Tetsuko no Tabi

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Iron

A few words about “Tetsu” (iron)…

It is a special term for those who are very,

or rather, who are extremely in love with all things Tetsudo (railroads).

It is a term that denotes a unique individual.

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Tetsuko no Tabi

It’s a manga series where the characters JUST ride on trains.

Tetsuko no Tabi!

And unexpectedly, it sold well…

So much so that…

Bottom text: © Kikuchi Naoe, Yokomi Kurohiko / Shogakkan / “Tetsuko no Tabi” Production Team

It became an anime!

Text on shirt: "We’re gonna ride lots of trains today!"

And that means…

This will be our car.

We will ride lots of trains!

Would you all like to take a journey Tetsuko style?

A Tetsu-related comic in thirty minutes.

Try not to be late for its departure!

Ah, and don’t run out too fast. It’s dangerous!

And so!

All aboard… And let’s depart!

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Celebrate! It’s an anime! Tetsuko no Tabi Pre-departure special

Manga artist Kikuchi

A female manga artist who had NO former interest in trains: Kikuchi-san.

Train Lunch

Bribed by promises of train-lunches…

She was dragged along on the Tetsu journey.

She is currently traveling around the country on

trains with the king of railway nerds himself, Yokomi!

Orange: Tetsuko no Tabi Purple: By Kikuchi Naoe A travel writer, Yokomi Kurohiko assists. "A big hit from Shogakkan!"

It’s serialized monthly in a manga magazine.

And currently boasts six published volumes.

It is simply, getting on trains…

Then getting off trains.

This manga is NOT fiction.

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The era for Tetsu nerds has arrived!

It is NON-fiction.

In case there was any confusion.

And the hero of the story is…

A travel writer, Yokomi Kurohiko-san.

Naturally, he is a real person.

Travel writer Yokomi Kurohiko-san

Yes, yes. Here he is. The real-life Yokomi-san.

When he was a child, his interest in train schedules led him to the world of Tetsu-mania.

In 1995, he visited every station on the JR line.

Text: 1995: He visited every station (at the time) on the JR line. 4,636 stations.

Then in 2005, he visited every station on the JR and independent lines!

Text: In 2005, he visited every station (at the time) on the JR and independent lines. 9,843 stations.

He IS the quintessential Tetsu NERD.

So this is the place… the place to bring a woman.

To seduce her.

Have you used this line before for seduction?

I never used it to seduce anyone.

I mean, I’m not that indecent.

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Kasumigaura

And that recommended date course is right here.

But Yokomi-san, you seem to be a little jittery.

Could it be…

He’s waiting to meet up with a GIRL??

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No way

Oh… a train.

After that, he gets on the train and gets off.

Gets on the train and gets off…

And Yokomi-san takes more and more pictures.

Until the sun sets, you can still see the passion in his eyes behind the camera lens!

He must like it. He must REALLY like it.

Tetsuko no Tabi, I truly congratulate you on becoming an anime.

I hope that the Tetsu fans and non Tetsu fans alike enjoy it.

All of you, please be sure not to miss it!

March 31, 2007.

The day one rail line was closed forever.

This was also showcased in the manga.

The Miyagi prefecture, Kurihara historic rail line.

Or for short, “Kuriden”.

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After 90 years of memories, the Kuriden’s final day.

It was opened in the 10th year of the Taisho era.

Until today, it was used and enjoyed by many.

But passengership dwindled, and it was closed down.

On this day, not only were several locals present,

but many Tetsu fans from all over the country gathered for the vigil.

The cars were completely packed.

No one tried to hide their sadness.

Ironically, it started to rain.

And on the fogged window, a message was written.

Text: Goodbye, Kuriden.

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Kurihara Historic Rail - Ishikoshi Station

And at last, the time for the train’s final departure arrived.

All aboard!

Good work!

The Kuriden lowered the curtain on 90 years of service.

Everyone watched it ride away in sadness.

