Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend

Saekano is the most frustrating kind of bad show: the kind which could have been legitimately good if it tried. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hyped for Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata (Saekano for short) at the start of winter 2015. It’s a shiny new adaptation of Fumiaki Maruto’s light novel series – the same Fumiaki Maruto who wrote White Album 2, which got an anime around a year and a half ago. He also wrote Parfait and Sekai de Ichiban NG na Koi – both of which I’ve seen glowing reviews of. Naturally, I’d expect Saekano to be something close to his workin eroge. I probably should’ve listened to the warning signs. Certain Maruto fans on Twitter had already panned the show and the LN for being self-gratifying otaku humor. People who have watched the first two episodes called the show obnoxious for having snarky commentary on its clichés while also indulging in them. But let’s give credit where it’s due: Saekano isn’t complete trash. I would probably be more forgiving of the show if it were: it’s easier to let go of a show that’s a total failure than a show that flubbed with its great ideas. There are two things that Saekano did well in portraying: the relationship between consumer and creator, and the character of Katou Megumi. Let’s start with the former. Episode 6 of Saekano is the first episode where I thought the show was being genuine. The episode frames Utaha as the creator and Tomoya the consumer, and the show asks: how far should an author go to in trying to please their readers? And I feel that the show gave a good answer to the question: fans want something that the creator wrote, not something that would go with their expectations. The framing of the scene was even reminiscent of White Album 2: two high school kids throwing their emotions at each other under the snow might be a clichéd scene, but if there’s anyone who can make it work, it’s Fumiaki Maruto. Episode 9 is another good episode that gave Eriri much-needed characterization past her generic tsundere shtick. This time, the show asks why a creator, well, creates works for fans – for whose sake are they putting out content? Again, the show frames this question with Tomoya as the consumer and Eriri as the creator: does Eriri draw so she can get better for her fans, or does she just draw to satisfy herself and stay where she is? Eriri finds her foot forward when she decides to get better at drawing to win over Tomoya and satisfy her fans. The show doesn’t give a complete answer, but it gave her character a push forward. Ultimately, I think Saekano’s best point was Katou Megumi’s character: the deadpan non-otaku who joins the group as the “main heroine”. There’s no mistaking that the title’s “boring heroine” refers to Katou: the show keeps referring to her as having “no character” and a “half-assed personality”. On the contrary, her character doesn’t conform to the show’s pre-established archetypes: even though she doesn’t stand out within the show, Katou is perhaps the most memorable character because she’s not a generic archetype. And this is what I think the show was trying to accomplish with Katou: characters should be people, and not just generic archetypes. Unfortunately that's where the show’s good points stop. The conversation between Eriri and Tomoya from the start of episode 5 exemplifies what exactly makes the show so frustrating: “But I just want to always be myself.” “That’s impossible. Everyone has a secret side to them.” “But… Katou doesn’t, does she?” “She’s a non-otaku, but even when mixed up with us otaku, she stayed exactly the same as she was, right?” It's an insightful conversation, only to be cut short by Eriri acting like the stock tsundere archetype. Saekano knows that Katou stands out the most among the characters, and it knows that characters that follow archetypes like Eriri need to have more than their shallow character traits. The show demonstrates a degree of awareness of its clichés – it knows that its characters are generic archetypes, and Katou serves as a direct contrast to them. But that’s where it stops – it’s satisfied at being aware of its clichés, but never does anything to rise up above them. Even worse, the show’s title and all of the show’s characters want Katou to become one of them: a generic character who talks and responds to situations with nothing but stock phrases. It’s hypocritical and obnoxious – in short, it’s a show that gives advice and chooses not to follow it. But I would’ve been okay with the show if it had stopped there. Instead, Episode 10 onwards indulges in all the trashy tropes that it comments on. Episode 10 throws all subtlety out of the window and pours male gaze all over the show, not to mention indulging in classy humor such as flashing a girl. It’s not even the more sensual kind of fanservice like episode 6’s Utaha scene where she puts on her stockings. It’s the point where the show stops trying and just revels in all the trashy LN tropes we all love and “cleverly” comments on all of them. This show is completely in love with itself and all of the trashy things that it comments on. The bottom line: if you’re watching this because you heard it was by White Album 2’s author, don’t bother. If you’re watching this expecting a trashy, fanservice-y show, you’re better off watching an actual trashy, fanservice-y show, because shows like those don’t bother pretending that they’re not trashy, fanservice-y crap. Saekano is obnoxious, hypocritical, and pretentious. Avoid it like the big, stinky turd that it is. (Full review with images here: https://oneofepisodes.wordpress.com/2015/04/17/saekano-how-to-write-a-stinking-pile-of-crap/)

Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata, or Saekano for reduce, is an anime where the protagonist is an otaku who wants to fulfill his dream of creating a galgame, after meeting his beautiful heroine in a captivating scene in which his hat flies downhill, stopping near of protagonist, who is shocked to see a girl with such beauty. To follow his dream of creating a game, he forms your harem... I mean, your team, with qualified people in various areas which are needed to create a game, but with unique personalities, which consequently develops a bit of humor on the series thanks to this factor, and thenfrom there the story begins to unfold. Obviously what will be written from here is my opinion on the series. I'm available to discuss the show with anyone who's interested, regardless of have or not agreed with the content of the review. To be quite honest, the story isn't entirely creative, but so doesn't cease to be fun. The protagonist's idea do everything to chase his dream is very common, including in reality, to be exact. But the situations created in the course of the series are funny, somewhat pleasant, and usually force a smile of who is watching. Are jokes that fit well with the situation that is happening on moment. At certain times these jokes or funny moments, mix a little with fanservice, and to be honest, it doesn't bother me much, since the series doesn't use just this artifice in your episodes. In my opinion is a quantity dosed, if I may say so. Watch the reaction of the protagonist in these moments is funny, but at certain times he just exaggerating with screams and unique reactions. Anyway, to sum up, the story is quite normal, but the situations created at certain times are funny, which to my view, gives a positive point for the series. The design in overall is very good. In this regard, the studio did a great job on show, because characters and scenary interact well, making the characters more interesting to observe, and in compensation the series becomes more enjoyable to watch. Those traits help the spectator to identify or admire some specific character. I don't have a lot to talk about this aspect of design, since, in my opinion, it's quite satisfactory. The anime soundtrack is pretty interesting, because I really liked the music and sound effects produced in the series. About the dubbing of characters, most of the dubbers have adapted well to the characters, with the exception of the protagonist. I mean, it's not that don't fit well, because it was actually done an interesting job here, but in my opinion the "Kirito's voice" is already a bit saturated, appearing in many recent anime. Nothing against the dubber's work, only in my view, he could at the same trying to change the voice in different characters. I'm not saying that's easy, since I have no experience in the subject, but over time the viewers can get tired of it. The other characters, have gained many good voice, and in my view, fit well with their appearances and personalities. The Utaha's dubber helped to define your firm and unforgiving personality. The Eriri's dubber combined very well with the style of tsundere character, and the Katou's dubber, in my opinion, was perfect. I loved watching the anime and accompany the Katou expressing his style confused and distant in their various moments in the series. The characters themselves are unusual, because according to Katou, all three beyond are big figures in school where they study, once otakus, in several other stories tend to be despised. It is normal to think that the Eriri and Utaha are famous for their physical appearance and the way you act different with other people, I just don't really understand why the Tomoya is an important figure there inside. Since this isn't the focus, end up not being so important think much about it. Utaha is an interesting character, because in addition to having a beauty that highlights, has a job, or hobby, unusual to a student, and has a very interesting personality, what makes it endearing. Eriri is a typical tsundere of serie, and that prides itself (although she can't admit) be a childhood friend of Tomoya. Usually is the one that is paying attention on Tomoya, and gets annoyed with the jokes and approaches which Utaha makes to induce Tomoya, one since most of them are quite bold. Michiru appeared at the last moment, but ended up being really cool and provided funny moments, being the main, but not unique, base of the fanservice. Katou is the most interesting of all, in my opinion, because it can be one of the more normal characters I've ever seen in anime. Has weak presence and sometimes the other characters don't notice her in around. Your reactions are unexpectedly normal when it addresses an unknown subject or that it's not in your best interest, and it ends up becoming one of its charms. She's so normal that it's a very different character compared to several others. Tomoya is a standard otaku, with strong personality, which eventually can be annoying, but is the center of history and ensures the laughter in series, once your reactions towards the other girls are typical and funny. The series itself in general is quite satisfactory, can please diverse audiences. Maybe just disappoint people hoping for a serious romance, since you shouldn't expect that in anime with the harem genre. Who likes a mild romcom, Saekano is a very interesting show to watch, because hours have comedies, dramas and pinches of fanservice. Has a common storyline, but enjoyable. Was well on several counts. It's a great entertainment and fun guaranteed.

