Train Man: Nakano Hitori

Train Man (电车男). The story of the Train Man who fell in love with the girl, Hermes. Thanks to Naoko. It's her book.

Synopsis: This is a true story of love for the internet generation - the international bestseller that sold over a million copies. This wonderfully unique book from Japan derives from a series of postings over a three-month period to a particularly computer-geeky thread of 2 Channel, the world's largest anonymous Message Board. The events all took place in Tokyo.

One day a shy otaku computer geek mentioned on the message forum how he had met a girl on a subway train. As things developed he continued to post updates to the message board. He gained the nickname 'Train Man'. With each update from bashful Train Man, his fellow correspondents throw in own colorful speculations, boyish encouragements, tongue-in-cheek warnings, and fabulously inventive ascii text drawings.

Train Man tries to take on board their comments as events unfold. Eventually he finds love with the girl, Hermes, and reveals to her the entire history of the thread. The true identity of Train Man remains a closely guarded secret.

Here are the contents:
Mission 1: Emergency Request [Help me with dinner]
Mission 2: I'll Just Hold on Tightly to You
Mission 3: She Pulled My Hand Lightly
Mission 4: The Time for the Cups Have Arrived
Mission 5: Stop Leading Me on So Much
Mission 6: The Miraculous Final Chapter
Post-fin: 'You Were Trying So Hard....'

Just finished up to end of Mission 2 this morning. Gonna continue. Very interesting and very, very addictive :P

More info here.