The back of this head looks familiar.

Could it be…?

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Discovery!

It’s Yokomi-san!

Actually, Yokomi-san had also come to Ishikoshi that day to ride on the Kuriden’s final departure.

Sorry to trouble you.

I just love trains.

Ah, you’re getting off?

Okay, just one.

Full of Tetsu-ness! Manga, an anime, wow, what an amazing accomplishment!

The theme song, background music, and the recording of actual train sounds was overseen by…

Okay.

These things will harness the train’s energy through my body.

Okay!

Super Bell”Z

Train DJ, Nozuki Takahiro-san.

And also, a pop-idol who also loves trains!

She loves trains! Toyo-oka Masumi-san

Toyo-oka Masumi-san!

It may look like he’s just playing around...

But this is a very serious recording session!

The mystical world of the music and sounds in Tetsuko no Tabi.

Be sure to listen for it!

Congratulations on becoming an anime.

I use this in place of a business card.

I’m really looking forward to it.

One day, one email was sent to the staff of Tetsuko no Tabi.

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One email

The sender was “Ikki Kamimura” in the editing department.

Saying that Yokomi-san had just thought up an “awesome” plan.

So they did as he said. At 22:00, they met at Tokyo Station.

Apparently, they’re going on an all-night express train to somewhere…

And these are the members that Yokomi-san invited.

Yokomi-san

Kikuchi-san

Toyo-oka-san

Nozuki-san

Tsuchiya Motoi-san

And showing up a little late to the gathering was Tetsuko no Tabi editor, Kamimura-san.

IKKI Editing Department Kamimura Masaki-san

And now, the real life Tetsuko no Tabi will depart to an unknown destination. All aboard!

It’s pretty awesome our rooms have locks.

I feel a little spoiled.

You push this and…

Beep, beep, beep, boooom.

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Intense!

This is how you lock it.

I’ve never done this before on a train.

You go like this, see?

Beep…

Then beep, beep, beep, beep…

Woaaaaah.

It’s not opening.

Just a minute, I’ll open it…

Even something minor like a locking door,

is entertaining in your hands.

…I worry for them.

In the special box set of Tetsuko manga, there’s a train lunch map!

The manga author, Kikuchi,

has chosen three of her favorite train lunches from the many she enjoyed on her travels.

First is this.

Introduced on the 33rd Trip,

Note: Known as "Grilled Crab Lunch."

Text: Fragrant Yaki Kani Meshi, 1,250 yen.

Kanazawa Station’s Yaki Kani Meshi.

And then, introduced in the 22nd Trip,

Text: Sendai Date Bento, 1,000 yen.

Sendai Station’s Date Bento.

And finally, from the 17th Trip,

Text: Shiumai Bentou, 740 yen.

Kawasaki Station’s Shiumai Bentou.

These can only be eaten from train stations.

So get on the train, buy the lunches, and eat them all!

As a Tetsudo maniac, naturally, I’m cheering for it whole heartedly.

Good luck to you all.

Be sure to check out the Tomitech collection as well.

After the break… Something’s going down?!

What in the world did Yokomi-san do?!

The way Tetsuko no Tabi turns into an anime is...

With the diligent help of the many people in an anime company.

Anime company, “Group Tak.”

Let’s invade the drawing room where they’re referring to actual blueprints for their train design!

Realistic tracks… and realistic train cars.

In order to bring realism to the animation, they used countless photographs and blueprints.

Wow, give yourselves a pat on the back.

Since this is a story that’s just about people riding on trains,

plenty of real-life trains make an appearance.

Needless to say, they work very hard on authenticity to the very last detail.

Mmmm, I see. Very nice.

Meanwhile, in the conference room, the director of animation,

Nagaoka Akio, is talking about the story with his staff.

What kind of flavor does he have in mind for Tetsuko no Tabi?

…I’m very pleased. Let’s do it.

To be honest, I wasn’t familiar with the manga before.