What does it take to create a dating SIM which will cause people to laugh and cry, but also touch their hearts? This was a question our main character asked himself, which sparked the beginning of the roller-coaster of laughs we call Saekano. I’m sure when we were younger you’ve all had dreams and goals you wanted to achieve when you get older. The anime tells the epic adventure it took our MC, Tomoya Aki, to achieve his goal of creating a game, complete with all the girl problems, and sexual harassments he receives each day from his devious co-workers. While I was scrolling through thenotoriously long new anime section of an unnamed website “how to raise a boring girlfriend” caught my eye, then I thought to myself “better take some notes.” At first glance Saekano looks like an average rom-com anime, and being your normal rom-com lover I decided to give it a try, and let me tell you I was definitely in for a treat. Saekano is one of those anime’s that you just can't get enough of, not a single episode has left me without tears rolling down my face from laughter. [Story] The story kicks off on a sunny spring day in which the wind blows the hat off of a fair maiden, which of course Tomoya was there to pick it up for her, and give it back. That event was what inspired Tomoya to make a dating SIM, he also envisioned that, that exact event would serve to be a flawless opening scene with the maiden as the main character. And as far as we know the “perfect girl” doesn’t exist, because Tomoya later finds out that in reality the maiden wasn't very “fair,” in fact, apart from her beauty, she’s just about the most ordinary girl ever. She was so ordinary that Tomoya didn't realize that she was in his class. The plot is centered on our protagonist Tomoya Aki and his associates, the busty, but intelligent Utaha senpai, the flat but ill-mannered Eriri Spencer, and of course the ordinary girl, Katou Megumi. Saekano takes a slow start, as it takes several episodes for Mr. Aki to convince his unwilling companions to aid him in making his game. But after that the pacing of the anime is quite steady. It’s sad that this anime is limited only to 12 episodes, which for me is definite con, because there could’ve been so much more character, and plot development. [Characters] The characters are definitely where the anime excels the most at. Each of the female protagonists, with the exception of Katou, have an ornate, and well developed backstory with Tomoya. Throughout the plot the author slowly elaborates more on the characters as if slowly giving us puzzle pieces to give us the better picture. But due to the anime only having 12 episodes, we never really get to see the full potential character development from all the characters. [Art] In my opinion, the A-1 pictures did a great job animating this anime. They used vibrant colors that really brought out carefree, and cheerful tone of the show. The animation style reminds me of Nisekoi another successful harem anime. The character designs to me were great, they followed the generic character designs of many harem, and romance animes.Don’t really see much cons of this art style unless you dislike the uniqueness of the art style. One thing that stood out to me was the insanely stubby fingers the characters have sometimes, especially while Utaha is typing. [Sound] The show had a solid, and well-built soundtrack, with dramatic sounding dramatic scenes, and cheerful music for happy scenes. Not much I can say but the soundtracks were sufficient for the show. Great choices in the voice actor department, what could go wrong Ai Kayano, and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as 2 of your main characters? The OPs and EDs were lighthearted songs that complemented the show’s tone. They were not especially stunning but definitely not crappy. [Negatives] As a mentioned before several times, my biggest problem with this anime is that it only has 12 episodes, and because of this, we didn’t get to see the full potential of character development the show could’ve given us. Nor get to see a more complete full picture. But