses the middle-aged man harassing passengers on a crowded train, where the schoolgirl on the train is present.

• Densha otoko → Hermes's friend (Social Acquaintance) — The meeting places him closer to Hermes's existing social world.

  Densha otoko meets people close to Hermes as his relationship with her develops.

• Hermes → Hermes's friend (Social Friend) — Hermes's friend belongs to Hermes's personal social circle.

  Hermes's friend is identified as someone close to Hermes, and Densha otoko meets people close to her during the developing relationship.

• Hermes → Middle-aged man in train (Conflict Harasser And Victim) — Their conflict establishes the incident that connects Hermes and Densha otoko.

  The middle-aged man is described as harassing passengers on the train, including Hermes.

• Densha otoko → Middle-aged man in train (Conflict Defender And Aggressor) — The middle-aged man's harassment triggers Densha otoko's first courageous action.

  Densha otoko intervenes when the middle-aged man harasses passengers, including Hermes, on the crowded train.

• Hermes's friend → Hermes (friend)

Story Analysis

An inexperienced man gains courage through love and communal support, but must confront his fear that happiness belongs to another world.

Plot Progression

1. Courage on the Train — Densha otoko intervenes when a drunken man harasses passengers. Hermes later thanks him with tea cups, creating the connection that drives the story.
2. A Chance to Call — Densha otoko confides in an anonymous online community about Hermes and his feelings. Their encouragement helps him make an awkward call and arrange a dinner date.
3. Learning to Connect — With advice from the online supporters, Densha otoko prepares for his date. Dinner succeeds well enough for Hermes to offer her e-mail address and suggest another meeting.
4. A World Apart — Further outings, a visit to Hermes's home, and meetings with people close to her deepen Densha otoko's hopes. Hermes's suggestion that he meet someone else creates painful uncertainty.
5. Hope After Retreat — Believing that he and Hermes come from different worlds, Densha otoko ends their meetings. The anonymous supporters reject his defeat and remind him that he has already changed.