with the anime leaving off like this I’m sure that there would be second, or even a third season. The second thing I had a problem while watching the anime was the pacing of the, which i mentioned before was a bit too slow in the beginning. But towards the end of the show the pacing sped up again. [Enjoyment/ Overall] Q-What would you happen if you added together an eccentric rich girl, a beautiful female writer, a hardcore otaku, his musically blessed cousin, and an ordinary girl? A-You get Blessing Software, as well as one of the most well-made and hilarious rom-coms ever. After watching Oregairu, I fell in love with the rom-com genre. But it’s hard to find a well-made rom-com these days but this anime definitely didn’t disappoint me. I enjoyed everything in this show from Eriri’s hilarious tsundere personality to Utaha’s constant sexual harassments. I know some people criticize this show’s unrealistic plot, but honestly who watches an anime for its realism? Anime’s aren’t meant to be rated for its realistic elements but for its ability to entertain the viewer. And this is an anime that does exactly that. It’s an anime that focuses in on its characters, I’m definitely not saying that the plot is bad I’m just saying that the characters of the anime are the focal point, and make it worth watching. But just remember if you plan to watch Saekano, as their game progresses, hilarity ensues not far behind. Story-7 Art-10 Sound-8 Character-8 Enjoyment-9 Overall-8

It's kinda difficult to express my dislike for Saakeno, without sounding like a total snob, but I will try. So, here it comes. BEING SELF-AWARE DOES NOT MAKE YOU A GOOD PARODY OR SATIRE. Yeah, Saekano is one of those. The kind of work that pokes at some over-used trope or cliché and then loudly proclaims "Isn't that totally a cliché, huh, guys?!". Yeah, it is, but so what? Are you going to expand on that? Maybe in some way subvert that trope and bring about something new? You just poke at it. Okay. And that's the main problem with Saekano. It tries to be a parodysimply by being self-aware. It keeps saying that characters are "Tsunderes" and "Yanderes" without even trying to expand on them. It keeps saying how given situation is "Totally out of some harem anime" and then proceed to play it out exactly like that. Nothing is expanded upon or subverted, just acknowledged. And that's the root of the problem. Well, that and the protagonist, who was made by combining all the annoying traits from other romance protagonists. He's oblivious, obnoxious, doesn't have any talents except "HIS FORCE OF WILL!", has only two voice settings (boring and YELLS RIGHT IN YOUR FACE) and for some reason all of "The most popular girls in the school" are hopelessly in love with him. I'd say the only redeeming quality the show has is Megumi Katou, the "Boring Girlfriend". She is stated to be incredibly boring, bland and generic. And she is. She genuinely is, but precisely because of that she is the most interesting character in the entire show, because she manages to be original in the sea of over-used tropes and generic characters. For me Saekano is an example of great wasted potential. There were so many instances where I hoped it'd go to a different, more original direction and become something more. I was hoping Kato would get fed up with Aki's obnoxiousness after he forbade her to go out with her cousin, because majority of rational people would draw a line there.. I was hoping Eriri would accept other circle proposition, because it appreciated her talents, unlike Aki. I was hoping it would go deeper with Utaha's backstory to explain why would she fall in love with Aki to such a degree, that she was willing to compromise her career and artistic integrity for his sake. I was hoping it would expand more on girls' relationship with each other, probably even showing that they don't really need Aki to fulfill their own ambitions. But no. That didn't happen and all we got was some self-referential humor and a creepy camera operator who kept focusing on girls' different body parts for no reason during casual conversations.